Beyond Horizons
Trailblazing Tales from Asia
Your exclusive gateway to the latest developments across transportation and space, and most importantly, how to finance it all - debt, equity, and defi! We follow and forecast where the money’s at.
Join us as we navigate through the latest roundup to uncover key developments across the region.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**
Events
Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx)
The first-ever Business Aviation Asia Forum and Expo (BAAFEx) will take place from March 4-6, 2025, at the Changi Exhibition Center in Singapore. Organized by Xperia Events, BAAFEx is set to be the premier gathering for the business aviation sector, bringing together key stakeholders.
BAAFEx will feature aircraft on static display from major players, including Boeing Business Jets, VistaJet, and Amber Aviation. VistaJet will showcase its flagship Bombardier Global 7500, while Amber Aviation will present a Gulfstream G450.
The event will feature a dynamic exhibition, offering the latest innovations and services from top aviation companies. Expert panels and keynote speakers will provide insights into the trends and challenges in business aviation.
IMDEX Asia 2025
IMDEX Asia 2025, held from May 6-8 at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore, is a key event for the naval and maritime defence industry. The exhibition will showcase a wide range of technologies, from traditional sectors like shipbuilding and armaments to new innovations in cybersecurity, unmanned systems, and surveillance.
The event also features conferences and forums where professionals can discuss the latest trends in maritime security and defence. The popular Warships Display at Changi Naval Base allows visitors to explore warships and interact with naval officials.
Learn more about IMDEX Asia 2025 here.
The Advanced Air Mobility Asia Symposium (AAM Asia)
The Advanced Air Mobility Asia Symposium (AAM Asia) will take place from September 16-18, 2025, at Aichi Sky Expo, Japan. The event will explore Asia’s evolving Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) ecosystem, covering use cases, infrastructure, air traffic management (ATM/UTM), MRO, and regulations.
With key demonstrations in Korea and Japan, the symposium will bring together global stakeholders to address challenges and opportunities in Asia’s rapidly expanding aerospace market.
Learn more about the symposium here.
Summary
Financing & Investments: Indonesia Launches Sovereign Wealth Fund Aiming for $900 Billion in Assets; Hong Kong Extends ILS Grant Scheme to Boost Catastrophe Bond Market; Airwallex Expands to New Zealand to Improve Cross-Border Payments; Crescendo Lab Expands to Singapore to Boost AI-Powered Conversational Commerce; Wiwynn to Invest $300 Million in Texas Amid Supply Chain Shifts; TikTok to Invest $8.8 Billion in Thailand Over Five Years; and Vietnam’s Finance Ministry Warns Against Digital Asset Pilot Program
Environmental Sustainability: ARENA Supports Cleaner Aviation with $10.4 Million Funding for SAF Projects; Idemitsu Invests A$29m in Jet Zero Australia's SAF Project; Taiyo Oil's SAF Production Project Receives METI Subsidy; LanzaJet, Cosmo Oil, and Mitsui Partner on Japan’s SAF Production Project; Eneos Partners with Mitsubishi for SAF Production Facility in Japan; Zeon Corporation Invests in Aether Fuels to Support SAF Production; UPECA Partners with DHL Express to Cut Emissions Using SAF; and Philippines Explores SAF Production with Boeing Partnership
Aviation: Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Partnership Approved, Long-Haul Flights to Begin; China Proposes Amendments to Civil Aviation Law; China's First Cross-Border E-Commerce Export of Aviation Products Successfully Clears Customs; Airlines and Airports Ramp Up IT Spending; Malaysia Resumes Search for Missing MH370; Daemyung Sono Group Acquires Management Control of T'way Air; and SriLankan Airlines Plans Fleet Expansion and Market Share Boost
Advanced Air Mobility: EHang, JAC Motors, and Guoxian Holdings Collaborate on eVTOL Manufacturing in Hefei; EHang EH216-S Completes First Urban eVTOL Flight in Europe Under U-ELCOME Project; and India’s Railway Ministry Partners with IIT-Madras to Develop VTOL Vehicles
