Industry News

UOB Deputy Chairman and CEO Wee Ee Cheong met with Vietnam President To Lam on 30 May 2026 during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. The meeting focused on UOB’s long-term commitment to Vietnam’s economic growth and regional integration. UOB, which has operated in Vietnam for over 30 years, is the only Singaporean bank with a subsidiary in the country, boasting five branches in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

UOB Vietnam, with a charter capital exceeding S$500m, is the second largest foreign-owned bank in Vietnam. The bank’s acquisition of Citi Vietnam’s consumer banking business in July 2025 has significantly expanded its customer base. UOB has been instrumental in promoting Foreign Direct Investments (FDI) into Vietnam, supporting over 400 companies with projected investments of about S$9b since 2020, creating more than 60,000 jobs.

The bank is also constructing a new headquarters in Ho Chi Minh City, with a groundbreaking ceremony planned for July 2026. Additionally, UOB is considering involvement in the Vietnam International Financial Centre, which aims to enhance capital flows from Singapore and ASEAN into Vietnam.

Wee Ee Cheong stated, “Vietnam is a key market in UOB’s ASEAN strategy and is one of Southeast Asia’s most dynamic and resilient economies. We see tremendous opportunities in Vietnam’s continued transformation and its growing role as a key hub in ASEAN.”

UOB’s initiatives underscore its commitment to facilitating cross-border trade, supporting FDI flows, and empowering local enterprises in Vietnam.

The ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) and AVPN have announced the creation of the ASEAN CSR Working Group, a regional platform designed to enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR) and investment across Southeast Asia. This initiative, unveiled at the AVPN Global Conference 2026 in India, seeks to mobilise corporate philanthropy and capital, supporting regional policy dialogue and collaboration.

Southeast Asia, home to over 70 million micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), faces challenges such as limited access to mentorship and capital. The ASEAN CSR Working Group aims to address these issues by fostering a more coordinated approach to CSR, which has been fragmented across the region. The platform will serve as a hub for policy dialogue, strategic collaboration, and knowledge exchange among business leaders, philanthropic organisations, and investors.

Achal Agarwal, Chair at AVPN, highlighted the opportunity for corporate leaders to shape the future of sustainability and philanthropy through collective regional action. Naina Subberwal Batra, CEO of AVPN, emphasised the growing momentum among corporates to move beyond traditional CSR towards impact-driven social investment.

The initiative will also focus on strengthening partnerships and unlocking capital flows to accelerate inclusive and sustainable growth. High-level dialogues are planned for the AVPN Southeast Asia Summit 2026 and the ASEAN Business & Investment Summit, further positioning ASEAN as a leader in corporate social investment.

By linking ASEAN’s institutional leadership with AVPN’s network, the ASEAN CSR Working Group aims to unlock catalytic capital and position Southeast Asia as a hub for corporate-driven impact.

Asia Pacific’s logistics markets are experiencing a shift as supply constraints and tenant-favourable conditions diverge across the region, according to Cushman & Wakefield’s Waypoint 2026 report. The report highlights that 47% of markets in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region favour tenants, up from 33% in 2025, although this varies significantly due to differing supply and demand dynamics.

In supply-constrained markets like Australia, Japan, and Singapore, competition for space is intensifying, with vacancy rates expected to decline due to limited development pipelines. In contrast, regions such as India and mainland China continue to offer more tenant-friendly conditions, thanks to higher levels of new supply providing occupiers with greater flexibility.

Dennis Yeo, Head of Investor Services and Logistics & Industrial, Asia Pacific at Cushman & Wakefield, noted, “Different markets across APAC are experiencing different stages of growth, fuelled by resilient occupier demand led by e-commerce and manufacturing. Supply constraints in markets such as Japan and Australia are driving competition, meanwhile continued availability in China and India is creating opportunity.”

The report also indicates that demand in APAC is anchored by e-commerce and manufacturing, with Southeast Asia emerging as a key growth hub. Countries like Vietnam, Indonesia, and Thailand are seeing increased occupier activity due to production shifts and regionalisation strategies.

Globally, the report forecasts a decline in tenant-favourable conditions from 52% in 2026 to 33% by 2029, as vacancy tightens and supply remains constrained. This shift is expected to lead to a rise in landlord-favourable markets, with 54% of global markets anticipating rental growth over the next three years.

Tracxn’s recent report reveals that Singapore has emerged as the primary hub for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investment in Southeast Asia, capturing nearly 99% of the $1.2b disclosed funding between 2015 and 2026. The report highlights a significant concentration of capital in Singapore, attributed to its robust financial infrastructure and supportive regulatory environment.

