Industry News

Standard Chartered has successfully executed its first digital bank guarantee transaction using ICC-Swift API standards through Komgo’s Konsole platform. This transaction, completed for a global energy company, marks a significant advancement in creating a fully interoperable digital bank guarantee ecosystem. The integration allows real-time connectivity between Komgo’s platform and the bank, simplifying processes and enhancing speed, transparency, and reliability.

The transaction, initially executed through Standard Chartered UK, will be extended to clients across all the bank’s markets. This initiative underscores Standard Chartered’s commitment to innovation and its leadership in trade finance digitisation. Samuel Mathew, Global Head of Documentary Trade at Standard Chartered, stated, “We are delighted to be among the first banks to commercialise the ICC-Swift API standards for bank guarantees.”

Komgo, a global digital trade finance platform, plays a crucial role in streamlining corporate-to-bank trade finance communication. The platform’s seamless integration with financial institutions aligns with ICC-Swift API standards, reinforcing its position as a scalable enabler of industry-wide connectivity and automation.

This development not only enhances operational efficiencies but also makes digital guarantees more accessible to multibanked clients. As Standard Chartered continues to expand this solution, it aims to build a future-ready, globally interoperable trade ecosystem.

Natixis Corporate & Investment Banking (Natixis CIB) has appointed Jarek Olszowka as Head of the Green & Sustainable Hub in Asia Pacific. Based in Singapore, Olszowka will spearhead the bank’s efforts in green and sustainable finance across the region, working closely with stakeholders to develop and implement sustainable financial solutions.

With over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry, Olszowka previously served as International Head of Sustainable Finance at a major Japanese financial services group. His expertise will be instrumental in advising Natixis CIB clients on their sustainability transitions and accessing capital in sustainable formats.

Orith Azoulay, Global Head of Green & Sustainable Finance at Natixis CIB, expressed enthusiasm about the appointment, stating, “We are pleased to welcome Jarek into our GSH team, bolstering our green and sustainable finance capabilities in Asia Pacific.” Azoulay highlighted the bank’s commitment to delivering innovative solutions amidst geopolitical challenges and increased scrutiny of sustainability topics.

Raghu Narain, Head of Investment Banking, Asia Pacific, added, “Jarek brings with him a wealth of experience in sustainable finance which is a valuable addition as we strive to be the ‘go-to’ financial partner for clients in their energy transition journey.”

Natixis CIB, part of Groupe BPCE, aims to align its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050. The bank’s strategic focus on transition financing in Asia Pacific underscores its dedication to supporting clients in reducing their environmental impact.

NTT DATA, in collaboration with Sumitomo Corporation and JA Mitsui Leasing, has announced the formation of Intra-Asia Marine Networks Co., Ltd. (I-AM NW) to construct and operate the Intra-Asia Marine Cable (I-AM Cable). This new submarine communication cable will link Japan, Malaysia, and Singapore, with planned extensions to South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan. The project, with an estimated cost of US$1b, aims to bolster digital infrastructure across Asia.

The I-AM Cable will span approximately 8,100km, creating a new long-haul connectivity corridor in the region. Designed to deliver an initial capacity of around 320 terabits per second (Tbps), the cable will support the increasing demand for AI, cloud services, and cross-border data traffic. It will also enhance network resilience for global tech companies and telecom operators.

Japan, positioned as a crucial data hub between Asia and the United States, will benefit from the cable’s robust communication routes originating from landing stations in Chiba, Mie, and Fukuoka. This infrastructure will provide resilience against natural disasters and reinforce Japan’s role as a data hub.

Yoshio Sato, CEO of I-AM NW, stated, “The launch of I-AM NW marks a significant step in strengthening Asia’s digital infrastructure. This project reflects our commitment to delivering reliable, flexible connectivity solutions that empower businesses and drive digital transformation across the Asia-Pacific region.”

I-AM NW will oversee the entire process from planning to sales, ensuring high-quality communication services for global tech giants and telecom operators, thereby contributing to the development of communication infrastructure across Asia.

UOB Asset Management (UOBAM) has unveiled its first quarter 2026 investment strategy, forecasting a more favourable investment landscape as fiscal and monetary conditions improve. The firm anticipates economic risks to diminish, bolstered by fiscal incentives, US interest rate cuts, and robust AI-driven investments. Corporate earnings are expected to rise at double-digit rates, with Asia leading at 18%.

