Industry News

DHL Group has announced significant strides in its sustainability efforts across the Asia Pacific, focusing on decarbonisation and meeting the rising demand for eco-friendly logistics solutions. In 2025, the company signed strategic sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) agreements with partners such as Cathay, Cosmo Energy, and Neste, aiming for 30% SAF usage by 2030. These agreements will supply nearly 20 million litres of SAF to flights from Narita, Incheon, and Singapore.

DHL’s commitment extends beyond aviation. The company has deployed over 1,800 electric vehicles across the region, with plans to operate two-thirds of its last-mile fleet with electric vehicles by 2030. This includes the introduction of hydrogen-powered lorries in Japan and a fully electric fleet in Thailand for Boots stores. In the Philippines, DHL Summit Solutions, Inc. launched 23 electric vehicles and 22 electric prime movers.

In Thailand, DHL Supply Chain unveiled its first fully renewable energy warehouse, powered by a 4.2 MWp solar array, marking a global milestone for the company. Javier Bilbao, CEO of Asia Pacific, DHL Supply Chain, stated, “Our carbon-neutral buildings and EV fleet developments reflect a long-term vision to reimagine logistics infrastructure for a low-carbon world.”

These initiatives underscore DHL’s ambition to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, setting a benchmark for the logistics industry and supporting customers’ decarbonisation goals.

IBM has unveiled its latest innovation, IBM Sovereign Core, designed to help enterprises and governments manage AI-ready environments whilst maintaining operational control. This announcement comes as organisations face increasing pressure to comply with complex regulatory and data sovereignty requirements. The software, launched on 2 February 2026, is built to embed sovereignty directly into its architecture, allowing users to maintain authority over software deployments across various infrastructures.

IBM Sovereign Core offers several key features, including the ability to keep identity, access management, and encryption keys within jurisdictional boundaries. It also provides secure AI workload management under local governance, complete with traceable audit trails and continuous compliance evidence. This approach enables organisations to deploy sovereign environments swiftly, with flexibility in hardware and infrastructure choices.

Catherine Lian, General Manager and Technology Leader at IBM ASEAN, highlighted the urgency for sovereign, AI-ready environments, stating that businesses need greater control over sensitive data and AI workloads. “With IBM Sovereign Core, clients can advance AI initiatives with confidence, balancing openness and agility with the compliance and operational autonomy required for sovereignty,” she said.

The software is designed to offer operational independence, allowing deployment in on-premises data centres, supported in-region cloud infrastructure, or through IT service providers. IBM is collaborating with global IT service providers, starting with Cegeka in Belgium and the Netherlands, and Computacenter in Germany, to ensure local operational independence and compliance management.

As digital sovereignty becomes a critical concern, IBM Sovereign Core aims to provide a comprehensive solution that addresses the need for control over technology infrastructure, data access, and governance. This initiative is expected to accelerate trusted AI adoption whilst reducing regulatory risks for organisations worldwide.

Cushman & Wakefield has announced a significant enhancement to its data centre leadership in the Asia Pacific region, as the market is expected to triple in size over the next five years. Andrew Green, Head of Data Centre Group, Asia Pacific, will lead an expanded team to deliver comprehensive data centre solutions, combining advisory, transactions, technical, and managed services under one platform.

The move comes as the region experiences a surge in demand for cloud and AI infrastructure, driven by rapid digital transformation. Green, based in Hong Kong, brings over 30 years of experience in real estate and digital infrastructure, positioning him to drive innovation and operational excellence. He leads a team of 250 specialists servicing clients across 12 markets.

Tom Gibson, President of Data Centre Group, Asia Pacific & EMEA, highlighted the importance of investing in talent to maintain high standards of service. “By harnessing collective expertise, we can meet evolving client needs and maintain our commitment to outstanding service across the region,” he stated.

According to Cushman & Wakefield’s report, ‘Six for 2026: Real Estate Trends to Watch in Asia Pacific’, the top four data centre markets—Australia, India, Japan, and Malaysia—are projected to grow at an average of 26% annually. This expansion is expected to increase their share of the region’s operational capacity from 38% to 52% by 2030. The report also notes emerging opportunities in Thailand and Vietnam due to power and water constraints in traditional locations.

CapitaLand India Trust (CLINT) has announced a 22% year-on-year increase in its distribution per unit (DPU) for the second half of 2025, reaching 3.90 Singapore cents. This growth is attributed to successful developments, improved operating performance, and strategic portfolio reconstitution. Unitholders are set to receive their 2H 2025 DPU on 19 March 2026.

The Trust’s income available for distribution surged by 33% year-on-year to INR 3,990m during the period from 1 July to 31 December 2025. This was driven by contributions from newly completed developments and higher interest income from six forward purchases under development. Total property income for 2H 2025 grew by 10% to INR 9.8b, whilst net property income increased by 17% to INR 7.6b.

