Hi from Taipei, where it’s really starting to feel like autumn! This is Cheng Ting-Fang, your #techAsia host for this week.

I just got back from a short trip to Bangkok, and I can still taste the refreshing flavours of pomelo salad with chilli, roasted peanuts and heart-shaped betel leaves. With its wide variety of crispy fish cakes, satay, spring rolls and pork wantons, not to mention curries and coconut treats, Thailand truly lives up to its nickname as the “kitchen of the world”.

During these overseas trips, I always love to observe my surroundings, especially at or near the airport, as they often provide insight into local developments that one can then dig into more deeply.

The boarding announcements at the airport on this visit showed frequent direct flights between Bangkok and numerous Chinese cities, including not only major metropolises like Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen but also smaller cities such as Jinan, Hefei, Kunming, Nanning and Fuzhou.

As soon as I left Suvarnabhumi Airport and hit the highway to downtown, I was greeted by a series of massive billboards. The first few showcased Huawei Technologies’ wearable devices and tablets, followed by a gigantic ad for ruby-red roadsters made by MG, a traditional British brand now owned by Chinese auto giant SAIC Motor.

The sight reminded me that Thailand is emerging as a key battleground for established carmakers like Toyota Motor, Honda Motor and Ford as well as rising Chinese electric vehicle producers such as MG, BYD and Neta Auto. It also illustrated that Huawei is still serious about maintaining its presence in overseas consumer electronics markets. The taxi driver kindly apologised for the traffic jam we ran into along the way — another sign of the buzzing economy.

Thailand has also benefited from the massive supply chain shift sparked by US-China trade tensions, as seen in the flow of foreign direct investment. In 2023, China was the top investor, contributing 24 per cent of total FDI, primarily in electronics manufacturing and automotive supply chains. FDI in the first nine months of 2024 hit its highest level in a decade, led by “American and Chinese companies’ units in Singapore”, according to government data.

With former US President Donald Trump set to return to office, supply chains are expected to experience further decoupling depending on how his policies play out.

Servers to order

Apple is looking to build its own data centre servers and is asking for help from one of its most important suppliers: Foxconn, the world’s biggest iPhone assembler.

Apple, a consumer tech giant, has less experience in building servers than companies HP and Google and is hoping to leverage the experience and expertise of Foxconn, which is also the world’s top AI data centre server maker, Lauly Li and Cheng Ting-Fang of Nikkei Asia write.

The talks come as Apple begins rolling out Apple Intelligence, the AI platform that has helped spur demand for the latest iPhones.

Apple hopes to build AI servers in the Taiwanese city of Hsinchu, sources said, the same location where Foxconn produces the latest servers for Nvidia. But that could be difficult, as space and manufacturing resources are constrained by soaring demand for Nvidia products.

Calling for investment

Just days into his presidency, Indonesia’s new leader has sent a strong message to foreign tech companies looking to sell in the world’s fourth-most populous country: invest locally or lose access to the market.

But analysts warn that strategy, which is hitting the likes of Apple and Google, could backfire as competition in the region for foreign direct investment heats up, write the Financial Times’ A. Anantha Lakshmi and Diana Mariska in Jakarta.

Over the past week, Prabowo Subianto’s government has banned sales of Apple’s iPhone 16 and Google’s Pixel phones, citing the companies’ failure to meet requirements that 40 per cent of products are made with locally sourced raw materials.

Indonesia, with a young, tech-savvy population, holds a lot of potential for Apple and Google. Neither company has manufacturing plants in the country, though Apple has one supplier with a factory in Indonesia.

The bans signal that south-east Asia’s largest economy could step up the use of restrictive trade policies to secure investments from foreign companies. However, experts warn the strategy may end up harming Indonesia as its neighbours, such as Vietnam and Malaysia, take a more investor-friendly approach.

The price of progress

From chipsets to cameras, Apple spent more on key electronic components for its latest flagship iPhone than it did on last year’s offering, according to a teardown by Masaharu Ban and Yusuke Yagi of Nikkei in collaboration with Tokyo-based Fomalhaut Techno Solutions.

