Industry News

Investors in the Asia Pacific (APAC) living sector are increasingly focusing on how to invest rather than where, according to Savills’ latest report for Q2 2026. The report identifies five key investment strategies that are shaping the sector amidst changing market conditions and capital dynamics.

The strategies include distressed and adaptive reuse conversions, ground-up development, platform mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and direct acquisition. Japan remains a mature market for stabilised multifamily assets, with around 35% of major transactions involving overseas investors. In Australia, build-to-rent (BTR) developments and office conversions are gaining traction, with projects like Brisbane’s 41 George Street delivering over 1,180 student accommodation beds.

Hong Kong leads in hotel-to-living conversions, with 13 hotel transactions worth $819m (HK$6.4b) in the past year. These conversions are primarily into student accommodation and co-living spaces. Meanwhile, Singapore sees a rise in platform acquisitions and adaptive reuse, with companies like Habyt and The Assembly Place taking the lead.

Nicholas Wilson, Senior Director at Savills, emphasised the importance of execution in investment strategies, stating, “APAC living is not a single trade. Execution is now the differentiator.”

The report underscores that whilst short-term opportunities arise from dislocation in hotels and offices, long-term demand in the living sector is driven by demographic shifts and urbanisation. As the market evolves, investors are selecting strategies that align with each market’s fundamentals and regulatory environment.

Antler has unveiled 28 startups from Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia in its Asia Regional Portfolio Showcase, highlighting a shift towards autonomous systems capable of executing complex tasks independently. More than half of these startups are developing AI agents and AI-native businesses across sectors such as enterprise software, robotics, healthcare, and logistics.

The showcase, Antler’s largest in Asia, demonstrates the rapid pace of AI-driven company building, with startups reaching commercial traction in a median of just 10 months. This acceleration is attributed to AI advancements enabling smaller teams to achieve significant milestones with fewer resources. “Every industry is about to get a new workforce,” said Jussi Salovaara, Co-Founder and Managing Partner, Asia at Antler. He emphasised the transformative potential of AI in both digital and physical realms.

The startups span various categories, including Agentic Enterprise AI, AI Infrastructure, and Healthcare AI. Notable companies include CONPA, which develops AI-powered construction cost estimating agents, and IndustrialMind, which creates AI manufacturing engineers. These innovations reflect a broader trend of moving beyond AI tools to systems capable of autonomous decision-making.

Antler’s strategy unifies Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia into a single platform, fostering collaboration among founders, investors, and customers. This approach aims to build foundational infrastructure for the next decade, positioning Asia at the forefront of AI innovation. As Salovaara noted, “They are building for what comes after the current wave of AI hype settles.”

Singapore travellers have made travel a key focus in the first half of 2026, with Trip.com Group data revealing a double-digit year-on-year growth in outbound bookings. Popular destinations include cosmopolitan cities such as Shanghai, Tokyo, and Taipei, which have topped the list for flight bookings.

In June, short-haul destination bookings increased by 3% year-on-year, with Singaporeans planning their trips earlier. The average booking window has extended to 63 days, indicating growing confidence in travel planning. Additionally, mid-haul and long-haul bookings have each grown by 21% year-on-year, showcasing an interest in more extensive travel.

Family travel is on the rise, with hotel bookings involving children increasing by 11% year-on-year. A recent survey by Trip.com Group highlighted that family travel is the most appealing experience for Singaporeans, particularly among older Millennials aged 35 to 44. Attractions such as Universal Studios Singapore and Gardens by the Bay continue to see strong demand.

To enhance the summer holiday experience, the Hong Kong Tourism Board has partnered with Trip.com Group to offer promotions on attractions and transport. From 15 June to 31 August, travellers can enjoy discounts of up to 50% on bundled offers, including attraction tickets and transport deals.

This trend reflects a sustained demand for travel, with Singaporeans showing a preference for familiar destinations and family-friendly experiences. The collaboration with the Hong Kong Tourism Board further enriches the travel options available to Singaporeans this summer.

The London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) has announced that the global green economy has exceeded US$10t in market capitalisation for the first time, according to its latest report, “Investing in the Green Economy 2026: Resilience and Reacceleration.” This achievement positions the green economy as the world’s third-largest industry by market cap, trailing only Technology and Industrials.

