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ESET MDR delivers industry-leading real-time detection and a mean-time-to-respond (MTTR) of 6 minutes to keep businesses secure

SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 January 2026 – ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity solutions, today announced the launch of two Managed Detection and Response (MDR) subscription tiers: ESET PROTECT MDR for small and medium businesses (SMBs) and ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate for enterprises in Singapore.

Bridging the gap with MDR

ESET PROTECT MDR delivers a comprehensive cybersecurity package, offering 24/7/365 superior protection. This includes modern protection for endpoints, email, and cloud applications, vulnerability detection and patching, and managed threat monitoring, hunting, and response. For enterprises, ESET PROTECT MDR Ultimate offers continuous proactive protection and enhanced visibility, coupled with customised threat hunting and remote digital forensic incident response assistance.

ESET’s APAC SMB Cybersecurity Report 2024 revealed that 49% rate lacking a dedicated cybersecurity team and 52% rated keeping up with the latest threats as one of the top three cybersecurity challenges in Singapore. 31% also cited alert fatigue as the biggest challenge. Incidentally, APAC also faces the largest shortage of cybersecurity experts in the world. These highlight the urgent need for skilled cybersecurity professionals and managed services that can help bridge the country’s growing talent gap. ESET’s MDR services ensure organisations of all sizes and cybersecurity maturity to stay one step ahead of all known and emerging threats, effectively closing the cybersecurity talent gap, and facilitating expert consultations for incident management and containment in a fully managed experience.

ESET MDR delivers a remarkable 6-minute Mean Time to Respond (MTTR) — the fastest in the industry*. In comparison, the median time for organizations to detect a breach is 24 days**, leaving critical systems and data exposed for weeks. Every hour that a breach goes undetected dramatically increases the risk of data loss, operational disruption, and financial damage.

“Cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and more time-critical, especially in highly connected digital economies like Singapore,” said Pamela Ong, Country Manager of Asia and Singapore at ESET. “Our AI-powered MDR services combine automation, human expertise, and global threat intelligence to help organisations move beyond reactive security. The ability to detect and respond within minutes can make the difference between a contained incident and a major breach.”

ESET’s MDR services Meet the Unique Challenges of MSPs

ESET recognises the growing pressures facing MSPs who must balance the critical task of securing clients’ complex IT environments with their own business growth and operations. With threat actors going heavy on supply-chain attacks and abusing MSP tooling, MSPs too find themselves fixed in the crosshairs of cybercriminals. Simply put, MSPs are not only potential victims, but also potential accessories to a crime. To help MSPs fulfill their security potential, ESET’s MDR is also designed to be deployed in an MSP environment with a single solitary security service, available 24/7 that help MSPs to secure themselves as well as their clients.

For more information, please visit www.eset.com/sg

*Based on publicly available information as of 1 October 2025.
**Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report
Hashtag: #ESET

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About ESET

ESET® provides cutting-edge digital security to prevent attacks before they happen. By combining the power of AI and human expertise, ESET stays ahead of known and emerging cyberthreats — securing businesses, critical infrastructure, and individuals. Whether it’s endpoint, cloud, or mobile protection, our AI-native, cloud-first solutions and services remain highly effective and easy to use. ESET technology includes robust detection and response, ultra-secure encryption, and multifactor authentication. With 24/7 real-time defense and strong local support, we keep users safe and businesses running without interruption. An ever-evolving digital landscape demands a progressive approach to security: ESET is committed to world-class research and powerful threat intelligence, backed by R&D centers and a strong global partner network. For more information, visit www.eset.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and X.

A Milestone in Sustainable Operations & Facility Management

Storefriendly stated: “Achieving this Excellent rating reinforces our commitment to ESG goals. By optimizing our operations management, we ensure that our self-storage facilities are not only efficient but also environmentally responsible, providing our customers with a superior and greener storage experience.”

Selective Scheme Focuses on Building Performance Across Key Assessment Areas

BEAM Plus EB reviews a building’s sustainability performance through multiple assessment areas, including Site, Management, Materials & Waste, Energy Use, Water, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation. Within these, the Management aspect places strong emphasis on responsible management practices and measures that promote the sustainable operation of building spaces. Achieving an Excellent rating in this aspect further validates Storefriendly’s ongoing investment and results in day-to-day operations management and its broader sustainability strategy.

Integrating Smart Technology with Green Logistics

Storefriendly continues to invest in cutting-edge technology—including AI-powered customer service systems and Safety Box. By combining smart access controls with energy-efficient facility management, the Group enhances both security and operational performance. This HKGBC recognition serves as a roadmap for the Group’s future, as it strives to modernize the mini storage industry with forward-thinking, sustainable solutions for both personal and business clients.

