A Southeast Asian perspective
In Southeast Asia, the synergy between the public and private sectors has accelerated the adoption of innovative technologies.
Singapore is an example. Its smart nation initiatives include the national digital identity framework and smart city use cases led by artificial intelligence (AI), such as smart urban mobility and Industry 4.0 robotics and automation projects. Through these initiatives, Singapore is creating an ecosystem in which both the public and private sectors are involved in developing and implementing advanced technological solutions.
For instance, SGInnovate, a government-owned venture capital firm, works with private investors and tech companies to support deep-tech startups in areas such as AI, quantum computing and blockchain. These partnerships drive innovation and commercialization of advanced technologies, providing startups with funding, mentorship and market access.
The Philippines has embarked on pilot projects that incorporate Internet of Things (IoT) and AI into agriculture to promote smart farming. They include using drones for crop monitoring and IoT sensors for detecting soil and weather conditions to help increase crop yield and encourage sustainable farming practices.
Vietnam is actively expanding its digital transformation agenda (DTA) to harness the potential of Industry 4.0. Through the DTA, the country aims to stimulate economic growth, enhance governance and foster social development. This strategic move aligns with its goals of reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and attaining a high-income status by 2045.
Malaysia’s nationwide 5G deployment seeks to hasten the adoption of innovative technologies through public-private partnerships and the education of enterprises in leveraging 5G for their digital transformation initiatives. Another innovative project is the Smart Selangor initiative to transform Selangor into a smart state by 2025.
Making Indonesia 4.0 is a key initiative that helps drive digital transformation in Indonesia. It integrates digital technologies — such as IoT and 5G — into the manufacturing industry in collaboration with private technology firms. Another significant collaboration is the Indonesian government’s initiative to enable third-party platforms to offer citizens digital public services. In addition, digital transformation of the national health insurance system, BPJS Kesehatan, aims to improve its accessibility and efficiency through advanced digital platforms.