Marine: DCSA Releases Updated Booking 2.0 and Bill of Lading 3.0 Standards to Streamline Shipping Operations; India's Chidambaranar Port Launches Pilot Decarbonization Project with Green Methanol Focus; Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Invests in Green Technology with Stake in 13 Mari; Eastern Pacific Shipping Secures LNG Financing for New Containerships; HMM Plans Major Fleet Expansion and Considers SK Shipping Acquisition
Space: Cambodia and SpaceX’s Starlink Explore Investment and LEO SATCOM Opportunities; Sarawak Enhances Rural Connectivity with SMART Project; Malaysia Emphasizes Collaboration in Space Sector Development; South-East Asia’s Economic Growth Boosted by Earth Observation Data; Thailand Faces Regulatory Delays in LEO Satellite Broadband Partnership; UAE’s EDGE Partners with ST Engineering to Boost SAR Satellite Capabilities; Vietnam Approves Pilot Program for LEO Satellite Telecommunications; and Vietnam Approves Policy to Boost Space Innovation
Financing & Investments
Indonesia
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto launched a new sovereign wealth fund, Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara), with a goal of managing over $900 billion in assets. Modeled partially after Singapore’s Temasek, the fund will oversee government holdings in state companies, starting with an initial budget of $20 billion.
💡Danantara will finance projects across sectors such as renewable energy and food production, complementing Indonesia Investment Authority (INA), the country’s first sovereign wealth fund launched in 2021.
Hong Kong
The Hong Kong government has announced a further three-year extension to its Pilot Insurance-Linked Securities (ILS) Grant Scheme, aiming to bolster its growing market for catastrophe bonds and other ILS. The extension, as highlighted in Hong Kong’s 2025-26 budget, is a significant step in Hong Kong’s effort to establish itself as a hub for global risk management.
Launched in 2021, the ILS Grant Scheme has already seen six catastrophe bonds issued, totaling over $5.8 billion HKD ($747.5 million USD). Notable deals include Peak Re’s $150 million Black Kite Re bond and Taiping Re’s $35 million Silk Road Re catastrophe bond.
💡While Hong Kong has facilitated these transactions, many of the bonds were not directly issued from Hong Kong special purpose reinsurance vehicles (SPRV), but their notes were listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, benefiting from the scheme.
New Zealand
Fintech company Airwallex has launched in New Zealand, introducing corporate cards and enhanced online payments to streamline operations and cut transaction costs. Already partnering with brands like Rodd & Gunn and Tracksuit, it aims to tackle high fees and slow international payments in the country’s banking sector.
💡With competitive foreign exchange rates and faster processing, Airwallex seeks to support SaaS and export businesses. Its Airwallex for Startups program also helps emerging companies with global account services and payment solutions.
Taiwan-Singapore
Taiwanese AI firm Crescendo Lab has expanded to Singapore to enhance AI-driven conversational commerce in Southeast Asia. The new hub will help local businesses optimize WhatsApp for better customer engagement and increased conversions.
💡Having previously operated in Taiwan, Japan, and Thailand, the company integrates marketing, customer service, and sales into one platform. With WhatsApp’s 80% penetration, Crescendo Lab aims to strengthen its position in the growing Southeast Asian market.
Taiwan-USA
AI server supplier Wiwynn Corp announced a $300 million investment to build its first U.S. manufacturing facility in Texas, responding to global supply chain shifts and economic uncertainty. The company already operates factories in Taiwan, Mexico, and Malaysia.
💡Domestically, Wiwynn is expanding as well, increasing capital expenditures by 29% to NT$8 billion for a new facility and office at Southern Science Park. Major clients include Meta and Microsoft.
Thailand
TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, announced plans to invest $8.8 billion in Thailand over the next five years, focusing on digital infrastructure, workforce development, and online safety. This follows major investments by other tech giants like Amazon, Google, and Microsoft in the country.
