Indonesia’s economy expanded 5.04% year on year in the third quarter, easing from 5.12% in Q2 as weaker sentiment and late-August protests weighed on spending and investment. The figure, matching Bloomberg forecasts, still outpaced regional peers but indicated softer domestic demand under President Prabowo Subianto’s new administration. Economists said the slowdown could prompt Bank Indonesia to remain dovish, with OCBC’s Lavanya Venkateswaran expecting a cumulative 50-basis-

Thailand will set up a new data bureau to trace suspicious fund flows tied to online gambling, scam accounts, and other grey-money channels, Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas said. The system, due by December, will integrate data across ministries, banks, and regulators under a “Connect the Dots” task force with the Bank of Thailand. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul backed the move amid questions over the baht’s firmness despite weak growth. Authorities said illicit fu

Hong Kong could overtake London as the world’s No.2 financial centre next year, according to GCM Grosvenor CEO Michael Sacks at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. He cited the city’s talent depth, international access, and rule of law as major strengths. Hermes Li of Aspex Management said Hong Kong should benefit as Chinese savers shift from property to equities and as more A-share tech firms pursue local IPOs, including CATL’s 2025 debut (stock code 3750). For

Hong Kong will leverage artificial intelligence to attract global investment, Financial Secretary Paul Chan said at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. Highlighting the Hong Kong AI push, Chan cited WTO data showing that private capital in AI reached about USD190bn this year. The city will adopt a 'twin-engine' strategy—developing AI as a core industry while using it to upgrade traditional sectors. Government initiatives include direct investments, startup suppor

Morgan Stanley CEO Ted Pick and Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon warned that a market correction is likely, even as they remain positive on the overall cycle. Speaking at Hong Kong’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit, they said equity indices could experience a 10–20% drawdown within 12–24 months. While the S&P 500 has risen more than 15% this year following steady gains since April, the executives noted that elevated technology valuations and the strong run in preci

The InvestHK initiative seeks to increase Hong Kong-registered fintech firms’ presence in Philippines , as only 1.9% currently operate there — the lowest among ASEAN peers. Speaking at Hong Kong FinTech Week 2025, officials said stronger promotion and confidence-building are needed for Manila amid low FDI levels from Hong Kong. Singapore hosts 37% of regional fintechs, followed by Malaysia (20.4%), Thailand (11.1%), Indonesia (7.4%) and Vietnam (6.5%). InvestHK praised the Ph

The AIIB Hong Kong office will strengthen the bank’s access to Asia’s capital markets and sustainable finance ecosystem. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said it will open an office in Hong Kong to support its expanding operations, with full backing from local authorities. The office will tap Hong Kong’s deep markets and financial expertise to support infrastructure financing, bond issuance, and investment management. The move aligns with the city’s role as a gateway

Foreign investors Hong Kong sentiment is improving, with renewed confidence in the city’s financial markets, according to Financial Secretary Paul Chan. He said overseas firms are expanding and leasing new offices, while nearly half of stock market inflows since September last year have come through Northbound funds, with the rest from Europe and the US. Chan added that multiple Middle Eastern companies will hold investment roadshows in Hong Kong next month targeting infrastr

Wall Street Asia inflows are expected to rise as major global banks forecast renewed investor appetite for China, Hong Kong, Japan, and India, according to executives at the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit. Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon signalled improving sentiment towards Chinese equities as international investors rotate back following the stabilisation of 2024 after the property slump. The three-day summit, attended by about 30

The China Ministry of Finance debt unit 2025 has been established to tighten oversight of central and local government borrowing and reduce fiscal risks. The new department will set debt limits, manage issuance and repayment, draft regulations, and monitor implicit liabilities from local-government financing vehicles. Li Dawei has been appointed to lead the team, following a USD1.40tr debt-relief package launched in 2023. The unit will coordinate provincial quotas, swaps, and