The total cost of materials for the iPhone 16 Pro reached $568, with much of the additional cost going to enable artificial intelligence computing, the analysis showed. The phone’s US retail price is $999.

The team also disassembled Google’s flagship Pixel 9 Pro released this August and found that the cost of its key parts has actually decreased over the years.

The most expensive component in the latest iPhone 16 Pro is the in-house designed A18 Pro core processor, which is about $135, made through the advanced 3nm process by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co, the world’s top contract chipmaker. Google’s core chip cost is significantly less.

Extreme machines

The race to produce ever more advanced semiconductors continues as TSMC prepares to receive its first set of the world’s most cutting-edge lithography chipmaking machines from ASML, Cheng Ting-Fang of Nikkei Asia writes.

Known as high numerical aperture extreme ultraviolet — or high NA EUV — lithography machines, they cost around $350mn each, about the price of three F-35 fighter jets. They are nearly twice as expensive as a standard EUV machine but can print almost three times as many transistors. In chipmaking, the more transistors that can be packed into a given chip area, the more powerful and advanced the chip becomes.

Intel has already secured the first two sets of high NA EUV machines as part of the US chip giant’s efforts to accelerate its development and reclaim its leading position in the chip industry.

TSMC was an early adopter of EUV technology, introducing it into its chipmaking process in 2019, several years ahead of Intel, which only released its first EUV-based core chipset last year. The Taiwanese chipmaker will use its first set of high NA EUV machines for research and development purposes initially, with sources indicating that the company may not deploy them for mass production until after 2030.

Suggested reads

1. Trump win casts cloud over TSMC and Samsung US chip plans (Nikkei Asia)

2. Chipmaker TSMC hit by Taiwan’s soaring energy prices and growing outages (FT)

3. Malaysia expects its ‘remarkable’ IPO boom to continue in 2025 (Nikkei Asia)

4. US Space Force warns of ‘mind-boggling’ build-up of Chinese capabilities (FT)

5. China’s chipmaking equipment market to shrink next year (Nikkei Asia)

6. South-east Asia’s digital companies boost profitability after pandemic: report (Nikkei Asia)

7. Premium EVs should help put Xiaomi on the podium (FT)

8. US EV policy yet to help Pilbara’s battery chemical venture: CEO (Nikkei Asia)

9. Japan eyes customer safeguards against fall of foreign crypto exchanges (Nikkei Asia)

10. Chinese sanctions hit US drone maker supplying Ukraine (FT)

#techAsia is co-ordinated by Nikkei Asia’s Katherine Creel in Tokyo, with assistance from the FT tech desk in London. 

Sign up here at Nikkei Asia to receive #techAsia each week. The editorial team can be reached at techasia@nex.nikkei.co.jp

As a lifelong rugby fan, I love the camaraderie and health benefits of playing the sport but not the injuries that sometimes come with it.

After a recent game left me with a leg in plaster, I spent a lot of time housebound, relying on technology to get me through the working day.

This got me thinking about the challenges facing financial advisers, who cannot function properly without the various pieces of software that enable them to do their jobs effectively and efficiently.

But as important as tech is, advisers often tell me how they don’t know where to start when it comes to picking a solution.

While every firm has its own unique needs, there are basic principles that can help you navigate the noise and choose the right tools

That’s understandable. The sheer number of options out there can be overwhelming and tech providers sometimes speak what can sound like a different language to the uninitiated.

With the rise of AI, it can also feel as though there is pressure to sign up to the newest and shiniest piece of tech or risk falling behind.

While every firm has its own unique needs, there are basic principles that can help you navigate the noise and choose the right tools.

Here’s how to simplify the process and find technology that truly works for you.

1. Define your needs clearly

Before diving into the sea of technology options, first clarify what you want from a system.

Whether it’s a CRM, portfolio management tool or another type of software, ask yourself, “what problem am I trying to solve?”