💡The Thai government views this investment as a significant opportunity to boost digital infrastructure and AI development, aiming to position Thailand as a global tech hub. TikTok has more than 50 million users in Thailand and three million businesses on TikTok Shop.
Vietnam
The Ministry of Finance (MoF) has expressed caution over a proposed digital currency and asset pilot program, citing financial security risks due to Vietnam’s lack of a legal framework for digital assets and cryptocurrencies.
The program, led by the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), aims to establish a regulatory sandbox for crypto exchanges by July 2026. However, the MoF urges further analysis from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) and government control over the pilot, advising against a fixed launch date.
Vietnam currently lacks regulations on crypto issuance, ownership, and trading, with existing laws covering only e-wallets and prepaid cards.
💡Despite regulatory challenges, Vietnam ranks among the top three globally for digital asset ownership, with 21% of the population holding digital assets in 2021-2022. Crypto inflows reached US$120 billion in 2023, according to Chainalysis.
Environmental Sustainability
Australia
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is investing up to $10.4 million to support the development of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), aiming to reduce emissions in Australia’s airline industry. The funding includes $8 million for Licella and $2.4 million for Viva Energy to support separate feasibility studies for renewable fuel alternatives.
💡Licella’s project, Project Swift, will assess the viability of establishing a biorefinery in Bundaberg, Queensland, using sugarcane residues to produce SAF. Meanwhile, Viva Energy’s SAF Infrastructure Solutions will work on blending SAF into Brisbane Airport’s supply system.
Australia
Jet Zero Australia has secured A$29 million ($18.4 million) in funding to advance the engineering of its flagship alcohol-to-jet (ATJ) SAF project, Project Ulysses, in North Queensland. The investment comes from Japanese energy conglomerate Idemitsu Kosan.
Idemitsu aims to establish a SAF production facility in Japan with an annual capacity of 500 million liters by 2030 to meet the country’s SAF targets. This marks Idemitsu’s first overseas SAF investment and is expected to strengthen the global SAF supply chain.
💡Project Ulysses, which completed its feasibility study in 2022 with support from a Queensland government grant, is targeting an annual SAF production of 102 million liters upon full operation. The project is also seeking additional grants to move forward with its engineering and construction phases.
Japan
Taiyo Oil has secured a subsidy for its SAF production project at its Okinawa Operations, as part of Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry’s (METI) initiative to support the transition to a decarbonized economy. The project aims to produce SAF and renewable diesel (RD) using Honeywell UOP's Ethanol to Jet (ETJ) technology, marking the first implementation of this technology in Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
The facility, set to be completed by the end of FY2028, will produce 200,000 kiloliters per year of SAF and RD. The project will primarily use ethanol sourced from overseas, with plans to explore domestic sources like Okinawan sugarcane and abandoned farmland. SAF will be supplied to major domestic airports and has the potential for export across the Asia-Oceania region
💡The project will be the fifth SAF production facility globally.
Japan
LanzaJet, a leading sustainable fuels producer, announced that Cosmo Oil Co. Ltd has been awarded a FY2024 subsidy from Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) for a project utilizing LanzaJet’s technology.
💡The project, developed with Mitsui & Co., will leverage LanzaJet’s alcohol-to-jet technology to produce 150,000 kiloliters of SAF and 17,000 kiloliters of renewable diesel annually by 2029. Japan aims to diversify 10% of petroleum-based fuels with alternatives by 2030, and this project supports that goal, fostering a biofuels sector and driving sustainable aviation growth.
Japan
Japanese petroleum company Eneos has teamed up with Mitsubishi to conduct a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) for a SAF production facility at the Wakayama plant in Arida City, Japan. The project, backed by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), aims to enhance SAF production and supply chains, with the facility projected to produce 300,000 tonnes of SAF annually starting in 2028.
