SEA

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a $25 million multi-partner fund to finance critical project preparation work for cross-border energy and transmission infrastructure within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) — the first such fund in the region.

ESR, an Asia-Pacific-focused real asset owner and manager, has secured $850 million in additional equity capital from existing shareholders, strengthening its balance sheet and supporting its expansion strategy.

Singapore-based technology firm Grab has on Wednesday unveiled 13 new artificial intelligence (AI)-powered features at its annual GrabX 2026 showcase, upgrading its superapp into an “Everyday Guide” for millions of users across Southeast Asia.

Gobi Partners, a venture capital (VC) firm based in Malaysia and Hong Kong, has announced an unspecified investment in Transak, a company focused on enabling compliant transactions between traditional currencies and digital assets.

ASEAN countries are accelerating efforts to develop carbon markets as climate risks intensify, with Malaysia moving closer to introducing a carbon tax, according to a report by RHB Investment Bank revealed on Wednesday.

Intel has expanded the role of Santhosh Viswanathan, Vice President and Managing Director for Intel India, appointing him as Vice President and Managing Director for India, Asia Pacific, and Japan (APJ), the tech giant announced on Tuesday.

Mastercard will proceed a rollout of authenticated AI-driven transactions across parts of Southeast Asia, alongside plans to establish a regional artificial intelligence center in Singapore, the company said in a press release on Monday.

BEYOND Expo has officially introduced its new Visual Identity (VI) system, marking a significant step in its evolution as a global innovation hub. The upgrade also aligns with its 2026 theme, “AI: Digital to Physical,” reflecting the growing convergence between digital technologies and real-world applications.

Carousell Singapore, an e-commerce platform, has expanded its delivery services through a partnership with SPX Express, a courier affiliated with e-commerce platform Shopee, providing additional options for users to send and receive secondhand items.

High-potential startups from the region now have until Apr 5, 2026, to apply for a chance to showcase their innovations at BEYOND Expo 2026.