Think tank to gov’t: Protect middle class to prop up growth
MANILA, Philippines — The government should protect middle-class purchasing power through targeted aid to prevent weaker household consumption from becoming a bigger drag on economic growth, the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI) said. ADBI dean and CEO Bambang Brodjonegoro said the government should direct its efforts toward the middle class because it accounts for the
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Mainland China’s stock exchanges mount charm offensive amid Hong Kong IPO boom
Mainland China’s stock exchanges have stepped up lobbying of companies and regulators to prioritise domestic listings after Hong Kong stole their thunder in fundraising activities in recent years, according to two sources familiar with the matter. The domestic exchanges recently met representatives of some mainland companies planning Hong Kong listings, especially first-time issuers and firms in sectors supported by national policies, a source said. “Exchanges emphasised the benefits of listing...
Chinese AI chipmaker Hygon plots expansion from data centres to robotics
Chinese chipmaker Hygon Information Technology is set to release a new chip targeting physical-world applications including robotics, expanding from its current focus on data centres, according to Chinese media reports and company information. The product launch, slated for Tuesday, marks Hygon’s move into a new chip category powering machines that interact directly with their environments, as physical artificial intelligence becomes increasingly important. The new chip, an iteration of the...
For China’s hi-tech IPOs, it’s Hong Kong vs the mainland – but how much does it matter?
Competition between mainland China and Hong Kong for hi-tech initial public offerings presents emerging technology firms with a dual-track strategic choice rather than a zero-sum battle, according to an executive at a national cross-border innovation platform. “There is naturally a degree of competition,” Lu Peng, general manager of Beijing-based Zhongguancun International, said in an interview on Thursday, referring to how tech firms select their primary listing venue. “However, the two markets...
Thailand doubles public solar programme to 10GW as energy security becomes an investment priority
Thailand is doubling the capacity of its public solar-power programme to 10GW from 5GW, in the latest move to reduce the economy’s exposure to imported fossil fuels and volatile LNG prices. The expanded scheme is expected to cover around 1 million households, with Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas approving the expansion as the government accelerates its […]
Fitch restores Thailand’s stable outlook as debt trajectory improves
Fitch Ratings has revised Thailand’s sovereign outlook to Stable from Negative, while affirming the country’s BBB+ long-term foreign- and local-currency ratings. The move, announced on September 19, means Thailand now has a Stable outlook from all three major international rating agencies, following Moody’s revision in April and S&P Global’s existing Stable assessment. Key points Fitch’s […]
Betting on People-First Banking
China CITIC Bank International’s Wendy Yuen says the future of finance will not be won by technology alone, but by banks that combine digital speed with human trust, cross-border insight and lifelong learning. As head of the Personal and Business Banking Group at China CITIC Bank International, Wendy Yuen sits at the intersection of technology, regulation and real-world customer needs. Based in Hong Kong, she works across retail banking, SME support, fintech innovation and cross-border growth in...
China’s CXMT touts new chip manufacturing platform as close to ‘world’s most advanced’
Chinese memory chip giant Changxin Memory Technologies (CXMT) said on Sunday that it adopted its new-generation technology platform for mass production, narrowing the advantage of global leaders including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix in manufacturing nodes. CXMT’s fifth-generation technology platform, dubbed G5, achieved a “quantum leap” in storage density, with the number of dies produced per wafer increasing by at least 50 per cent from the previous generation while maintaining better...
Housing prices surge near new Huanggang Port as buyers eye ‘dual-city’ lifestyle
Prices for properties near the new Huanggang Port are already soaring months ahead of the border crossing being put into operation, with many buyers attracted by the idea of a “dual-city lifestyle”, according to property agents. The new border facility, which is set to open before the end of the year, is expected to make crossing between Shenzhen and Hong Kong far quicker and more convenient, with plans for 24-hour operations, a “co-location arrangement” and a “joint inspection” clearance model...
ASEAN economy 'resilient' despite Middle East crisis - economic ministers
The economy of Southeast Asia remains "resilient" despite the Middle East crisis and other global uncertainties, the ASEAN economic ministers highlighted following a meeting in Manila on September 19.
DA backs proposed P210/kilo hog floor price
The Department of Agriculture (DA) said on Sunday that it is backing the proposal from the hog industry to set the floor price for swine at P210 per kilo.
Chicken meat imports to PH to increase by nearly 15% in 2027 - USDA
The country's chicken meat importation is forecasted to rise to 780,000 metric tons in 2027 to meet the growing demand from food manufacturing and food service industries, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) said.
Which Sector-Specific Licenses Do Foreign Investors Need in Indonesia?
Foreign investors in Indonesia need sector-specific approvals based on activities, risk levels, and regulations; licenses and certifications vary.
