Zetrix AI, Shenzhen Data Exchange to Unlock Value of ASEAN-China Data Through Cross-Border Trading Platform

Zetrix AI Berhad and Shenzhen Data Exchange Co. Ltd. (SZDEX) announced a collaboration to build a cross-border data trading platform connecting ASEAN and China, marking a significant step toward monetizing data as a strategic asset. The partnership aims to facilitate secure, regulated data flows between the two regions, leveraging Zetrix AI’s experience in digital government services and SZDEX’s leadership in China’s national data trading infrastructure. The initiative will focus on three key areas: constructing a regional data trading infrastructure with standardized rules and security mechanisms, promoting two-way cross-border data circulation in sectors like tourism, finance, and agriculture, and fostering an interconnected data ecosystem. Both companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance data security, privacy protection, and policy cooperation while exploring regulatory frameworks for an ASEAN data exchange. The platform will aggregate high-quality data resources from both markets, enabling compliant cross-border transactions with clear standards for property rights, compliance reviews, and settlement processes. Zetrix AI and SZDEX will also collaborate on joint events, research, and industry forums to address challenges in cross-border data governance and innovation. In 2025, China’s data transaction value reached approximately RMB50 billion, driven primarily by AI-driven businesses. This partnership seeks to position ASEAN as a leading data trading hub, aligning with the growing demand for data-driven AI applications and digital economies. The MoU outlines plans to develop a China-ASEAN data interconnection scheme, ensuring efficient data flow while adhering to regional regulations. The initiative will also focus on technological innovation and ecosystem-building to unlock the full potential of data as a tradable asset.