https://www.scmp.com/rss/326247/feed en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The Star The Star Malaysian police will investigate claims that fugitive financier Jho Low returned to the country for secret meetings. Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said the claims that Low, whose full name is Low Taek Jho, had come to Malaysia for meetings had not been verified. “We have not verified whether the claims are true or otherwise,” he told reporters on Saturday. “We will take appropriate action to investigate the matter further.” He was commenting on an article by Sarawak Report... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3353795/malaysian-police-probe-claims-jho-low-returned-kuala-lumpur-secret-1mdb-talks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3353795/malaysian-police-probe-claims-jho-low-returned-kuala-lumpur-secret-1mdb-talks?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 04:31:24 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Fugitive financier Jho Low’s request for a pardon from US President Donald Trump has reopened a central question left by Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal: whether the man alleged to have helped orchestrate one of the world’s biggest financial frauds will ever face trial. Analysts say the request appears unlikely to succeed because Low has never appeared in a US court, stood trial or accepted responsibility – and a pardon cannot erase charges he faces in Malaysia and Singapore. But the attempt has still... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3353531/how-low-can-jho-go-chances-trump-pardon-malaysian-1mdb-scandal-below-5?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3353531/how-low-can-jho-go-chances-trump-pardon-malaysian-1mdb-scandal-below-5?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 14 May 2026 07:05:27 +0000 Zhang Shidong Zhang Shidong China has appointed a senior sovereign wealth fund executive as a deputy head of its securities regulator, in the latest leadership reshuffle aimed at steadying the country’s capital markets. Liu Haoling was named vice-chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) by the State Council, according to a statement posted on the agency’s website on Wednesday. He was also appointed to the regulator’s Communist Party committee. It was not immediately clear which portfolios Liu would... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351878/china-names-liu-haoling-csrc-deputy-amid-market-stabilisation-push?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3351878/china-names-liu-haoling-csrc-deputy-amid-market-stabilisation-push?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:09:46 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi Geopolitical tensions are expected to further drive fundraising demand in the mining sector amid a commodities “supercycle”, although concerns over national security could complicate dealmaking, according to industry experts. Johnson Chui, head of global issuer services at Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing (HKEX), said 2025 had been an inflection point. Mining and metals companies had become a key driver in the capital market as rising commodity prices, triggered by the energy transition and... https://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/3350334/geopolitics-further-fuel-hong-kong-mining-fundraising-amid-supercycle-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/commodities/article/3350334/geopolitics-further-fuel-hong-kong-mining-fundraising-amid-supercycle-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:00:11 +0000 Edith Lin Edith Lin The head of Hong Kong’s government investment agency has been appointed as a director of a global organisation that brings together leading firms and investors, marking the first time a Chinese sovereign wealth fund has held a seat on the board. FCLTGlobal announced on Wednesday that Clara Chan Ka-chai, CEO of the Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC), had become one of the 19 directors on its board. “Clara brings deep experience and thoughtful leadership that will strengthen our work to... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348690/hong-kong-investment-chief-joins-global-board-first-chinese-sovereign-funds?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3348690/hong-kong-investment-chief-joins-global-board-first-chinese-sovereign-funds?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:00:25 +0000 Reuters Reuters A Malaysian court on Tuesday ⁠ordered jailed former ⁠prime minister Najib Razak ⁠to pay US$1.3 billion to a former unit of scandal-tainted state fund 1MDB, state media reported. The Kuala Lumpur High Court ruled that Najib was liable for losses incurred by ‌SRC International, a former subsidiary of sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad, state news agency Bernama reported. High Court judge Ahmad Fairuz Zainol Abidin ruled that Najib breached his fiduciary duties, abused his position... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3348554/malaysia-court-orders-ex-pm-najib-pay-us13-billion-1mdb-unit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3348554/malaysia-court-orders-ex-pm-najib-pay-us13-billion-1mdb-unit?