The report, titled “SEA AI Infrastructure Report,” outlines the evolution of AI infrastructure funding across the region, noting a sharp increase in early-stage investments from 2023 to 2025. In 2024 alone, $614m was raised across seven rounds, with two early-stage deals accounting for 99% of the year’s total funding. Despite a decline in total capital in 2025 to $320m, the number of deals reached an all-time high of 11, indicating increased participation with smaller cheque sizes.

MiniMax, a Singapore-based company, stands out as the top equity-funded entity, identified as a potential IPO candidate. Other notable companies include Bifrost, specialising in dataset solutions, and Aethir, focusing on decentralised GPU cloud services.

Whilst Malaysia recorded a modest $1.5m in early-stage funding, Indonesia and Thailand reported no disclosed investments. However, these markets are expected to attract future investments as AI adoption expands and domestic cloud infrastructure develops.

The report also notes two acquisitions in 2025, both involving Singapore-based companies, signalling early consolidation in the sector. As the AI infrastructure landscape continues to mature, the focus will likely shift towards broader regional participation and increased late-stage funding opportunities.

Climate investments in Asia are undergoing a significant transformation, driven by geopolitical factors rather than solely environmental ambitions, according to insights from Fullerton Fund Management. The report emphasises that energy security, supply chain resilience, and food vulnerability are now central to capital allocation frameworks in the region.

The insights reveal that private capital is crucial in bridging the funding gap for the green transition, as governments alone cannot finance the extensive costs. Fullerton identifies mid-market businesses in renewable energy, the circular economy, mobility solutions, and sustainable agriculture as promising investment opportunities. These sectors are seen as commercially viable due to structural demand, technological advancements, and regulatory support.

The report also stresses the importance of execution rigour over policy narratives, with successful investments hinging on sound unit economics, disciplined valuations, and quality management. “The strongest outcomes from this multi-decade opportunity will come from businesses with sound unit economics,” the report states.

Geopolitical dynamics such as energy insecurity and supply chain fragmentation are reshaping national priorities, making the green transition a competitive necessity. This shift is transforming climate-linked sectors into commercially grounded opportunities, expanding the investable universe beyond traditional climate capital.

As Southeast Asia and India face rising energy demands and dependence on imported fossil fuels, the region is accelerating its renewable energy targets. The report notes that solar tariffs in India have dropped significantly, making renewable energy more cost-competitive than traditional sources.

In conclusion, Fullerton Fund Management’s insights highlight the evolving landscape of climate investments in Asia, driven by strategic necessities and economic imperatives. The report suggests that private capital will play a pivotal role in supporting this transition, with a focus on commercially viable opportunities beyond policy-driven themes.

Asian travellers in 2026 are prioritising accommodation type, dining options, and flexibility when booking their stays, according to Agoda’s latest data. The digital travel platform’s analysis of search filters shows that 19% of all filter activity focused on accommodation type, with Southeast Asian nations like Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam leading the charge.

Agoda’s findings highlight a strong preference for hotel, resort, and flat options, with Indonesian travellers filtering 45% of their searches by accommodation type. Additionally, review scores of 8 and above accounted for 9% of filter activity, indicating a demand for high-quality, verified stays, particularly among Indian travellers, who lead this preference at 13%.

Dining options are also a significant factor, with breakfast-included stays being the second most searched filter at 12%. Japanese and Taiwanese travellers show a notable interest in culinary offerings, with searches for breakfast, dinner, and even afternoon tea included in their accommodation options.

Flexibility remains a key concern for Asian travellers, with free cancellation and pay-at-hotel options ranking among the top 10 filters. This trend underscores the desire for refundable and convenient payment choices. Other popular filters include location, bed type, and car parking facilities, reflecting a need for diverse accommodation options.

Andrew Smith, Senior Vice President of Supply at Agoda, stated, “In 2026, travellers across Asia are looking for the stay that feels right, whether this be through convenience, choice, or comfort.” Agoda’s extensive range of search filters and accommodation options aims to meet these varied needs, offering over 6 million holiday properties and more than 130,000 flight routes.

The Asia Pacific Dental Federation (APDF) has unveiled its first evidence-based white paper, “The Power of Prevention: Evidence-Based Guidelines for Self-Oral Care,” advocating for a prevention-first approach to oral health. The report, supported by Kenvue, highlights that whilst most people brush their teeth twice daily, this only cleans 25% of the mouth, leaving areas like gums and tongue vulnerable to bacteria and disease.

The white paper underscores the preventability of oral diseases such as gingivitis and cavities, which remain prevalent across the Asia Pacific region. Dr Arleen Reyes, President of APDF, emphasised, “There is no health without oral health,” urging a shift towards prevention as a primary tool in oral healthcare.