The following five Storefriendly Tower properties have been certified by HKGBC and included in the Existing Buildings portfolio assessment:
1. Storefriendly Tower (Peninsula East): 82 Hung To Road, Kwun Tong
2. Storefriendly Tower (Metropolis East): 13 Yip Cheong Street, Fanling, New Territories
3. Storefriendly Tower (Island East): 8 A Kung Ngam Village Road, Shau Kei Wan
4. Storefriendly Tower (Peninsula West): 850-870 Lai Chi Kok Road, Cheung Sha Wan
5. Storefriendly Tower (Metropolis West): 22-28 Tai Chung Road, Tsuen Wan

Hashtag: #Storefriendly

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About Storefriendly Self Storage Group

Founded in 2002, Storefriendly Self Storage Group is one of Asia’s leading self-storage brands, with operations across Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and Taiwan. The Group operates over 90 branches and more than 40,000 storage units. Over half of its branches are self-owned properties, conveniently located and equipped with 24-hour smart access and comprehensive security systems, providing safe and flexible storage solutions for both individual and business customers. The Group continues to invest in technology—including AI-powered customer service, wine storage, and smart safety boxes—to elevate service quality through innovation and deliver an enhanced storage experience.

Visit Storefriendly: https://www.store-friendly.com/en/

Malaysia’s United Malays National Organization, long the central pillar of the country’s political establishment, has begun working with erstwhile rivals from the Malay-Muslim opposition, signalling a recalibration that underscores how far the nation’s politics has shifted since the party’s electoral dominance fractured.

The cooperation, confirmed through parallel statements and joint appearances by party leaders, reflects UMNO’s attempt to consolidate Malay political influence at a time when its authority has been diluted by years of electoral setbacks, internal splits and the rise of competing blocs. While the party remains a key component of the ruling coalition led by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, its outreach to former adversaries has fuelled debate about whether Malaysia is entering a new phase of pragmatic alliances driven less by ideology and more by survival.

UMNO governed Malaysia almost uninterrupted for more than six decades after independence in 1957, anchoring the Barisan Nasional coalition and shaping state institutions. That grip was broken in 2018 when voters punished the party over corruption scandals and governance concerns, leading to a series of unstable administrations. Since then, UMNO has struggled to define its role in a crowded political field that includes Anwar’s reformist bloc and the Malay-Muslim opposition alliance led by Parti Islam Se-Malaysia and Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia.

The current cooperation has emerged against that backdrop. Senior figures from UMNO have acknowledged coordination with opposition leaders on issues framed as safeguarding Malay-Muslim interests, including economic equity policies and the position of Islam in public life. Though party officials have stopped short of describing the engagement as a formal pact, they have not ruled out deeper collaboration if it serves what they describe as national stability and communal interests.

This posture has drawn mixed reactions within UMNO itself. Reform-minded members argue that aligning, even tactically, with parties that have attacked UMNO in past campaigns risks alienating centrist voters and undermining the party’s commitment to multiracial governance within the current administration. Others counter that the political landscape no longer allows rigid red lines, pointing to successive elections that showed Malay votes splintering among multiple parties.

Political analysts say the outreach reflects both opportunity and vulnerability. UMNO’s share of parliamentary seats has shrunk sharply compared with its peak years, reducing its leverage inside the ruling coalition. By engaging with rivals who command strong grassroots support in rural and conservative constituencies, the party may be seeking to reassert relevance and prevent further erosion of its base.

At the same time, the move complicates Prime Minister Anwar’s delicate balancing act. His coalition spans ideologically diverse partners, from UMNO’s traditionalists to reform-oriented parties and regional allies from East Malaysia. Any perception that UMNO is hedging its bets with the opposition could strain internal trust, even as Anwar has publicly emphasised unity and policy-driven governance.

The opposition, for its part, has responded cautiously. Leaders have framed the cooperation as issue-based rather than strategic, mindful that their core supporters view UMNO as emblematic of past excesses. Yet the willingness to engage suggests an acknowledgment that Malaysia’s fragmented politics makes absolute isolation costly.

Electoral arithmetic also looms large. Several state and parliamentary contests are approaching, and past results have shown that three-cornered fights often benefit Anwar’s coalition or regional parties, leaving Malay-based rivals divided. Limited coordination could alter outcomes in closely contested seats, though it also risks backlash from voters wary of perceived opportunism.

Beyond elections, the discussions point to broader questions about Malaysia’s political trajectory. The country’s multiracial framework has historically rested on bargaining among communal parties, with UMNO as the dominant broker. Its weakened position has opened space for ideological competition and policy debate, but also for sharper identity politics. Whether UMNO’s outreach tempers or intensifies those dynamics remains uncertain.

Business groups and civil society organisations have reacted with caution, urging political leaders to prioritise economic reform and institutional stability over tactical manoeuvring. Malaysia’s economy faces pressures from global volatility, fiscal constraints and the need to attract investment, issues that many argue require coherent policymaking rather than shifting alliances.