The report highlights significant contributions from Asia, which leads in green revenues, accounting for 47% of the global total in 2025. China, Japan, Hong Kong, and South Korea are key players, with China alone generating over half of the global green revenues in electric vehicle batteries and railway infrastructure. Asia’s green revenues have grown at a compound annual growth rate of 12% over the past five years, surpassing the global average of 10%.

Despite the US maintaining dominance in market capitalisation at US$6t, its share of green economy revenues is less concentrated, with 27% of the global total. Meanwhile, China and Japan follow with 19% and 13%, respectively. The report also notes a record increase in green bond issuance, reaching US$605b in 2025, with the Asia-Pacific region experiencing the fastest growth at 42% year-on-year.

The LSEG report underscores the ongoing importance of energy security in shaping Asia’s energy mix, given its reliance on imported fossil fuels. However, the region remains a significant destination for clean energy investment, with China and India leading the charge.

As the green economy continues to expand, mergers and acquisitions are becoming a crucial mechanism for scaling the green transition, with European acquisitions in Asia on the rise. The report concludes that since 2008, the green economy has outperformed global equities by 133%, demonstrating strong long-term performance despite market volatility.

OCBC has introduced a free online tool, OCBC PULSE, designed to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) evaluate their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) readiness. Available across Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, the tool aims to assist SMEs in identifying sustainability gaps and offers actionable recommendations for improvement. Large companies can also use the tool to assess the ESG performance of their SME suppliers, fostering better sustainability practices within supply chains.

As sustainability becomes a priority, large companies are increasingly expecting their SME suppliers to adopt sustainable practices. OCBC PULSE provides a straightforward, cost-free method for SMEs to begin their ESG journey and remain competitive. The tool allows SMEs to track their progress over time and aligns with OCBC’s commitment to support the green transition of SMEs by piloting the tool with its own suppliers.

Developed in collaboration with the UN Global Compact Network Singapore, OCBC PULSE is built on Technical Reference 149, a framework by Enterprise Singapore. It enables large companies to onboard their suppliers, who can then complete an ESG assessment. The results, classified into four levels from Starter to Advanced, are instantly available to SMEs, whilst large companies receive a dashboard view of their suppliers’ ESG maturity.

OCBC plans to organise workshops for large companies and SME suppliers to address improvement areas and share best practices. This initiative supports OCBC’s goal to provide sustainable financing to 12,000 SMEs by 2028. Elaine Heng, Head of Global Commercial Banking at OCBC, stated, “OCBC PULSE helps SMEs seize sustainable growth opportunities and stay competitive by meeting evolving requirements.”

Ericsenz Capital has successfully completed Asia’s first physically deliverable Bitcoin Dual-Currency Note (BTC DCN), marking a significant milestone in digital asset investment products. Launched in December 2025 and distributed by SBI Digital Markets, the three-month BTC DCN allowed investors to earn a 20% annualised coupon by committing to purchase Bitcoin at a predetermined strike price below market levels.

The completion of this transaction highlights the growing institutional interest in digital assets, as asset managers, banks, and professional investors increasingly seek investment solutions that blend digital asset exposure with traditional capital market infrastructure. The BTC DCN was designed to bridge the gap between traditional finance and digital assets, offering Bitcoin exposure through a structured investment framework compatible with institutional custody and recognised settlement processes.

Datuk Ashley Choo, CEO of Ericsenz Capital, stated, “The successful completion of this transaction demonstrates that digital asset investment products can be structured, distributed and settled within frameworks compatible with institutional capital markets.” SBI Digital Markets, acting as the distributor, provided access to accredited and institutional investors.

CK Ong, Acting CEO of SBI Digital Markets, noted, “Institutional demand for digital asset investment opportunities continues to develop alongside the broader market infrastructure supporting the sector.”

The transaction involved multiple institutional participants, with Ericsenz Capital as the product designer and SBI Digital Markets as the distributor. The initiative reflects Ericsenz Capital’s strategy to expand its digital asset offerings, integrating digital assets with traditional market infrastructure.

The Supreme Court of Singapore and the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance judicial cooperation. The agreement, signed on 29 May 2026, focuses on developing a specialised international commercial court within the Vietnam International Financial Centres.

The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration, including the exchange of knowledge on international commercial dispute resolution, judicial training, and sharing best practices on court processes. Justice Ang Cheng Hock of the Supreme Court of Singapore and Deputy Chief Justice Le Tien of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam formalised the agreement.

