Dubai has unveiled plans to construct what officials describe as the world’s first villa assembled entirely by robots, marking a sharp acceleration in the city’s push to industrialise construction and reduce reliance on manual labour. The pilot project, scheduled to rise at Expo City Dubai, will test whether fully automated systems can deliver a complete residential unit from foundation to finish without on-site human builders. Authorities say […]
Gulf Warehousing Company has stepped onto a global technology stage with its debut at Web Summit Qatar 2026, signalling how logistics groups in the Gulf are repositioning themselves around data, automation and artificial intelligence. The Doha-based firm announced a partnership with Apify, a European cloud platform known for web data extraction, automation tools and AI-driven workflows, during the four-day summit held from 1 to 4 February in […]
Oracle is preparing to raise about $50 billion during 2026 as it accelerates spending on data centres, specialised chips and network capacity to meet a sharp rise in demand for artificial-intelligence workloads, according to people familiar with the company’s plans. The proposed capital raise, which would rank among the largest ever attempted by a US technology group in a single year, reflects the scale of investment required […]
Sharon AI has unveiled plans to deploy a 1,000-unit NVIDIA B200 GPU cluster at NEXTDC’s Tier IV M3 facility in Melbourne, a move that sharply increases domestic capacity for training and running large-scale artificial intelligence models within Australia’s borders. The announcement places the neocloud provider among a small group globally able to operate Blackwell-generation systems at this scale and underscores intensifying competition to localise high-end compute amid […]
A policy signal aimed at accelerating investment in data centres and cloud infrastructure has placed long-horizon tax certainty at the centre of India’s digital strategy, with the government outlining a framework that would allow eligible technology companies operating in designated zones to enjoy tax neutrality aligned with the national Vision 2047 roadmap.
The move, articulated through a combination of policy statements, budget-linked clarifications and regulatory guidance, is intended to draw hyperscalers, artificial intelligence firms and data infrastructure investors into large-scale, long-duration projects. Officials have framed the approach as a way to anchor capital-intensive facilities whose payback periods stretch over decades, while supporting the ambition of building a multi-trillion-dollar digital economy by the country’s centenary year.
Rather than a blanket exemption across the economy, the proposal centres on sector- and location-specific incentives. These include extended tax holidays and concessional regimes within special economic zones, international financial services hubs and approved data centre parks, alongside customs-duty relief on equipment, accelerated depreciation and stable indirect tax treatment for power, cooling and network inputs. Policy planners argue that such assurances reduce regulatory risk and make India competitive with rival hubs in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.
Data centres have emerged as a focal point of the strategy. Explosive growth in cloud computing, streaming services, digital payments and generative AI has driven demand for hyperscale facilities, each requiring billions of dollars in upfront investment and long-term commitments to energy supply. Government assessments suggest that predictable taxation over a multi-decade horizon is as critical as land and power availability when investors choose locations.
Senior policymakers have linked the tax framework to broader reforms designed to ease market entry. These include streamlined approvals through single-window systems, clarity on cross-border data flows under evolving digital governance rules, and incentives for renewable energy integration to address the sector’s heavy electricity needs. State governments are also playing a role, offering land at concessional rates and rebates on electricity duties to attract marquee projects.
Industry executives have responded cautiously but positively. Large cloud providers and colocation operators have welcomed signals of long-term stability, noting that uncertainty over future tax treatment has historically complicated investment planning. At the same time, companies are seeking detailed rules on eligibility, duration and compliance obligations, wary of policy reversals or narrow interpretations that could dilute the promised benefits.
Economists see both opportunity and risk in the approach. Supporters argue that anchoring global technology players could generate spillover benefits, from skilled employment and local supplier networks to improved digital services for domestic firms. They also note that data infrastructure underpins sectors ranging from finance and healthcare to manufacturing and logistics, amplifying its economic impact beyond headline investment numbers.
Critics caution that extended tax concessions must be carefully calibrated to avoid eroding the revenue base without delivering commensurate gains. They point to the need for clear performance benchmarks, such as minimum investment thresholds, local employment commitments and sustainability standards, to ensure public value. Questions have also been raised about competitive neutrality, with domestic firms seeking assurance that incentives will not unduly favour a handful of global giants.