China’s market watchdog has ordered the removal of co-located trading servers from exchange data centres, a step that strikes at the core of high-frequency trading strategies by stripping away microsecond advantages and reshaping how orders reach the market.

The directive, conveyed to brokerages and proprietary trading firms over the past week, requires firms to relocate servers that sit inside or adjacent to exchange facilities, a practice that has allowed algorithmic traders to exploit ultra-low latency connections. By mandating physical separation, regulators aim to level access speeds across participants and curb behaviour blamed for sharp intraday swings.

Officials at the China Securities Regulatory Commission have framed the move as part of a broader effort to restore fairness and stability at a time when volatility has tested investor confidence. Exchanges have begun coordinating timelines with members, while technology vendors assess the operational impact of migrating equipment and reconfiguring networks.

At the heart of the change is co-location, a service long offered by major venues such as the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. By placing servers in the same buildings as matching engines, firms could shave milliseconds off order transmission, a decisive edge for strategies that depend on speed. The new rule eliminates that edge by forcing all traders to connect from outside facilities, effectively compressing the speed differential.

Market participants say the immediate effect will be uneven. Firms that rely heavily on latency-sensitive strategies face higher costs and potential revenue declines, while asset managers and retail-focused brokers expect fewer instances of sudden price dislocations triggered by rapid-fire trades. Some proprietary desks have already paused certain algorithms as engineers test alternative connectivity routes.

Regulators’ concerns extend beyond fairness. Officials have grown wary of feedback loops in which automated strategies amplify short-term moves, especially during thin liquidity. Episodes of abrupt swings in small- and mid-cap shares have sharpened scrutiny of trading practices that can overwhelm order books in fractions of a second. By slowing the fastest participants, authorities believe markets will better reflect underlying supply and demand.

The measure also aligns with a wider tightening of oversight on quantitative trading. Over the past year, exchanges have refined monitoring of order-to-trade ratios, imposed stricter reporting on algorithmic strategies, and increased penalties for disruptive behaviour. Server removal adds a structural constraint that complements those rules, shifting the emphasis from after-the-fact enforcement to preventative design.

Technology providers are bracing for a wave of changes. Data centre operators linked to exchanges will see reduced demand for premium co-location services, while telecom firms may benefit as traders invest in faster external links to mitigate latency losses. Network optimisation, time-synchronisation tools and smarter order-routing software are expected to attract investment as firms adapt.

There are risks of short-term disruption. Moving servers involves downtime, testing and regulatory approvals, raising the possibility of temporary liquidity dips in certain instruments. Exchanges have signalled flexibility on implementation schedules to avoid disorderly conditions, though the direction of policy is clear. Compliance teams are urging firms to prioritise stability over speed during the transition.

Internationally, the decision is being watched closely. Other jurisdictions have grappled with the balance between innovation and fairness, with mixed approaches ranging from speed bumps to transaction taxes. China’s choice to remove co-location altogether is among the most decisive interventions to date and could influence debates elsewhere, particularly in markets where retail participation is high.

By Ashok Nilakantan Ayers When India’s finance minister Ms Nirmala Sitharaman rises to present the 7th Union Budget on February 1, a record of sorts, the moment will carry an uncommon weight. This is no routine fiscal exercise, no mere balancing of columns and commas. Instead, the budget is being cast — by industry leaders, […]

The article 2026-27 Budget Offers Modi Govt A Great Opportunity To Reshape Strategy appeared first on Latest India news, analysis and reports on Newspack by India Press Agency).

Organised by MP Singapore, and presented by the Franchising & Licensing Association (Singapore), FLAsia 2026 marks a new chapter for the long-running industry event as it enters its 21st edition under a new organiser partnership. The appointment of MP Singapore brings expanded regional reach, deeper industry engagement and a strengthened focus on business outcomes for exhibitors and visitors across Asia.

FLAsia 2026 is expected to welcome more than 7,000 trade visitors and over 250 exhibiting brands from franchising, licensing, character IP, retail concepts and emerging business models. The event will continue to serve as a central marketplace for brand owners, franchisors, licensors, investors and entrepreneurs to connect, explore partnerships and identify expansion opportunities across regional and international markets.

Building on the momentum from previous edition, the Brand Licensing Village will return in 2026. The dedicated zone will spotlight locally developed intellectual property that has already been successfully commercialised, offering visitors a focused platform to discover market-ready IP, connect with licensing experts and explore collaboration opportunities across categories. The Licensing Village reinforces FLAsia’s role in supporting IP growth and brand extension within the region’s licensing ecosystem.

On the franchising front, the Chinese Franchise Conference will make a return, reflecting continued interest from Chinese brands and investors seeking expansion opportunities across Southeast Asia and beyond. Curated in collaboration with key industry stakeholders, the conference will provide targeted insights, market perspectives and networking opportunities for Chinese franchise brands and regional partners.

