Industry News

Fortinet has announced the launch of its new Network Detection and Response (NDR) cloud Point of Presence (PoP) in Singapore, aimed at bolstering threat detection capabilities across the ASEAN region. This strategic move is designed to enhance cybersecurity measures by providing faster and more efficient threat detection and response services to businesses operating in the area.

The introduction of the Singapore NDR cloud PoP is part of Fortinet’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its cybersecurity infrastructure in Southeast Asia. By establishing a local PoP, Fortinet aims to reduce latency and improve the speed of threat detection, which is crucial for businesses facing increasingly sophisticated cyber threats. The new PoP will enable organisations to better protect their networks by leveraging Fortinet’s advanced threat intelligence and machine learning capabilities.

With cyber threats on the rise, the establishment of the Singapore NDR cloud PoP is expected to play a critical role in enhancing the cybersecurity posture of businesses in the region. As Fortinet continues to expand its presence and capabilities, organisations can anticipate improved protection against evolving cyber threats, ensuring the security and integrity of their digital assets.

A recent survey by IDC InfoBrief, commissioned by Expereo, highlights a significant trend in the Asia Pacific (APAC) region where enterprises are aggressively investing in artificial intelligence (AI) primarily due to the fear of missing out, rather than proven results. The survey, which included 800 technology leaders from APAC, Europe, and the US, found that 70% of organisations are motivated by AI’s potential or the fear of lagging behind competitors, yet many lack a disciplined approach to evaluating return on investment (ROI).

In APAC, the pressure to invest is particularly intense, with 37% of organisations admitting to aggressive AI investment with minimal evaluation—nearly double the global average. Countries like Australia and Vietnam are leading this trend, with 45% and 44% of organisations respectively acknowledging such investments. Despite the enthusiasm, only 19% of global organisations report that their AI implementations have exceeded expectations.

The survey identifies several challenges hindering AI success, including inadequate training data, higher-than-expected costs, and underperformance of AI systems. In APAC, 54% of organisations cite cost overruns as a significant issue, with Malaysia experiencing the highest impact at 80%.

Expereo’s CEO, Ben Elms, emphasises the importance of robust network infrastructure to support AI initiatives, stating, “AI only delivers on its promise when the infrastructure carrying it is built to support it.” The survey also notes that only 9% of APAC organisations feel their network infrastructure is fully prepared for AI, highlighting a critical area for improvement.

As AI adoption continues to rise, with 35% of APAC organisations reporting extensive use, the focus is shifting towards ensuring that underlying networks and infrastructure are capable of supporting AI at scale. Eric Wong, President of APAC at Expereo, notes that addressing these foundational issues early leads to stronger outcomes and faster operational impact.

The survey also raises concerns about the long-term risks of unchecked AI investment, with 54% of global tech leaders worried about new security risks and 39% concerned about losing track of AI-related costs and ROI. In APAC, digital sovereignty is becoming a strategic priority, with 38% of organisations rating it as a high concern amidst a complex regulatory landscape.

DKSH Business Unit Healthcare has announced a strategic distribution partnership with BridgeBio, a biotechnology company specialising in genetic diseases. This collaboration aims to facilitate the regulatory evaluation and potential patient access to a transthyretin stabiliser for transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis (ATTR-CM) across Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan. The partnership combines BridgeBio’s biotech innovation with DKSH’s comprehensive commercialisation platform.

The transthyretin stabiliser is intended for treating cardiomyopathy in adults with wild-type or variant ATTR-CM, a progressive disease that significantly impacts quality of life and can lead to premature death. Currently, the treatment is not approved in the regions covered by the agreement, and its commercialisation will depend on obtaining necessary regulatory approvals.

DKSH will leverage its expertise in regulatory affairs, medical affairs, market access, and distribution to support the introduction of this treatment. Patrik Grande, Global Head of Business Unit Healthcare at DKSH, stated, “Our strategic partnership with BridgeBio represents an important milestone as DKSH Healthcare enters a new chapter with a renewed vision for growth.”

With over 160 years of experience, DKSH is a leading provider of Market Expansion Services, operating in 35 markets with a workforce of 26,840 specialists. In 2025, DKSH’s Business Unit Healthcare generated net sales of CHF 5.8 billion, distributing pharmaceuticals, consumer health products, and medical devices. This partnership marks a significant step in expanding access to innovative treatments in the Asia-Pacific region.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has called on Asia-Pacific countries to strengthen their emergency workforce capacities to better manage shared health risks. This appeal follows a comprehensive regional analysis presented at the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework Stakeholders Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, attended by over 100 delegates from 49 countries.

The analysis, which synthesised insights from 21 strategic risk assessments and over 800 experts, emphasised the need for proactive investment in emergency workforce preparedness. The region faces a complex landscape where climate hazards, disease outbreaks, and geophysical events increasingly overlap, creating devastating impacts on health systems and communities.

