ASEAN Intelligence: FDI, Data Centres, AI, Trade & Infrastructure
Curated, sourced intelligence on the capital, infrastructure and technology investments shaping Southeast Asia.
Inbound foreign direct investment announcements, approvals and realised flows across ASEAN.
Hyperscale, colocation and AI-ready data centre projects coming online in Southeast Asia.
AI infrastructure, model deployments, sovereign AI policy and enterprise adoption across ASEAN.
Bilateral trade flows, FTAs, tariff actions and supply-chain shifts shaping the region.
Rail, ports, power, water and connectivity projects underwriting the next decade of growth.
Latest entries
- ai· Malaysia· 14 November 2026Alibaba Cloud opens new Malaysia region to meet rising AI demand
Alibaba Cloud has launched a new public cloud region in Johor, Malaysia, featuring two data centers to expand cloud and AI infrastructure capacity in the region.
- infrastructure· Thailand· 1 July 2026Singapore’s Kwek family-controlled CDL warns of ‘significantly weaker’ H2 performance
Singapore-based City Developments Ltd (CDL) expects weaker H2 2026 financial results due to delayed asset sales and potential impairment losses in its property portfolio.
- infrastructure· Indonesia· 13 November 2026Indonesian tycoon Haji Isam reportedly mulls buying stake in one of world's largest nickel mines
Indonesian businessman Andi Syamsuddin Arsyad (Haji Isam) is reportedly considering the acquisition of a stake in PT Weda Bay Nickel, a major nickel mining operation.
- trade· Thailand· 10 November 2026Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN attends the 25th ASLOM and 5th ASLOM-Japan Consultation in Bangkok, Thailand
ASEAN officials and Japan held the 25th ASEAN Senior Law Officials' Meeting and the 5th ASLOM-Japan Consultation in Bangkok to discuss legal cooperation.
- trade· Indonesia· 13 November 2026Indonesia’s New Export Agency Plans Fee on Palm Oil Trade
Indonesia's new commodities export agency plans to implement a single-digit, dollar-a-ton fee on palm oil exports to enhance government oversight.
- trade· Indonesia· 13 November 2026Palm Oil Drives 43.4% Hike in Indonesia’s Export Duty
Indonesia reported a 43.4% increase in export duties, with palm oil identified as the primary driver behind the Rp 34.5 trillion collection.
- ai· Indonesia· 13 November 2026Central bank highlights uneven impact of AI boom
The Bank of Thailand is monitoring the global AI investment boom, citing concerns that its economic benefits have not yet fully impacted the Thai economy.
- data centre· Malaysia· 23 October 2026Johor’s data centre boom faces power supply crunch
Research firm BMI reports that electricity supply constraints are expected to delay the rollout of data centre projects in Johor.
- fdi· Singapore· 13 November 2026Singapore billionaire Kwek Leng Beng-controlled firm to buy Marriott hotel for $366M
CDL Hospitality Trusts, controlled by the Kwek family, plans to acquire a Marriott-managed hotel in Singapore for US$366 million.
366000000Source: e.vnexpress.net ↗ - fdi· Thailand· 14 November 2026BoI reports 28% growth in investment in third quarter
Thailand's Board of Investment reported a 28% year-on-year increase in actual investment by promoted projects for the third quarter of 2026.
28% growthSource: Bangkok Post ↗ - fdi· Philippines· 14 November 2026Panga bows out of PEZA after record P315 billion investment haul
Outgoing PEZA director general Tereso Panga leaves the agency after achieving record-high investment approvals of P315.5 billion.
315.5 billion PHPSource: philstar.com ↗ - fdi· ASEAN· 13 November 2026ASEAN BAC to showcase region’s investment strengths
The ASEAN Business Advisory Council is highlighting investment opportunities in the Philippines and the wider region during the upcoming ASEAN Summit.
- fdi· Malaysia· 13 November 2026Em District preps Winter Wonderland
Em District in Bangkok announces a 200 million baht investment in collaboration with business partners to host the 'Em District Winter Wonderland 2026' event.
200 million THBSource: Bangkok Post ↗ - fdi· Vietnam· 13 November 2026Vietnam, South Korea deepen AI and semiconductor ties with eight deals
Vietnam and South Korea signed eight cooperation agreements in AI and semiconductors during the VKAISS 2026 event in Hanoi, which included nearly 100 business matchmaking sessions.
- infrastructure· Indonesia· 12 November 2026CDL flags ‘significantly weaker’ performance for H2 2026
Property developer CDL warns of weaker H2 2026 performance, citing unrealised capital-recycling divestments and potential impairment losses in its portfolio.
- infrastructure· Singapore· 12 November 2026Megaspeed has hired a US law firm to review export control compliance, says Singaporean director
Megaspeed has engaged a US law firm to conduct a comprehensive inventory of its graphics processing units to ensure compliance with export controls.
- infrastructure· Malaysia· 12 November 2026Stavian ED breaks ground on $7.5M power project in Phu Tho
Stavian Electricity Distribution has commenced construction on a $7.5 million substation and transmission line project to support the Stavian Vinh Phuc Industrial Park.
7.5 million USDSource: e.vnexpress.net ↗ - trade· Philippines· 12 November 2026Philippine durian exporters secure $27M deals with Chinese buyer
Two Philippine durian exporters have signed agreements worth US$27 million with a Chinese firm for frozen durian procurement and strategic cooperation.
27000000 USDSource: e.vnexpress.net ↗ - trade· Singapore· 12 November 2026Singapore life insurers pay out more than $15 billion in first nine months of 2026
Singapore life insurers recorded over $15 billion in payouts during the first nine months of 2026, with maturity benefits accounting for 74% of the total.
- trade· Thailand· 12 November 2026Thailand, Canada eye stronger trade ties
Thailand and Canada have initiated free trade agreement negotiations to strengthen economic ties in clean energy and advanced technology sectors.