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 10:20:34 +0000 Aileen Chuang Aileen Chuang Private equity and other investment firms remain broadly optimistic about deploying capital in acquisitions and initial public offerings (IPOs) globally, supported by ample dry powder and diversification efforts while keeping a close eye on geopolitics, according to senior investment bankers. As geopolitical uncertainty had become a constant factor in the global market in recent years, “we are broadly optimistic about the opportunities”, Ashu Khullar, head of global asset managers at Citigroup,... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3345981/investment-firms-remain-upbeat-deals-despite-geopolitical-tensions-bankers-say?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3345981/investment-firms-remain-upbeat-deals-despite-geopolitical-tensions-bankers-say?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Mar 2026 09:45:08 +0000 Julie Zhang,Yulu Ao Julie Zhang,Yulu Ao Until last year, Fidelity International’s most significant cornerstone commitments on the Hong Kong initial public offering (IPO) market dated back to 2021, when Chinese short-video platform Kuaishou Technology raised US$5.4 billion and healthcare firm Medlive Technology completed a US$543.4 million listing. Then for the next four years, the asset manager went quiet. Late last year it returned to Chinese assets in force. It backed gold miner Zijin Gold International’s US$3.2 billion listing in... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3344890/big-cornerstone-comeback-whats-driving-investors-back-hong-kong-ipos?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3344890/big-cornerstone-comeback-whats-driving-investors-back-hong-kong-ipos?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Feb 2026 02:00:57 +0000 James David Spellman James David Spellman Pension and sovereign wealth funds across Asia are reassessing the role of US Treasuries in their portfolios as alternative equity and fixed-income assets deliver higher yields and broader diversification of risks. Recent divestments by Sweden’s Alecta and Denmark’s AkademikerPension have drawn the attention of Asia’s investment managers, even as Norway’s Government Pension Fund Global – the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund – has moved in the opposite direction by increasing its holdings.... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3343060/why-asias-sovereign-wealth-funds-are-rethinking-us-treasuries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3343060/why-asias-sovereign-wealth-funds-are-rethinking-us-treasuries?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 15 Feb 2026 08:30:11 +0000 Jevans Nyabiage Jevans Nyabiage Beijing’s push to internationalise the yuan is gaining a new vehicle in Africa as another major multilateral lender is set to diversify towards the Chinese currency to slash borrowing costs and reduce the risks of dollar volatility. Multilateral lender Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) has confirmed that a debut panda bond issuance is “on the table for this year”, as it looks to deepen its ties with Chinese capital markets following last year’s successful triple-A Chinese rating. Banji Fehintola,... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343347/africas-yuan-pivot-why-more-top-lenders-are-eyeing-chinas-bond-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343347/africas-yuan-pivot-why-more-top-lenders-are-eyeing-chinas-bond-market?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Feb 2026 04:00:14 +0000 Kandy Wong Kandy Wong Developing partnerships with Chinese corporations is crucial for Indonesia, especially in three main areas – turning waste to energy, smart grids and data centres – as China is at the forefront of such new technology, according to an executive of the Southeast Asian country’s sovereign wealth fund. Danantara Indonesia, the investment arm that consolidates and optimises the government’s investment to support national economic growth, has set its sights on cooperating with China to lower emissions... https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3343084/indonesia-eyes-china-partnerships-build-industry-and-tech-better-eu-standard?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/global-economy/article/3343084/indonesia-eyes-china-partnerships-build-industry-and-tech-better-eu-standard?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 12:10:19 +0000 Kolette Lim Kolette Lim As sovereign wealth funds are increasingly deployed as geopolitical tools, Indonesia’s new state-backed vehicle is setting itself apart by operating with transparency and professional discipline, according to one of its top executives. Pandu Sjahrir, chief investment officer of Danantara Indonesia, said the sovereign wealth fund was being run for profit rather than politics, even as governments around the world tapped heavily into such stashes to pursue strategic goals. “In the new geopolitical... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3343078/danantara-indonesia-chief-vows-keep-politics-out-trillion-dollar-fund?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3343078/danantara-indonesia-chief-vows-keep-politics-out-trillion-dollar-fund?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 10 Feb 2026 10:40:20 +0000 Bloomberg,Reuters Bloomberg,Reuters Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa pushed back at Moody’s Ratings’ decision to lower the country’s outlook, saying that the nation’s improving growth and controlled deficit were unlikely to result in a credit rating downgrade. “Our economy is improving, deficit is still under control – compared to other countries, we are still in a better position,” Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta on Friday. “There are not strong enough reasons for a downgrade. In fact, we should gradually see... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342597/danantara-indonesia-urges-reform-policy-consistency-after-moodys-warning-shot?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3342597/danantara-indonesia-urges-reform-policy-consistency-after-moodys-warning-shot?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 06 Feb 2026 04:01:02 +0000 Themis Qi Themis Qi China’s energy-drinks giant Eastroc Beverage neither rose nor fell in its debut in Hong Kong on Tuesday amid investor caution following regulatory scrutiny of poor-quality listing applications. Shares of the Shenzhen-based company, which makes an alternative to Red Bull, opened at HK$248, matching the offer price. They ended the day 1.5 per cent higher at HK$251.80. Eastroc raised HK$10.14 billion (US$1.3 billion) by issuing 40.89 million shares, the largest initial public offering (IPO) in the... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3342164/chinas-top-energy-drinks-maker-eastroc-matches-offer-price-hong-kong-debut?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3342164/chinas-top-energy-drinks-maker-eastroc-matches-offer-price-hong-kong-debut?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Feb 2026 01:37:55 +0000 Tom Hussain Tom Hussain Almost a decade after launching the Vision 2030 programme to diversify its oil-dependent economy, Saudi Arabia is redirecting its spending away from attention-grabbing futuristic urban projects into sectors that hold more promise to deliver results. Since last year, the programme has undergone a review following a US$8 billion writedown at the end of 2024. The kingdom’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has scaled down glitzy projects significantly, such as the US$500 billion 170km (105 mile) long... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3341914/saudi-arabia-set-redraw-economic-road-map-megaprojects-scale-down?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3341914/saudi-arabia-set-redraw-economic-road-map-megaprojects-scale-down?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 01 Feb 2026 08:00:15 +0000 Fan Hou Fan Hou – https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3341768/china-seeks-slow-bull-rally?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/plus/economy/china-economy/article/3341768/china-seeks-slow-bull-rally?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 30 Jan 2026 04:11:25 +0000 Reuters Reuters Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has nominated his nephew to join the central bank’s board of governors, two sources said, amid growing concern about its independence as the government seeks more support for ambitious economic targets. Investors have worried that independent monetary policymaking in Southeast Asia’s largest economy might be under pressure as Prabowo targets economic growth of 8 per cent by 2029, ⁠from about 5 per cent now. Those fears grew after Bank Indonesia (BI) unveiled... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3340404/prabowo-nominates-nephew-bank-indonesia-board-amid-independence-fears?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3340404/prabowo-nominates-nephew-bank-indonesia-board-amid-independence-fears?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 19 Jan 2026 07:32:09 +0000 Joseph Sipalan Joseph Sipalan The president of Malaysia’s Umno has denied abandoning disgraced ex-prime minister Najib Razak to save himself, as fissures emerge in the former ruling party over the mixed legal fortunes of two of its top leaders. Umno grass-roots members have urged President Ahmad Zahid Hamidi to quit Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government in protest after the High Court blocked Najib’s bid to serve the remainder of his jail term under house arrest last month. It also handed the one-time party figurehead a... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3340180/malaysias-umno-chief-denies-he-sidelined-najib-secure-his-own-legal-freedom?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3340180/malaysias-umno-chief-denies-he-sidelined-najib-secure-his-own-legal-freedom?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 16 Jan 2026 10:07:42 +0000 Aileen Chuang Aileen Chuang Growth in sovereign investors’ exposure to mainland China in 2025 slowed amid rising political sensitivities, but experts said selective opportunities and closer bilateral ties could support the outlook. The world’s second-largest economy received US$4.3 billion in investments from sovereign wealth funds, public pension funds and central banks, down 58 per cent from US$10.3 billion in 2024, according to Global SWF, which tracks 792 such state-owned investors. “Sovereign investment activity has... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3339836/sovereign-investors-cut-mainland-china-exposure-political-sensitivities-rise?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3339836/sovereign-investors-cut-mainland-china-exposure-political-sensitivities-rise?