South Korea big four banks Q3 2025 earnings reached record levels as KB, Shinhan, Hana, and Woori Groups lifted combined year-to-date net profit 10.4% to KRW15.81tr (USD12bn) and third-quarter profit 10.2% to KRW5.48tr. KB led with KRW1.69tr in Q3 and KRW5.12tr year-to-date; Shinhan posted KRW1.42tr and KRW4.46tr; Hana KRW1.13tr and KRW3.43tr. Woori exceeded KRW1tr in quarterly profit for the first time at KRW1.24tr, aided by newly acquired Tongyang Life and ABL Life. Noninte

Vietnam digital finance 2025 is emerging as a cornerstone of the country’s growth strategy, according to officials at the Digital Financial Inclusion Conference co-hosted by the State Bank of Vietnam and IFC. Deputy Governor Pham Thanh Ha said the government aims to build a globally connected, trusted digital ecosystem supporting its financial hub ambitions. IFC’s Thomas Jacobs noted that fintech innovation could enhance SME lending and job creation. Vietnam’s initiatives inc

The APEC CEO Summit 2025 opened in South Korea, with global business and political leaders urging stronger multilateral cooperation and supply-chain resilience amid geopolitical and technological challenges. The Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry-hosted event gathered over 1,700 participants, including leaders from the US, South Korea, and OECD. President Lee Jae Myung pledged to prioritise coordination as APEC chair, calling supply-chain collaboration “the core of solida

Asia M&A 2025 activity fell 19% to USD284bn in the first nine months, marking the region’s weakest performance in a decade, according to Boston Consulting Group. In contrast, global M&A rose 10% to USD1.94tr, its second consecutive annual increase. North American dealmaking surged 25% to USD1.2tr, while Europe slipped 5% to USD375bn. Technology, media, and telecoms dominated global activity at USD536bn, followed by financials and real estate at USD357bn and industrials at USD

ASEAN-China FTA upgrade 2025 was signed in Malaysia, expanding the pact with new chapters on the digital and green economy and modern industries. ASEAN remains China’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade hitting USD771bn in 2024. The enhanced “3.0” agreement follows negotiations that began in 2022 and concluded in May, building on the original 2010 framework. The upgraded free-trade agreement is expected to boost cooperation in agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and tech

Hong Kong finance summit 2025 will feature China’s Vice Premier He Lifeng delivering a virtual keynote at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit next week, the HKMA said. Running Monday to Wednesday, the fourth summit will gather top global finance executives to discuss navigating today’s volatile economy. Chief Executive John Lee will also address delegates, while Financial Secretary Paul Chan will deliver closing remarks and lead a Dialogue with International Inves

ASEAN-US ties 2025 were underscored by Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at the 13th ASEAN-US Summit, who said stability in Southeast Asia underpins regional growth and creates opportunities for US businesses. He cited trade and investment links supporting over 600,000 American jobs across a market of 700 million people. Wong emphasised that continued US engagement is vital for peace and prosperity and flagged openings for US firms in the digital economy and the ASEAN Po

Vietnam VAT refunds 2025 are at the centre of calls for reform as the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) urged the government to amend rules under the new VAT Law No. 48/2024/QH15. VCCI said complex refund procedures and delays are hurting cash flow and export competitiveness, especially for commodities with low margins such as coffee, pepper, and seafood. Firms must “pay first, refund later,” with coffee exporters advancing VND10tr (USD392m) a year and pepper pr

Hong Kong finance summit 2025 will convene 300 top financial executives—including 100 group chairmen and CEOs—at the Global Financial Leaders’ Investment Summit on 3–5 November, the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) announced. Themed “Trekking through Shifting Terrain,” the event reflects both Hong Kong’s hiking culture and its evolving geoeconomic landscape. The three-day programme includes a welcome dinner, plenary sessions on macroeconomics, trade and digitalisation, and

China crypto crackdown 2025 will intensify as the People’s Bank of China maintains restrictions on domestic cryptocurrency activity while monitoring offshore developments, Governor Pan Gongsheng said. Speaking at a Beijing conference, Pan noted that virtual assets—particularly stablecoins—remain immature and fail to meet key standards for customer verification and anti-money-laundering compliance. He warned that the growth of stablecoins increases vulnerabilities in global fi