FLAsia 2026 will also feature international pavilions and brand participation from key markets, with brands from Korea, Thailand and other regional economies expected to be present, further strengthening the show’s international profile. Alongside the exhibition showcase, the event will include curated business sessions, industry sharing, talent and career touchpoints, and dedicated zones highlighting innovation, IP development and brand growth, reinforcing FLAsia’s position as a leading gateway for franchising and licensing opportunities in Asia.

“Partnering with MP Singapore marks a dynamic leap forward for FLAsia. Together, we’re amplifying the event’s influence and reach, ensuring the franchising and licensing community thrives as the industry surges across Asia.” Mr Gan Shee Wen, President, Franchising & Licensing Association (Singapore).

“FLAsia is a well-established platform with strong industry trust, and we are pleased to be organising the event for the first time. By leveraging on MP’s global network, we will connect brands, partners and stakeholders in a way that will foster an environment that encourages collaboration, supports quality participation and drives tangible outcomes for both exhibitors and visitors. We are excited to grow FLAsia alongside the industry in the years ahead.” Jason Ng, Managing Director of MP Group.

Franchising & Licensing Asia has, over the years, established itself as a key business platform for brands seeking growth, market entry and partnership opportunities in Asia. With Singapore as its springboard, the event continues to attract regional and international participation, reinforcing its role as a gateway to Asian markets.

More information about FLAsia 2026 can be found at www.franchiselicenseasia.com.

Hashtag: #FLAsia2026 #Franchising #Licensing #BrandExpansion #TradeShowAsia #BusinessNetworking

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About FLAsia

Franchising & Licensing Asia (FLAsia) – 21st Edition – Asia’s leading marketplace for franchising and licensing, FLAsia brings together reputable brand owners, business leaders, investors, and entrepreneurs to create a dynamic platform for accelerating business growth, expanding professional networks, and increasing brand visibility across the vibrant Asian market.​ ​FLAsia provides the chance for exhibitors to showcase unique business concepts, engage in face-to-face meetings with high quality visitors and create meaningful business connections.​ ​Visitors get to connect directly with brand owners, franchisors, licensors, industry experts, and like-minded leaders, attend insightful conferences, and access high quality business opportunities.​

About Franchising and Licensing Association (Singapore)

Franchising and Licensing Association (FLA Singapore), one of the founding members of the World Franchise Council, was established in 1993 with the mission to nurture and develop Singapore’s franchising industry. An essential component of Singapore’s knowledge-based economy, FLA Singapore promotes and facilitates the use of franchising, licensing and branding as a growth strategy for Singapore enterprises, thus contributing to turning Singapore into a regional franchise and license hub.

Through its partnership with Singapore government agencies and international franchise and license bodies, FLA Singapore also assists its members in their international development programmes. With an active growing membership of close to 150 companies, representing more than 250 strong brands, FLA (Singapore) is led and managed by a dedicated team of advisors, committee members and a full-time secretariat with the goal of supporting Singapore companies to expand internationally.

About MP Singapore

The MP Singapore (MP) is a global full-service agency that specialises in connecting and building eco-systems, industry engagement, events management and marketing. Established since 1987, MP embodies more than a quarter century of event building, marketing and management experience in both Eastern and Western cultures, practices, and business philosophies. We bring world-class talent, industry expertise, and incredible enthusiasm into the design and management of extraordinary online-to-offline experiences for your organisation.

MP is part of Pico Group, a global group of agencies specialising in engaging people, creating experiences and activating brands for businesses, institutions and governments. As part of the Pico group, MP has unlimited access to a wide network of industry contacts and resources. Pico Far East Holdings has been listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange since 1992.

This is the fifth edition of the Hong Kong Economic Policy Green Paper, released by HKU Business School, with the aim of providing recommendations on how Hong Kong can effectively tackle these challenges.

HKU Business School today unveils the Hong Kong Economic Policy Green Paper 2026. From left: Prof. Huiyin Ouyang, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management of HKU Business School, Prof. Dragon Tang, Professor in Finance in HKU Business School, Professor Hongbin CAI, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, Prof. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong and Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy, Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President of The University of Hong Kong and Associate Dean of HKU Business School, and Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing of HKU Business School.

Prof. Richard Wong, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong and Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy said, “This Green Paper was released after months of rigorous research by the scholars from HKU Business School. Grounded in an academic perspective and guided by a pragmatic, problem-solving approach, we have conducted objective analyses and in-depth investigations into core issues and real-world challenges currently facing Hong Kong’s development in political and economic operations, people’s livelihood, and industrial upgrading. Our aim is to provide the Government and relevant authorities with valuable insights and actionable policy recommendations.”

Professor Hongbin Cai, Dean and Chair of Economics of HKU Business School, said, “As a ‘super-connector’ bridging China and the world, Hong Kong’s unique role remains indispensable. Looking ahead, Hong Kong must deeply integrate into China’s national development plans, and also take a more prominent role on the international stage, with an in-depth understanding of the global market and active engagement with its international collaborators.