💡The proposed facility will utilize waste materials like used cooking oil and animal fat for SAF production, with bio-naphtha and bio-diesel as by-products. Eneos and Mitsubishi’s collaboration also follows a 2023 MoU with Ampol to explore creating a similar SAF production facility in Brisbane, Australia.
Japan-Singapore/USA
Zeon Corporation, through its venture capital arm Zeon Ventures Inc., has invested in Aether Fuels Pte. Ltd., a startup developing a breakthrough technology for scalable and cost-competitive sustainable liquid fuels. This investment aims to explore new business opportunities in the production of SAF.
💡Aether Fuels uses its proprietary Aether Aurora™ technology to economically convert waste carbon into sustainable liquid fuels, such as SAF, for the aviation and ocean shipping industries.
Malaysia
Aerospace component manufacturer Senior Aerospace UPECA has teamed up with DHL Express to reduce its carbon emissions from international shipments by up to 30% by utilizing SAF. The company has signed up for DHL Express' GoGreen Plus Service, which applies across key trade lanes in Europe and North America.
💡The GoGreen Plus service helps customers reduce their Scope 3 emissions, which stem from supply chain activities. DHL Express launched the service in 2023, partnering with bp, Neste, and World Energy to procure significant volumes of SAF to drive cleaner air mobility.
Philippines
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) of the Philippines is seeking a partnership with Boeing to develop Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) using the country’s agricultural waste feedstock. The initiative aims to meet domestic jet fuel needs and potentially export SAF.
At the SAF Forum, the DOTr highlighted the potential of SAF to reduce aviation emissions by up to 80% and create jobs. Boeing Southeast Asia president Penny Burtt reaffirmed Boeing’s commitment to supporting aviation decarbonization in the Philippines.
💡Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, has the capacity to supply around 12% of global SAF demand by 2050, with significant feedstock availability.
Aviation
Australia
The Australian Government has approved Qatar Airways Group’s 25% minority stake in Virgin Australia, paving the way for a strategic partnership that will enhance long-haul flight options. Virgin Australia is set to launch long-haul services to Doha in June 2025, with more routes to Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
💡The partnership aims to boost competition, reduce airfares, and generate a $3 billion economic impact, benefiting tourism and creating job growth opportunities within Virgin Australia. The alliance also expands flight options and loyalty rewards for passengers.
China
A draft amendment to China's Civil Aviation Law was submitted for review, focusing on improving aviation safety, passenger rights, and the development of the low-altitude economy. Key updates include banning unauthorized emergency exit activations, empowering flight captains to address unruly behavior, and enhancing airspace management. The revisions also aim to support general aviation growth by simplifying approval processes and expanding infrastructure.
💡China has seen growth in general aviation and uncrewed aircraft vehicles, and the changes are designed to strengthen the industry and support its dynamic future.
China
Jinjun Yunda Supply Chain (Qingdao) Co. Ltd. has successfully completed China’s first cross-border e-commerce export of aviation products under the "9710" Customs supervision method. The export was conducted through the Qingdao cross-border e-commerce platform in the Shandong Pilot Free Trade Zone
💡The new model simplifies transactions between enterprises and broadens foreign trade opportunities, supporting China’s strategy to expand cross-border e-commerce, especially in the aviation industry.
Global
The SITA 2024 Air Transport IT Insights report highlights rising IT investments by airlines and airports, focusing on cybersecurity, biometrics, and sustainability. Airlines' IT spending is set to hit $37 billion, with airports adding $9 billion over two years.
Cybersecurity remains a top priority, with 66% of airlines and 73% of airports strengthening protections. Digital transformation is also accelerating, with investments in cloud services, IT upgrades, and data security.
Biometric technology is reshaping passenger processing—over half of airports plan to introduce biometric check-in and baggage drop by 2026, while 70% of airlines aim for biometric ID management, cutting processing times by 30%and wait times by 60%.
