Singapore's sovereign wealth fund, the Government Investment Corporation (GIC), has made significant investments in artificial intelligence startups Anthropic and MiniMax amidst rising concerns about an AI investment bubble. Anthropic recently closed a funding round valuing it at US$35 billion, with GIC as a key backer. At the same time, Chinese AI startup MiniMax saw a strong stock debut on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, also reportedly supported by GIC

Following the US announcement of reciprocal tariffs in 2025, Taiwanese electronic manufacturing services (EMS) companies operating server assembly plants in Mexico are adjusting their supply chains. They are increasingly sourcing components from ASEAN countries. This shift comes amid growing interest in assembling ASIC servers for AI applications in the region

Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology has decided to establish a national center for semiconductor chip prototyping, a move aimed at developing high-quality human resources and supporting businesses in one of the country's fastest-growing technology sectors

Google is reportedly planning to move the New Product Introduction (NPI) process for its high-end Pixel smartphones to Vietnam, a step that could mark a major shift in the tech giant's supply chain strategy, though export controls from Beijing may slow implementation, according to Nikkei Asia

CyberPower Systems, a Taiwanese maker of uninterruptible power supply systems, said its revenue declined modestly in December 2025 and for the full year 2025, as changes in US tariff policy and customer inventory adjustments weighed on shipments

Tai-Tech Advanced Electronics posted record revenue in December, the fourth quarter, and the full year of 2025, driven by strong AI-related demand and an initial round of price increases for ferrite bead products, the company said

Singapore-based Grab Holdings has acquired Beijing-founded AI robotics startup Infermove to strengthen its first- and last-mile delivery capabilities, marking a strategic push into autonomous logistics solutions. The acquisition will allow Grab to integrate Infermove's autonomous delivery robots into its existing network while supporting the company's continued expansion in Southeast Asia, according to Reuters, IT News Asia, and Sina

The Johor state government in Malaysia is urging ByteDance to expand its role beyond data centers. The state aims to position itself as a strategic partner for the company's long-term digital plans. Onn Hafiz Ghazi, Johor's chief minister, recently led a delegation to China to meet with senior ByteDance executives, according to Bernama and Nanyang Siang Pau

The Indonesian Nickel Mining and Smelting Association (FINI) expects the country's smelters to require 340 million to 350 million tons of ore in 2026, an increase of about 40 million to 50 million tons. According to Reuters, Indonesia holds the world's largest nickel reserves but recently announced plans to reduce its 2026 production quota to bolster prices and increase government revenue

Chinese electronics manufacturer Luxshare Precision Industry Co. is set to further expand its manufacturing footprint in Vietnam, with a new round of investment focused on virtual reality (VR) devices for Meta Platforms, underscoring Vietnam's growing role in global consumer electronics and immersive device supply chains

Johor, Malaysia, is pursuing a deal with Chinese battery manufacturer Gotion High-tech to build a lithium battery factory, aiming to establish itself as a key center for electric vehicle (EV) and energy storage battery production. Johor State Minister Onn Hafiz Ghazi recently led a delegation to China, engaging with executives from Gotion High-tech, BytePS, Alibaba Group Holding Ltd., and other firms

Post-pandemic inventory digestion for mature semiconductor processes has come to an end. Market conditions have rebounded amid tariff-hedging and precautionary stocking, driving Taiwan's leading packaging lead frame supplier, Chang Wah Technology, to see rising demand for high-end products in the second half of 2025. The company has also accelerated capacity expansion plans across Taiwan, China, and Malaysia

The National Aerospace Fasteners Corporation (NAFCO) revenue for December 2025 hit a new record of NT$405 million (approx. US$12.9 million), up 7.84% month-over-month and 19.61% year-over-year. In response to customer demand, the company will continue to expand its Malaysia operations while pushing capacity at its Taiwan plant

Singapore is drawing a new wave of semiconductor investment as global chipmakers expand advanced manufacturing tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure, reinforcing the city-state's strategy of attracting investments to enable next-generation technologies and position Singapore higher up the semiconductor value chain

The Vietnamese government is urging Intel to further grow its semiconductor packaging and testing capabilities in the country, seeking to strengthen the nation's role in the global chip supply chain