CT Group discusses ASEAN technology initiatives with ASEAN Secretary-General

CT Group discusses ASEAN technology initiatives with ASEAN Secretary-General

CT Group proposed developing the low-altitude economy, corneal transplants for ASEAN blindness, and gene-edited rice against climate change and rising sea levels.

Trần Kim Chung, chairman of CT Group (left), and Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN (right), at the ASEAN Secretariat Headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia. — Photos courtesy of CT Group

CT Group has outlined plans to expand its low-altitude economy (LAE) services across Indonesia's more than 17,000 islands as part of broader discussions on regional technology cooperation with ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn.

During the meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn in Jakarta, Indonesia last week, Chung shared plans for General Aerospace Services Company for Low Altitude Economy (GASCOLAE), a CT Group member company, to deploy LAE services throughout Indonesia's archipelago.

The project is intended to support connectivity, logistics and digital infrastructure across the country.

According to CT Group, the initiative builds on a cooperation agreement signed with Indonesia's Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas) in August 2025 to develop policies and an ecosystem for the low-altitude economy in support of the country's digital transformation programme.

The two sides also discussed the application of strategic technologies to address common regional challenges.

CT Group presented several proposals, including the development of the low-altitude economy, corneal transplantation solutions to help address blindness in ASEAN, and gene-editing technologies for rice to improve resilience to climate change and rising sea levels.

According to the company, the Indonesia project is one of its key programmes for implementing technology initiatives across ASEAN.

Chung said CT Group is investing in strategic technologies to develop technology solutions within the region and contribute to ASEAN's long-term growth.

Kao noted that ASEAN, with a population approaching 700 million, occupies a strategic position among major global economic centres but continues to face challenges including climate change, natural disasters, labour productivity and development gaps among member states.

He said strategic technologies could help address these challenges while supporting the bloc's future development.

According to CT Group, Kao expressed support for strengthening the company's links with ASEAN cooperation mechanisms and business networks, expanding strategic partnerships and promoting ASEAN-developed technologies internationally.

CT Group said it has established an office in Indonesia and is gradually expanding its technology cooperation programmes in the country.

The company is also working with Indonesia's state-owned aerospace manufacturer, PT Dirgantara Indonesia, on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies.

According to Indonesian state news agency Antara, CT Group and its Indonesian partners are cooperating on research, investment and development in areas including the low-altitude economy, digital twins, UAVs, aerospace, artificial intelligence, smart cities, advanced manufacturing, logistics, digital infrastructure and workforce development. 

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