Tech giants start to treat South-East Asia like next big thing

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (right) poses for a photo with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on May 2, 2024. The CEOs of Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp and Nvidia Corp are among the industry chieftains who’ve swung through the region in past months, committing billions of dollars in investment and holding forth with heads of state from Indonesia to Malaysia. — Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia via AP

Long considered a tech hinterland, South-East Asia is fast emerging as a centre of gravity for the industry.

The CEOs of Apple Inc, Microsoft Corp and Nvidia Corp are among the industry chieftains who’ve swung through the region in past months, committing billions of dollars in investment and holding forth with heads of state from Indonesia to Malaysia. Amazon.com Inc just this week took over a giant conference hall in downtown Singapore to unfurl a US$9bil (RM42.71bil) investment plan before a thousands-strong audience cheering and waving glow sticks.