Investment firm SoftBank Group Corp., Southeast Asian superapp Grab Holdings Limited and Sarawak’s state-owned energy firm Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (“PETROS”) yesterday signed a Framework Agreement to explore the development of an artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure platform in Sarawak, Malaysia, according to the firms’ joint statement yesterday.
Under the Framework Agreement, the three parties will collaborate to develop a roadmap for the phased development of the project as well as explore opportunities across the wider AI value chain, including AI compute and services, advanced technologies, robotics, local workforce and community development.
SoftBank will contribute its global technology and AI ecosystem, with expertise spanning AI infrastructure, advanced computing, semiconductors and physical AI.
Grab will contribute its Southeast Asian digital ecosystem and extensive regional customer and partner networks while PETROS will bring its experience in harnessing Sarawak’s energy resources to drive economic development. Through PETROS’ Sarawak Gas Roadmap and as Master Developer of the Kuching Low-Carbon Hub (KLCH), PETROS has vast experience in developing energy supply solutions and enabling infrastructure, facilitating local engagement, and strengthening local participation and value creation across Sarawak’s supply chain.
Sarawak is seen as having great potential in becoming a destination for AI infrastructure and high-value technology industries.
The agreement was signed by Masayoshi Son, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SoftBank Group Corp.; Anthony Tan, Group Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Grab; and Dato Janin Girie, Group Chief Executive Officer of PETROS.