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Supply Chain Asia

Airfreight Stalls, Net Profit Jumps 78.5%: The Asian Supply Chain Rewiring Behind Cargo Services Far East's Interim Results

In the first half of 2026, when global air cargo volumes are expected to be roughly flat, Cargo Services Far East (2130.HK) saw its net profit rise 78.5% year-on-year. The value of this report card lies not in the growth rate itself, but in what it reveals: Asian logistics demand is shifting from traditional air cargo volumes toward three new curves—cross-border e-commerce, Southeast Asian manufacturing relocation, and channels to high-purchasing-power markets.

Sarah Tan8 min read
Asia Markets

Why is capital flowing counter-trend into Asia? The regional logic behind record Asia-Pacific property deals in Q1 2026

Asia-Pacific commercial real estate investment reached $47 billion in Q1 2026, a record high for the same period. Under the dual pressures of rising interest rates and geopolitical tensions, why is capital accelerating its inflow? Markets such as Japan, Singapore, Australia, and India present distinctly different commercial narratives. Based on JLL's latest report, this article unpacks the logic of industrial chain restructuring, AI economy-driven demand, and energy transition behind the capital flows.

Li Wei6 min read
Corporate Signals

From Resilience to Preparedness: How Asian Multinationals Are Restructuring Their 2026 Trade Strategy

Based on interviews with executives from over 20 Asian and European multinational corporations, the 2026 global trade landscape is driving Asian companies to undertake a comprehensive strategic restructuring—from the regionalization of supply chains to board-level governance. This article delves into five key transformations and their long-term impact on Asia's business ecosystem.

Li Wei6 min read
Corporate Signals

Asia's New Reality: Why Global Enterprises Must Restructure Their Operating Models

BCG argues that global enterprises need a new operating model. Amid the restructuring of Asian supply chains, the rise of the digital economy, and geopolitical shifts, how can enterprises shift from prioritizing efficiency to prioritizing resilience? This article interprets the underlying logic of this transformation from an Asian perspective.

Li Wei4 min read
Executive Brief

APPEC 2025 Briefing: Asia's Oil Market Faces Three Major Structural Shifts

Based on Wood Mackenzie's briefing at APPEC 2025, this analyzes three major trends: the slowdown in global oil demand, the deepening import dependence of Asian refineries, and the structural shortage of refined oil products in the Pacific region.

Sarah Tan3 min read
Emerging Industries

Global Unicorn Landscape 2025: U.S. Dominates, Asia Diverges, AI Reshapes Valuation Systems

The Hurun 2025 Global Unicorn Index shows that the global number of unicorns has hit a new high, but regional growth is highly unbalanced. The United States is far ahead in the field of AI, while the landscape in Asia shows significant divergence: China's growth has slowed but its hard-tech foundation remains, India's numbers have declined, and Southeast Asia has yet to see new high-value giants. This article analyzes the structural changes behind the unicorn ecosystem from an Asian business perspective.

Haruto Sato8 min read
Policy & Trade

Regional trade agreements become a buffer for Asia against Trump's tariffs.

Under Trump tariff pressure, RCEP and CPTPP are providing a buffer for Asian exporting countries through gradual tariff reductions, but the distribution of benefits is uneven. Starting from the case of Vietnam's seafood exports, this article examines how the two major agreements are reshaping regional supply chains and trade patterns.

Marcus Sterling5 min read
Executive Brief

Asia in a World of Supply Chain Shocks: Differentiation, Resilience, and Restructuring

Based on EY's "Global Economic Outlook Mid-2026," this analysis examines the divergent paths of Asian economies amid trade fragmentation, energy shocks, and the AI investment wave—from China's structural slowdown to India's growth leadership—revealing new dynamics in regional supply chains and capital flows.

Haruto Sato4 min read
Emerging Industries

Asian Unicorns: AI and Hard Tech Reshaping the Innovation Landscape

Based on the Hurun Global Unicorn Index 2025, this analysis examines the dramatic shifts in the unicorn landscape from an Asian perspective: the rise of AI, China's pivot toward hard tech, India's adjustments, and Southeast Asian opportunities. It reveals the deeper forces driving regional innovation.