The policy push comes amid intensifying global competition for data and AI infrastructure. Governments worldwide are offering combinations of tax relief, energy subsidies and regulatory flexibility to attract projects seen as strategic assets. India’s pitch emphasises scale, market growth and democratic governance, positioning the country as a long-term partner rather than a short-term tax arbitrage destination.
By K Raveendran The Union Budget’s political messaging has been read as carefully as its fiscal arithmetic, particularly in states heading into elections where expectations of targeted concessions were unusually high. Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman arrived in Parliament draped in a Kancheepuram silk saree, a gesture that appeared designed to signal a cultural and political […]
The article 2026-27 Budget Shows BJP’s Lack Of Confidence In Poll-Bound States appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).
Miral has confirmed plans to develop a Topgolf venue on Yas Island, adding another global leisure brand to Abu Dhabi’s flagship entertainment destination and reinforcing the emirate’s strategy of broadening year-round tourism beyond theme parks and seasonal events. The venue, to be known as Topgolf Yas Island, will be developed and operated by Miral under a licensing agreement with Topgolf International. It is expected to feature technology-enabled […]
Binance has disclosed a $100 million allocation to Bitcoin for its Secure Asset Fund for Users, a move that reinforces the exchange’s capital buffer designed to protect customers during periods of market stress or operational shocks. The purchase adds to a reserve structure that the company says is ringfenced from its operating funds and intended solely for user protection, underscoring an effort to demonstrate balance-sheet resilience at […]
Corporate earnings calls and regulatory filings across the United States and Europe have converged on a familiar explanation for workforce reductions: artificial intelligence. Executives have framed job cuts as an inevitable consequence of automation and efficiency gains driven by new AI tools, presenting the technology as both a disruptor and a justification. Yet a closer examination of disclosures, hiring patterns and capital allocation suggests that AI is […]
A UAE-based investment firm has acquired a 49% holding in World Liberty Financial, the cryptocurrency platform linked to Donald Trump, in a transaction that values the venture at about $500 million and places foreign capital at the heart of a politically sensitive digital-asset business. The investment, disclosed through corporate filings and confirmed by people familiar with the transaction, gives the Gulf investor a near-equal stake in a […]
Profitability and core indicators remained among the strongest in the banking sector, reflecting the Bank’s sustainable growth quality.
In the fourth quarter alone, HDBank posted profit of over VND6.5 trillion (US$250.3 million), a 60% increase compared to Q4 2024.
As of the end of 2025, consolidated total assets reached VND931 trillion (US$35.8 billion), up 33.5% year-on-year. Total funding mobilisation stood at VND832 trillion (US$32 billion), with customer deposits rising 28.2%.
Outstanding loans increased 34.3% to VND588 trillion (US$22.6 billion), with credit focused on sectors featuring reasonable risk profiles and long-term growth potential, including SMEs, supply chains, production and business, exports and green projects. This strategy enabled the Bank to maintain high growth while effectively managing risk.
Total operating income rose 25.4% to VND42.7 trillion (US$1.6 billion) driven by strong growth in non-interest income, which rose 2.5 times year-on-year and accounted for 18.6% of the total.
Return on equity reached 25.3%, among the highest in the sector, while return on assets stood at 2.1%. During the year, HDBank paid stock dividends and issued bonus shares with a combined ratio of nearly 30%, reaffirming its commitment to shareholders.
The non-performing loan ratio remained low at 1.66%.The capital adequacy ratio under Basel II reached 16.7%, among the highest in the industry, providing ample room for credit growth and scale expansion without immediate pressure for capital increases.
2025 also marked a strategic milestone in HDBank’s long-term strategy with the completion of the receipt of DongA Bank subsequently rebranded as Vikki Digital Bank, a new-generation digital bank. In its first year of operation, Vikki recorded more than 2.1 million app downloads, highlighting strong growth potential in digital and retail banking.
