Industry News

Global logistics provider J&T Express has released its 2025 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report, highlighting its advancements in sustainable logistics and energy management. By the end of 2025, the company had established 14 logistics parks worldwide, covering 1.05 million square metres, and deployed over 150,000 energy-efficient motorised rollers and 400 conveyor belts.

J&T Express has also expanded its autonomous vehicle fleet to over 1,000, enhancing last-mile delivery efficiency. The company has introduced 38.27 million reusable transit bags, used over 3.33 billion times, to promote green packaging. In Southeast Asia, Singapore’s fleet now includes 6% electric lorries, whilst the Philippines has achieved 100% adoption of B5 biodiesel, reducing fossil fuel dependency.

The report underscores J&T Express’s commitment to employee welfare, with initiatives like the 2025 Platform Algorithm and Labour Rules Agreement in China, benefiting over 290,000 workers. The company has increased its digital training offerings by 60% year-over-year, with training hours up 2.8 times.

J&T Express’s social responsibility efforts include using drones for agricultural logistics in China and providing disaster relief in Hong Kong and Indonesia. The company has also strengthened its global compliance framework, focusing on anti-corruption and fair competition.

Chief Financial Officer Dylan Tey stated, “ESG has evolved from a concept into concrete operational capabilities. We have proactively explored green transportation transformation and governance of new employment forms.” Looking forward, J&T Express aims to enhance its ESG governance and information disclosure to create long-term value for stakeholders.

A recent survey by Salesforce, the leading AI customer relationship management company, highlights that personal use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools is significantly boosting workplace confidence among knowledge workers in the ASEAN region. Conducted by YouGov, the survey involved 4,062 participants from countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines. It found that 66% of these workers feel more confident using AI professionally due to their personal experiences with the technology.

The survey underscores a generational trend, with Gen Z showing the highest confidence levels—72% report high confidence in using AI at work. However, a skills gap is emerging, as only 32% of workers have received training on AI agents, posing a risk to enterprise value. Paul Carvouni, Senior Vice President and General Manager at Salesforce ASEAN, noted, “For businesses, this is a clear signal to move: our workforce is ready, but it is up to organisations to provide the secure, enterprise-grade frameworks and skills support.”

Despite the enthusiasm for AI, only 26% of companies are investing in peer-to-peer AI knowledge sharing, and just 23% encourage leaders to model AI usage. The survey also reveals that 43% of workers seek transparency and control over AI actions, whilst 42% desire easy access to high-quality tools.

As AI becomes integral to the workplace, the survey suggests that organisations must prioritise AI fluency to harness its full potential, transforming personal use into a coordinated growth engine.

HSBC has announced the appointment of Desmond Kuang as Chief Investment Officer (CIO) for Asia, effective 6 July 2026. In his new role, Kuang will oversee the development of regional investment strategies across all asset classes for HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth clients, excluding Hong Kong. He will also continue to serve on the bank’s Global Investment Committee, which formulates asset allocation strategies.

Kuang brings two decades of experience in the banking sector, having held various leadership roles in asset management and investment research. He is currently the CIO for China and Interim Head of Wealth and Premier Solutions in China, positions he will maintain until successors are named.

Willem Sels, Global CIO of HSBC Private Bank and Premier Wealth, expressed enthusiasm about Kuang’s appointment, stating, “We are delighted to welcome Desmond as Chief Investment Officer, Asia. As wealth continues to grow rapidly in Asia, clients and investors are seeking timely and actionable investment insights to pursue their wealth goals. Desmond brings deep experience and rigour that will further strengthen our insights-led investment culture, an approach our clients have come to trust.”

Based in Singapore, Kuang will report to both Willem Sels and Ishan Sarkar, Head of Wealth and Premier Solutions, Singapore. This strategic appointment underscores HSBC’s commitment to enhancing its investment capabilities in the rapidly expanding Asian market.

Samsung Electronics has announced a strategic partnership with AnyMind Group to enhance its live commerce capabilities using AnyMind’s AI platform, AnyLive. This collaboration will see Samsung deploying AI-powered live commerce across eight markets, including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The initiative aims to introduce an additional 4,450 livestream hours per month, focusing on consumer electronics and mobile experience products.

The partnership allows Samsung to utilise AI avatars for livestreams on platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and its own brand.com channels. In Australia and New Zealand, AI avatars will be deployed specifically on Samsung’s brand.com channel. These avatars can respond to real-time viewer questions in native languages and local accents, ensuring personalised interactions for shoppers in different regions.