Key findings revealed that more than half of the participating countries identified flooding, cyclones, dengue, and pandemic-potential respiratory pathogens as high-risk threats. WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Saia Ma’u Piukala, stated, “Isolated health interventions are no longer sufficient,” highlighting the interconnected nature of these hazards.

To address these vulnerabilities, WHO recommends several strategic actions, including bridging workforce capacity gaps, fostering multisectoral coordination, securing sustainable financing, enabling emergency-ready primary health care, ensuring inclusive emergency planning, and optimising communication strategies.

Despite significant gaps, the region has strong foundational pillars such as dedicated clinicians and rapid response teams. WHO is advancing regional workforce capacities through the Global Health Emergency Corps initiative, supported by the Gates Foundation and Institute of Philanthropy, to create a cohesive and rapidly deployable emergency workforce.

Gina Samaan, WHO’s Regional Emergency Director for the Western Pacific, stressed, “Scaling up emergency workforce readiness is no longer optional,” underscoring its importance in safeguarding health and protecting lives in an unpredictable future.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC), headquartered in Singapore, has announced significant expansion milestones at its Jakarta data centre campus, including the launch of STT Jakarta 2 and the development of STT Jakarta 5 and 6. This expansion aims to deliver over 360MW of AI-ready IT capacity to support Indonesia’s burgeoning digital economy, projected to reach $130b by 2026. The initiative is driven by the increasing demand for cloud, AI, and digital infrastructure in the region.

The expansion of the Jakarta campus is designed to support high-density, AI-ready workloads and includes next-generation platforms with liquid cooling readiness. This development reflects STT GDC’s commitment to investing in scalable, high-performance digital infrastructure to meet Indonesia’s growing needs.

In parallel, STT GDC is focusing on talent development and community impact. The company has partnered with ATMI Cikarang to establish a Data Centre Laboratory Learning Centre in West Java, offering hands-on training with industrial-grade equipment. The programme includes globally recognised certification and structured internships, with student placements lasting up to 10 months within STT GDC’s operations.

Additionally, STT GDC is investing in community initiatives around its Jakarta campus. This includes the development of a badminton facility for 10,000 residents in Cikarang and environmental programmes like mangrove planting, benefiting over 150,000 villagers. These efforts aim to ensure that digital infrastructure development contributes positively to local communities.

Hendrikus Hendra Gozali, Country Head of STT GDC Indonesia, stated, “Our initiatives are designed to bridge the gap—equipping local talent with industry-relevant skills whilst ensuring that communities benefit meaningfully from the growth of the digital economy.” As STT GDC continues its expansion, these initiatives underscore its commitment to fostering inclusive growth and supporting Indonesia’s digital ecosystem.

Bank of Singapore has announced the appointment of Lim Leong Guan as Head of Private Banking for the Middle East, South Asia, and International, effective 1 July 2026. Based in Dubai, Lim will also serve as Chief Executive of the Dubai International Financial Centre Branch, pending regulatory approval. This move is part of the bank’s strategy to expand its ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) segment, which saw a 9.4% growth in 2025, according to Capgemini Research Institute.

Lim, a veteran with 35 years in private banking, joined Bank of Singapore in 2020 and has been pivotal in doubling the assets under management (AUM) for the Financial Intermediaries segment. His leadership will be crucial as the bank aims for a 30% increase in UHNW AUM globally by 2028. Lim’s previous roles include Global Head of Financial Intermediaries, Family Office and Wealth Advisory, and Global Head of Products at Bank of Singapore. He also spent 25 years at UBS Wealth Management in senior roles.

Alongside Lim, Rickie Chan and Vi Sun Yang will drive the UHNW strategy in Greater China, North Asia, and ASEAN, respectively. Annabelle Chow will lead the Financial Intermediaries business globally, reporting to Yang. Chow has been instrumental in tripling the size of the FIMs team across Singapore, Hong Kong, and Dubai.

Bank of Singapore CEO Jason Moo expressed confidence in Lim’s ability to capture market opportunities, stating, “LG is a seasoned private banker with a proven track record.” The bank’s focus on UHNW and FIM segments is expected to be a key driver for its next phase of growth.

CIMB Bank Berhad has signed a Letter of Intent with China CITIC Bank Corporation Limited to bolster financial connectivity between China and ASEAN, focusing on Malaysia and Indonesia. This collaboration seeks to facilitate bilateral trade, cross-border financing, and investment flows by leveraging China CITIC Bank’s strong onshore network and CIMB’s extensive ASEAN presence.

The partnership aims to provide clients with seamless access to a wide range of banking solutions, including trade transactions, payments, and cross-border financing. Additionally, it will support Chinese Yuan Renminbi and foreign currency payment capabilities, potentially offering access to China’s Cross-Border Interbank Payment System. This initiative is expected to enhance financial linkages across the China-ASEAN corridor.