Meanwhile, HD SAISON, a subsidiary of HDBank, posted profit of over VND1.39 trillion (US$53.5 million) with ROE of 22.5%.
HDBank now serves more than 25 million customers, with 94% of individual transactions conducted via digital channels.
Moody’s upgrade of HDBank’s credit rating to the top tier among Vietnamese banks in 2025 further strengthened investor confidence in the Bank’s financial strength and long-term growth prospects.
Hashtag: #HDBank
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Aldar Properties has moved to deepen its long-term development pipeline after announcing the addition of several strategic land plots across Abu Dhabi with a combined gross development value of about AED23 billion, underlining the developer’s intent to capitalise on sustained demand across the capital’s prime growth corridors. The newly added sites span more than 2.3 million square metres and are expected to deliver around 3,000 new homes […]
Nvidia Corp chief executive Jensen Huang has pushed back against suggestions that the chipmaker had lined up a $100 billion investment in OpenAI, saying any such figure was never a firm commitment and that the company would assess participation in funding rounds on their individual merits. The remarks seek to clarify Nvidia’s role at a moment when expectations around financing for advanced artificial intelligence models are reshaping […]
Abu Dhabi’s main stock exchange and Italy’s bourse have taken a formal step towards closer capital-market integration, signalling ambitions that extend beyond headline listings to the plumbing of cross-border settlement and custody. The Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange Group, ranked among the world’s top 20 exchanges by market capitalisation, and Borsa Italiana, part of the Euronext group, signed a letter of intent during the Abu Dhabi Investment Forum […]
Arabian Post Staff -Dubai Abu Dhabi’s sovereign wealth fund is arranging a sizeable Australian dollar loan backed by a clutch of local assets, underscoring the depth of global appetite for infrastructure-linked credit tied to long-term institutional owners. People familiar with the matter said the AD Investment Authority is seeking an A$3.75 billion facility secured against four Australian assets held by a wholly owned subsidiary. The borrowing is […]
Connecting China with global markets and powering Hong Kong’s future economic engine
CPA Australia emphasises that Hong Kong must reinforce its position as the premier gateway connecting China with global markets. As China’s 15th Five Year Plan places greater focus on high-quality opening up, Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to help Chinese enterprises expand overseas while attracting foreign direct investment into the Mainland through Hong Kong. Strengthening this gateway function will be critical to driving the city’s next phase of economic growth.
Mr Anthony Lau, Co-Chair of CPA Australia’s Greater China Taxation Committee stated,
“Developing a unified and coherent tax incentive framework for Corporate Treasury Centres (CTC) and regional headquarters (RHQ) would further strengthen Hong Kong’s appeal as a base for multinational operations. In addition, the effectiveness of re-domiciliation has attracted many overseas companies to move their legal domicile to Hong Kong. As there is no clear guidance on whether re-domiciliation will trigger Mainland tax liabilities and tax reporting obligations, we recommend the Hong Kong Government engages with the Mainland tax authorities to clarify that no actual transfer of assets occurs during the process, and therefore no Mainland tax should arise.”
“We also recommend advancing market connectivity measures such as allowing a tax deduction specifically for IPO-related expenses for companies that list on the Main Board of the HKEX, and continuing to enhance existing cross boundary financial mechanisms such as introducing an IPO Connect scheme.”
A streamlined approach would reduce complexity, improve tax certainty and encourage overseas and Mainland enterprises to centralise management, financing and strategic functions in Hong Kong.
CPA Australia also highlights the importance of positioning the Northern Metropolis as a flagship cross‑border innovation zone that will drive Hong Kong’s future growth. Mr Lau said, “To support the infrastructure development, we suggest the Government adopts forward‑looking financing tools that ease pressure on public finances. These may include issuing bonds targeted at with an estimate amount for example USD2 billion at different maturity to international investors, and providing a tax exemption for bond holders on interest income and trading profits derived from bonds issued for Northern Metropolis infrastructure projects, whether issued by the government or the private sector.
“To attract leading innovation and technology enterprises to the zone, we further recommend broadening the scope of qualifying R&D expenditures to include activities outsourced to related parties based and operating in other cities within Greater Bay Area. This reflects the increasingly integrated nature of cross boundary innovation and supply chains.”