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:00:13 +0000 Iman Muttaqin Yusof Iman Muttaqin Yusof Malaysia’s High Court is poised on Friday to deliver its verdict in the final criminal trial of jailed former prime minister Najib Razak, bringing to a close one of Southeast Asia’s most far-reaching corruption sagas. The case centres on allegations that the disgraced 72-year-old misappropriated 2.3 billion ringgit (US$490 million) from the scandal-ridden Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). Najib is currently in Kajang Prison, over halfway through a sentence... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3337730/1mdb-verdict-due-will-malaysias-najib-have-prepare-worst?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/people/article/3337730/1mdb-verdict-due-will-malaysias-najib-have-prepare-worst?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 25 Dec 2025 11:12:09 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Malaysia is set to receive 12 pieces of fine art – including works by Pablo Picasso, Joan Miro and Henri Matisse – after discussions with US officials to repatriate assets tied to the global corruption scandal at 1MDB. The works are being held by Christie’s and Sotheby’s auction houses in the United States and estimated to have a combined value of over US$30 million, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) said in a statement on Saturday. They were purchased by Jasmine Loo, a former... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3336454/malaysia-get-back-us30-million-worth-fine-art-linked-1mdb-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3336454/malaysia-get-back-us30-million-worth-fine-art-linked-1mdb-scandal?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 15 Dec 2025 06:33:51 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The Hong Kong government’s new investment outfit has had a good start. The Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) earned HK$2.34 billion (US$300.7 million) in investment income and posted HK$2.25 billion in operating income in its first year of operation. It could have made more but chose a more gradual approach, deploying less than one-fifth of HK$62 billion in seed capital. Its chairman, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po, was rather happy with its first report card. The results seem to have... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335570/investment-body-adds-coffers-and-clarity-hong-kongs-long-term-future?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3335570/investment-body-adds-coffers-and-clarity-hong-kongs-long-term-future?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 08 Dec 2025 22:45:09 +0000 Yulu Ao Yulu Ao The Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) earned HK$2.34 billion (US$300.7 million) in investment income last year, as the city’s wholly owned investment vehicle made an impressive report after its first year of operation. HKIC posted HK$2.25 billion in operating income for the year that ended on December 31, on HK$64 billion in total assets, while deploying less than one-fifth of its initial capital of HK$62 billion, according to a report on Thursday. “HKIC is the patient capital investment... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3335124/hong-kongs-investment-body-posts-us300-million-income-first-year?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3335124/hong-kongs-investment-body-posts-us300-million-income-first-year?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 04 Dec 2025 01:02:34 +0000 Frank Tang Frank Tang The US Supreme Court lawsuit challenging President Donald Trump’s tariff war and the recent budget fight on Capitol Hill might have dragged down – if not sunk – one of Washington’s proposed tools to spearhead its strategic competition with China. Ten months after Trump’s executive order authorising the creation of the nation’s first-ever sovereign wealth fund (SWF), there are still few clues about how it can be funded, structured and managed, leaving a giant question mark on whether it could run... https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3334968/why-trumps-sovereign-wealth-fund-brings-high-stakes-and-serious-risks?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/us/diplomacy/article/3334968/why-trumps-sovereign-wealth-fund-brings-high-stakes-and-serious-risks?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Dec 2025 19:14:37 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Russia is inching closer to its first yuan-denominated sovereign bond sale, aiding China’s push to raise the global standing of its currency. Russia’s Finance Ministry will start taking orders on December 2 for the two-part, domestically traded notes. The borrower was expected to market the new debt with a targeted coupon of 6.25 to 6.5 per cent for a 3.2-year tranche, the Interfax news agency reported, adding that the coupon for a 7.5-year portion would be capped at 7.5 per cent. Running a... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3334758/chinas-currency-push-gains-ground-russia-nears-issuance-yuan-bond?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3334758/chinas-currency-push-gains-ground-russia-nears-issuance-yuan-bond?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 01 Dec 2025 08:41:50 +0000 Matteo Giovannini Matteo Giovannini Hong Kong’s financial identity is entering a new chapter, shaped as much by strategic alignment as capital flows. By co-launching a US$1 billion investment fund with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the city is taking one of its most assertive steps yet to redefine Hong Kong’s financial identity in a rapidly changing global economy. The message is clear: Hong Kong intends to be a serious player in the next phase of global capital realignment. This comes as Hong Kong companies are... