Tech
Kazakh president’s pet project gets boost from China
China-Central Asia Monitor: June 5-11, 2026.
Russian e-commerce major Wildberries eyes national logistics mega-project
Planned logistics platform is expected to function as a marketplace for freight customers.
South Korea ICT exports hit record high on AI chip demand
South Korea’s exports of information and communication technology (ICT) products reached a record monthly high in May, driven by strong demand for semiconductors and other products linked to the artificial intelligence ecosystem.
UK, Japan seal $24bn investment and tech partnership
More than 10 trade agreements were signed in total. These included an offshore wind farm project.
Can the Baltics become Europe's engine of innovation?
Europe has a problem. It’s falling behind both the US and China in innovation. If a European start-up gets off the ground they regularly decamp for the US where the market is bigger and more liquid.
Polish president vetoes crypto assets bill for third time
President Karol Nawrocki vetoed a government bill aimed at regulating the crypto assets market, blocking legislation that would have appointed the Polish Financial Supervision Authority as the market’s main watchdog.
Taiwan curbs advanced AI chip trade with China
The policy shift highlights Taiwan's delicate geopolitical position, where the necessity to secure its vital semiconductor monopoly and appease Western partners must be balanced against the commercial realities of its massive cross-strait trade.
Mexico targets 25-fold increase in semi-conductor production in next three years
Secretary of Economy Marcelo Ebrard announced Mexico is aiming to increase its semiconductor production capabilities 25-fold in the next three years.
Russia plans a state-run VPN
Russian communications watchdog Roskomnadzor has revealed plans to build a "state-run VPN," which is supposed to help the country's IT sector, cut off from foreign services and repositories.
Japan’s NTT launches $500mn fund to expand IOWN communications network worldwide
IOWN, or Innovative Optical and Wireless Network, is designed to enable large-volume data communications with low latency and lower power consumption.
Lithuania and Luxembourg deepen defence ties with satellite communications agreement
Deal helps Lithuania bolster military communications infrastructure as defence requirements continue to evolve.
Uzbekistan plans 32 mining AI and digital projects through 2030
Part of plan to attract $30bn in investment. Cutting-edge tech could accelerate analysis of geological data, raise efficiency of drilling operations.
Azerbaijani fintechs catching up with banks, says industry head
Regulatory environment being shaped by the Central Bank of Azerbaijan is laying the groundwork for competitive disruption.
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Anthropic releases public version of its most powerful AI model in the US, citing new safeguards
Anthropic has released Claude Fable 5, a public version of its most powerful AI model, two months after restricting an equivalent system over cybersecurity fears.
From oil wells to code: can Central Asia become the world's next technology hub?
For most of the post-Soviet era, Central Asia's economic story was written in commodities. Now technology is starting to challenge that stereotype.
Funding round for Polish-led space tech firm ICEYE values it at €10bn
Finland-based space technology company ICEYE, with Polish CEO and co-founder, completes funding round as demand grows for sovereign intelligence systems.
Croatian data centre operator DC North sold to Liechtenstein-based investor
DC North runs one of Croatia's largest data centre facilities, at a time when demand for data centre capacity continues to rise across Europe.
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Bahrain's Investcorp launches AI-powered investment strategy
Bahraini investment firm Investcorp has launched a formal AI investment methodology spanning its private equity, real estate, infrastructure, and credit strategies.
India’s data centre ecosystem expands beyond Mumbai
In the recent past India’s data centre industry has begun to look beyond Mumbai into cities like Hyderabad, Chennai, Delhi NCR, Pune and Bengaluru.
Can Uzbekistan's first unicorn become its first global technology champion?
For decades, Uzbekistan was known for its cotton, gold and fruit. Today, it is increasingly attracting attention for something entirely different: technology.