With campuses in Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen, and an expanding presence in Vietnam and Europe, HKU Business School embodies our unique proposition: deeply rooted in Hong Kong, fully engaged with the Chinese Mainland, and truly international. This year’s Green Paper reflects our dedication to inspiring solutions based on rigorous research. As a world-class institute of higher education, we are committed to enabling Hong Kong to further unleash its core values and usher in a new era of high-quality development.”

Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President of The University of Hong Kong and Associate Dean of HKU Business School, added, “This Green Paper features research papers from ten teams of scholars with diverse backgrounds and varied expertise. Based on profound insights into Hong Kong’s development, they offer unique and targeted policy recommendations, building a rich and multifaceted framework of issues for the Green Paper. At the same time, behind these research achievements lies the scholars’ deep affection for and sense of responsibility toward Hong Kong.”

Regarding how digital technology can boost Hong Kong’s trade finance, he emphasised: “Both data and industry feedback clearly demonstrate the core value of trade finance. However, we need more synergy in the trade finance ecosystem and to catch up in digitisation. To address this, we must strengthen the governance and standard promotion of digital trade platforms and tools, deepen the cross-border interoperability of trade data, expand the functions of the Hong Kong Export Credit Insurance Corporation, focus on high-value-added trade enterprises, extend the coverage of Free Trade and Double Taxation Avoidance agreements, and promote responsible stablecoin adoption and Renminbi internationalisation.”

Prof. Dragon Tang, Professor in Finance at HKU Business School, stated, “Hong Kong is uniquely positioned to lead in the integration of blockchain technology within green finance, exemplified by our pioneering issuance of the world’s first tokenised green bonds, totalling HKD 6 billion in February 2024. With green finance representing a critical avenue for sustainable development, the global market is projected to grow significantly, emphasising the importance of transparency and trust. To capitalise on this opportunity, we must enhance our blockchain infrastructure, establish clear regulatory standards, and promote cross-border integration with initiatives like Core Climate. By leveraging blockchain’s capabilities, we can significantly reduce costs, improve transparency, and engage a broader investor base, ultimately driving our transition to a sustainable finance future.”

Prof. Huiyin Ouyang, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School, commented on her study, saying, “Two weeks post-implementation of the hospital fee reform, the media reported no significant change in emergency department crowding, which aligns with what our analysis predicted. Overcrowding isn’t simply about patient behaviour – it’s a structural issue. Demographics are shifting, capacity is constrained, and alternative treatment options remain limited. What we now need is a careful, systematic evaluation of the fee changes. Where are vulnerable patients going for care? Are some patients delaying treatment? What unintended effects are emerging? Effective reform requires pairing fee adjustments with expanded primary care access. We can’t solve a capacity problem with pricing alone.”

Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing at HKU Business School, presented as well, spoke on her study and asked, “Why did Pop Mart go public in Hong Kong but register IP in Singapore? Or why was Molly ‘born’ in Hong Kong but did not go viral from Hong Kong? Why have local companies not managed to turn these homegrown IPs into major business triumphs? Learning from the past and looking forward, Hong Kong can leverage its financial market, legal system, as well as talents to build a comprehensive IP industry infrastructure and become an IP hub.”

The Green Paper includes ten articles; the key points are as follows:

Empowering Merchandise Trade Finance with Digital Technology in Hong Kong
Author: Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President (Global), The University of Hong Kong; Associate Dean (External Relations), HKU Business School; Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy; Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics

• Trade is an essential lifeline for Hong Kong; its total merchandise trade was three times the city’s HKD3.2 trillion GDP in 2024. Trade finance is thus equally important, yet research shows that the total loans extended for trade finance have been declining.
• As geopolitical and technological shifts reshape trade, Hong Kong must upgrade its trade finance services. With consumer-goods trade shifting to smaller, more frequent orders and shorter cycles, financial institutions need to streamline approvals and develop flexible products for e-commerce and logistics-driven cash cycles. Banks also need to digitise core processes in fund settlement. The article cautions that platforms directly connecting mainland manufacturers with overseas buyers disintermediate Hong Kong’s traditional hub-and-spoke role.
• To address this, the article suggests the government leverage digital technologies to elevate the adoption of Hong Kong’s digital trade platforms through unifying core digital trade functions. Moreover, speeding up interoperability of trade data platforms with the Chinese Mainland and other economies will enable seamless data exchange.