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334122/betting-saudi-arabia-hong-kong-really-betting-itself?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3334122/betting-saudi-arabia-hong-kong-really-betting-itself?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 30 Nov 2025 08:30:11 +0000 The Star The Star The sister of fugitive Malaysian financier Low Taek Jho, whose whereabouts are still unknown, and a close associate were ordered by the Kuala Lumpur High Court to pay 11.58 billion ringgit (US$2.8 billion) to 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), over “tainted proceeds” misappropriated from the state fund. Justice Mahazan Mat Taib granted the judgment in default (JID) against Low May Lin, the sister of Low – better known as Jho Low – and Eric Tan, after the court found that 1MDB had decisively... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3334087/malaysia-court-orders-jho-lows-sister-and-associate-pay-us28-billion-1mdb?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3334087/malaysia-court-orders-jho-lows-sister-and-associate-pay-us28-billion-1mdb?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 25 Nov 2025 09:29:24 +0000 Reuters Reuters A Singapore court has cleared the way for a US$2.7 billion lawsuit against Standard Chartered Bank over its alleged role in 1MDB fraud, liquidators seeking to recover the funds said on Monday. Singapore High Court dismissed an application by the bank to strike out a suit filed against it by liquidators, the liquidators said in a press release, calling it “a significant legal victory” allowing the case to continue. Liquidators trying to recover money from Malaysia’s sovereign wealth fund 1MDB... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3333965/singapore-court-approves-us27-billion-1mdb-suit-against-standard-chartered?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3333965/singapore-court-approves-us27-billion-1mdb-suit-against-standard-chartered?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 24 Nov 2025 10:36:53 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang A majority of Asia-Pacific institutional investors believe markets are due for a correction in 2026, citing a potential tech bubble, geopolitical tensions and recession as their primary worries, according to a survey report published on Tuesday by Natixis Investment Managers. Global markets had been “remarkably resilient” in 2025 despite challenges such as tariffs, geopolitical conflicts and supply chain disruptions, according to Natixis. However, 74 per cent of institutional investors globally... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3333509/asia-pacific-investors-brace-market-correction-2026-amid-tech-bubble-fears-survey?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3333509/asia-pacific-investors-brace-market-correction-2026-amid-tech-bubble-fears-survey?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 20 Nov 2025 06:22:42 +0000 Julie Zhang Julie Zhang The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia will launch a US$1 billion fund to help companies from Hong Kong and other cities in the Greater Bay Area expand into the Middle Eastern country, Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po said on Tuesday. The move was expected to contribute to the development of non-oil economic sectors in Saudi Arabia, he said. “Next month, a major Saudi development company will be hosting a roadshow in Hong Kong to seek strategic... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3333258/hong-kong-saudi-arabia-set-launch-us1-billion-fund-paul-chan-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3333258/hong-kong-saudi-arabia-set-launch-us1-billion-fund-paul-chan-says?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 18 Nov 2025 08:58:32 +0000 Biman Mukherji Biman Mukherji Indonesia’s newest sovereign wealth fund, Danantara, is making a bold entrance onto the world stage with ambitious plans ranging from bidding to construct a haj village in Mecca to launching one of the world’s largest waste-to-energy initiatives. At the heart of these ambitions is Pandu Sjahrir, chief investment officer of the state-backed fund established by President Prabowo Subianto in February to manage strategic investments and improve governance across public assets. In an interview with... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3332857/indonesias-danantara-fund-eyes-mecca-haj-village-and-global-partnerships?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3332857/indonesias-danantara-fund-eyes-mecca-haj-village-and-global-partnerships?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Nov 2025 04:00:16 +0000 Cao Li Cao Li Singapore’s Temasek Holdings, one of the world’s largest sovereign wealth funds, opened positions in two of China’s leading autonomous driving companies in the third quarter of this year. The state-owned company bought about 1.4 million shares of WeRide and 14,500 shares of Pony.ai in the September quarter, according to its 13F filings released on Friday. The total value of the shares was around US$13.7 million. Temasek has a history of investing in autonomous driving companies. These included... https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3332916/singapores-temasek-invests-weride-ponyai-boost-china-tech-holdings?