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European Investment Bank to Allocate €70 Billion for Tech Sector from 2025 to 2027

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The European Investment Bank (EIB) is set to announce plans to invest €70 billion into European technology firms over the next three years, EU officials confirmed. The initiative, called Tech EU, aims to strengthen Europe’s competitive edge against China and the United States in innovative clean and digital technologies.

The EIB, recognized as the world’s largest multilateral lender with a total balance sheet of €556 billion, expects its €70 billion commitment to mobilize an additional €250 billion from private investors attracted by EIB-supported projects.

The allocation breakdown for 2025-2027 includes:

  • €20 billion for equity and quasi-equity investments

  • €40 billion for loans

  • €10 billion for guarantees

This initiative is designed to complement European Commission efforts by supporting high-risk ventures and innovative companies through their entire investment lifecycle—from proof of concept to initial public offering.

Key focus areas for funding include supercomputing, artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, critical raw materials, green industries such as offshore wind, healthcare, security and defense technologies, robotics, and advanced materials.

Google and Chile Ink Deal for Trans-Pacific Submarine Cable to Boost Digital Connectivity

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Alphabet’s Google has signed a landmark agreement with the Chilean government to deploy a 14,800-kilometer (9,196-mile) submarine data cable linking Chile with Australia and Asia. The cable is expected to be operational by 2027 and marks the first submarine cable project in the South Pacific, reinforcing Chile’s ambitions to become a regional digital hub for Latin America.

“This is an important commitment with an extraordinary strategic partner,” said Chile’s Transport Minister Juan Carlos Muñoz, emphasizing the cable’s role in improving connectivity with Asian nations, particularly China, which is Chile’s largest trading partner.

Open Access and Broader Goals

Cristian Ramos, head of telecommunications infrastructure for Alphabet’s Latin America operations, confirmed that the cable will be open for use by other entities, allowing technology firms operating in Chile to benefit from the improved infrastructure.

The cable’s deployment comes amid escalating technological competition between the U.S. and China in Latin America, with submarine cables becoming increasingly significant in their geopolitical rivalry.

Though exact costs have not been disclosed, Chilean authorities had previously estimated the project’s cost to range between $300 million and $550 million, with Chile contributing $25 million through its state-owned partner Desarrollo País.

Applications in Mining, Science, and Industry

The cable is expected to deliver a range of benefits, including better performance for Asian tech platforms like TikTok, enhanced astronomical data transmission, and improved coordination for mining operations shared between Chile and Australia.

“Mining companies with operations in both countries can consider shared command centers where teams can support each other in real-time,” noted Deputy Secretary of Telecommunications Claudio Araya.

Deployment will begin next year from the Chilean port city of Valparaiso. Chile is also evaluating an additional link connecting the cable to Argentina, further expanding the project’s regional impact.

Future Expansion and Antarctic Ambitions

The agreement could encourage similar projects connecting South America with Asia, further strengthening Chile’s digital infrastructure. Separately, Chile is planning another submarine cable project to link the southern tip of South America with Antarctica, mainly for scientific research purposes.

The partnership between Google and Chile is not only a technological milestone but also a reflection of broader strategic interests as digital infrastructure becomes central to global economic and political influence.

Malaysia to Pay $250 Million for Arm Holdings Chip Design

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Malaysia has announced a $250 million agreement with Arm Holdings, spanning 10 years, to acquire chip design blueprints for local manufacturers. The deal aligns with the country’s ambition to develop its own graphics processing unit (GPU) chips within the next five to ten years, amid rising demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and data centers.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim stated that the partnership would enable Malaysia to design, manufacture, and distribute AI chips globally. As part of the deal, Arm will establish its first Southeast Asian office in Kuala Lumpur, serving as a hub for regional expansion, including Australia and New Zealand.

Arm CEO Rene Haas emphasized Malaysia’s strong foundation in the semiconductor industry, citing its expertise in advanced packaging, assembly, and manufacturing. Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli revealed that the agreement covers seven high-end chip designs and includes a training program for 10,000 engineers.

The initiative aims to strengthen Malaysia’s semiconductor ecosystem by fostering 10 local chip companies, each projected to generate annual revenues between $1.5 billion and $2 billion. The government plans to develop a complete supply chain for AI servers, autonomous vehicles, IoT, and robotics, prioritizing local firms for key production roles.

Since 2023, global tech giants such as Microsoft, Nvidia, Google, and ByteDance have invested billions in Malaysia’s digital infrastructure, particularly in cloud services and data centers. The country is also constructing Southeast Asia’s largest integrated-circuit design park, offering tax breaks and subsidies to attract international tech players, with Arm expected to play a central role.