Rebuilding Hong Kong as the Catalyst to the Greater Bay Area (GBA) Startup Ecosystem
Prof. Alberto Moel, Professor of Practice in Finance, HKU Business School
Prof. Joseph Chan, Associate Professor of Practice in Management and Strategy, HKU Business School; Associate Director, Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship

• Offering a quantitative analysis of the evolution of Hong Kong’s startup landscape, the article found that post-2019 activity has slowed, mirroring global venture capital trends, with most failing to grow beyond 50 employees due to scarce late-stage capital despite early-stage availability. While fintech and logistics dominate and AI/blockchain grow quickly, deep tech lags—authors view this as temporary and highlight Hong Kong’s alignment in financial innovation, regtech, and GBA supply chains to attract investment and support corporate transformation.
• To strengthen Hong Kong as the GBA’s premier startup hub and international financial centre, the article recommends nine policies—including fixing funding gaps, closing academia-market divides through industry-focused research for tech transfer, attracting/retaining talent, integrating Northern Metropolis with GBA supply chains, pivoting to high-value services, and drawing large tech platforms to incubate local startups.

The Applications of Blockchain in Green Finance: Hong Kong’s Experience and Opportunities
Author: Prof. Dragon Tang, Professor in Finance, HKU Business School; Associate Director, Centre for Financial Innovation and Development

• The green finance market has entered an important new phase. Hong Kong became the world’s first issuer of sovereign tokenised green bond when it priced an HKD800 million one-year note in February 2023. Despite this, Hong Kong faces several challenges in the practical implementation of using blockchain to advance green finance. This is due to the limited interoperability between blockchain platforms and existing financial infrastructure, which hinders cross-market transactions. Real-time settlement for tokenised assets is also difficult because of scalability constraints.
• The article argues that the future success of blockchain development in green finance will depend on progress in three areas: standardisation, scalability, and security. Clear regulatory frameworks and common technical protocols are needed to provide legal certainty and interoperability across platforms. While collaboration among regulators, technology providers, and energy-market participants can align rules for tokenisation. Blockchain can also connect Hong Kong’s Core Climate platform with overseas counterparts, as cross-border integration is crucial to the inherently international nature of climate finance.

Can Hong Kong be an IP hub for Future Labubu? An Overview of Hong Kong’s IP Industry
Dr. Tingting Fan, Principal Lecturer in Marketing, HKU Business School
Prof. Heiwai Tang, Associate Vice-President (Global), The University of Hong Kong; Associate Dean (External Relations), HKU Business School; Associate Director, Hong Kong Institute of Economics and Business Strategy; Victor and William Fung Professor in Economics

• As Labubu’s success turns the spotlight on the growing importance of the IP industry, the authors propose that this can inspire more creators and businesses to invest in branding, licensing, and cross-border collaborations. This can also attract policymakers’ attention to the emerging IP sector as a key driver of innovation and economic growth.
• To position Hong Kong as a leading regional IP trading centre, the authors recommend that stakeholders—including IP developers, entrepreneurs, and government agencies—coordinate efforts across key areas. These include building a robust IP financing ecosystem, such as through government-issued IP bonds replicating the green finance model; enhancing infrastructure and platforms to support IP development; developing specialised talent and professional services in the IP sector; promoting IP initiatives throughout the Greater Bay Area; and strengthening IP protection alongside a solid legal framework.

Thematic Research: Maximisation of Social Value and Shareholder Value – Insights from Hong Kong-listed Companies Across Sectors
Author: Prof. Sean Chang, Associate Professor of Practice in Finance, HKU Business School

• Through a triangulation research approach, the article examines how social policies, international frameworks, and corporate social responsibility influence a company’s valuation and capital budgeting decisions. Using insights from major Hong Kong-listed companies across nine sectors—spanning transport, utilities, financials, banking, conglomerates, technology, real estate, consumer, and hotel servicing—the research highlights CSR’s role in enhancing long-term firm performance.
• Key findings show that corporate risk assessment, company valuation, and stock performance are significantly influenced by CSR-linked socially responsible investing (SRI) factors. Hong Kong-specific social values, such as equality and sustainability, shape investor preferences, guiding finance managers to tailor solutions and adapt regulatory standards. While conventional metrics remain dominant, incorporating social value boosts long-term firm value by building shareholder trust and mitigating risks; companies can pursue CSR projects financed via SRI bonds to create dual economic and societal benefits.
• The study recommends embedding core values like equality and sustainability into corporate strategies, aligning budgeting processes with social objectives to pinpoint investments yielding both returns and positive impacts, and urging Hong Kong-listed firms to sustain capital budgeting aligned with enduring societal values.

Housing Affordability and Homeownership in Hong Kong, 1985-2023
Mr. Allen W. Huang, Student Researcher, Hong Kong Future Economy Institute
Mr. Alex Ngau, Research Associate, Hong Kong Future Economy Institute
Prof. Michael B. Wong, Assistant Professor in Economics, Management and Strategy, HKU Business School

