A proposed Hong Kong corporate tax incentive would give qualifying companies preferential rates of 5% or 8.25% for up to five years as the government seeks to attract high-value businesses. Financial Secretary Christopher Hui said the regime would target advanced manufacturing, innovation and technology, headquarters operations, logistics and supply-chain management, and finance. The preferential rates would represent a substantial reduction from Hong Kong’s standard 16.5% co

Singapore investment banking fees increased 9% to USD693.8m during the first nine months of 2026, reaching their highest level for the period since 2021 as stronger mergers and acquisitions activity boosted advisory revenues. Singapore generated 69.3% of Southeast Asia’s investment banking fee pool, according to LSEG Deals Intelligence. M&A advisory fees increased 23.7% to USD256m, while equity capital markets underwriting revenue rose 11.5% to USD159.8m. Syndicated lending f

Hong Kong fundraising reached a record USD47.5bn during the third quarter as the artificial intelligence boom encouraged Chinese companies to raise larger amounts and return more frequently to equity markets, Bloomberg data showed. Share sales pushed Hong Kong’s 2026 total above USD92bn, bringing the market within reach of the USD112.5bn annual record established in 2021. Alibaba’s USD10.2bn follow-on offering was the quarter’s largest transaction, while optical-networking eq

Malaysia SME borrowing is increasingly shifting towards short-term loans as smaller companies face shrinking cash buffers, higher operating expenses and greater working-capital requirements, according to Bank Negara Malaysia data. Short-term facilities accounted for a growing proportion of new SME borrowing as companies sought financing to bridge cash-flow gaps rather than fund longer-term expansion. The trend provides an important indicator of financial pressures within Mala

Singapore and China ASEAN cooperation could play an important role in strengthening regional economic integration as Singapore prepares to assume the bloc’s chairmanship in 2027, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said. Speaking at the FutureChina Global Forum, Gan said deeper ASEAN economic integration would be a priority for Singapore’s chairmanship and argued that a stronger and more resilient ASEAN should be a shared priority for Singapore and China. He identified trade,

China economic policy support is set to strengthen as the State Council seeks to sustain growth and achieve the government’s 4.5%-5% target amid signs of weakening momentum. The cabinet, chaired by Premier Li Qiang, called for more effective implementation of existing measures and faster issuance and deployment of government bonds, according to a state media readout. Authorities also want major infrastructure projects included in the 2026-2030 Five-Year Plan to begin construc

Hong Kong economic growth remains on track to reach the government’s 3.5%-4.5% target for 2026, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, who highlighted strong exports and demand for artificial intelligence-related products. The economy expanded 5.1% during the first half, its strongest half-year performance in almost five years. Goods exports surged 53% year-on-year in August to HKD667.9bn (USD85.1bn), while exports during the first eight months increased 42.5%, put

Hong Kong Indonesia cross-border payments could become faster and cheaper under an agreement between the Hong Kong Monetary Authority and Bank Indonesia to explore interoperability between their QR code-based payment systems. The two authorities signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation on cross-border payments as digital payment adoption continues to expand across Asia. Under the agreement, the HKMA and Bank Indonesia will hold discussions cover

Hong Kong economic growth could exceed 3% annually over the medium term if the city successfully strengthens its “super-connector” role under China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, according to Citi Research. Citi said the framework could reduce policy uncertainty and channel capital towards finance, trade, innovation and technology, with the Northern Metropolis providing an important platform for advanced industries. Rapid expansion of Hong Kong’s offshore yuan business was identified

The proposed Hong Kong CEPA revision could give foreign companies establishing operations in the city the same preferential mainland China market access available to qualifying local businesses. Commerce Secretary Algernon Yau said foreign companies manufacturing in Hong Kong could qualify for zero-tariff entry into mainland China if their products satisfy “Made in Hong Kong” origin requirements. The changes would form the third revision of the Mainland and Hong Kong Closer E

Institutional investor cash allocations are rising sharply as asset owners respond to geopolitical uncertainty, inflation and changing expectations for global equity markets. A Marsh Investments survey of 430 asset owners managing a combined USD5.76tr found that 37.8% planned to increase cash allocations over the next 12 months, compared with just 9% in the previous year’s survey. Net intentions towards cash increased by 35.5 percentage points to 22%, the largest annual rise

East Asia trade corridors will remain a regional priority as economic ministers seek to keep markets open and strengthen supply-chain resilience amid changing global economic conditions. The commitment was made at the 14th East Asia Summit Economic Ministers’ Meeting in Pasay City, chaired by Philippine Trade Secretary Ma. Cristina Roque. The combined nominal GDP of participating East Asia Summit economies reached USD69.6tr in 2025, underlining the economic scale of the group

Hong Kong overseas listings are set for a stronger promotional push as authorities seek more dual-primary and secondary listings from Southeast Asia and Belt and Road economies. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu said in his Policy Address that the city would step up efforts to attract overseas companies to its capital markets. The Securities and Futures Commission is expected to consult in 2027 on streamlining prospectus disclosure requirements to make it easier for overseas c

The Hong Kong financial centre ranking remains first in Asia and third globally in the latest Global Financial Centres Index, reinforcing the city’s position among the world’s leading financial hubs. Hong Kong recorded a score of 756 in the index, produced by Z/Yen and the China Development Institute. The city retained its top global position for fintech offerings, while its ranking for financial sector development climbed to first worldwide. Hong Kong was also ranked second

ASEAN financial integration is set to deepen as regional central banks seek stronger cooperation and resilience against inflation, financial vulnerabilities, artificial intelligence-related disruption and fiscal pressures. The 32nd ASEAN Senior-Level Committee on Financial Integration, co-chaired by the State Bank of Vietnam and Bank Indonesia, reviewed progress across banking integration, capital markets, financial inclusion, payment systems and sustainable finance. Bank for

Hong Kong investor confidence remained resilient in August, with the Investor Confidence Index holding at 68 and 88% of respondents planning to maintain or increase investment allocations over the coming year. The Dah Sing Banking survey covered 608 investors and found the headline confidence reading was broadly unchanged from a year earlier. High-value investors holding more than HKD8m (USD1.02m) in liquid assets were the most optimistic group, recording an index reading of

GXBank IFC MSME financing could support up to USD110m in lending to Malaysian businesses under a risk-sharing partnership designed to expand credit to underserved companies. The International Finance Corporation, the World Bank Group’s private-sector investment arm, will provide up to USD4.95m in unfunded first-loss coverage, according to GXBank. The facility will allow the Malaysian digital bank to increase lending to micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including comp

The Hong Kong business outlook remains broadly positive, with 63% of companies surveyed expecting positive or very positive conditions over the next 12 to 18 months, according to DBS Bank. The survey of 250 business owners and senior decision-makers found that product and service innovation was the leading strategic priority for the next three to five years, cited by 53% of respondents. Cost optimisation and improved efficiency followed at 46%, while 31% identified customer e

Hong Kong banks generative AI investment is accelerating as financial institutions make the technology and process automation their leading technology priority through 2030. A Hong Kong Association of Banks and Deloitte survey found that 53% of respondents ranked generative AI and process automation as their top technology investment priority, indicating a move towards broader adoption. The report found 52% of banks were optimistic about the industry’s development through 203

South Korea economic recovery is becoming increasingly evident, with per capita gross national income expected to exceed USD40,000 this year, according to Finance Minister Koo Yun-cheol. Koo said nominal gross domestic product in Asia’s fourth-largest economy recorded its fastest second-quarter growth in 47 years. Speaking at a meeting of economy-related ministers, he said the economy was moving more clearly towards recovery and growth despite challenging external and domesti