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/china-business/article/3332916/singapores-temasek-invests-weride-ponyai-boost-china-tech-holdings?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 15 Nov 2025 07:09:38 +0000 Frank Tang Frank Tang China’s flagship sovereign wealth fund has moved three of its managing directors to new, subordinate roles, sources told the Post, with the heads of the fund’s fixed income, private equity and public relations departments all taking new non-managerial positions. All have extensive overseas work experience, and none have reached the statutory retirement age. More reorganising could be on the horizon at China Investment Corporation (CIC), the sources said on condition of anonymity, including those... https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332834/chinas-sovereign-fund-sidelines-executives-amid-worries-over-us-scrutiny?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3332834/chinas-sovereign-fund-sidelines-executives-amid-worries-over-us-scrutiny?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 14 Nov 2025 14:00:15 +0000 Ronald Chan Ronald Chan Think of Monaco: a glittering harbour, vibrant city, global icon and financial hub. Sound familiar? I have always been fascinated by the similarities between Monaco and Hong Kong. Today, I see an exciting future amid the fast-growing opportunities developing for Hong Kong thanks to our increasing economic, financial and cultural ties with the principality. From capital flows and marine infrastructure to yacht tourism, trade and ocean research, a deeper alliance between Hong Kong and Monaco could... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3332072/how-deeper-ties-monaco-can-help-hong-kong-make-waves?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/hong-kong-opinion/article/3332072/how-deeper-ties-monaco-can-help-hong-kong-make-waves?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 11 Nov 2025 01:30:09 +0000 Ann Cao Ann Cao Savvy Games Group, the video gaming powerhouse owned by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, is looking to the Chinese market for inspiration as it embarks on a new phase of global expansion, according to company executives. During a recent visit to Shanghai, Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, vice-chairman of Savvy, highlighted China’s appeal, citing its vast consumer base and exceptional talent pool. “What is unique to China is its ability to be successful in games and esports... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3332027/saudi-video-gaming-giant-savvy-eyes-china-after-success-delta-force-black-myth-wukong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3332027/saudi-video-gaming-giant-savvy-eyes-china-after-success-delta-force-black-myth-wukong?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 09 Nov 2025 01:00:15 +0000 Cheryl Arcibal Cheryl Arcibal Paris-based private equity (PE) firm Ardian has opened a 4,000 sq ft office in Hong Kong’s main business district, with an eye on growing its US$3 billion investment out of the company’s total US$200 billion in assets under management (AUM). The new office at the Two International Finance Centre in Central marked the company’s fifth location in Asia and would initially have eight permanent staff, according to Jason Yao, the group’s head of Greater China. “The reason we have an office here is to... https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3330943/european-private-equity-firm-ardian-eyes-fresh-growth-new-office-hong-kongs-two-ifc?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3330943/european-private-equity-firm-ardian-eyes-fresh-growth-new-office-hong-kongs-two-ifc?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Oct 2025 23:30:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters Singapore’s High Court has dismissed a bid by foreign liquidators to sue Standard Chartered Bank and BSI Bank in the city state over transactions alleged to be linked to the scandal-hit Malaysian sovereign wealth fund 1MDB, according to a judgment on Wednesday. Representatives of the liquidators did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Standard Chartered said the bank welcomed the court’s decision. Liquidators began legal proceedings against the London-headquartered bank in... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3327481/singapore-court-rejects-us27-billion-1mdb-linked-suit-against-standard-chartered-bsi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3327481/singapore-court-rejects-us27-billion-1mdb-linked-suit-against-standard-chartered-bsi?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 01 Oct 2025 05:54:11 +0000 Aileen Chuang Aileen Chuang Hong Kong is boosting financial ties with the Middle East by signing initial accords with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to enable mutual recognition of funds and cross-listings of exchange-traded funds (ETFs) on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange. Hong Kong’s market regulator, the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC), and the UAE’s Securities and Commodities Authority signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to facilitate the mutual recognition of funds. This would allow public... https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3325954/hong-kong-and-uae-strengthen-financial-ties-etf-and-fund-accords?