UOBAM is adopting a slightly overweight stance on equities, particularly in Asia and the US, whilst maintaining diversification across fixed income and commodities. Anthony Raza, head of UOBAM Multi-Asset Strategy, stated, “Whilst the music is playing, we have to keep dancing. With strong corporate earnings and healthy balance sheets in the tech sector, we believe the market expansion cycle can continue.”

Within equities, UOBAM favours Asia due to attractive valuations, strengthening currencies, and robust domestic demand. The US is upgraded to overweight, driven by strong technology and AI growth. In fixed income, diversification is advised to manage valuation risks, focusing on high-quality developed market credits and select emerging market sovereigns. Gold remains a preferred safe-haven asset amid geopolitical uncertainties.

UOBAM, a subsidiary of United Overseas Bank Limited, manages S$408 billion in client assets and has a significant presence across Asia. The firm is recognised for its digital innovation and sustainable investing initiatives, having received numerous awards in these areas. As conditions improve, UOBAM’s balanced positioning aims to maximise potential returns whilst managing risks.

Ant International has announced it facilitated over 2 billion digital transactions in 2025 across key emerging markets, including Southeast Asia, South Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company, which supports more than 150 million merchants worldwide, is enhancing its AI-powered digital financial and commerce solutions to meet the diverse needs of these regions.

The company’s efforts are focused on improving access to payments, credit, digital banking, and cross-border connectivity in rapidly growing digital economies. Douglas Feagin, President of Ant International, highlighted the potential of AI and new technologies to unlock growth opportunities, stating, “It is time for fintech innovators to convert access into real growth momentum.”

Key achievements in 2025 include Bettr’s expansion of credit services to over 30 million SMEs and individuals, and Alipay+’s partnerships with five national QR payment networks across ASEAN. In Singapore and Malaysia, travellers increased their spending via SGQR and DuitNow QR, respectively, boosting economic value for SMEs.

Ant International’s flagship merchant payment services, Antom, recorded a 75% growth outside China, whilst 2C2P saw a 38% year-on-year growth in transaction volume for merchants in Southeast Asia. WorldFirst expanded into Malaysia and Thailand, achieving nearly 40% growth in transaction value as more SMEs engaged in global e-commerce.

As digital economies continue to scale, Ant International remains committed to fostering inclusive and sustainable growth through partnerships with governments and businesses.

Asia-Pacific’s Islamic banking sector is poised for significant growth post-2025, with financing growth projected to accelerate towards 10% by 2028, according to a report by S&P Global Ratings. The report, titled “Asia-Pacific Islamic Banking Outlook 2026: Rebound Masks Regional Divergence,” highlights that whilst the sector’s assets are expected to climb to $550b, this growth conceals notable regional differences.

Credit analyst Nikita Anand from S&P Global Ratings noted, “We expect financing growth for Islamic banks in Asia-Pacific to edge up toward the higher end of our forecast range of 8%-10% over the next three years after a slowdown in 2025.” The total assets, currently around $430b as of the end of 2024, are anticipated to surpass $550b by the end of 2028, making up about 20% of the global Islamic banking market.

The growth is largely driven by domestic operations, although overseas business is gaining traction in some markets. In Malaysia, high competition is prompting major Islamic banks to explore growth opportunities in Southeast Asia, including Islamic wealth management. Meanwhile, Indonesia and Pakistan are expected to maintain higher growth rates than their peers, leveraging stronger margins and consolidation to enhance efficiency.

In contrast, Bangladesh faces challenges with asset quality, though growth may improve if political and external conditions stabilise in the coming year. The report also highlights the importance of digital innovation, diverse funding sources, and adequate capitalisation for banks to enhance their scale and competitiveness.

The findings underscore the dynamic nature of the Islamic banking sector in Asia-Pacific, with varying growth trajectories across different regions.

Empyrion Digital, a Singapore-based data centre developer, has commenced construction of its inaugural data centre in Taiwan, marking a significant expansion into the Taiwanese market. The facility, located in Taipei’s Neihu technology hub, is set to become a key player in the region’s digital infrastructure by Q4 2027.

The new Taipei Data Centre, known as TW1, will feature a 10MW power capacity with 7MW of scalable IT load, catering to the increasing demand for high-performance cloud and AI computing. Designed with sustainability in mind, the 4,260-square-metre, five-storey facility will incorporate energy-efficient air-cooled systems and green features such as vertical green walls and solar panels. It aims to achieve Taiwan’s Green Building Gold Certification.

