Indonesia is increasing lithium imports from Australia to boost its electric vehicle (EV) battery supply and advance its EV development goals. The government is also encouraging industry players to explore nickel-based battery technologies, leveraging its abundant domestic nickel reserves

In response to the global surge in large-scale AI computing power deployment, the usage and value of PCBs for AI servers have significantly increased. High-end copper-clad laminate (CCL) is evolving as next-generation AI servers upgrade their transmission architecture to 1.6 terabit rates. With increasingly stringent demands for high-frequency, high-speed, and low-loss materials, board requirements are expected to officially advance from M7 and M8 grades to the M9 grade

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary To Lam recently met in Seoul to strengthen economic ties, aiming to boost trade and investment cooperation between their countries. The summit focused on expanding South Korean investments in Vietnam's advanced technology sectors, according to Maeil Business and Newsis

Taiwan's Univacco Technology posted a record gross margin of 41.61% in the second quarter of 2025, pushing its first-half margin to a historic high of 41.06%. The company attributed its strong profitability to operational gains, despite a sharp New Taiwan dollar surge in May that cut second-quarter EPS to NT$0.73. First-half EPS reached NT$1.93, the highest since its market debut

Apple has obtained a broad exemption from US import tariffs on its products, a move that has triggered industry-wide speculation about whether this could slow the company's efforts to diversify production outside of China. However, Apple's supply chain partners insist the transition is still ongoing — especially for its Mac line — with two clear strategic priorities: relocating operations to Southeast Asia and significantly increasing automation

Malaysia has agreed to invest more than US$240 billion in the US as part of negotiations aimed at reducing tariffs imposed on Malaysian goods from 25% to 19%. The details were disclosed by Zafrul Aziz, Malaysia's Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI), during a parliamentary briefing. The agreement involves substantial high-tech purchases and other trade-related commitments over the next decade

Smart energy brand HD Renewable Energy's (HDRE) business footprint covers Taiwan, Japan, Australia, and the Philippines, with an overseas total target capacity reaching 6GW. As the group rapidly expanded its scale, HDRE announced an organizational upgrade on August 5, 2025

According to The Edge Malaysia, Johor approved 42 data center construction projects in the second quarter of 2025, reinforcing its position as Malaysia's leading destination for digital infrastructure investment

Ventec International Group, a specialty manufacturer of copper-clad laminates (CCLs), has commenced construction of a new manufacturing facility in Thailand as part of its broader global expansion efforts. The initial phase of the plant is expected to begin operations in early 2026, with full-scale production lines planned for activation in the second quarter

Vietnamese electric vehicle manufacturer VinFast has officially commenced production at its new manufacturing facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu. The US$500 million plant represents the first phase of a larger US$2 billion investment in India, with plans to establish the site as a strategic hub for both domestic sales and regional exports, according to the Associated Press and Reuters

Taiwan's optics sector is cautiously optimistic after temporary tariffs were announced, with most firms saying current rates align with expectations. Ability Opto-Electronics Technology (AOET) Chairman Victor Kao said tariffs have never been a major concern, emphasizing that operational fundamentals matter more. Whether Thailand's tariff was 36% or the current 19%, clients have consistently urged AOET to localize production in Thailand. "Business goes on either way," he said

The US has lowered tariffs on imports from several Southeast Asian nations. These measures provide a temporary boost to Taiwanese printed circuit board (PCB) manufacturers, enabling greater confidence to expand operations within Southeast Asia

Asia Optical reported record-breaking financial results for the second quarter of 2025, driven by robust revenue growth and expanding operations in Southeast Asia. The company announced on August 1 that consolidated revenue for the quarter reached NT$6.908 billion (US$231.58 million), representing a 28% increase quarter-over-quarter and a 23% year-over-year

Singapore-based ASMPT, founded in Hong Kong in 1975, has grown from a regional distributor into one of the world's most influential semiconductor equipment makers. With AI and hyperscale data centers driving a new wave of demand for advanced packaging, ASMPT's dominance in thermo-compression bonding (TCB) technology places it at the center of the industry's next inflection point