ZTE Corporation has strengthened its regional footprint by formalising a strategic collaboration with CIMB Bank Berhad to support the expansion of 5G networks and digital infrastructure across ASEAN.
The partnership, sealed through a memorandum of understanding (MoU), outlines a framework that integrates ZTE’s telecommunications expertise with CIMB’s financial and banking capabilities.
The collaboration is expected to facilitate the rollout of next-generation infrastructure, particularly 5G, while enhancing financing structures for large-scale projects in the region.
Under the agreement, both parties will explore opportunities spanning infrastructure financing, cross-border liquidity management and regional network expansion. The initiative aims to establish a comprehensive ecosystem involving industry players, regulators, investors and government agencies to accelerate ASEAN’s digital transformation.
The MoU signing ceremony took place in Kuala Lumpur, involving senior representatives from both organisations.
The collaboration builds on an existing working relationship between ZTE and CIMB in Malaysia, where both entities have supported the country’s 5G deployment alongside services such as foreign exchange, transaction banking and cash management.
With the new agreement, the scope of cooperation will extend beyond Malaysia to key ASEAN markets including Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Cambodia, with potential for further regional expansion.
The enhanced partnership is poised to improve connectivity, particularly in underserved and rural communities, contributing to efforts to narrow the digital divide within the region.
It also aligns with broader regional initiatives such as the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement, aimed at strengthening digital integration among member states.
ZTE said the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing digital infrastructure, while CIMB highlighted its role in enabling efficient project execution through its regional financial network.
The partnership is expected to create scalable and efficient solutions to meet the growing demand for high-speed connectivity and digital services across ASEAN.
-NIAGATIMES