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3325954/hong-kong-and-uae-strengthen-financial-ties-etf-and-fund-accords?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 18 Sep 2025 06:00:13 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Iris Capital Partners, an investment firm backed by the heir to a Malaysian fortune, is seeking to raise US$200 million from institutional investors, the latest family wealth vehicle to open up to outside capital. The firm is seeking cash for a new private credit and private equity fund, managing partner Rachel Lau said in an interview. She is the daughter of the late Lau Boon Ann, who built a fortune in real estate and was an early investor in Top Glove, the world’s largest manufacturer of... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3323218/malaysian-heiress-seeks-us200-million-new-private-equity-fund-iris-capital?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3323218/malaysian-heiress-seeks-us200-million-new-private-equity-fund-iris-capital?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 11:19:08 +0000 Xinmei Shen Xinmei Shen Hong Kong’s government-owned wealth fund has partnered with one of China’s leading artificial intelligence agencies to attract global talent to the city, as it strengthens its commitment to transform into a technology hub. As part of the inaugural AI Global Talents Connect initiative, the Hong Kong Investment Corporation (HKIC) would collaborate with the Beijing Academy of Artificial Intelligence (BAAI) to establish an “international hub for AI talent”, the two organisations said on Tuesday. The... https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3323177/hong-kong-wealth-fund-beijing-ai-academy-team-hunt-global-ai-talent?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/tech-trends/article/3323177/hong-kong-wealth-fund-beijing-ai-academy-team-hunt-global-ai-talent?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:00:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters JPMorgan Chase will pay the Malaysian government US$330 million as part of a settlement to resolve all matters related to its role in the multibillion-dollar scandal at state fund 1MDB, both parties said on Friday. Malaysian and US investigators say at least US$4.5 billion was stolen from 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) in a globe-spanning scheme between 2009 and 2014. In 2021, 1MDB sued a unit of JPMorgan, along with those of Deutsche Bank and Coutts & Co, to recover alleged losses from the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3322861/jpmorgan-settles-1mdb-scandal-malaysia-us330-million?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3322861/jpmorgan-settles-1mdb-scandal-malaysia-us330-million?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 Aug 2025 12:00:14 +0000 Yang Xiaotong Yang Xiaotong The Silk Road once connected China and the Arab world, stretching from Cordoba to Canton. The network not only fostered trade, but also cultural and intellectual exchange. Today, as humanity stands on the brink of a new age of exploration, this time of the cosmos, the stage is set to revive this historic partnership. For Arab countries, especially the Gulf states, space exploration represents a way to diversify their economy and reinvent their image. They are investing billions in space... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3322274/china-and-middle-east-space-silk-road-written-stars?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/china-opinion/article/3322274/china-and-middle-east-space-silk-road-written-stars?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 21:30:07 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Singapore’s Temasek Holdings is mulling one of its biggest overhauls in years, potentially reorganising the firm into three investment vehicles in a bid to boost returns and efficiencies, according to people familiar with the matter. Under the proposal still being discussed at senior levels, Singapore’s state-owned investor could divide its business into three arms. One would focus on Temasek’s biggest domestic holdings, such as Singapore Airlines, and another would oversee largely foreign... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3322544/singapores-temasek-mulls-major-overhaul-boost-returns?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/southeast-asia/article/3322544/singapores-temasek-mulls-major-overhaul-boost-returns?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 20 Aug 2025 11:31:08 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Singapore plans to allocate about US$856 million to three asset managers, including JP Morgan Asset Management, as part of a broader effort to enhance liquidity and expand investor participation in the local stock market. The other asset managers named for the initial phase of Singapore’s S$5 billion (US$3.9 billion) Equity Market Development Programme – which was first announced in February – were Avanda Investment Management and Fullerton Fund Management, according to a statement on Monday by... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3318974/singapore-allocate-us856-million-kick-plan-boost-stock-market?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3318974/singapore-allocate-us856-million-kick-plan-boost-stock-market?