Airlines are adopting AI, machine learning, and large language models to improve operations, customer service, and fuel efficiency, while airports focus on data platforms and predictive analytics for smoother passenger flow.
💡Sustainability efforts align with net-zero emissions by 2050. 75% of airlines use real-time flight optimization software, with 62% partnering with sustainable fuel suppliers. Airports are following, with 54% deploying energy management systems, rising to 81% by 2026.
Malaysia
Malaysia has approved a new search for Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared on March 8, 2014, with 239 people on board. Maritime exploration firm Ocean Infinity has restarted the search in the southern Indian Ocean, operating on a "no-find, no-fee" contract worth $70 million if wreckage is located.
💡Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed the search is underway while contract details are being finalized. The operation has a limited time frame, with hopes of solving one of aviation’s greatest mysteries.
South Korea
Daemyung Sono Group, a major South Korean resort company, has acquired management control of low-cost carrier T'way Air. The group’s holding company, Sono International, signed an agreement to purchase 52.34 million shares of T'way Holdings Inc. for 250 billion won (US$174.39 million), increasing its stake from 26.77% to 54.79%.
💡The acquisition strengthens Sono's position as the largest shareholder of T'way Air, aiming to improve competitiveness, enhance services, and boost profitability for sustainable growth.
Sri Lanka
SriLankan Airlines aims to increase its market share from Colombo to global destinations from 35% to 45% as part of a five-year plan for 2025/26 to 2029/30, according to Deputy Minister of Finance Harshana Suriyapperuma. The airline is focusing on strengthening its market leadership and improving pricing power on key routes.
💡The airline is also restructuring its balance sheet and working to address legacy debt, with a 20 billion rupee allocation in the 2025 budget to settle past liabilities. Plans to boost its fleet, enhance economies of scale, and reduce unit costs are also underway.
Advanced Air Mobility
China
EHang has partnered with JAC Motors and Guoxian Holdings to build a state-of-the-art eVTOL manufacturing facility in Hefei, China. The collaboration focuses on R&D, production, and sales of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, combining JAC Motors’ expertise in manufacturing with EHang’s advanced eVTOL technologies.
💡The facility aims to drive the growth of the low-altitude economy, set industry standards, and accelerate the commercialization of eVTOLs. Hefei’s government is fully backing the initiative, positioning the city as a hub for the development of low-altitude aviation.
China-Europe
On February 28th, 2025, EHang successfully completed the first-ever pilotless eVTOL flight in an urban setting in Europe. The flight took place in Benidorm, Spain, as part of the U-ELCOME (U-Space European Common Deployment) project, a key initiative under SESAR 3 JU.
The flight demonstrated the integration of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions within a controlled urban airspace, with up to twelve drones operating simultaneously, all managed by Spain’s Enaire using the U-Space system.
💡The event, attended by government officials and industry leaders, also included a strategic partnership between Benidorm’s City Hall and EHang, aiming to position the city as a leader in urban air mobility and innovative tourism.
India
India’s Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced a collaboration with IIT-Madras to develop vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) vehicles, funded by the Ministry of Railways. The project aims to promote innovative travel solutions, with VTOL technology enabling aircraft to take off and land vertically, useful for flying taxis and railway inspections.
💡While approvals from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are required, the initiative supports India’s growing air mobility sector, with startups like The ePlane Company gaining momentum.
Marine
Global
The Digital Container Shipping Association (DCSA) has released its finalized Booking 2.0 and Bill of Lading 3.0 standards, designed to enhance efficiency and reduce costs in the global shipping industry. Supported by the top 10 container carriers, the updates aim to streamline data exchange between shippers and carriers, minimizing administrative burdens and errors.
💡The new features include a digital signature for electronic bills of lading (eBL) to ensure authenticity and over 190 attributes for compliance with the EU's Import Control System 2. These advancements are expected to cut costs, reduce manual processing, and improve global shipping interoperability.
