Background and Challenge
The company develops hardware and software solutions for smart mobility, serving traffic management systems in cities across China. As Southeast Asian urbanization accelerates and countries push forward smart city and intelligent transport infrastructure, leadership concluded that going global was no longer optional. Yet Southeast Asia is not a single market — policies, market-access rules and local ecosystems differ sharply, and entering hastily would only slow momentum.
Three questions mattered most: Where should the headquarters sit to maximize international credibility and access to capital? Where should manufacturing and data operations be located for cost and compliance efficiency? And how could the company open direct dialogue with target governments rather than relying on long intermediary chains? The answers pointed to systematic go-global planning — not a lucky one-off experiment.
"Overseas smart mobility projects depend on more than technology — they depend on understanding how each country's market-access rules work. And that understanding comes from localized information and relationships."
— Zhu Xiaolan
Solution and Outcomes
Go-Global Strategy Report GlobalX
The GlobalX team combined industry trends and policy windows to deliver a Southeast Asia entry strategy report, defining the dual-hub logic of a Singapore international HQ plus Malaysia manufacturing and data center.
Southeast Asia Site Selection GlobalX
Ran site selection tours across Southeast Asia, comparing policy, operating costs, talent and supply chains — turning "somewhere feels right" into evidence-based trade-offs.
Government and Institution Liaison WTC ONE Club
Through the WTC ONE Club member network, arranged direct engagement with the Malaysian Ministry of Digital, Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) and WTC Kuala Lumpur.
Expo Participation and Formal Landing
Joined the ASEAN Smart City Expo to reach regional customers and partners; the Singapore international HQ was established and the Malaysia factory and data center began operations.
Direct engagement with 3 governments and institutions (Malaysian Ministry of Digital, Singapore EDB, WTC Kuala Lumpur), connecting the key resources for Southeast Asia market access.
"From a go-global strategy report to a Singapore HQ and a Malaysia factory and data center, every step was carried by the right institution and resources. That is what going global with a map looks like."
— Zhu Xiaolan