• Hong Kong’s housing market has grown increasingly unaffordable, hindering upward mobility for younger generations. Main findings from the research reveal that since the 2002 suspension of the Home Ownership Scheme (HOS), homeownership has declined sharply, rendering private housing “impossibly unaffordable” for median-income households. A wide public-private rent gap drives young people to accept lower-paying or part-time jobs to qualify for public rental housing (PRH), distorting labour supply, stifling human capital investment, and fuelling a surge in adult co-living with parents; younger cohorts (born 1980-1999) face far lower access to public housing and ownership than prior generations at the same age.
• Taking Hong Kong Island as an example, between 2003 and 2024, the rent-to-income ratio for a typical 400-sq-ft private unit jumped from 35% to 60% of median household income, peaking at 65% in 2015 and 2019—far exceeding the UN-Habitat and World Bank’s 30% affordability threshold. Public housing rents stayed dramatically lower at just 7%–11% of median household income from 1985 to 2024. For home purchases, it now takes 18.2 years of median income to buy a 500-sq-ft private unit (up from 7.4 years in 2003), placing it in the “impossibly unaffordable” zone per the Demographia International Housing Affordability report, where ≤3.0 years is considered affordable and 9.0+ years is impossibly unaffordable. After the 2002 Home Ownership Scheme suspension, even subsidised HOS units now require 15.8 years of income on Hong Kong Island (up from 7.4 years in 2007), shifting them from moderately unaffordable to severely or impossibly unaffordable in urban cores.
• To reverse these trends, the authors recommend ramping up production of high-quality ownership units, easing resale and leasing restrictions on existing subsidised sale flats to boost residential mobility and enable “trading up” the housing ladder, setting housing price and affordability targets over mere supply goals, and adopting responsive mechanisms to balance demand and supply.

Beyond Crisis Management: Structural Reform for the Overcrowding in Hong Kong’s Emergency Departments
Prof. Huiyin Ouyang, Associate Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School
Ms. Yiran Zhang, PhD student, HKU Business School

• Hong Kong’s public emergency departments (EDs) handle over 2.14 million annual attendances. This crisis, exacerbated by an ageing population, results from a structural mismatch: the majority of the attendances are for non-emergency conditions, leading to staff burnout and compromised care.
• The article proposes three comprehensive structural reforms. First, improving operational efficiency with accurate wait time information systems is crucial. Second, increasing the ED fee (categories III–V) aims to divert non-critical patients. Success for this hinges on assumptions about patient responses, particularly how varied population segments will react to the price signal. International evidence raises concerns, showing that higher ED fees can reduce overall utilisation, but with the decrease primarily occurring among price-sensitive groups who may risk delays in receiving serious care. Therefore, for this reform to succeed, the public must have genuine access to alternative care pathways that can accommodate acute but non-emergency needs outside regular business hours, with pricing acceptable to price-sensitive populations. Third, AI can augment the workforce and manage demand (e.g., through telemedicine).
• Ultimately, sustainable reform demands robust evaluation, political courage, and a commitment to address root causes, not just symptoms.

Initial Efforts to Empirically Measure AI Activity and Its Impacts on Hong Kong’s Labour Market
Prof. Alan Kwan, Associate Professor in Finance, HKU Business School
Prof. Mingzhu Tai, Associate Professor in Finance, HKU Business School; Associate Director, Institute of Behavioural and Decision Science
Mr. Zihan Wang, Master student, HKU Business School

• In an effort to empirically measure the impact of AI on Hong Kong’s labour force, the researchers observe that firms with a higher adoption of AI experience lower headcount growth. However, the scale of impact appears small in the city, which could be due to several potential reasons. One of these is the different composition of Hong Kong’s labour force compared with other countries. For instance, Hong Kong has a high proportion of finance or managerial talent, which is harder to displace; the city also features older or more elite workers. On the other hand, much of the impact of AI, particularly generative AI, is on the less elite and younger populations.
• As such, the authors recommend policymakers produce more labour market statistics that track the impact of AI, particularly by occupation. On the rate of AI adoption in Hong Kong through innovation, the authors find that the city is heavily skewed towards research, but not commercialisation. This means that the quality and quantity of academic research is not translating to commercial use. To address this decoupling, the authors propose that the government tweak its existing early-stage startup funding platforms to encourage streamlining and higher utilisation of existing government resources.

The Impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence on Cybersecurity in Hong Kong
Author: Prof. Michael Chau, Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School

• As GenAI can produce human-like text, code, images, and audio, cybersecurity crimes have become easier and faster to perpetrate. Not only have data leaks and hacks into security systems led to significant financial losses in Hong Kong, but they also hurt confidence in the city’s digital infrastructure.
• The article recommends using AI to fortify Hong Kong’s cyber defence, such as using biometric verification and deepfake detection technologies, especially in areas involving critical infrastructure and high financial stakes. It is also important to prevent data leakage and other threats in using GenAI.