Both banks will also explore head-office-level communications to streamline treasury and cash management services, improving operational coordination. This will enable clients to manage cross-border transactions more efficiently as they expand across the region. Furthermore, the partnership includes mutual client referrals and advisory services to assist clients in navigating market entry and regulatory requirements.

Chu Kok Wei, CEO of Group Wholesale Banking at CIMB, stated, “As trade, investment, and supply chain linkages between China and ASEAN continue to deepen, businesses increasingly require banking partners that can help them navigate both markets more seamlessly.”

The collaboration also plans to explore syndicated loans across global markets, broadening clients’ access to regional and international financing opportunities. This strategic alliance underscores the commitment of both banks to support their clients’ growth ambitions in one of the world’s most dynamic economic corridors.

Sunrate, a global payment and treasury management platform, has launched SunrateAI, a pioneering AI-native global payment infrastructure designed to automate and manage complex enterprise workflows. As traditional payment systems struggle with the demands of a real-time, multi-market global economy, SunrateAI offers a transformative approach by turning isolated payment actions into a continuously operating intelligent system.

SunrateAI aims to simplify the intricacies of cross-border B2B payments, which are often hindered by complex workflows, regulatory compliance, and dynamic foreign exchange (FX) management. Paul Meng, co-founder and CEO of Sunrate, stated, “With SunrateAI, we are defining Agentic Global Payments—introducing an intelligent ecosystem capable of autonomously navigating these enterprise complexities.”

The system features a suite of specialised agents that work as a unified system, autonomously orchestrating end-to-end workflows and optimising execution decisions in real time. Li Yilong, Head of AI at Sunrate, highlighted the significance of this innovation, stating, “Agentic Global Payments enable a fundamentally new operating model—one that is not only faster and more scalable but inherently smarter.”

Founded in 2016, Sunrate operates in 190 countries and partners with major financial institutions such as Citibank and Barclays. The launch of SunrateAI marks a significant step towards a more efficient and intelligent global payment landscape.

A recent report by Zurich Insurance highlights that 75% of Southeast Asia’s renewable energy capacity is at risk of severe climate exposure by 2030, threatening $165b in assets. The report suggests that investing $13b in climate resilience measures could mitigate up to $82b in potential losses, offering a 6.5x return on investment.

The analysis underscores the urgency for ASEAN countries to integrate resilience into their clean energy infrastructure. With the region aiming for renewable energy to constitute 45% of installed power capacity by 2030, up from 33% today, the financial stakes are high. Mark Fletcher, Head of Zurich Resilience Solutions, Asia Pacific, stated, “Southeast Asia has a clear opportunity to protect the value of its clean energy transition before losses materialise.”

The report identifies wind, flooding, hail, and tornadoes as critical hazards, with solar energy sites facing the most immediate risk. By 2030, 80% of solar sites are expected to fall into high-risk categories. Amar Rahman, Global Head Sustainability & Climate Solutions at Zurich, emphasised the importance of forward-looking climate data to guide resilience investments.

Zurich’s recommendations include mandatory climate risk screening, prioritising high-risk assets for stress-testing, and embedding hazard-specific resilience into procurement. These measures aim to enhance the insurability and bankability of renewable projects, ensuring long-term performance and reliability.

As ASEAN accelerates its clean energy initiatives, embedding resilience from the outset is crucial to safeguarding asset values and maintaining insurability, ensuring the region’s energy transition is both reliable and sustainable.

A recent survey commissioned by BioCatch has highlighted significant concerns among Asia Pacific (APAC) banking leaders regarding the potential for AI-driven fraud. Conducted across 340 fraud-management, anti-money laundering, and risk and compliance leaders in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, India, and Australia, the survey found that 86% of respondents believe AI has heightened the sophistication of fraud and scams. Furthermore, 86% anticipate AI agents becoming a major exploitable vulnerability within the next year.

The survey underscores the growing challenge of distinguishing legitimate AI-assisted actions from malicious ones, with 78% of respondents expressing concern. Fraud attempts and losses are reportedly on the rise, with 81% and 78% of APAC respondents, respectively, noting increases at their institutions. Alarmingly, 49% reported annual fraud losses exceeding $10m, with some institutions losing over $100m.

BioCatch CEO Gadi Mazor commented, “AI is starting to reshape how customers interact with e-commerce sites and financial institutions and will change how criminals execute fraud and other financial crimes.”

The survey also revealed a strong desire for collaboration among APAC banking leaders, with 92% advocating for real-time intelligence sharing to combat scams. Additionally, 79% of respondents have already encountered agentic AI attacks, and 98% are prioritising customer trust in their investment decisions.

As fraudulent activities accelerate, the findings highlight the urgent need for innovative solutions to safeguard financial institutions and their customers from evolving threats.