Chang Soo Park, Regional Head of Online Business at Samsung Electronics Southeast Asia and Oceania, highlighted the shift towards an “Always-On” engagement model, stating, “We’re now in a pivotal moment in how we connect with our customers, moving beyond the limitations of traditional broadcast schedules.”

Akinori Kubo, Managing Director of Global E-Commerce at AnyMind Group, noted the evolution of the live commerce industry into a “Hybrid Retail” era. He emphasised that AnyLive enables enterprises to maintain round-the-clock, multilingual live commerce activities, allowing human creators to focus on high-impact engagements.

This collaboration underscores the growing role of AI in retail, offering scalable solutions without the need for additional production teams. AnyMind Group has been expanding its social commerce capabilities, acquiring several companies to bolster its offerings in recent months.

The Asia-Pacific Road User Charging Alliance has welcomed ITS Malaysia and ITS Singapore as new members, marking a significant expansion in regional collaboration on road user charging (RUC) policy and smart mobility governance. The announcement was made during the 2026 International Green and Smart Mobility Forum and the 1st Asia-Pacific Road User Charging Summit, held on 16 April in Taipei.

Originally founded by ITS Taiwan, ITS Thailand, ITS India, and ITS New Zealand, the Alliance aims to foster dialogue and cooperation on RUC frameworks and governance models. With the inclusion of the new members, the Alliance now connects a wider network of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) organisations across the Asia-Pacific region, focusing on sustainable transport financing.

The membership ceremony, part of the session titled “Shaping the Asia Pacific Path for Road User Charging,” saw ITS Taiwan conducting the signing on behalf of the Alliance. Founding members ITS Thailand, ITS India, and ITS New Zealand, along with ITS America, participated as witnesses, highlighting the growing global interest in regional collaboration on RUC policy.

Philip Tseng, Vice President of ITS Taiwan, emphasised the importance of RUC as a policy instrument in response to declining fuel tax revenues and the shift towards e-mobility. “The Alliance provides a platform for governments and ITS organisations to exchange experiences and develop future-ready mobility funding frameworks,” he stated.

The Alliance’s expansion is expected to bolster knowledge exchange, policy dialogue, and cross-border cooperation, advancing sustainable road user charging systems across the Asia-Pacific region.

The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) and the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturing (FMM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to forge a strategic partnership aimed at industrial upgrading and technological innovation across the ASEAN region. The agreement, signed on 20 April 2026 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, seeks to optimise global supply chain layouts and support enterprises in both Hong Kong and Malaysia.

The collaboration will focus on six key areas: Smart Manufacturing, Industry 4.0, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics Innovation, Digital Transformation and Cybersecurity, Cross-border Business Ecosystems, and Talent Development. By leveraging FMM’s extensive supply chain network of over 4,000 member enterprises and HKPC’s research and development capabilities, the partnership aims to transform technological empowerment into a competitive advantage.

Hon Sunny Tan, Chairman of HKPC, highlighted the significance of the MoU, stating, “This not only deepens the partnership between the two organisations but also establishes a strategic hub connecting Hong Kong with the ASEAN market.” He emphasised the commitment to enhancing expertise in automation, AI, and robotics, and building business matching platforms to expand cooperation.

Jacob Lee Chor Kok, President of FMM, noted that the MoU is just the beginning, with plans for joint technical training workshops, technology visits, and pilot projects. “We envision a future where Malaysian and Hong Kong companies collaborate on research and development, pilot new technologies, and co-create solutions for emerging challenges,” he said.

This partnership is expected to create a resilient and innovative cross-border value chain, strengthening corporate resilience against supply chain risks and securing a proactive position in global supply chain competition.

Nam Cheong Limited has announced the sale of two offshore support vessels (OSVs) for US$36.7m, marking its first newbuild sale in over a decade. The transactions involve a new multi-purpose support vessel and a 120-tonne Anchor Handling Tug Supply (AHTS) vessel, sold to operators in Indonesia and Egypt, respectively. Both vessels were delivered in the second quarter of 2026.

The proceeds from these sales will be reinvested into Nam Cheong’s shipbuilding activities, supporting either external sales or fleet expansion. This move is part of the company’s strategy to divest ageing vessels and optimise capital recycling for its shipbuilding operations.

Chief Executive Officer Leong Seng Keat commented, “Our strong OSV shipbuilding heritage and established global clientele base allow us to identify and capitalise on market opportunities for vessel monetisation. This enables the Group to capture earnings upsides through the sale of both newbuilds and existing ageing vessels.”

The demand for OSVs is expected to remain robust, with offshore engineering, procurement, construction, and installation expenditure projected to rise by 32% to US$71b in 2026. Nam Cheong’s recent success in securing its first shipbuilding contract for four OSVs in over a decade further signals a growing demand for newbuilds.