Hong Kong’s Next Growth: Pioneering the Web 3.0 Ecosystem
Prof. Yulin Fang, Professor in Innovation and Information Management, HKU Business School; Director, Institute of Digital Economy and Innovation
Mr. Yangchen Mou, PhD student, HKU Business School

• Given the inherent risks in Web 3.0 operational models—most notably within Decentralised Finance (DeFi) systems—striking a balance between fostering the development of the Web 3.0 ecosystem and implementing appropriate regulation to maintain financial stability is and should be a key priority for Hong Kong authorities. To support this, the article categorises the industry into three distinct systems—Centralised Finance (CeFi), the integration of Traditional Finance and Centralised Finance (TradFi-CeFi), and Decentralised Finance (DeFi)—and put forward targeted policy recommendations for each.
• For the CeFi system, the authors recommend creating a more conducive environment for development by refining specialised auditing frameworks, promoting a local Web 3.0 talent certification system, and introducing global leading CeFi institutions to the local market. For the TradFi-CeFi system, they suggest upgrading audit standards for traditional firms holding digital assets and upskilling traditional finance professionals with Web 3.0 expertise. In contrast, for the DeFi system, which carries higher inherent risks and poses greater regulatory challenges, the authors advise authorities to adopt a prudent stance while keeping monitoring its latest technological developments.

The full version of the Green Paper can be accessed here. Hi-res photos are available here.

Hashtag: #HKUBS

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About HKU Business School

Established in 2001, HKU Business School is one of the youngest and most dynamic members of The University of Hong Kong (HKU). The School strives to nurture first-class business leaders and foster academic and relevant research that serves the needs of Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world in the new Asia-led economy. As a top international business school, the School has established its place as a globally impactful institution that leads the way through timely thought leadership, pioneering research, and educational excellence. Deeply rooted in Hong Kong and fully engaged with China, the School’s world-class faculty equip students with global knowledge and perspectives.

HKU Business School offers business education across a full range of disciplines, while achieving remarkable growth in faculty strength and research capabilities. The School ranks Asia’s No.1 in Financial Times’ Aggregated Research Ranking for two consecutive years, 2024 and 2025, while the University of Hong Kong ranked 11^th in the world and No. 1 in Asia according to the QS World University Rankings 2026. The School has strategic partnerships with world-renowned universities and corporate partners, providing market-oriented content, superior learning, and instrumental resources.

To better serve our students and alumni in various cities and regions, and to facilitate collaboration opportunities with business communities around the globe, HKU Business School has established a unique international network that extends to Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Ho Chi Minh City.

HKU Business School is fully accredited by the European Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS) and the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

Visit us at https://www.hkubs.hku.hk/

The MoU was signed by UTM Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Mohd Shafry Mohd Rahim and CDL Academy Chairman Dato’ Sr. Mohd Zaid Zakaria. It formalises the ongoing partnership between the two organisations and aims to provide students with industry exposure and practical experience, preparing them for careers in the construction sector.

Under the agreement, UTM and CDL Academy will pursue initiatives including professional training programmes, student internships, academic exchanges, workshops, seminars, and innovation projects in green building materials, advanced construction technologies, and cost management solutions.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is Malaysia’s premier university for engineering, science, and technology, committed to building partnerships that enrich research output and provide students with real-world learning opportunities. The collaboration with CDL Academy exemplifies UTM’s efforts to equip graduates with the skills and experience needed to contribute effectively to the nation’s development.

Since its inception in 2019, CDL Academy has delivered over 100 seminars and learning engagements, benefiting more than 10,000 participants across the construction and engineering ecosystem. The collaboration with UTM expands these efforts, supporting the development of industry-ready graduates and addressing emerging needs in sustainable construction and advanced building technologies.

The MoU will be in effect for three years, with opportunities for renewal. Coordinators from both parties will oversee programme development to ensure measurable outcomes for students, researchers, and the construction industry.
Hashtag: #YTLCement, #CDLAcademy, #UTM, #ESG, #Sustainability, #Construction, #SustainableConstruction

https://ytlcement.my/cdl-academy
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ytl-cement-group/

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

CDL Academy Sdn Bhd

CDL Academy Sdn. Bhd. is the professional learning and development platform of the YTL Cement Group, established to support training and talent development within the construction industry. CDL Academy focuses on developing well-trained, industry-ready professionals through structured training and practical knowledge-sharing.

Beyond technical disciplines, CDL Academy serves as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration. It brings together practitioners, academics and universities, as well as industry leaders, industry associations and governing bodies through training programmes, seminars, workshops and strategic partnerships.

Through its commitment to quality education and best-practice sharing, CDL Academy aims to contribute to strengthening industry talent pipelines, supporting university–industry collaboration, and supporting the long-term advancement and sustainability of the construction ecosystem.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM)

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) is a premier public research university in Malaysia, specialising in engineering, science and technology. Located in Johor Bahru and with a campus in Kuala Lumpur, UTM is committed to producing globally competitive graduates and advancing cutting-edge research that addresses national and global challenges.

By K Raveendran Oil prices have jumped roughly six percent in the span of a week, pushing benchmarks to around $63 a barrel and jolting a market that had grown accustomed to softer expectations closer to $50. The move has been swift enough to prompt talk of an over-reaction, not least because traders have already […]

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