Themes

Amid the uncertainty a US giant has suspended some apparel orders from the country, which is competing with the likes of Cambodia and Vietnam; meanwhile government export subsidies are set to decrease.

As the environmental conversation shifts from carbon to natural capital, corporate treasurers are finding themselves on the frontlines. A new Singapore-led white paper outlines why nature-related risk may be the next big exposure to hit balance sheets.

Many Asian corporates, such as Tata International, are taking a leading global role in trade finance digitisation as they look to boost balance sheets and ensure continued access to credit.

Despite a tentative US, China deal, uncertainty around tariffs has increased demand for trade finance products from Asian corporates, as firms look to reroute supply chains, derisk and improve working capital.

DBS and UOB are providing a $411m loan for a joint project from Singapore data centre developer DayOne and the Indonesia Investment Authority; the aim is to supply 5% of Indonesia’s projected data centre capacity by 2029.

Thai Union's CFO Ludovic Garnier told CT the deal is an investment in its 2030 sustainability goals and the "future of the Thai blue economy", in part through training and investment in smallholder farmers; the ocean economy is worth 30% of Thailand's GDP.

Exports grew 15% in Q1, however there is expected to be a slowdown moving forward as tariffs bite, the baht remains strong and tourism faces headwinds.

The plan is to launch an integrated digital trade corridor to connect China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines

JP Morgan Payments' global head of treasury services discussed how Apac corporate payments are evolving, including the drive for real-time, digital wallets, APIs and blockchain.

IHH is one of Asia's largest private healthcare providers is aiming for net-zero by 2050; it is UOB's first SLL in the healthcare sector.

The idea is to harness the HKMA's Commercial Data Interchange to help improve access for SMEs to trade finance.

With more fast and cheap options in the region's payments universe, transaction banks must now layer added services to remain competitive.