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 21 Jul 2025 06:18:54 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg Singapore’s biggest initial public offering (IPO) in eight years is offering hope that the country’s stock exchange is finally attractive for new listings. NTT DC Reit gained as much as 3 per cent on Monday in its trading debut, outpacing the benchmark Straits Times Index. This came after it secured the city state’s sovereign wealth fund as a rare cornerstone investor. The US$773 million data centre listing is being closely watched as the spark that could revive Singapore’s moribund IPO scene,... https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3318151/singapore-ipo-revival-hopes-rise-ntts-reit-debut-gains?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/markets/article/3318151/singapore-ipo-revival-hopes-rise-ntts-reit-debut-gains?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Jul 2025 09:20:55 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg OpenAI has agreed to rent a massive amount of computing power from Oracle data centres as part of its Stargate initiative, underscoring the intense requirements for cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) products. The AI company will rent additional capacity from Oracle totalling about 4.5 gigawatts of data centre power in the US, according to people familiar with the work who asked not to be named discussing private information. That is an unprecedented sum of energy that could power... https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3316730/openai-rent-more-computing-power-oracle-data-centres-part-stargate-deal?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/tech/big-tech/article/3316730/openai-rent-more-computing-power-oracle-data-centres-part-stargate-deal?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Jul 2025 03:45:09 +0000 Melinda Martinus Melinda Martinus The second Asean-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit and the inaugural Asean-GCC-China Summit, held in Malaysia from May 26 to 27, marked a significant step towards deepening ties between Southeast Asia and the Gulf. While interregional cooperation is often framed in terms of energy, trade and investment, the bedrock of this relationship is increasingly shaped by people-to-people connectivity, anchored in labour migration, religious devotion and growing financial linkages. As fast-growing... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3316133/are-migrant-workers-real-glue-cementing-asean-gcc-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/opinion/article/3316133/are-migrant-workers-real-glue-cementing-asean-gcc-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Jun 2025 04:00:09 +0000 Resty Woro Yuniar Resty Woro Yuniar On his first state visit to Singapore, Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto was strikingly candid: he had “copied with pride” his neighbour’s approach to housing and investment, he said – presenting the city state as a model for his own government’s ambitious development agenda. But chasing Singapore’s success risks overlooking the deeper reforms Indonesia must tackle to make such policies work at home, analysts say. The remarks came [earlier this week for online as Prabowo met President... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3315268/indonesias-prabowo-openly-admires-singapores-success-what-can-he-copy-pride?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/economics/article/3315268/indonesias-prabowo-openly-admires-singapores-success-what-can-he-copy-pride?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 21 Jun 2025 10:30:07 +0000 Jeffrey Wu Jeffrey Wu In just two months, we’ve had news that US venture capital company Andreessen Horowitz is reportedly launching a US$20 billion megafund to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) and Chinese battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology Limited (CATL) completed a US$5.2 billion initial public offering (IPO) – the world’s largest this year and a major boost to Hong Kong’s subdued markets. But behind these headlines, venture funding across Asia fell to just US$65.8 billion last year, its lowest... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3312938/geopolitics-hits-venture-capital-asia-must-start-funding-its-own-tech?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3312938/geopolitics-hits-venture-capital-asia-must-start-funding-its-own-tech?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Jun 2025 08:30:07 +0000 Riaz Khokhar Riaz Khokhar When the leaders of Asean, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and China gathered for an inaugural summit in Kuala Lumpur last week, it marked a historic convergence – the three economic powerhouses represent over 2 billion people and a combined economy of nearly US$25 trillion. Emphasising deeper cooperation in trade, supply chains, infrastructure and finance, the summit’s key areas of focus included green energy, the digital transformation, connectivity and sustainable agriculture to address... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3312800/asean-gcc-china-partnership-can-kick-start-shift-away-us-centric-trade?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/world-opinion/article/3312800/asean-gcc-china-partnership-can-kick-start-shift-away-us-centric-trade?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 03 Jun 2025 08:30:08 +0000