Governments in Asia Advance National AI Infrastructure Strategies

Across Asia, governments are playing a more direct role in shaping the build-out of AI-ready data centers. Policy tools ranging from incentives to state-backed infrastructure programs are now central to national digital strategies.

Singapore: advancing state-led compute clusters

Singapore’s Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) is moving ahead with its AI compute cluster plan. The initiative provides high-performance computing resources to local companies, alongside cloud credits and advisory support. It is a cornerstone of the country’s National AI Strategy 2.0, which targets AI adoption in finance, healthcare, transport, city management, and manufacturing. The plan positions Singapore’s AI data centers as both a domestic enabler and a regional hub.

Vietnam: incentives for locally hosted clusters

Vietnam’s Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) has introduced tax exemptions and reductions to attract investment in AI training clusters. The policy is structured to ensure that foreign participation also builds domestic capability. Alongside fiscal incentives, the government is supporting an AI Startup Accelerator Program to develop a local ecosystem. These initiatives align with Vietnam’s National Digital Transformation Program, reinforcing its ambition to become a credible hub for AI infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Philippines: multipolar partnerships

The Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has announced partnerships with Korean and Japanese stakeholders to strengthen national data infrastructure. The collaborations are intended to diversify technology partners, limit overdependence on a single source, and build resilience. The measures are tied to the Philippine Development Plan 2023–2028, which sets digital transformation as a core priority.

Taken together, these policies reflect a shared regional approach: governments are no longer only regulating digital infrastructure but are becoming active architects of it. National strategies increasingly emphasize data sovereignty, economic competitiveness, and resilience.

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Rex Sayson

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