Hong Kong startup support is being expanded through a new HKD10bn (USD1.27bn) technology fund and greater use of patient capital as the city positions itself as a gateway for mainland companies expanding internationally. Innovation Secretary Sun Dong said the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund will target life and health technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors and smart devices. Hong Kong Investment Corporation Chief Executive Clara Chan sa

Vietnam economic growth accelerated to 8.4% year on year during the second quarter of 2026, exceeding an earlier 7% forecast as manufacturing, construction and domestic demand strengthened. Gross domestic product expanded 8.2% during the first half, while exports jumped 21% to USD266.5bn and foreign investment increased 61% to USD34.65bn. Standard Chartered expects Vietnam’s economy to grow 9.5% in 2026 and accelerate further to 11% in 2027, according to Xinhua. The bank also

New Vietnam small business tax breaks will provide lower rates and exemptions for smaller enterprises while introducing additional compliance requirements under the country's latest income tax changes. Corporate income tax rates will range from 15% to 20%, depending on company size, while businesses involved in petroleum and precious-mineral activities will face rates ranging from 25% to 50%. Businesses generating annual revenue of no more than VND1bn (USD38,000) will be exem

Chinese firms overseas expansion plans remain strong, with more than 80% of mainland companies intending to increase their international presence and Hong Kong emerging as their preferred professional-services platform, according to a Trade Development Council survey. Among 2,015 companies surveyed, 82% planned to expand existing overseas operations and 63% intended to establish new businesses abroad. Belt and Road markets are becoming increasingly important, with 94% targeti

Malaysian business AI adoption has accelerated, with 38% of companies now regularly using at least one artificial intelligence tool, compared with 27% a year earlier, according to an Amazon Web Services-commissioned study. More than 3.4 million businesses now use AI after nearly one million adopters were added over the year. However, 67% rely primarily on basic applications such as public chatbots or off-the-shelf tools, while only 19% have formal strategies for scaling AI ac

China’s digital yuan network has expanded to 30 authorised operators after the central bank added eight financial institutions as it seeks wider adoption of the state-backed digital currency. New participants include Ping An Bank, Bank of Shanghai, Bank of Hangzhou and Bank of Changsha, according to the People’s Bank of China. The lenders will begin providing e-yuan services after completing required business and technical preparations. The expansion forms part of China’s 15t

Singapore financial sector innovation will require greater willingness to take calculated risks if the city-state is to retain its competitive edge as technology transforms global financial infrastructure, former DBS chief executive Piyush Gupta said. Speaking at the launch of his book on Singapore’s financial sector, Gupta warned that the country’s reputation for stability could encourage excessive caution. He argued that policymakers should preserve trust while remaining wi

The China economic slowdown intensified in July as industrial production, retail sales and investment all missed market expectations, increasing pressure on policymakers to support domestic demand. Industrial output rose 4.5% year on year, below economists’ 5% forecast, while retail sales growth slowed sharply to 0.6%, National Bureau of Statistics data showed. Fixed-asset investment contracted 6.7% during the first seven months of the year, worsening from a 5.7% decline in t

Japan Q2 GDP expanded more slowly than expected as weak household spending and declining business investment complicated the Bank of Japan’s assessment of when to raise interest rates. The economy grew at an annualised rate of 1.1% during the second quarter, down from 1.9% in the previous three months and below economists’ 2% forecast. Nevertheless, Japan recorded a third consecutive quarter of expansion. Capital expenditure fell 1.2% from the previous quarter, compared with

Singapore business sentiment improved during the second quarter as cost expectations eased, although companies remained cautious about expansion, recruitment and the wider economic outlook. The Singapore Business Federation’s Business Sentiment Index rose two points to 53.3 for April to June, almost reversing the previous quarter’s decline but still indicating broadly neutral conditions. Banking and insurance, health and social services were among the most optimistic sectors,

The Korea Investment Holdings KDB Life deal could give the brokerage-led financial group its first foothold in insurance after Korea Development Bank selected it as preferred bidder for a 99.75% stake in KDB Life Insurance. The transaction covers 116.32 million shares, although the purchase price has not been disclosed. Korea Investment Holdings is seeking to diversify earnings beyond securities and gain access to a more stable, long-term funding source through insurance prem

Hong Kong finance talent is returning as stronger capital markets, recovering initial public offerings and increased investment activity revive hiring across financial services. Robert Walters Hong Kong Managing Director John Mullally said interest from overseas candidates has improved significantly from pandemic-era levels, with recruitment rising moderately during the past six to 12 months. Hong Kong's stronger equity market and IPO recovery have supported demand for profes

Asia wealth flows are strengthening as escalating Middle East tensions encourage wealthy families and high-net-worth investors to diversify more capital into financial centres such as Singapore and Hong Kong. Bankers and advisers said geopolitical uncertainty has prompted some Gulf-based investors to reconsider regional concentration and increase exposure to Asian markets. Singapore has been a significant beneficiary, with deposits rising SGD66.2bn (USD51.6bn), or 7.2% year o

Asia-Pacific real estate investment strengthened significantly during the second quarter of 2026 as international investors returned to major markets including Japan and Singapore, according to Knight Frank. Commercial property investment rose 31.1% year on year to USD53.5bn, while cross-border investment surged 156.8% to USD12.5bn, representing 23.4% of total regional transaction volumes. Japan attracted USD5bn of international capital, while Singapore received USD3bn, more

The Singapore 2026 GDP outlook has been raised sharply after stronger-than-expected second-quarter growth and continued artificial intelligence-related investment improved the economic picture. The trade ministry now expects the economy to expand between 4.5% and 5.5% this year, compared with its previous forecast of 2% to 4%. GDP grew 5.9% year on year during the second quarter, taking first-half growth to 6.1%. The ministry said the global surge in AI investment had exceede

China market regulator chief Luo Wen has formally left the State Administration for Market Regulation following his appointment as Communist Party chief of Hebei province. China's human resources ministry confirmed Luo's removal from the regulatory position after the 61-year-old was named Hebei's top official on July 31, replacing Ni Yuefeng. Hebei surrounds Beijing and forms an important part of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei economic region, making its provincial leadership an i

Singapore wealth management fees reached record levels at the country's three largest banks during the second quarter as continued inflows from affluent clients supported higher fee income. DBS Group's wealth management fees jumped 42% to SGD919m (USD716m), while fees at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation increased 44% and United Overseas Bank recorded growth of more than 29%. The results highlight Singapore's continued attraction of regional and international wealth as the

A proposed Hang Seng Tech Index expansion would increase the Hong Kong technology benchmark to 50 constituents from 30 and introduce revenue growth as an additional selection criterion. Hang Seng Indexes Company has proposed a dual-selection framework under which the 40 largest eligible companies by market capitalisation would qualify, while another 10 constituents would be selected according to revenue growth. The index compiler said the changes would improve representation

Hong Kong & Dubai climate finance cooperation will deepen when financial regulators from the two centres hold their third Joint Climate Finance Conference in Hong Kong on Sept. 10. The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA) will bring together corporate leaders, investors and policymakers to discuss partnerships, financing solutions and innovations supporting the transition towards lower-carbon economies. HKMA Chief Executive Eddie Y

China US tariffs are expected to increase by the end of 2026, according to more than half of Chinese corporate executives surveyed by UBS, while 40% anticipate tariff reductions. The UBS China C-Suite survey, conducted from May to mid-June, found that 57% of respondents expected bilateral relations to deteriorate, compared with only 12% anticipating improvement. Despite trade concerns, exporters reported improving demand. A net 14% said orders had strengthened from a year ear