Malaysia plans to launch national AI office
The Malaysian Government plans to launch the National Artificial Intelligence Office (NAIO) in Kuala Lumpur on December 12, according to the country’s Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo.
Malaysia's Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo. Photo courtesy of TechNave.
The office will play a key role in helping the government formulate appropriate policies for artificial intelligence (AI) development and drafting relevant laws for AI, the official said on the sidelines of the Data Centre Supply Chain Ecosystem Summit recently held by GDS International (GDSI) in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
In a written response in Parliament on October 23, the minister stated that the establishment of the NAIO is expected to enhance the country’s AI capabilities by fostering innovation, promoting cross-sector collaboration and supporting AI integration within the government’s framework, industry and society.
Additionally, NAIO will also lead initiatives to harness AI to strengthen the digital economy, improve public services and contribute to sustainable development.
Meanwhile, Gobind said the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will open an office in Johor next month to facilitate investments related to the digital economy.
He said this would be the second MDEC office outside the Klang Valley after Penang, in preparation to assist investors ahead of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) signing ceremony, which is expected to take place later this year.
MDEC will see how the country facilitate the process if investors show interest in investing and participating in JS-SEZ, and to make it easier for them to come to Johor to start their business, he said.
- Read More
Vietnam's sugar major Quang Ngai Sugar JSC posts lowest Q1 profit in 2 years
Quang Ngai Sugar JSC, owner of famous soy milk brand Fami in Vietnam, reported its weakest Q1 profit in two years as its sugar business struggled under pressure from smuggled and imported sugar, though the soy milk segment continued to support revenue.
Companies - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 11:14 am GMT+7
Listing, state capital divestment “blockbusters” catalysts for Vietnam's stock market
As Vietnam’s stock market enters an information lull following Q1 earnings releases and AGMs, recent news about major listing and state capital divestment plans are expected to be significant catalysts for the country's benchmark VN-Index.
Finance - Wed, May 7, 2025 | 8:17 am GMT+7
Construction of first locally-owned semiconductor factory begins in Vietnam
CT Semiconductor, a subsidiary of CT Group, has begun the second phase of construction on what is set to become Vietnam’s first semiconductor chip factory fully owned by a domestic company.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:50 pm GMT+7
Japanese retailers step up business activities in Vietnam
Japanese retailers Aeon and Sumitomo have planned to expand their networks in Vietnam, Nikkei Asia reported on Monday.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:39 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's budget carrier Vietjet sees 24% profit hike in Q1 on int’l growth surge
Vietjet Aviation JSC (HoSE: VJC) reported a 24% year-over-year increase in consolidated profit for Q1, driven by strong international expansion and operational excellence, reinforcing its leadership in regional connectivity.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:35 pm GMT+7
Northern Vietnam city Hai Phong claims top spot for first time in Provincial Competitiveness Index
The coastal city of Hai Phong has, for the first time, topped the 2024 Provincial Competitiveness Index (PCI) with a score of 74.84, marking a significant milestone in its economic governance journey.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:20 pm GMT+7
Malaysia initiates tariff talks with US
Malaysia is pushing forward tariff negotiations with the U.S., while implementing various policies to support local industries and strengthening efforts to seek new export markets.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 10:12 pm GMT+7
ASEAN’s largest economy slows to lowest growth since Q3/2021
Official data released recently indicates that Indonesia's economic growth decelerated in Q1 due to weakened domestic consumption.
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:59 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's agri major BAF reports record livestock profit since listing
BAF Vietnam Agriculture JSC in Q1 posted its highest livestock profit since listing in late 2021, thanks to a surge in pig output and revenue that nearly doubled year-over-year.
Companies - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 9:36 pm GMT+7
Amkor views Vietnam 'strong market' despite US tariff uncertainties
Amkor Technology, a U.S.-headquartered semiconductor firm, sees Vietnam a strong market in the mid and long term despite tariff uncertainties under the Trump administration, said an executive.
Investing - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:40 pm GMT+7
Over $7.7 bln in Vietnam's private placement corporate bonds to mature in last 3 quarters
More than VND200 trillion ($7.7 billion) in privately-placed corporate bonds will mature in the final three quarters of this year, with the real estate sector accounting for half, according to independent credit rating provider S&I Ratings.
Finance - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 4:16 pm GMT+7
Sumitomo to halve equity interest in $2.58 bln thermal power plant in central Vietnam
Sumitomo has decided to transfer 50% of the Japanese giant's equity interest in its wholly-owned operator of the $2.58 billion Van Phong 1 coal-fired power plant in Vietnam’s central province of Khanh Hoa.
Energy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 3:54 pm GMT+7
Singapore's CapitaLand Development forms strategic partnership with Vietnam's Vinhomes
CapitaLand Development has expanded in Vietnam with two major moves - a strategic collaboration agreement with leading local developer Vinhomes and the unveiling of The Fullton, a $800 million low-rise residential project in Hung Yen province.
Real Estate - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:56 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's disbursed FDI in 4 months posts five-year record high
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam hit $13.82 billion in the first four months of the year, up 39.9%, while disbursed capital reached $6.74 billion, up 7.3% and marking a record high in five years.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 2:12 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's Politburo requests prioritizing administrative measures to handle economic violations, instead of criminal prosecution
The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has ordered amendments to legal regulations to ensure that administrative measures are prioritized in handling civil and economic cases.
Economy - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 12:30 pm GMT+7
EC postpones Vietnam’s seafood inspection until year end
The European Commission (EC) has delayed its fifth inspection of Vietnam's efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing to the end of 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE).
Southeast Asia - Tue, May 6, 2025 | 8:53 am GMT+7