India
India’s Chidambaranar Port Trust has launched the country’s first pilot-scale port decarbonization project, focusing on alternative fuel sources to reduce carbon emissions and promote green energy in the maritime industry. The project has received approval from India’s Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, and the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and will position Chidambaranar Port as the first in India to establish green methanol bunkering infrastructure.
💡The initiative aligns with other recent government efforts to transform India’s maritime sector, including a ₹570 billion investment in Kandla Port's infrastructure and the creation of a ₹250 billion maritime development fund to support green ship acquisitions and port improvements.
Japan-USA
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL) has invested in 13 Mari, a US-based company specializing in underwater hull attachments designed to reduce drag and improve vessel efficiency. The company’s Flowsmart elements, which can be retrofitted on both new and existing vessels, help decrease drag by disrupting larger vortices around a vessel's hull. Installation of 10-20 units could reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel consumption by 3%-7%, or more when combined with other energy-saving systems like wind propulsion.
💡MOL sees significant potential for these Flowsmart elements in bulkers, tankers, and smaller vessels, especially where implementing wind-powered propulsion or alternative fuels has been difficult.
Singapore-China
Singapore-based Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS) has secured financing from China’s SPDB Financial Leasing for two LNG-powered ultra-large containerships. The vessels are part of an eight-ship order placed at Jiangsu New Times Shipbuilding, backed by long-term charters from CMA CGM. Each ship is valued at over $200 million, with deliveries scheduled for 2027-2028.
💡SPDB Leasing will finance up to 90% of the vessels' cost. EPS, which has grown its fleet to over 300 vessels, continues its push towards sustainability, having already adopted LNG and setting sights on ammonia as the next fuel step.
South Korea
HMM aims to expand its bulk carrier fleet from 36 vessels (6.3 million DWT) to 110 vessels (12.56 million DWT) by 2030. The company also targets increasing bulk carrier revenue from 1.243 trillion won in 2023 to 3.32 trillion won by 2030.
💡Additionally, HMM is the preferred bidder for a partial acquisition of SK Shipping, with due diligence expected by mid-March. However, this move could complicate HMM’s privatization, potentially raising its valuation and slowing the process. HMM’s major shareholders may prioritize value maximization over privatization, adding complexity to the strategy.
Space
Cambodia
SpaceX’s Starlink has identified Cambodia as a key investment target for 2025, with discussions underway between the company and Cambodian officials to evaluate the country’s investment climate and technological modernization plans. In a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, Starlink’s Director of Market Access, Rebecca Hunter, expressed interest in strengthening ties with the Cambodian government and expanding satellite connectivity.
💡Chanthol welcomed the initiative, highlighting Cambodia’s focus on digital transformation under the Pentagon Strategy-Phase 1. The talks build on Cambodia’s increased engagement with SpaceX, following Chanthol’s visit to the company’s headquarters in California in September 2024.
Malaysia
The Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) is advancing digital connectivity in rural Sarawak through a mix of terrestrial and satellite solutions. Under the Sarawak Multimedia Authority Rural Telecommunication (SMART) project, 600 telecommunication towers are being built, integrating Multi-Operator Core Network (MOCN) technology to enable shared infrastructure, reducing costs and expanding coverage.
💡To provide interim internet access, SDEC is working with MEASAT to deploy satellite broadband while also collaborating with Sacofa, Borneo Restu, and Telekom Malaysia to strengthen Sarawak’s fibre network. As of March 2024, 511 SMART towers have been equipped with telecom hardware, with 307 operational, including 251 offering 4G services. The project is set for completion by mid-2025.
Malaysia
Malaysia is taking a cooperative approach to developing its space industry rather than competing with its ASEAN neighbors, according to Deputy Science, Technology, and Innovation Minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal. While Thailand and Singapore have signed the Artemis Accords, Malaysia is still evaluating its legal framework before making a commitment.