Sarah Tan6 min read
Policy & Trade

US-Indonesia Trade Agreement and RCEP: Why Asian Supply Chains Need an Institutional Anchor

A US-Indonesia trade agreement was struck by a US Supreme Court ruling the day after it was signed, exposing the fragility of bilateral arrangements. This article analyzes how the RCEP, with its institutional framework and cumulative rules of origin, has become the true cornerstone of stability and resilience in Asian supply chains.

Li Wei4 min read
Asia Markets

Reversal of Capital Flows in Asia-Pacific: The Logic of Regional Restructuring Behind Record Investment in Q1 2026

In the first quarter of 2026, total commercial real estate investment in Asia-Pacific reached USD 47 billion, a year-on-year increase of 31%, setting a new record high. Singapore led the region with a growth rate of 433%, while market divergence in Japan, Australia, and India intensified. Based on the JLL report, this article analyzes the geopolitical economic factors, industrial upgrading, and shifts in investment strategies behind capital flows.

Sarah Tan5 min read
Executive Brief

Five Major Global Business Trends Reshaping Asia: From Supply Chain Restructuring to the AI Race

Based on the latest Euromonitor research, this article interprets five major global business trends from an Asian perspective: protectionism and supply chain restructuring, workforce transformation, the race for innovation investment, emerging market leaps, and the AI technology revolution, while analyzing their profound impact on regional industrial patterns and long-term competitiveness.

Amira Rozali6 min read
Corporate Signals

Major Changes in Asian Banking: Regulation, Technology, and Digital Assets Reshape Competitive Landscape

Asian banking is facing a triple impact of cost pressures, accelerated technology, and strengthened regulation. This article provides an in-depth analysis of the different response strategies in markets such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and China, explores how digital transformation and the mainstreaming of digital assets are reshaping the competitive landscape, and offers strategic decision-making references for bank CEOs.

Amira Rozali4 min read
Corporate Signals

Six Major Strategic Partnerships Reshape Asian Business Landscape: Deep Integration from Biopharmaceuticals to AI Infrastructure

This article analyzes six major corporate strategic collaborations that have recently taken place in Asia, spanning fields such as biopharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence, energy infrastructure, hospitality, and financial investment. It reveals a deep-seated trend in the regional business ecosystem shifting from independent competition to collaborative innovation.

Amira Rozali4 min read
Corporate Signals

Asia Pacific insurtech funding slashed to $4.1 billion: Capital shifting from "challengers" to "enablers"

Asia-Pacific insurtech funding dropped from $9.1 billion to $4.1 billion, with the number of deals halved. Capital shifted from digital insurers to technology providers, infrastructure, and platforms. India's share rose to 45%, while Singapore and Indonesia together accounted for 35%, and China's share declined. Embedded insurance and AI applications emerged as new growth drivers.

Haruto Sato3 min read
Asia Markets

Structural Shift Behind the Halving of Financing: Asia-Pacific Insurtech is Moving from 'Challenger' to 'Enabler'

Insurance technology financing in the Asia-Pacific region halved in 2022-2025 compared to the previous four years, but the flow of funds shifted from digital insurers directly challenging traditional insurance companies to technology infrastructure and platform companies. China's share declined, while India and Southeast Asia rose, driven by profound changes in regional insurance demand structure, regulatory environment, and innovation ecosystem.

David Chen4 min read
Executive Brief

Asia-Pacific InsurTech investment plummets: Funds shift to infrastructure and platforms

Insurance technology investment in the Asia-Pacific region halved from $9.1 billion in 2018–2021 to $4.1 billion in 2022–2025, with a corresponding decline in the number of transactions. Capital flows shifted from direct-to-consumer digital insurers to technology providers and infrastructure platforms. India, Singapore, and Indonesia absorbed the majority of capital, while China’s market position declined.

Li Wei3 min read