Chairman Manohar Khiatani highlighted the strategic focus and execution capabilities that led to these robust results. “The team’s disciplined efforts to strengthen operating margins, optimise capital management, and unlock value through strategic divestments have been instrumental,” he stated.

CEO Gauri Shankar Nagabhushanam noted the momentum generated across multiple growth engines, emphasising the importance of strengthening the portfolio and balance sheet through forward purchases and capital recycling.

CLINT’s proactive capital management included diversifying funding sources and issuing its first bond in India, rated AAA by Crisil Ratings Limited. The Trust also signed two onshore sustainability-linked loans totalling INR 21b, enhancing long-term cost savings.

Looking ahead, CLINT is focused on sustaining growth through strategic developments and portfolio reconstitution, including the redevelopment of the Orion building in Hyderabad and ongoing projects in Bangalore. With a committed portfolio occupancy of 91% and strong rental reversions, CLINT is well-positioned for future opportunities.

Singaporeans are gearing up for the Lunar New Year with travel plans to popular destinations such as Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Tokyo, according to Trip.com data. This year, 53% of bookings were made over 60 days in advance, a 3% rise from 2025, indicating a trend towards earlier planning. Additionally, there is a notable 10% increase in flights booked for mid to long-haul destinations compared to last year.

The demand for inbound travel to Singapore remains robust, with China, Malaysia, and Indonesia leading as the top source markets. Universal Studios Singapore emerges as the most booked attraction for visitors, followed by Night Safari and Singapore DUCKtours.

Edmund Ong, General Manager of Trip.com Singapore, noted, “This Lunar New Year is truly igniting the spirit of reunion and discovery. We’re seeing more Singapore families embracing the opportunity to travel together, using the long holiday and attractive exchange rates to create cherished memories in new places abroad.”

Singaporeans continue to favour nearby cities for their getaways, with Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok, and Tokyo topping the list. However, there is a growing interest in Mainland China, with travel bookings to Guangzhou and Shanghai increasing by nearly 200% year-on-year.

Trip.com offers over 300,000 bookable activities and experiences across 2,000 cities, enhancing travel options for users. The platform’s recent partnerships with Live Nation and DreamUs aim to expand its offerings further. As the Lunar New Year approaches, the travel landscape reflects a blend of tradition and new explorations.

NTT DATA has announced a multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement with Amazon Web Services (AWS) aimed at helping Asia-Pacific enterprises transition from AI experimentation to impactful, large-scale implementation. This partnership seeks to modernise legacy systems and drive innovation across various industries by leveraging NTT DATA’s expertise in cloud transformation and AWS’s global cloud capabilities.

The collaboration focuses on four key areas: AI-driven cloud transformation, industry-specific cloud solutions, AI and data innovation, and digital sovereignty. By modernising mission-critical workloads and building secure cloud foundations, the initiative aims to deliver measurable business outcomes across regulated and high-growth sectors such as financial services, healthcare, and manufacturing.

A dedicated AWS Business Group has been formed by NTT DATA, comprising nearly 11,000 AWS-certified experts, with plans to certify an additional 10,000 experts over the next three years. This group will support enterprises in adopting AI-driven cloud solutions more efficiently.

The partnership has already demonstrated success with Honda Trading Asia, which migrated to AWS with NTT DATA’s assistance. “Migrating to the AWS Cloud with the expert support of NTT DATA has been an essential step in modernising our systems and infrastructure,” said Somya Mayuraskoon, Director at Honda Trading Asia.

This collaboration underscores NTT DATA’s commitment to delivering secure, industry-specific solutions that create tangible business value. As Greg Pearson, VP of AWS Global Sales, noted, the initiative will help enterprises unlock the potential of cloud and AI to modernise operations and accelerate innovation.

AnyMind Group has completed its acquisition of MISM Inc, a Japanese creative production studio specialising in vertical, short-form video content. This marks AnyMind’s third acquisition in 2026, as the company aims to bolster its social commerce infrastructure by integrating MISM’s expertise in video production and social media marketing.

MISM, known for its extensive stock library BUZZRENTAL and custom video service BUZZORDER, collaborates with over 2,000 models and creators to produce more than 20,000 videos annually. The acquisition allows AnyMind to offer an end-to-end social commerce solution, covering content creation, social media exposure, and sales channels both online and offline.

Chiori Habe, CEO of MISM, expressed confidence in the merger, stating, “By joining AnyMind Group, we are confident that combining MISM’s creative expertise with AnyMind’s platforms and global network will enable us to seamlessly connect information exposure to purchasing actions through video.”

Kosuke Sogo, CEO of AnyMind Group, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition, noting, “With the addition of MISM, we will strengthen our vertical video creative production capabilities and further advance our online-to-offline support whilst enhancing operations through the use of AI.”