As the global OSV fleet ages, Nam Cheong anticipates increased demand for new vessels, positioning the company to benefit from emerging shipbuilding opportunities.

Corporate real estate leaders in the Asia Pacific region are at the forefront of innovation, with artificial intelligence (AI) and workplace strategy becoming key components of future portfolio decisions. This insight comes from a global poll conducted by Colliers and CoreNet Global, which surveyed over 1,000 corporate real estate professionals at the 2025–2026 CoreNet Global Summit across Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America.

The survey reveals that AI is the primary driver of transformation, with 51% of respondents globally recognising its impact. Asia Pacific respondents, in particular, are showing a strong intent to innovate in areas such as portfolio strategy, workplace experience, and data-driven decision-making. Singapore and India have been highlighted as significant markets where talent, investment, and experimentation converge, alongside the UK and the San Francisco Bay Area.

Mike Davis, Managing Director of Occupier Services, Asia Pacific at Colliers, noted, “Asia Pacific is seeing innovation move from theory into practice. AI and advanced analytics are increasingly shaping how occupiers think about portfolio performance, location strategy, and the employee experience.”

The poll underscores the importance of integrating technology into everyday decision-making processes. As AI-enabled tools are scaled across forecasting, utilisation analysis, and performance measurement, the focus is on embedding innovation into routine operations. Davis added, “The organisations that are pulling ahead are those that are aligning technology, people, and strategy, using AI to support faster, more informed decisions across portfolios and workplaces.”

Asia Pacific’s role as a testing ground for new approaches in corporate real estate is solidifying its influence on global best practices. The region’s occupiers are increasingly focused on translating insights into action, ensuring that innovation is repeatable, scalable, and aligned with broader business goals.

OCBC, Lion Global Investors, and DigiFT have launched Southeast Asia’s first on-chain tokenised physical gold fund, the OCBC-LionGlobal Physical Gold Fund Token (GOLDX token). Available on the Ethereum and Solana blockchains, the fund allows institutional and corporate accredited investors to subscribe using stablecoins or fiat currencies, with tokens delivered directly to blockchain wallets.

The GOLDX token operates within a regulated environment, backed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS)-regulated entities, ensuring strong governance and risk management. This initiative provides investors with exposure to the LionGlobal Singapore Physical Gold Fund, which has seen significant growth, managing S$669.4m (US$525.9m) in assets as of 16 April 2026.

OCBC led the structuring of the GOLDX token, collaborating with DigiFT for tokenisation and distribution, whilst Lion Global Investors managed the investment framework. The token is expected to attract demand from Web3 participants, including family offices and high-net-worth individuals, who hold substantial capital in stablecoins.

Kenneth Lai, Head of Global Markets at OCBC, highlighted the strategic importance of this launch, stating, “We believe digital assets will play an increasingly important role in financial services.” Teo Joo Wah, CEO of Lion Global Investors, emphasised the fund’s robust governance, whilst Henry Zhang, CEO of DigiFT, noted the advancement in accessing gold through a regulated digital format.

This development aligns with Singapore’s ambition to be a hub for digital asset activities, enhancing efficiency and economic value.

ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) has unveiled a new study highlighting significant challenges faced by Asian organisations in advancing their artificial intelligence (AI) initiatives. Despite high adoption rates, with nearly 90% of firms embarking on AI projects, 71% remain stuck in the initial “Builder” stage, unable to scale their efforts into production environments that yield measurable returns on investment.

The study, conducted with research partner Ecosystm, surveyed over 600 enterprise and digital-native leaders across nine Asian markets, including Singapore, India, and Japan. It reveals that only 17% of organisations are “future-ready,” having invested in scalable infrastructure and operational expertise. Chris Street, Group Chief Revenue Officer of STT GDC, noted, “Without scalable infrastructure and operational readiness, it becomes difficult to convert early AI ambition into consistent business value.”

A significant barrier is the lack of infrastructure capable of supporting large-scale AI operations, compounded by a shortage of in-house expertise. This issue is particularly pronounced in Singapore, where 40% of organisations have moved beyond early-stage pilots, yet only 3% have achieved full “Leader” status in AI infrastructure maturity.

The report also highlights a disconnect between organisational priorities and needs. Whilst sustainability is increasingly critical, it remains a secondary consideration for many firms when evaluating infrastructure options. In Singapore, despite high awareness of sustainability issues, it ranks low in priority when choosing infrastructure providers.

The findings suggest that Asia’s next phase of AI development will hinge on execution capabilities rather than ambition alone. For Singapore, maintaining its regional leadership will require evolving infrastructure strategies to support scale, resilience, and speed.