Taiwan brokerage accounts increased by 118,840 during July to a record 14.61 million, led by younger investors despite extreme stock-market volatility. Taiwan Stock Exchange data showed that account holders aged 19 and below recorded the largest increase, rising by 43,116 to 828,674. Investors aged between 20 and 30 increased by 32,813 to 1.89 million. Together, these two age groups accounted for almost 64% of the monthly increase. Investors aged 61 and above remained the lar

ASEAN infrastructure investment should be driven by private capital and commercial discipline, supported by predictable government policies and deeper regional integration, according to Singapore Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Defence Chan Chun Sing. Speaking at the ASEAN & Asia Forum, Chan said investors choose Singapore for its consistent delivery and global connectivity rather than the size of its domestic market. Policy certainty is particularly important f

Thailand family offices are expanding as rising private wealth increases demand for specialised investment management, succession planning, tax structuring and philanthropic services. A recent report said affluent families are increasingly adopting formal family office structures to manage more complex financial needs and preserve capital across generations. Thailand's growing wealthy population, expanding middle class and continued foreign investment are creating favourable

The Hong Kong growth forecast for 2026 has been raised by UBS to 4.5% from 3.3%, placing the bank's outlook above the market consensus of 3.5%. Hong Kong's economy expanded 4.3% year on year during the second quarter, below expectations of 4.9%. Nevertheless, UBS expects steady growth to continue, supported by the development and implementation of China's next Five-Year Plan. Song Yu, chief China economist at UBS Securities, said policy priorities have shifted towards support

AI skills in finance are becoming more valuable than traditional business qualifications, with 86% of US finance executives saying AI training is more useful than an MBA for many new employees, according to PwC. The survey of more than 1,000 executives found that 91% of companies were increasing compensation for workers with artificial intelligence capabilities. Employers are particularly seeking professionals able to build, deploy and manage AI agents across financial operat

Hong Kong SME credit conditions remained broadly stable during the second quarter of 2026, according to the Hong Kong Monetary Authority's latest survey of small and medium-sized businesses. Excluding respondents who were uncertain about banks' lending stance, 78% viewed credit approval conditions as similar to or easier than six months earlier, up from 73% in the first quarter. The proportion reporting more difficult conditions declined to 22%. Among SMEs with existing credi

China and Hong Kong capital markets cooperation is set to deepen through new measures supporting cross-border listings, offshore yuan products and faster exchange-traded fund approvals. The Securities and Futures Commission and the China Securities Regulatory Commission said eligible mainland companies would continue receiving support for Hong Kong listings, while qualifying Hong Kong-listed firms could seek listings on mainland exchanges. Hong Kong companies may also issue b

The ASEAN and China free trade agreement is expected to be upgraded by the end of 2026 as both sides seek to deepen cooperation in digital trade, green commerce and regional supply chains. Officials attending the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Committee meeting discussed completing negotiations on ACFTA 3.0 before a leaders' summit scheduled for November. The revised framework will introduce new commitments covering digital trade, environmental goods and services, and

A major Vietnam capital markets reform programme aims to expand outstanding bonds to around 60% of gross domestic product by 2045 while making capital markets a significantly larger source of long-term financing. Under Decision 1413/QD-TTg, Vietnam will tighten credit-rating requirements, broaden bond products and modernise market infrastructure after outstanding bonds reached around 34% of GDP during 2025, below earlier targets. Planned reforms include infrastructure, ESG an

The Taiwan economic indicator remained at a red level in June for a seventh consecutive month as strong artificial intelligence demand continued to support exports, industrial sales and investment. The National Development Council said the composite business monitoring score increased by two points from May to 41, marking the second-longest red-level streak on record. Leading and coincident indicators also strengthened. Demand for semiconductors, chips and servers continued t

The KPay Singapore licence application has received in-principle approval from the Monetary Authority of Singapore, allowing the fintech company to move closer to expanding regulated payment services. Subject to satisfying MAS conditions and obtaining final approval, KPay Merchant Service Singapore will be authorised to provide merchant acquisition, domestic money transfers and cross-border transfer services under a major payment institution licence. KPay already serves more

Proposed Philippines tax reforms covering workers, small businesses and energy costs have become central to President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s final legislative push. In his fifth State of the Nation Address, Marcos urged Congress to exempt employees earning up to PHP350,000 (USD5,679) annually from income tax, remove the minimum corporate income tax for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises and approve a one-time tax amnesty. He also called for amendments to the Electric P

Global wealthy families are increasingly spreading assets, businesses and residency rights across multiple jurisdictions as geopolitical uncertainty and tax reforms reshape international wealth planning. The Henley Private Wealth Migration Report 2026 ranked the United Arab Emirates as the world’s most competitive destination for internationally mobile wealth with a score of 85.3. Singapore placed second, followed by New Zealand, the Cayman Islands and Cyprus. Henley & Partne

Malaysia economic growth is expected to remain near the upper end of the central bank’s 4% to 5% forecast range despite higher energy costs linked to conflict in the Middle East. Bank Negara Malaysia Governor Abdul Rasheed Ghaffour said domestic momentum remained resilient and inflation was manageable, although global uncertainty and elevated fuel prices continued to create risks. The central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged at 2.75% in July for a sixth consecu

The China Renaissance investment theme could mark the beginning of a new phase for Chinese markets, with Bank of Singapore identifying advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and the digital economy as major long-term drivers of returns. In its 2026 investment outlook, the private bank described "China Renaissance" as one of five structural investment themes expected to shape markets through 2030. It said higher-value manufacturing and North Asia's central role in glo

The Hong Kong IPO market could stage one of its strongest years on record, with BDO raising its forecast to between 180 and 200 initial public offerings capable of raising HKD400bn (USD51bn) during 2026. The accounting firm previously expected between 150 listings raising HKD300bn to HKD350bn but upgraded its outlook after approximately 100 companies had already completed flotations, generating HKD260bn. During the first two weeks of July alone, 16 companies collectively rais

Further Thailand investment reforms are needed if the country is to attract greater European investment, according to the EU-Asean Business Council, despite continued interest from international companies in expanding operations. Vice-chair Noel Clehane identified life sciences, biotechnology, advanced manufacturing, low-carbon industries, financial services and consumer products as sectors with significant investment potential. A 2025 survey found that 57% of European busine

Hong Kong GDP is forecast to expand by 4.3% in 2026 as artificial intelligence investment, recovering capital markets and stronger domestic demand support the city's economic outlook, according to Standard Chartered. Senior economist Tommy Wu said Hong Kong is well positioned to benefit from Asia's AI-driven investment cycle through its logistics and trading sectors, noting that more than 70% of electronic products imported into mainland China pass through Hong Kong. Recoveri

The South Korea economy is expected to lose momentum during the second quarter of 2026 as weaker domestic demand offsets exceptional export growth driven by artificial intelligence-related semiconductor investment. A Reuters survey forecast quarterly gross domestic product growth of 0.4%, slowing sharply from the revised 1.8% expansion recorded during the first quarter. Annual growth is expected to ease to 3.5% from 3.8%. Exports increased by approximately 71% in June, suppor

A review of HKEX trading hours could significantly extend access to Hong Kong's equity market as the exchange explores earlier openings, continuous daytime trading and a new evening session to improve international competitiveness. According to Bloomberg, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing is considering beginning cash equity trading at 9 a.m., eliminating the existing one-hour lunch break and introducing an after-hours trading session between 8 p.m. and midnight. The tradition