Fitch Ratings Philippines forecast puts GDP growth at 5.6% in 2025, aligning with the government’s 5.5%–6.5% target, underpinned by infrastructure investment, services exports, and remittance-driven consumption. The projection assumes easing inflation and interest rates after the BSP cut policy rates by 25 basis points (bps) to 4.75%. Fitch cautioned that global trade frictions and political uncertainty—following weaker midterm results for President Marcos Jr.’s allies and a

China billionaires 2025 numbers hit a record high, with 340 new names joining Hurun’s China Rich List, lifting the total to 1,434 individuals worth at least RMB5bn (USD702m). Combined wealth surged 42% to RMB30tr as stock-market gains in “new economy” sectors boosted valuations. Bottled-water magnate Zhong Shanshan reclaimed the top spot with RMB530bn, up 56%, while ByteDance founder Zhang Yiming ranked second at RMB470bn. Hong Kong’s richest, Li Ka-shing and Victor Li, saw w

HKEX IPO pipeline 2025 has grown sharply, with Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing CEO Bonnie Chan reporting about 300 listing applications, up 36.4% from 220 at end-July. IPO fundraising reached HKD182.9bn (USD23.5bn) as of September, more than double the previous year’s total. Chan said international long-term funds from Europe, the US, the Middle East, and emerging markets are actively subscribing to Hong Kong IPOs, particularly in technology and innovation. Post-listing refi

Singapore property investment preferences dominate wealth strategies, with 64% of Singaporeans preferring real estate over equities, deposits, bonds, and crypto, according to ERA’s 2025 My Dream Home Survey conducted with Ngee Ann Polytechnic. The poll found 41% eyeing Housing & Development Board flats and 39% private condominiums, with budgets rising—over half of buyers plan to spend SGD1m–SGD2m (USD738,000–USD1.48m) and 20% SGD2m–SGD3m. Transport connectivity ranked top pri

Sovereign wealth funds M&A 2025 has propelled global dealmaking to over USD3.5tr, up 34% year to date, as state investors ramp direct and co-investments. Singapore’s GIC and Abu Dhabi’s ADIA took minority stakes in Blackstone and TPG’s up to USD18.3bn buyout of Hologic, while BlackRock and Abu Dhabi’s MGX agreed a USD40bn deal for Aligned Data Centers. Carlyle and Qatar Investment Authority are acquiring BASF’s coatings arm in a EUR7.7bn (USD8.3bn) transaction, and Saudi PIF

Vietnam GDP 2026–2030 growth target has been set at 10% annually as policymakers pursue institutional reforms, major public investment, and rising FDI to launch a new expansion phase, speakers said at the 2026 Business Forum. Huỳnh Minh Tuan of FIDT/APG Securities projected average 10% growth following 8% in 2022 and 7.1% in 2024, with 2025 seen at 8.5%. Analysts cited green credit, private-sector empowerment, and startup incentives as key drivers in manufacturing, infrastruc

Thailand Deputy Finance Minister resignation has rocked the government after Vorapak Tanyawong announced he would quit amid accusations connecting him and his wife to Southeast Asian scam networks. The former Krung Thai Bank executive denied the allegations, calling them politically motivated, and said he will file a defamation case. His decision came a day after Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul demanded a written response. Vorapak, recently tapped by Finance Minister Eknit

Hong Kong and Singapore family offices are increasingly acting as dual bases for Asia expansion, focusing on real estate and private direct investments for long-term growth, according to Julius Baer’s 2025 Family Barometer. Surveying 2,500 family-office experts across four regions, the bank found Hong Kong now hosts about 2,700 single-family offices and Singapore over 2,000, helped by tax incentives and migration programmes. Hong Kong’s eight new measures, including the Capit

Hong Kong multifamily offices are the focus of the city’s second-phase family-office strategy running 2026–2028, targeting 220 additional single and multifamily offices from Europe, the Middle East and Asia, according to InvestHK. The plan builds on the ecosystem developed through eight measures — including tax concessions and an investment-migration route — and extends a 2023–2025 goal that brought in 200 offices. Branded Family Office 2.0, the initiative aims to broaden bey

APEC finance ministers 2025 began a three-day meeting in Incheon to shape policy priorities on innovation, finance and structural reform ahead of the leaders’ summit in Gyeongju on 31 October – 1 November. Under the theme “Building a Sustainable Tomorrow,” officials will finalise the “Incheon Plan,” a five-year roadmap succeeding the Cebu Action Plan, focusing on AI governance and the digital economy. The meeting — the final ministerial before the summit — is held jointly wit