This initiative underscores Singapore’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s ambition to create a world-class international financial centre. It also reflects the strong bilateral relationship between the two nations and their shared dedication to developing a robust legal infrastructure for international commerce in the region.

The MOU is expected to facilitate the growth of Vietnam’s financial sector by providing a reliable legal framework, thereby attracting more international business and investment. This collaboration highlights the importance of judicial cooperation in fostering economic development and stability in Southeast Asia.

Emirates has launched a groundbreaking Comprehensive Travel Cover, becoming the first airline globally to offer such extensive travel insurance. This new product, available from today, provides passengers with conflict-related medical coverage up to $25,000, a complimentary 30-day trip extension, and support during travel disruptions, regardless of government travel advisories.

The insurance, developed in collaboration with Travel Guard, includes benefits such as trip cancellation cover, compensation for baggage delay or loss, and unlimited medical expense and emergency evacuation cover worldwide. Emirates will also manage hotel stays and rebook passengers on alternative airlines at no extra cost if flights are disrupted, ensuring seamless travel.

Sir Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, stated: “Listening to customer feedback, we realised that travel demand remains strong but there was a gap in the market with regards to travel insurance cover. Therefore, we acted to address our customers’ needs.”

Russel Antonio, Head of Global Business & Partnerships at Travel Guard, added: “By combining our strengths once again, this new comprehensive travel product offers enhanced protection that sets a new benchmark in the industry.”

The Comprehensive Travel Cover is available for purchase on emirates.com and can be added to existing bookings via the ‘Manage Booking’ option. It is accessible in multiple markets, including Singapore, the UK, and the UAE, providing travellers with added confidence and flexibility in their travel plans.

Federal Express Corporation is stepping up its support for Asia Pacific businesses as they prepare for the European Union’s removal of the de minimis duty exemption on 1 July 2026. This change introduces new customs requirements and cost implications for shipments into Europe. To aid businesses, FedEx has engaged over 5,000 companies across 12 Asia Pacific markets through educational webinars, offering guidance to navigate these evolving customs requirements.

Despite high awareness of the EU de minimis changes, a gap remains in readiness. Only 59% of Asia Pacific businesses report being fully or mostly prepared, whilst 41% are still in early stages or unprepared. Key barriers include limited access to actionable guidance (27%), lack of internal expertise on EU customs regulations (24%), and difficulty keeping pace with evolving rules (22%).

Rising compliance requirements are prompting businesses to reassess their approach to European markets. With 45% citing EU customs regulations as a growth constraint, many are adjusting pricing and trade strategies. Intra-Asia and the United States are emerging as key alternatives for those diversifying beyond Europe.

FedEx is expanding its support to help businesses stay compliant. This includes aligning digital systems with new requirements, offering practical guidance, and enhancing Asia-Europe connectivity with additional weekly flights. “At FedEx, we combine deep trade expertise, digital capabilities, and the strength of our global network to help businesses adapt quickly,” said Salil Chari, president, Asia Pacific, FedEx.

As businesses adapt to new regulatory realities, FedEx remains focused on ensuring continuity and reliable access to European markets.

Industrious, a leading flexible workplace provider, is consolidating its Asia-Pacific (APAC) locations under the Industrious brand, effective 1 July 2026. This move unifies sites in Singapore, Hong Kong, Bangkok, and Sydney, previously operating as The Great Room, following Industrious’s acquisition of the brand in May 2022.

The rebranding aligns with increasing demand for globally connected, hospitality-driven workspaces. Since CBRE’s full acquisition of Industrious in 2025, the company has expanded its global portfolio by 58% and plans to open over 60 new locations in 2026. This strategic shift underscores Industrious’s commitment to enhancing its global footprint.

APAC plays a pivotal role in Industrious’s growth strategy, with plans to expand by over 50% in the region within the next year. This includes the launch of three new locations in Singapore in 2026, highlighting the company’s dedication to the APAC market.

The integration of The Great Room into the Industrious brand reflects a seamless blend of operations, design, technology, and systems, aiming to deliver a consistent and superior workplace experience across all locations. This strategic move is expected to bolster Industrious’s position as a leader in the flexible workspace sector, catering to the evolving needs of enterprises seeking innovative and connected office solutions.