The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) on Monday raised its 2026 growth forecast for the ASEAN+3 region to 4.1 percent, up from its June forecast of 4 percent, citing sustained momentum in the technology sector and robust demand for semiconductors and AI-related products. AMRO’s July 2026 Quarterly Update noted that semiconductor sales are expected to accelerate further from robust 2025 growth, and that ASEAN+3 contributes to nearly half of global AI-related exports. AMRO Chief Economist Dong He stated the region has remained resilient due to firm domestic demand and its central role in global AI supply chains. The report highlighted that robust AI-driven demand offsets headwinds from the prolonged Middle East conflict, with net exports supported by strong AI-related semiconductor and electronics demand. ASEAN+3 export growth accelerated to almost 20 percent in the first quarter, with AI-enabling goods accounting for almost two-thirds of the increase, and worldwide semiconductor sales nearly doubled in the first five months of the year. However, the outlook remains subject to significant uncertainty, as slower-than-expected tech demand is a key risk; under a scenario where global tech-driven investment slows to its 2024 pace, ASEAN+3 growth could slow to 3.7 percent in 2026 and 2.5 percent in 2027.