Taiwan Stock Exchange reform will ease listing and investment rules to lure foreign startups as part of its “Asian Nasdaq” initiative. Initial outreach targets Southeast Asia and Silicon Valley. Taiwan’s main and OTC markets were valued at NTD90tr (USD2.77tr) at end-September, ranking eighth globally, with semiconductors making up 48% of market capitalisation. Foreign issuers with a major shareholder owning over 30% and no China, Hong Kong or Macau capital will be exempt from

Invest Hong Kong unveiled the joint 10th-anniversary Hong Kong FinTech Week x StartmeupHK Festival 2025 from 3–7 November, for the city’s largest fintech gathering to date. Invest Hong Kong said the event will attract more than 37,000 attendees, 800 speakers and 700 exhibitors from over 100 economies. Organised with the HKMA, SFC and Insurance Authority under the theme “Curating the New Fintech Era,” the main conference will run 3–4 November at the Convention and Exhibition C

Asia’s ultrawealthy AI investment strategies are shifting toward Chinese equities to capture gains from an AI-led market rally and easing interest rates, private bankers say. Confidence has improved since Q2 2025 on resilient activity, AI-driven earnings and renewed rate cuts despite US-China trade frictions. Wealth-X estimated that regional fortunes of individuals worth USD30m or more rose 10% in the first half, lifting risk appetite. Capital flows are gravitating toward Hon

Hong Kong SME expansion momentum is building, with about 20% of small and medium-sized enterprises planning to expand overseas within 12 months, according to the latest Standard Chartered Hong Kong SME Leading Business Index. Nearly half of respondents aim to grow in Asia, with around 60% eyeing mainland China as the top destination. SMEs highlighted sales channels, platform operations and overseas regulations as key areas needing support. Authorities said a dedicated funding

China Q3 GDP 2025 expanded 4.8% year on year, down from 5.2% in the previous quarter, as a prolonged property slump and subdued consumption offset stronger industrial output. January–September growth stood at 5.2%, close to Beijing’s about-5% target. Fixed-asset investment fell 0.5% in Q3 and consumer prices remained muted. Exports to the US declined 27% in September even as overall shipments rose 8.3%, reflecting trade tensions and supply-chain realignments. Residential prop

Singapore family office incentives are under scrutiny as authorities review a 2018 vehicle linked to Prince Holding Group chairman Chen Zhi, following his indictment in the US for allegedly directing a cyber-fraud network. Thailand’s Cyber Crime Investigation Bureau said it will coordinate with US agencies on potential asset seizures, while Singapore police are reviewing the case with overseas counterparts. US officials have seized around USD15bn in bitcoin, while the UK froz

Hong Kong fraud framework plans are advancing as the Hong Kong Monetary Authority urged banks to standardise procedures for handling customer fraud claims. Local media reported that the HKMA asked the Hong Kong Association of Banks to respond by 1 December, with adoption expected within three months of the final draft. The proposal covers authorised payments and transfers made through Hong Kong accounts, which are currently assessed case by case. The HKMA said liability in su

South Korea regulatory reform will be accelerated as President Lee Jae-myung pledges to ease excessive rules and revitalise business activity to support economic recovery. Speaking at a government meeting focused on the bio, renewable energy, and cultural sectors, Lee said rationalising regulations is vital to boost growth and address inequality. He warned that bureaucratic rigidity hampers effective policy execution and urged officials to adopt a more flexible stance toward

Paul Chan Hong Kong US visit underscored the city’s open-market advantages as the Financial Secretary called on American companies to expand their presence despite persistent US-China trade tensions. Speaking at the annual gala of the National Committee on US-China Relations in New York, Chan met former US trade envoy Charlene Barshefsky to discuss deepening economic and financial ties. He reaffirmed Hong Kong’s commitment to its free-port status, rule-of-law framework, and r

Hong Kong pension ranking rose to 15th globally in the Mercer CFA Institute Global Pension Index 2025 but remained behind Singapore, which became the first Asian nation to achieve an “A” grade, ranking fourth worldwide. The index evaluated 52 systems for adequacy, sustainability, and integrity. Hong Kong scored well in integrity and adequacy but only “C+” in sustainability, while Singapore’s strong performance reflected long-term reforms and improved transparency. Mercer advi