Gitex Asia 2025 marks a significant turning point in Southeast Asia's rise as a global tech powerhouse.
The Gulf Information Technology Exchange (GITEX) is a world-renowned event that brings together experts and leaders from various technology sectors and attracts visitors from more than 170 countries.
This time, GITEX Asia, part of the broader GITEX Global series, debuted in Singapore from April 23 to 25, 2025.
Why Asia? It’s no coincidence! Asia’s rapid market growth offers GITEX a golden opportunity to drive innovation, investment, and partnerships across the tech sector.
Gitex Asia 2025: Southeast Asia’s Boom Begins in Tech
The launch of GITEX Asia 2025 in Singapore marks a strategic move to strengthen GITEX’s presence across Asia.
Singapore was chosen as the host due to its successful rollout of the National AI Strategy 2.0, which was backed by a USD 767 million investment.
Beyond that, Singapore’s central position in Southeast Asia and its reputation as a leader in AI innovation and governance made it a natural choice.
This move comes as Southeast Asia is undergoing rapid digital transformation. According to the World Economic Forum, the region’s digital economy is expected to exceed USD 1 trillion in gross merchandise by 2030.
Innovation is booming across the region, particularly in AI applications. In Thailand and the Philippines, AI is helping to automate agriculture and plantations.
While in Indonesia, AI is being leveraged to boost small businesses and the manufacturing sector (Bisnis.com, 2024).
By opening up massive opportunities for innovation and collaboration, GITEX Asia 2025 is positioning Southeast Asia for a tech-driven future.
Read also: How Advancing Digitalization is Helping Southeast Asian Rural Communities
Global Collaboration to Explore Future Tech
One of the significant highlights of Gitex Asia 2025 was its strong emphasis on global collaboration.
Held at Marina Bay Sands alongside AI Everything Singapore, the event gathered over 700 tech companies, 250 investors, and venture capitalists from around 70 countries, as well as more than 25,000 attendees.
GITEX Asia aims to advance Southeast Asia’s digital economy by connecting tech innovators, entrepreneurs, micro-businesses, investors, and policymakers worldwide.
“By tapping into the region’s spirit of innovation and digital adventure, we will accelerate collaboration and create new markets and opportunities alongside global tech leaders,” said Trixie LohMirmand, CEO of KAOUN International and organizer of GITEX Asia, as quoted by Kompas.id.
Gitex Asia 2025: A Golden Opportunity for Startups to go Global
Beyond established tech giants, Gitex Asia 2025 also opened its doors for startups.
Under the theme “Advancing Bold Partnerships in Asia,” startups worldwide showcased their innovations internationally.
Among the participants was Fair Indonesia, a digital influencer marketing platform. Founder and CEO Refal Tamara Putra showcased how their fair-indonesia.com platform operates.
“We believe our platform has grown well in Indonesia, so we decided to expand into the Southeast Asian market. Hopefully, this will open up new opportunities,” Refal said during the exhibition on April 24, 2025, in Singapore (Kompas.id, 2023).
Adding to the excitement, a startup from Bangladesh, quoted by Tirto.id, won the prestigious Supernova Challenge, beating hundreds of competitors worldwide.
This victory highlights how competitive and promising Asian startups, especially Southeast Asian startups, are on the global stage.
What’s Next: Vietnam and Indonesia on the Expansion Radar
Next, Gitex Asia’s journey doesn’t stop in Singapore.
Expansion plans have been officially announced: GITEX Vietnam will launch in Hanoi in 2026, and Indonesia is being eyed as the next central hub for GITEX’s growth.
Vietnam and Indonesia’s fast-growing digital economies make them ideal partners in GITEX’s mission to propel Southeast Asia onto the global tech stage.
With their massive markets, young digital-savvy populations, and strong innovation ecosystems, both countries are poised to be critical pillars of Southeast Asia’s tech revolution.
Read also: The Growing Digital Divide: Internet Speed Disparities in Southeast Asia
Gitex Asia 2025 has proven to be more than a tech exhibition; it symbolizes Southeast Asia’s technological awakening.
And with Vietnam and Indonesia in the spotlight, the region’s tech future looks brighter.
GITEX Asia 2025 has paved the way for the rise of technology in Southeast Asia. In addition to Singapore, countries like Vietnam and Indonesia are now seen as rising stars with tremendous potential in harnessing technology and artificial intelligence.
These events and exhibitions are not just showcases but strategic platforms shaping innovation’s future. While GITEX may have started in other regions, Vietnam and Indonesia are strong contenders for hosting the next wave of tech breakthroughs.
But the real question is, how fast can these countries turn their digital potential into a real global impact, and who will lead the charge?
References:
Sprints.ai. (n.d.). What is GITEX? https://sprints.ai/en/blog/What-is-GITEX
Dexon Systems. (n.d.). GITEX Tech Show Overview. https://dexonsystems.com/blog/gitex-tech show#:~:text=What%20is%20the%20GITEX%20Tech,visitors%20from%20over%20170%20countries.
MSN Indonesia. (2023). Gitex Asia 2025 Hadir Soroti Potensi Ekonomi Digital ASEAN.
https://www.msn.com/id-id/berita/other/gitex-asia-2025-hadir-soroti-potensi-ekonomi-digital-asean/ar-AA1Dhxg4
Kompas.id. (2024). Gitex Asia 2025: Panggung Startup Melangkah ke Kancah Global.
https://www.kompas.id/artikel/gitex-asia-2025-panggung-startup-melangkah-ke-kancah-global
Kompas.id. (2024). Gitex Asia 2025: Katalisator Pengembangan Ekonomi Digital di Asia Tenggara.
https://www.kompas.id/artikel/gitex-asia-2025-katalisator-pengembangan-ekonomi-digital-di-asia-tenggara
Tirto.id. (2024). Gitex Asia 2025 Ditutup dengan Pengumuman Supernova Challenge.
https://tirto.id/gitex-asia-2025-ditutup-dengan-pengumuman-supernova-challenges-ha2v
Bisnis.com. (2024). Gitex Asia 2025: Kebangkitan Teknologi Asia Tenggara.
https://teknologi.bisnis.com/read/20250427/84/1872350/gitex-asia-2025-kebangkitan-teknologi-asia-tenggara