Identifying your core needs helps narrow your search and ensures you don’t waste time or money on a system that fails to meet your requirements.

Choosing a system with extensive features is pointless if you never use them and if it doesn’t address your specific needs

For example, you may want to increase your efficiency, boost productivity or perhaps ensure better audit trails.

Think also about how you’ll measure success to allow you to adapt and learn from decisions taken historically.

Choosing a system with extensive features is pointless if you never use them and if it doesn’t address your specific needs.

At the same time, understand that no software is perfect. Be ready to adapt your processes slightly to fit the tool you choose, rather than demanding extensive customisations. Major modifications can be costly and challenging to maintain over time.

2. Work out what you already have

Before you start talking to providers, understand what you already have and how that might help with the problem you’re trying to solve.

Are there features in your existing tech set up that you’re not using fully? Leverage your existing suppliers to help you explore that.

Consulting with your chosen partners can save you time and ensure you’re considering best-in-class solutions

With a clearer idea of your needs, it’s time to explore the available options. The vast array of solutions and providers can be overwhelming. If you’re part of an adviser community, leverage those connections.

Support services providers often have insight into new technologies and maintain a list of preferred providers based on their efficiency and effectiveness.

Consulting with your chosen partners can save you time and ensure you’re considering best-in-class solutions, so take advantage of their expertise and recommendations.

3. Ensure it’s the right fit

Once you’ve spoken with suppliers and are narrowing down your options, you need to be sure that what you choose is the right fit for your business.

To do that, you should ask yourself the following questions:

• Is it at the right price point?
• Does it specifically meet the need you’re looking for?
• Will it work with your existing technology choices?
• Will it integrate into your current technology estate and also with the way you work, or are you willing to change how you work?

If you can answer ‘yes’ to all, or at least most, of these questions, there’s a good chance you’ve picked the right solution.

4. Don’t judge by brand alone

While it’s tempting to opt for an established brand, don’t overlook smaller or newer providers. A strong brand doesn’t always equate to superior technology.

Emerging tech companies often bring innovative solutions to the table that can enhance productivity, boost profits and improve the service you provide to clients.

To gain a true understanding of how a system will perform, request a test login. This hands-on experience is the best way to determine if the software meets your needs

Smaller providers may work more closely with you, providing you with a more personal service to ensure you get the most out of their system than a larger provider. They may also be more willing to make personalised adjustments to their software to better suit your needs.

5. Test before you commit

Most tech providers offer demos, which are helpful, but a brief demonstration doesn’t always reveal the day-to-day user experience.

To gain a true understanding of how a system will perform in practice, request a test login. Use it over several days or weeks to evaluate its functionality thoroughly. This hands-on experience is the best way to determine if the software meets your needs.

While it’s tempting to opt for an established brand, don’t overlook smaller or newer providers

It’s also a good idea to speak with peers or likeminded businesses, rather than just relying on the sales pitch. Firms which use the system day in, day out will be able to give you an independent view on what its strengths and weaknesses are.

Picking a tech solution is a personal thing, based on a firm’s individual needs. However, if you follow these principles, you will significantly increase your chances of choosing the right option for you.

Richard Harrison is chief executive of Sesame Bankhall Group

Owing to limited capabilities of the Food Corporation of India, the government agencies have not been able to procure food crops from the farmers leading to protests in Punjab and Haryana. Now, in order to strengthen the FCI, the Modi government approved equity infusion of Rs 10,700 crore for its working capital for the current fiscal.

The decision also comes when campaigning is in full swing in Maharashtra and Jharkhand. The news of strengthening the FCI is likely to have a positive bearing on the farmers in these poll bound states. 

The decision approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is aimed at “bolstering the agricultural sector and ensuring the farmers welfare.”  

This strategic move shows the government’s steadfast commitment to supporting farmers and fortifying India’s agrarian economy, said an official statement. 

