JAKARTA: The United States’ US$2.5 billion (US$1=RM4.09) package for Southeast Asia spans multiple thematic categories, with a strong emphasis on advancing artificial intelligence (AI), data centres and other future technologies in line with the region’s growing digital economy.
US Ambassador to ASEAN Kevin Kim said the emphasis reflects Southeast Asia’s growing interest in digital economy development, with the Trump administration seeking to strategically apply US foreign assistance so that both the US and the region could mutually benefit from its growth.
“We recognise that any type of growth in digital economy will incorporate Southeast Asia in the future, so the administration wanted to pursue strategic application of foreign assistance to see how the US and Southeast Asia can mutually benefit with respect to the development of digital economy,” he said.
He said this during a virtual press briefing recently on the outcomes of US participation in the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related meetings in Manila, where US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who represented Washington on Wednesday, announced the US$2.5 billion package.
Kim said the AI component includes the newly launched US-ASEAN AI Spark initiative, which aims to support the deployment of American AI technologies in Southeast Asia by providing financial and technical assistance to governments interested in adopting AI applications in the public sector.
Beyond AI, he said the US is investing US$1.5 billion through an investment platform to facilitate the development of energy security infrastructure across the IndoPacific, describing it as the largest single project investment in the history of the US International Development Finance Corporation.
He added that the investment complements other US grants and initiatives supporting energy security in Southeast Asia, while Washington is also stepping up efforts to combat transnational crime, strengthen law enforcement cooperation, and expand military education and training across the region.
Kim said the United States is also pursuing a joint agreement with the Philippines to provide up to US$685 million to strengthen the country’s capacity to detect, treat and prevent HIV as part of broader efforts to improve regional health security. – BERNAMA
