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The U.S. Departments of Commerce and Defense have expanded their collaboration to strengthen the semiconductor defense industrial base. The agreement will increase information sharing between the two departments and facilitate close coordination on the CHIPS for America's incentives program. The agreement is likely to have several positive implications for the semiconductor market, including lower prices for semiconductor chips, increased investment in research and development, and a stronger U.S. semiconductor industry. These benefits are likely to benefit a wide range of industries and help to protect U.S. national security.

Automobile production and sales in China increased in June 2023, but year-on-year growth rates were lower than those in May. The halving of the purchase tax on gasoline vehicles in June 2022 had a significant impact on the automobile industry, leading to a surge in demand for gasoline vehicles. The market share of new energy vehicles in China is gradually increasing, reaching 14.7% in June 2023.

The IoT market is growing rapidly and is expected to reach $1 trillion in 2026. The manufacturing, utilities, and retail industries are the leading sectors for IoT investment, and the use cases that are expected to see the fastest growth are those that are focused on improving efficiency, reducing costs, and increasing customer satisfaction.

The British government has announced that it will grant hundreds of licenses for North Sea oil and gas activity. This decision has angered environmentalists, who are concerned about the UK's commitment to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. The government says that the new licenses will help to secure the UK's energy supply and create jobs in the oil and gas industry. Environmentalists argue that the licenses are unnecessary and will only serve to prolong the country's reliance on fossil fuels. The market will be watching closely to see how the government progresses with its plans for CCS.

Toyota is developing a lunar rover powered by its fuel cell technology. The rover is designed to be used for exploring the moon and extracting water from lunar ice. The rover will be equipped with a variety of sensors and tools to help it explore the moon, including a drill to extract water from lunar ice, a camera to take images of the lunar surface, and a spectrometer to analyze the composition of the lunar soil. The rover will also be powered by Toyota's fuel cell technology, which is very efficient and produces no emissions. The development of Toyota's lunar rover is a significant step forward in the company's efforts to explore space. The rover will help Toyota to gather valuable data about the moon and to develop new technologies that could be used in future space missions.

Ayala-led ACEN Corp. is investing P1.44 billion in five of its units to accelerate renewable energy projects in the Philippines, including solar and wind initiatives. The company aims to achieve 20 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030. ACEN's investment aligns with the government's goal of a 35% renewable energy mix by 2030, utilizing policies like feed-in-tariffs and tax breaks. With a strong track record in renewable energy development, this investment is a significant step towards a cleaner energy future for the Philippines, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating jobs, and meeting the country's energy needs sustainably. 

Tesla has launched its Model Y SUV in Malaysia, priced starting at RM199,000. The launch is timely as Malaysia is phasing out gasoline-powered vehicles by 2040. Tesla is well-positioned to capitalize on this demand.

Globetronics expects challenges in semiconductor industry due to macroeconomic issues. Q2 2023 net profit dropped to RM7.08mil, revenue dipped to RM31.51mil. Anticipates declining profitability, takes measures to minimize disruptions. 

The G20 energy ministers are meeting in Goa, India, this week to discuss energy security and climate change. The talks have been dominated by disagreements over renewable energy targets, with some of the world's biggest fossil fuel producers opposing a proposal to triple G20 countries' renewable energy capacity by 2030. The stakes are high, as the outcome of the meeting could have a major impact on the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change. It is important to watch the talks closely and to hold the ministers accountable for their actions.

The Vietnam defense industry is witnessing rapid growth due to increased military spending, prompting the government to allocate an additional $1 billion to the defense budget in July 2023. This surge in demand for advanced weapons systems has driven the need for hardware components like semiconductors, sensors, and electronic components, providing an opportunity for Vietnam to leverage its strong manufacturing base and skilled engineering workforce to meet these requirements and bolster its defense capabilities.