Explaining the economics of current decision, the officials explained that the FCI started its journey in 1964 with authorised capital of Rs 100 crores and equity of Rs 4 crores.  Over the years, FCI operations increased manifold resulting in increase of authorised capital from Rs. 11,000 crores to Rs. 21,000 crores in February, 2023.  

“The equity of FCI was Rs. 4,496 Crores in Financial Year 2019-20 which increased to Rs. 10,157 Crores in the Financial Year 2023-24.  Now, Government of India has approved significant amount of equity of Rs. 10,700 Crores for FCI which will strengthen it financially and will give a big boost to the initiatives taken for its transformation,” the cabinet statement said.

“The infusion of equity is a significant step towards enhancing the operational capabilities of FCI in fulfilling its mandate effectively. FCI resorts to short term borrowings to match the gap of fund requirement. This infusion will help to lower the interest burden and will ultimately reduce the subsidy of Government of India,” the statement added. 

FCI plays an important role in ensuring food security by procurement of food grains at Minimum Support Price (MSP), maintenance of strategic food grain stocks, distribution of food grains for welfare measure and stabilization of food grain prices in the market. 

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Japan’s top currency diplomat said the government was ready to take action against “excess moves” in the yen as Asian currencies showed further weakness against a resurgent US dollar in the wake of Donald Trump’s election victory.

The Japanese yen fell past ¥154 against the dollar to briefly hit a fresh intraday low on Thursday taking it to its weakest level since late July. The yen has weakened against the greenback since mid-September as investors bet on slower interest rate rises in Japan.

Talking to reporters in Tokyo, Atsushi Mimura said the authorities were closely watching developments in the currency market “with utmost urgency” and that recent moves had been “one-sided and drastic”.

“We are ready to take appropriate actions against excess moves,” he said, in comments that represented the strongest warning to speculators in months.

China set its official exchange rate at the lowest level since last November at 7.166 to the dollar after the renminbi tumbled 1 per cent against the dollar on Wednesday.

The People’s Bank of China, which fixes the official rate of the currency, is expected to confront depreciation pressure if Trump follows through with his pledge to impose steep tariffs on all Chinese imports.

The currency moves come ahead of the next rate-setting decision by the US Federal Reserve later on Thursday when officials are widely expected to continue an easing cycle, cutting a quarter of a percentage point from its benchmark lending rate.

The US dollar was slightly weaker on Thursday, after what was its best session in more than two years. It was down 0.4 per cent against a basket of its peers including the pound and euro. US Treasuries were steady in thin Asia trading, with the 10-year yield at 4.42 per cent.

The impact of a Trump victory included “Asia FX downward pressure, higher US treasury yields, and tariffs”, said Société Générale analysts in a note. “A weaker for longer yen is an upside risk.”

South Korea’s won also touched an intraday low beneath Won1,400 to the dollar in morning trading, its lowest in two years.

Vietnam also set its reference rate for the dong at a record low. On Wednesday, an official from Indonesia’s central bank said the bank was prepared to stabilise the rupiah.

The US election outcome spurred “Trump trades”, with the dollar surging while Treasury yields rose, as investors steeled for the impact on the US and other economies of a package of tariffs and tax cuts. US stock indices notched all-time highs.

Asian markets were upbeat by the close of trading, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index advancing more than 2 per cent. The mainland CSI 300 climbed 3 per cent to rise 6.8 per cent over the past five sessions. Japan’s Topix was up 1 per cent while the tech-heavy Nikkei 225 closed down.

Investors are positioning for the National People’s Congress, the standing committee of China’s rubber-stamp parliament, to announce the next stage of the country’s stimulus on Friday.

“The key risk is on trade: we could start to hear pronouncements from Trump quite soon. In the short-term, a protective trade stance is supportive of the US dollar and poses a risk to growth outside of the US,” said Johanna Kyrklund, group chief investment officer at asset manager Schroders.

“We would expect the Chinese authorities to continue with stimulative policies to offset this.”

Additional reporting by Ian Smith in London