ASEAN Intelligence: FDI, Data Centres, AI, Trade & Infrastructure

Cushman & Wakefield is tapping into Vietnam's growing hyperscale data center market, noting the country is underserved while a development pipeline indicates rising demand for digital infrastructure.

Singapore's factory output saw a jump in August 2026, primarily fueled by sustained demand for AI-related products. Most clusters, excluding chemicals, recorded year-on-year growth during this period.

Indonesia is considering Chinese investment for a 2,772km railway network in Kalimantan, following the completion of the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed line.

Spot electricity prices have reached a 2026 high, influenced by fuel costs and real-time power supply and demand. This development could impact household electricity bills.

An export clinic run by Barantin (presumably a government agency or similar) is assisting Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Palu to understand and access export markets.

Power projects totaling over 17.8 gigawatts were endorsed to the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) for system impact studies (SIS) in the first half, according to the Department of Energy.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) is courting four major Thai companies and business groups (Line Man Wongnai, CJ More, Thai Beverage, Central Group REIT) for domestic capital market listings.

The International Energy Agency notes the Philippines' energy transition is gaining momentum, with accelerated rollout of renewables and growing efforts to harness nuclear power.

ANZ Research warns that weak infrastructure spending could prolong the Philippines' economic slowdown into 2027, citing a smaller allocation for capital outlays.

Cả Group has proposed to the Ministry of Construction to expand 350km of the North-South Expressway to six lanes using the public-private partnership (PPP) method.

Mitsubishi Motors Philippines Corp. reinforced its commitment to environmental sustainability and shared best environmental practices at the 2026 Environmental Summit in Laguna.

Thailand plans to showcase its products and tourism during the 2026 IMF-World Bank Group Annual Meetings in Bangkok next month.

A Singapore judge has raised doubts about iron ore trader Radiant World's claim of being owed over $1.3 billion. Radiant World was placed under interim judicial management on September 24.

Recent developments in U.S. export controls on semiconductors for AI are discussed, including the AI Diffusion Rule, policy shifts for China and the UAE, and remote computing implications.

Thailand is introducing new regulations to address the increasing integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital platforms, and automated transactions in its business sector.

Vietnamese leaders have urged U.S. chip designer Qualcomm and South Korea's Samsung Electronics to expand their AI and chip investment in Vietnam, as the country seeks a technology upgrade.

Singapore ranked first globally for cross-border commercial property investment in the first half of this year, attracting US$8.7 billion in deals.

PwC forecasts Singapore's annual data centre investment to reach US$19.2 billion by 2050, up from US$7 billion in 2026. This is part of a US$1.29 trillion regional surge in which Malaysia is also participating.

Krungsri forecasts a gradual recovery in Thailand's vehicle market over the next three years, driven by government energy transition policies and a rebound in the automotive segment.

The Secretary-General of ASEAN, Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, will participate in the Australia-ASEAN Business Forum 2026 in Adelaide, Australia, on September 29-30, 2026, delivering keynote remarks.