Strengthening Hong Kong as a global trade centre and a hub for wealth retention
Hong Kong’s long‑standing role as a free, open and trusted trading and financial gateway remains central to its international relevance.
Ms Karina Wong, Deputy Chair of the Greater China Taxation Committee said, “Hong Kong should build on its unique status as a global trading centre by strengthening the free trade port regime and expanding support for high-value commodity trading, which would help diversify the city’s economic base and enhance market depth. Qualifying commodity items such as silver and rare-earth materials remain outside the current scope, the qualifying list needs to be reviewed regularly, with sufficient legislative flexibility, to ensure timely updates in response to market developments. The Government could also consider whether the scope should extend beyond physical trades and incidental income to cover derivative driven transactions, which form a significant part of global commodities activity.”
A stronger family office ecosystem is central to reinforcing Hong Kong’s role as Asia’s preferred hub for wealth management and succession planning. “We recommend introducing a preferential 8.25 per cent profits tax rate for Single Family Office, Multi Family Offices (MFOs) and fund managers to enhance Hong Kong’s competitiveness relative to other regional wealth management centres.
“Aligning the permissible investment asset classes under the family office tax concession regime with those under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES) would also streamline operations, provide greater investment flexibility and further strengthen Hong Kong’s appeal among global wealth owners managing long term capital,” added Ms Wong.
Modernising Hong Kong’s philanthropy framework would encourage a more caring and compassionate community and strengthen the city’s appeal to long-term capital. “The generous donations supporting residents and the reconstruction of Wang Fuk Court show that Hong Kong is a caring city. To encourage greater philanthropic participation, we suggestremoving the current 35 per cent cap on cash donation deductions and allowing a full 100 per cent deduction, while introducing a 300 per cent enhanced deduction for contributions to designated funds, such as the Community Care Fund and Disaster Relief Fund. This would direct more resources toward areas of social need.
“These reforms will strengthen Hong Kong’s ecosystem for trade, wealth management and philanthropy, helping the city attract and retain long term capital and strengthen Hong Kong’s competitive edge,” Ms Wong said.
Diversifying the economy and enhancing workforce competitiveness
As advanced economies accelerate digital transformation and adopt emerging technologies, Hong Kong’s long-term competitiveness will depend on the city’s ability to scale innovation, raise productivity and strengthen the capacity of its workforce and enterprises.
“We propose to relaunch a revamped Technology Voucher Programme to help businesses, in particular SMEs, accelerate digitalisation and adopt artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
“Strengthening R&D related tax incentives is equally important in driving innovation, therefore we propose increasing the cap for the highest rate of the R&D super tax deduction by raising the threshold for the 300 per cent deduction on qualifying R&D expenditure from HK$2 million to HK$4 million.” said Mr Janssen Chan, Co‑Chairperson of CPA Australia’s Greater China Taxation Committee.
SMEs remain the backbone of Hong Kong’s economy, yet many continue to face cost pressures and increasing competition.
“We recommend raising the cap under the two-tier profits tax regime for concessional 8.25 per cent half-rate from HK$2 million to HK$4 million of assessable profits. Extending the SME Financing Guarantee Scheme beyond March 2026 is another move that would ease operating pressures for smaller businesses and encourage reinvestment,” added Mr Chan.
By raising the two-tier profits tax cap, extending financing support and retooling tech programmes for AI adoption, the Government can give SMEs the room to grow and strengthen their long-term resilience.
Raising living standards and building a healthier and more liveable city
Mr Adam Chiu, member of the Greater China Taxation Committee, said the Budget should introduce targeted tax and subsidy measures that deliver practical support to households while encouraging healthier and more productive lifestyles.
“To provide direct relief to taxpayers, we recommend maintaining the 100 per cent salaries tax rebate on the 2025/26 final salaries tax, capped at HK$6,000. This would help offset rising living costs and support disposable income, particularly for middle‑income earners. We also propose introducing a tax deduction of up to HK$60,000 for working families who employ domestic helpers specifically to care for children, elderly family members or persons with special care needs. This would help ease caregiving pressures, support labour‑force participation.” Mr Chiu said.