Empyrion Digital’s CEO, Mark Fong, highlighted the strategic importance of the Taiwanese market, stating, “Breaking ground on TW1 is a significant milestone for Empyrion Digital as we continue to expand our footprint across Asia. Taiwan is a strategic market with a strong digital economy and a world-class technology ecosystem.”

The data centre will support liquid cooling and high-density deployments, aligning with Empyrion Digital’s commitment to delivering sustainable, AI-ready infrastructure. This development follows the company’s recent project announcement in Johor, further solidifying its presence in developed Asia.

As Empyrion Digital continues to grow its operations, the TW1 facility is expected to bolster Taiwan’s position in the regional digital network, providing essential infrastructure to support the country’s burgeoning digital economy.

Fastly, a global edge cloud platform, has appointed Rachel Ler as Area Vice President of Asia, overseeing operations in ASEAN, Greater China, and South Korea. With over 20 years of experience in enterprise technology, Ler will focus on regional growth, localisation, and enhancing digital experiences for customers.

Ler’s appointment is part of Fastly’s strategy to strengthen its presence in Asia’s diverse markets. Nicola Gerber, Vice President for Asia Pacific and Japan at Fastly, highlighted Ler’s extensive experience and understanding of the region as key assets. “Having Rachel onboard reinforces Fastly’s commitment to deliver the Fastly experience even closer to our customers,” Gerber stated.

Ler has previously held senior roles at Commvault and Versa Networks, where she successfully drove growth through customer-focused strategies and strong partner ecosystems. Her new role at Fastly will involve modernising digital platforms, enhancing application security, and delivering low-latency experiences across the region.

Expressing her enthusiasm, Ler said, “What excites me most about joining Fastly is its authenticity and its passion for building a faster, safer, and more engaging internet.” She aims to leverage Fastly’s engineering strength to meet the rising digital expectations in the region.

Fastly’s continued investment in regional leadership aims to provide localised expertise and high-performance digital infrastructure, supporting its broader strategy of edge cloud innovation and international expansion.

Levanta Renewables has announced the acquisition of a 93 megawatt-peak (MWp) solar portfolio in Thailand, marking a significant expansion of its presence in the country. This portfolio, spread across eight provinces, is set to generate over 140 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of clean electricity each year. The energy produced will be supplied to the Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) and the Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs).

This strategic move aligns with Thailand’s renewable energy goals, enhancing the nation’s capacity to produce sustainable energy. The acquisition underscores Levanta Renewables’ commitment to supporting Thailand’s transition towards a greener energy landscape. By increasing the availability of clean energy, the company aims to contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions and promoting environmental sustainability in the region.

The solar portfolio’s integration into the national grid is expected to bolster Thailand’s renewable energy infrastructure, providing a reliable source of clean power to meet the growing energy demands. This development is a testament to Levanta Renewables’ strategic vision and operational capabilities in the renewable energy sector.

Levanta Renewables, a Singapore-based company, continues to expand its footprint in Asia, leveraging its expertise to drive the adoption of renewable energy solutions. The company’s latest acquisition is a step forward in its mission to deliver sustainable energy solutions across the region.

Colliers has announced the appointment of Oliver Rigg as Executive Director of Occupier Services for North Asia, a strategic move aimed at bolstering the firm’s presence in the region. Based in Hong Kong, Rigg will oversee operations across Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, and Korea, with a focus on expanding the company’s Office Leasing business.

Mike Davis, Managing Director of Occupier Services, Asia Pacific, stated, “Oliver’s appointment reinforces our commitment to delivering best-in-class solutions for occupiers across Asia Pacific. His leadership and proven track record will be pivotal in driving growth and unlocking opportunities for our clients across North Asia.”

Rigg, who brings over 15 years of leadership experience in the Asia Pacific region, is well-versed in advising tenants and landlords across various sectors, including office, retail, and industrial and logistics. His expertise encompasses leasing, transaction management, portfolio management, occupier consulting, and workplace strategy. Rigg’s leadership is expected to enhance client engagement and promote technology solution initiatives throughout the region.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Rigg commented, “I’m excited to join Colliers and be part of the ongoing growth of our Occupier Services business. This is a fantastic opportunity to collaborate with talented teams, deliver innovative solutions for our clients, and accelerate growth in this dynamic region.”

As office demand in the Asia Pacific region continues to rise, Colliers’ strategic appointment of Rigg aims to capitalise on the momentum, positioning the firm for accelerated growth and enhanced service delivery in North Asia.