The emergence of the SIJORI Growth Triangle marked a transformative shift in regional economic integration, uniting Singapore, Johor, and Riau in a powerful collaborative framework. At the recently concluded SIJORI Week, over 1500 top decision makers from APAC’s cloud and data center industry delved deeper into all this and more.
Singapore’s innovation-driven economy, Johor’s industrial and logistical capabilities, and Riau’s abundant natural resources, the trio fostered a dynamic synergy that propelled sustained economic growth by capitalizing on their complementary strengths.
As the partnership gained momentum, digital infrastructure emerged as a critical enabler for long-term prosperity. Recognizing this, the three regions prioritized building robust digital ecosystems to support their expanding economies, enhance connectivity, and attract high-value industries. The SIJORI Growth Triangle’s strategic focus on digital transformation quickly captured global attention, drawing significant investment from tech giants, infrastructure developers, and multinational enterprises.
To amplify its potential, one year ago, W.Media established SIJORI Week as a premier platform for thought leadership, investment, and partnership-building. This flagship event highlights the region’s digital infrastructure opportunities, bringing together policymakers, investors, and industry leaders to explore cutting-edge innovations, forge strategic alliances, and accelerate the SIJORI ecosystem’s growth.
Through these collaborative efforts, the SIJORI Growth Triangle has solidified its position as a key economic powerhouse, setting a benchmark for regional cooperation and digital advancement in Southeast Asia.
In SIJORI Week’s second year, the closing panel discussion at the SIJORI Cloud and Datacenter Convention 2025 crackled with an undeniable energy, reflecting the unprecedented momentum surging through the Singapore-Johor-Riau region and beyond.
Titled “SIJORI 2025: Key Takeaways from Industry Experts and What to Expect in the Next 12 Months,” the session, featuring industry leaders Philbert Shih, Managing Director at Structure Research; Andreuw Th.A.F, CEO of NeutraDC; Pritesh Swammy, Head of Data Centre Research & Advisory, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield; Dendi Gustinandar, Director For Investment at Badan Pengusahaan Batam; and Johnson Tan, EVP and MD CloudHQ APAC at CloudHQ, painted a vivid picture of a region rapidly evolving from a complementary hub into a dominant, integrated force, poised for significant expansion under the banner of “SIJORI+.”
From overflow to orchestrator: The rise of SIJORI+
Philbert set the stage by highlighting a crucial shift, “The past year was about serving Singapore as an overflow market. But this year, the discussion has fundamentally changed – it’s about serving the entire SIJORI region holistically.” This evolution, he emphasized, is just the beginning. The strategic vision now extends to “SIJORI+”, explicitly incorporating powerhouse markets like Bangkok, Thailand, and Jakarta, Indonesia, into the collaborative framework. The focus is broadening, recognizing the need for a regional approach that leverages interconnected strengths.
A “Hot Triangle” heating up further, amidst global challenges
Andreuw characterized the core SIJORI triangle as a dynamic “hot triangle with different hypes,” acknowledging the unique growth drivers and investment fervor in each area. He identified Thailand as the next significant frontier following SIJORI’s initial success. However, he also injected a note of global reality, pointing to the impact of US sanctions on critical GPU supply – a key resource powering the AI boom – and specifically mentioned Batam as a location where developments related to this challenge and opportunity are unfolding.
AI, Sustainability, and Complementary Strengths
Pritesh distilled the dominant themes echoing across the diverse landscapes: “AI and Sustainability – Common words.” These twin imperatives are driving investment and innovation universally. Crucially, he underscored the inherent strength of the SIJORI ecosystem, “The three regions [Singapore, Johor, Batam/Riau] are very different, yet they complement each other exceptionally well. This creates a quite good, synergistic ecosystem.” This complementary nature, Singapore’s connectivity and finance, Johor’s land and power capacity, Batam’s proximity and developing infrastructure, is the bedrock of SIJORI’s resilience and appeal.
Batam: Acceleration fueled by government commitment
Dendi provided compelling testimony to Batam’s explosive trajectory, “Batam grows so fast, especially the DC industry.” He attributed this acceleration directly to robust governmental support: “BP Batam supports the DC growth, which is why events like this are crucial. The full government of Indonesia supports Batam, especially data center growth.” His message was clear and confident, “Batam is ready to support the growth of it.” The call now, he implied, is for continued acceleration and execution, building on the foundation laid in areas like Nongsa Digital Park, promising “it will become better and better.”
A region at the tipping point
Johnson captured the palpable sense of a pivotal moment, noting, “The momentum of this event has been peaking up for years.” He declared, “We are at the turning point in the region where we see so much demand and supply converging.” He singled out the immense potential, “The Indonesia market has huge potential,” a sentiment reinforcing Dendi’s points about Batam and the wider archipelago. Johnson also observed Vietnam’s rapid growth, suggesting the dynamism extends even further. He championed the power of collaboration, advocating for “extended events to build the ecosystem within the region.”
Governance, replication, and wider horizons
Andreuw returned to the critical role of governance, suggesting that “The government should try to align with the data center industry because data is moving. It’s not just sitting there—it’s traveling. So, there are a couple of things that need to be done.” He implied the need for supportive policies and frameworks to sustain growth. He noted the “success of Johor is easily copied,” highlighting the importance of learning from established models within SIJORI. Looking ahead, he confirmed the panel’s consensus on expansion, “Watch the dynamics… SIJORI+ means Thailand, Jakarta (though in a different phase), and even the Philippines.” The geographical scope is widening significantly.
The next 12 months – Building the SIJORI+ future
The next 12 months for the SIJORI region and its expanding “+” sphere will be marked by strategic growth and collaboration. SIJORI+ will take center stage, integrating Bangkok and Jakarta while eyeing the Philippines. Batam’s data center boom will accelerate, backed by government initiatives, while the region navigates AI-driven GPU shortages influenced by geopolitics.
Sustainability remains key, with ESG factors shaping new developments. Stakeholders across Singapore, Johor, and Batam will deepen partnerships to strengthen the corridor’s position. Indonesia, led by Jakarta and Batam, is set to attract major data center investments, turning potential into large-scale projects.
The SIJORI Cloud and Datacenter Convention 2025 didn’t just discuss the future, it marked the moment SIJORI confidently stepped onto a larger stage. The era of SIJORI+ has begun and it’s driven by complementary strengths, surging demand, governmental support, and a collective understanding that the region’s future lies in integrated, collaborative dominance. The next 12 months will be crucial in turning this bold vision into concrete reality.