💡The government has prioritized aligning space infrastructure projects, such as launch facilities, with national urban planning regulations. A significant step in this direction is the National Remote Sensing Satellite Development Programme (PSPJN), approved in 2023, which is expected to begin operations in 2028.
Southeast Asia
By 2030, Earth observation data from satellites and sensors is projected to add US$100 billion to South-East Asia’s GDP, according to a report by Singapore Space & Technology and Deloitte. The study highlights that the region’s tropical forests, coastlines, and urban areas make it an ideal hub for such innovations.
The agricultural, mining, oil, and gas industries are expected to benefit the most. Indonesia, with its strong agricultural and natural resource sectors, is set to gain the largest share, accounting for nearly half of the economic benefits.
💡Indonesia’s space legacy, supported by a favorable regulatory framework and foreign investment, positions it well to leverage Earth observation data for applications like crop yield improvement, illegal fishing detection, and enhanced logistics. By 2030, the value of this data is expected to triple, benefiting various sectors across the region.
South Korea-Southeast Asia
South Korea’s Dabeeo and Sooin Collaborate to Enhance AgriTech in Southeast Asia South Korea’s Dabeeo, a geospatial AI firm, has partnered with Sooin, a controlled-release fertilizer specialist, to introduce AI-powered smart agriculture solutions in Southeast Asia. The collaboration focuses on palm plantations, using ultra-high-resolution satellite imagery and AI to monitor tree health, detect diseases early, and enable precision interventions.
💡With operations already in Indonesia and Malaysia, Dabeeo plans to expand by establishing a regional subsidiary in Indonesia and launching a mobile app for real-time monitoring. Sooin will integrate Dabeeo’s technology to optimize fertilizer application.
Thailand
Thailand’s collaboration between National Telecom (NT) and Eutelsat OneWeb to offer LEO satellite broadband is encountering regulatory delays as the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) finalizes guidelines. While NT and Eutelsat OneWeb have received approval for international operations, local market services remain pending clearance, pending alignment with the Space Business Act and the national space economy plan.
💡The partnership launched a satellite network portal gateway in January 2025, attracting over $25 million in local infrastructure investment. NT expects annual revenue of 200 million baht ($5.937 million) from the gateway, which will serve over 50,000 users across Southeast Asia, excluding Thailand, until local approval is received.
UAE-Singapore
UAE’s EDGE Group has partnered with Singapore’s ST Engineering to enhance the UAE’s synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite capabilities under the Sirb Program, a national initiative by the UAE Space Agency. The collaboration, formalized through a Letter of Intent (LoI), supports the UAE’s National Space Strategy by advancing radar-based Earth observation and strengthening sovereign space capabilities.
💡EDGE will oversee satellite development and deployment, while ST Engineering, known for TeLEOS-1 and TeLEOS-2, will provide SAR expertise. The partnership boosts the UAE’s strategic space infrastructure and supports Singapore’s satellite ambitions.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s National Assembly has greenlit a pilot program to develop low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite telecommunications, advancing the nation’s digital transformation. Running until January 1, 2031, the initiative aims to improve connectivity in remote areas while adhering to national security regulations.
💡The Ministry of Science and Technology will oversee licensing, with the Ministries of National Defense and Public Security monitoring implementation. LEO satellites are expected to enhance disaster response, environmental monitoring, and surveillance capabilities.
Vietnam
Vietnam’s National Assembly has approved a resolution to support technological innovation, particularly in space and satellite development. Under Resolution 57-NQ/TW, research institutions will gain more autonomy and funding flexibility, enabling commercialization and strategic partnerships.
The resolution also protects state-funded institutions from financial liability in case of project failure, encouraging innovation.
💡This move builds on previous satellite projects like VNREDSat-1 and Microsat-1, aimed at environmental monitoring and disaster management. Industry leaders, including Viettel’s CEO, stressed the importance of flexible policies to attract global collaborations for expanding satellite capabilities.
**Nothing in this article is intended to be or should be construed as legal or financial advice.**