This acquisition follows AnyMind’s recent purchases of NADESHIKO Beauty and Sun Smile, as the company continues to expand its capabilities in social media marketing and social commerce. AnyMind Group, a Business-Process-as-a-Service company, serves over 1,000 enterprises in marketing and e-commerce across 15 markets, including Singapore, Japan, and the Philippines.

Nearly 93% of organisations in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region are opting to outsource at least part of their Security Operations Centre (SOC) operations, according to a recent survey by cybersecurity firm Kaspersky. The survey reveals that 64% of these organisations prefer a hybrid model, combining internal and external resources, whilst 29% are moving towards a full SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS) approach. This shift is driven by the need for round-the-clock protection, regulatory compliance, and access to advanced cybersecurity expertise.

As cyberthreats grow more sophisticated, companies are re-evaluating their SOC strategies. The survey highlights that only 9% of organisations plan to maintain entirely in-house SOCs, underscoring the challenges of continuous monitoring and attracting skilled specialists. In Malaysia, where internet penetration reached 97.7% in early 2025, the digital economy is expected to contribute up to 30% of GDP by 2030, further emphasising the importance of robust security operations.

Outsourcing SOC functions allows organisations to delegate tasks such as SOC design, technology deployment, and monitoring to external providers. This approach not only ensures 24/7 protection but also reduces the workload on internal IT teams, enabling them to focus on strategic initiatives. Sergey Soldatov, Head of Security Operations Centre at Kaspersky, noted, “The trend towards outsourcing SOC functions is primarily driven by the necessity for enhanced operational focus and strategic agility.”

The survey also found that the most commonly outsourced tasks include solution installation, development, and SOC design. Companies are increasingly seeking external support for compliance and advanced technologies, with first-line and second-line analysts being the most in-demand roles. Adrian Hia, Managing Director for APAC at Kaspersky, stated, “As digital dependence and regulatory expectations increase, leaders are recognising that resilience depends on how expertise and responsibility are structured.”

Kaspersky advises organisations planning to build a SOC to engage with their consulting services and leverage advanced solutions like Kaspersky SIEM and Threat Intelligence to enhance security performance.

Citi Singapore and Citi Hong Kong have announced new strategic partnerships with Blackstone, Blue Owl, and KKR to enhance its private market offerings for Citigold Private Clients in Asia and the Middle East. This collaboration will allow high-net-worth clients to access alternative asset classes such as private equity, credit, infrastructure, and real estate, which were traditionally available only to institutional investors.

The newly launched funds are structured in an evergreen format, providing simplified access to private markets with flexible subscription and liquidity terms, subject to a minimum initial holding period. This initiative aims to offer clients opportunities for uncorrelated returns and long-term growth, directly participating in the value creation of private market assets.

Vicky Kong, Head of Wealth Asia North and Australia at Citi, highlighted the importance of this collaboration in today’s volatile market, stating, “This collaboration with Blackstone, Blue Owl, and KKR directly addresses that demand, providing sophisticated access to private markets that were once the exclusive domain of institutional and private bank investors.”

The partnerships are set to deepen Citi’s wealth management offerings, with Yeo Wenxian, Head of Wealth for Asia South at Citi, expressing excitement about leveraging the investment expertise of these global firms. Ed Huang from Blackstone, Sean Connor from Blue Owl, and Jacqueline Zhuang from KKR all emphasised the significance of expanding access to institutional-quality private market opportunities for Citi’s high-net-worth clients.

The rollout of these funds has begun and will continue over the coming months, marking a significant step in Citi’s commitment to delivering comprehensive wealth management solutions.

CIMB has outlined a strategic approach for investors in 2026, emphasising the importance of discipline, diversification, and derisking amidst the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) and Asia’s rising investment appeal. Jason Kuan, Director of Investment Research and Advisory at CIMB Singapore, advises focusing on high-quality stocks, expanding exposure to Asian markets, and incorporating hedging strategies to manage market volatility.

CIMB’s strategy, dubbed the ‘3Ds’, encourages investors to remain disciplined by selecting quality stocks and credit, diversify by investing in stable Asian markets like Singapore and Malaysia, and derisk through gold hedge strategies and private equity. “Investors may want to be more selective than just focusing on the US market,” Kuan stated, noting the high US stock prices and potential volatility from trade policies.

The bank also highlights Asia’s expanding role in the global AI supply chain and ongoing market reforms as key factors positioning the region as a prime investment destination. Countries like Japan, South Korea, and China are enhancing governance and liquidity, creating a supportive environment for earnings and valuations.

CIMB recommends a balanced portfolio approach, including Asian equities and high-quality corporate bonds, to navigate the anticipated volatility in a weakening US dollar environment. The bank suggests focusing on bonds with short-to-mid durations, particularly those denominated in AUD and GBP, to stabilise portfolios.

As global markets evolve, CIMB stresses the importance of maintaining a diversified portfolio to achieve steady, risk-adjusted returns. The bank’s 2026 outlook underscores the need for measured exuberance in investment strategies.