He added that lifelong learning and skills upgrading are increasingly important in a rapidly evolving economy. “To enable individuals to undertake more advanced or specialised training, including in emerging areas such as AI, we recommend increasing the subsidy ceiling under the Continuing Education Fund to HK$30,000 per eligible applicant, and increasing the cap on the self-education tax deduction to HK$150,000 per year. To promote physical wellbeing, we also propose a tax deduction of up to HK$2,000 for sports‑related expenses.”
“By supporting working families, encouraging lifelong learning and promoting healthier lifestyles, these measures can collectively enhance quality of life and help build a more resilient and inclusive Hong Kong,” Mr Chiu said.
CPA Australia believes these recommendations will strengthen Hong Kong’s ability to engage more effectively with global markets, enhance its competitiveness as an international financial and business hub, and improve quality of life for residents. Taken together, these measures will help ensure Hong Kong is well positioned for a more sustainable, innovation driven and inclusive future.
Hashtag: #CPAAustralia
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with more than 176,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 22,500 members in Greater China. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on issues affecting the accounting profession and the public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at 
cpaaustralia.com.au
Bitcoin fell towards the $75,000 mark during Asian trading hours, extending a pullback that coincided with weaker equity markets across the region and heightened volatility in key industrial and precious metals, underscoring a broader phase of risk recalibration among global investors. The world’s largest cryptocurrency slipped after failing to hold higher technical levels, with trading volumes rising as short-term holders moved to lock in gains accumulated during […]
Crypto markets closed January in the red despite a policy backdrop that, on paper, appeared more accommodating than at any point in the past two years. Prices slid across major tokens, trading volumes thinned, and investor sentiment softened even as regulatory signals from Washington and other financial centres suggested a shift away from outright hostility towards digital assets. Bitcoin, the bellwether for the sector, ended the month […]
A single highly leveraged ether position worth about $220 million was wiped out as prices slid roughly 10 per cent, amplifying a wave of forced liquidations that pushed total crypto losses above $2.5 billion within 24 hours and reignited concerns about leverage-driven fragility across digital asset markets. The loss stemmed from a large long position on the derivatives platform Hyperliquid, where rapid price moves triggered automatic margin […]
Worldcoin’s native token WLD has entered 2026 carrying a mix of ambition and unease, shaped by sharp price swings, regulatory scrutiny around biometric data, and the project’s long-term bet on global digital identity. Trading far below its earlier peak, the token’s trajectory over the next four years has become a focal point for investors weighing whether the network can convert technological promise into sustained demand. WLD touched […]
Women in Games has unveiled a new manifesto urging game studios, publishers and platform holders to confront entrenched gender imbalance and workplace inequities, arguing that the long-term health of the global video games sector depends on structural change rather than symbolic gestures. The document sets out a framework aimed at reshaping hiring practices, leadership pathways and creative decision-making across an industry that employs millions but continues to […]
Washington has imposed sanctions on a network of cryptocurrency exchanges and facilitators tied to Iran, marking the first time the United States has directly targeted crypto trading platforms over allegations of supporting the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. The measures signal a widening of financial enforcement into the digital asset space as Washington seeks to curb Iran’s access to global capital flows. The sanctions, announced by the Treasury […]
Bitcoin could reach $6.5 million within two decades, according to Matt Hougan, the chief investment officer at Bitwise, who argues that the asset’s structural supply limits and expanding institutional demand outweigh cyclical volatility. Hougan’s outlook lands after a punishing year for digital assets in 2025, when tighter financial conditions, regulatory uncertainty and a cooling risk appetite weighed on prices. He expects a period of sideways trading to […]
Project: Gorgon has made a significant milestone in its development with the launch of its 1.0 version, marking its transition out of Early Access and broadening its world with a substantial new map, expanded progression systems and deeper endgame mechanics. The update introduces Statehelm, a sprawling capital city designed as the largest and most intricate area the indie fantasy MMO has ever seen, featuring over 200 quests […]