Adding therapeutic mouthwash to daily brushing and flossing routines is recommended, with studies showing it can reduce plaque by up to 50% and gum bleeding by 67.8% within six months. Essential oil and chlorhexidine mouthwashes are identified as particularly effective, with the former suitable for long-term use.

The guidelines identify key groups that would benefit most from this enhanced routine, including children aged six and above, teenagers, adults with chronic conditions, and older adults on long-term medication. Dr Jose Angelo Militante of APDF noted that effective oral hygiene, including antimicrobial rinses, can improve surgical outcomes by reducing postoperative complications.

LISTERINE, a long-standing advocate of mouthwash science, aligns with the APDF’s recommendations. Dr Ashley Barlow of Kenvue highlighted the importance of a consistent oral care routine, stating, “Good oral health happens at home, every day.”

The full white paper is accessible online, urging policymakers to prioritise oral health prevention.

The Future Energy Storage & System Integration Alliance (FESSIA) has released a report emphasising the importance of monetising Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) to enhance grid flexibility in Southeast Asia. The report, unveiled during Temasek’s Ecosperity Week 2026, highlights the growing need for system flexibility as variable renewable energy (VRE) deployment accelerates across the region.

Currently, ASEAN’s energy storage market is underdeveloped, with only 1.4 gigawatts in operation. Liming Qiao, CEO and Founder of FESSIA, stated, “The energy transition is entering a new phase where flexibility must become central to power-system planning, operations, and market design.” The report, developed with DNV, explores utility-scale BESS deployment pathways and suggests that clearer policy frameworks and market mechanisms are essential for scaling energy storage.

Key findings indicate that ancillary services in Vietnam and the Philippines offer the strongest economic case for BESS, with potential system cost reductions and revenue increases. In the Philippines, BESS ancillary services could cut system costs by up to US$275m annually and unlock US$2.25b in Solar + BESS revenues by 2030. Vietnam’s annual BESS investment could rise from US$750m in 2026 to US$5.7b by 2030.

Dr. Matthew Rowe from DNV Energy Systems noted the need for evolving electricity markets and regulatory frameworks to fully realise BESS’s system value. The report underscores that ASEAN’s challenge is market readiness rather than technology readiness, with revenue stacking identified as key to improving project bankability.

FESSIA’s launch also introduced inaugural members, including Trinasolar and PHENOGY, aiming to shape the future of energy storage in ASEAN. The full report is undergoing peer review and will be available soon.

British International Investment (BII), the UK’s development finance institution, has pledged $30m to the Industrial Transformation Programme (ITP) under the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P). This commitment, structured as a junior tranche, is intended to attract commercial capital by assuming higher risk, positioning BII as the largest catalytic investor after MAS.

The ITP, managed by BlackRock through its infrastructure credit platform, seeks to address South-East Asia’s escalating energy-related CO2 emissions, which could rise by a third by 2050 without intervention. The region requires an estimated $210b annually to bridge its climate investment gap.

BII’s investment aims to accelerate the decarbonisation of high-emitting sectors across South-East Asia by deploying risk-bearing anchor capital. This marks BII’s second commitment under FAST-P, following its investment in the Pentagreen Green Investment Partnership. The initiative aligns with BII’s strategy to allocate at least 40% of new investments to climate finance from 2026 to 2031.

This strategic move underscores BII’s commitment to fostering sustainable development and addressing climate challenges in the region. As South-East Asia grapples with significant environmental concerns, BII’s investment could play a crucial role in facilitating the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Agoda’s 2026 Sustainable Travel Survey reveals a significant shift in travel preferences, with 35% of Asian travellers prioritising experiences that protect nature and support local communities. This surpasses the 26% who focus on accommodations with sustainability certifications. The survey, conducted across eight Asian markets, indicates a growing trend towards purposeful travel, with 77% of respondents considering sustainability important in their travel choices, up from 68% last year.

Thailand leads the region with 95% of travellers prioritising sustainability, followed by Indonesia at 93%, and India and Malaysia both at 88%. Agoda’s Senior Vice President of Supply, Andrew Smith, noted that travellers are increasingly looking for ways to contribute to local growth and nature preservation. “As travellers explore beyond the usual gateways, the opportunity for communities in secondary destinations to benefit from tourism dollars spreading more widely continues to increase,” Smith stated.

Agoda’s Eco Deals programme, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), supports this trend by offering travellers savings whilst contributing to conservation efforts. The programme has committed $15m to WWF projects across 10 markets, providing savings of up to 15% for travellers and donating $1 to WWF for every completed booking.

The survey also highlights that 48% of travellers choose to travel during off-peak seasons to reduce overcrowding, indicating a readiness for more sustainable travel options. As the demand for eco-friendly travel grows, Agoda aims to convert these interests into opportunities for partners through its Eco Deals initiative.