Matein Khalid “We went eyeball to eyeball and the other guy blinked” – JFK said about Nikita Peasantovich Shoe Bangarov after Stalin’s henchman in the Red Terror back down in the Cuban missile crisis. Trump has gone eyeball to eyeball with the bond market and Xi Jinping but only the Dragon Empire’s Emperor for Life has blinked while the bond vigilantes have gone berserk in the netherworld […]
Empowering Enterprises in Global Expansion and Reinforcing Hong Kong’s Position as an International Innovation and Technology Hub HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 April 2025 – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) officially launched “The Cradle – Going Global Service Centre” (The Cradle) today, supported by the Zhongguancun Beijing-Hong Kong-Macao Youth Innovation Centre, the National Innovation Centre par Excellence (NICE), and the Greater Bay […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 April 2025 – As a low-carbon energy source with significant development potential, hydrogen energy is recognised as a vital component of future national energy strategies. To address the increasing industry demand for hydrogen energy applications, the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi) is actively advancing the development of the hydrogen energy sector. Funded by the […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 April 2025 – Hong Kong-listed International Entertainment Corporation (1009.HK)(IEC or the Company), a Manila-based casino and hotel operator, has struck a provisional licensing deal with the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR), pledging $1 billion USD to $1.2 billion USD to fuel its forward-thinking growth plans in the Philippines’ booming gaming sector. International Entertainment Corporation has struck a […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 11 April 2025 – Today, IX Asia Indexes announced the 2025 1st quarter review of ixCrypto Index Series. The constituent changes will be effective on 18th April 2025 (Friday) (“the effective date”). The results of the constituent review and exchange review are as follows: 1. Constituent Review – ixCrypto Index Series 1.1 ixCrypto Index (“IXCI”) The number of constituents […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 April 2025 – LIVE4WELL, a global AI-powered wellness and sports membership platform, is proud to announce its collaboration with the renowned fitness chain 24/7 FITNESS, which boasts over 180 locations in Asia. 24/7 FITNESS and LIVE4WELL Join Forces in Powerful Alliance Turn Your Sweat into Tangible Rewards Together, we are launching a “Fitness Alliance Program” promotion through LIVE4WELL’s […]
Artificial intelligence is increasingly becoming a cornerstone in pharmaceutical research, with numerous companies leveraging advanced algorithms to expedite drug discovery and development. This transformative approach aims to reduce the time and cost traditionally associated with bringing new medications to market. Exscientia, headquartered in Oxford, UK, has been a pioneer in integrating AI into small-molecule drug design. The company’s platform, Centaur Chemist, combines human expertise with AI to […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 April 2025 – CPA Australia’s latest Asia-Pacific (APAC) Small Business Survey 2024-25 reveals that the outlook for business growth this year for Hong Kong’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) has slowed, though their hiring intentions remain strong. To combat uncertainties and rising competition, many are focusing on innovation and increasing their investment in artificial intelligence (AI). (Left) Mr […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – To celebrate the remarkable achievements of Hong Kong’s interior design industry and promote its international reputation, the Hong Kong Interior Design Association (HKIDA) proudly presents the third edition of Hong Kong Interior Design Week 2025, with the Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency (CCIDA) under the Culture, Sports and Tourism Bureau of the Hong Kong […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – X Pay, the local leader in “Buy Now, Pay Later” solutions, is pleased to announce a landmark strategic partnership with STOREBERRY, Hong Kong’s fast-growing omnichannel commerce platform. “Our partnership with STOREBERRY marks a significant advancement in payment innovation for Hong Kong’s retail sector. The ‘Online Price Divider’ not only makes high-value purchases more accessible but […]
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – The highly anticipated Food & Hotel Asia – Food & Beverage (FHA-F&B) event officially opens today, reaffirming its position as Asia’s premier international food and beverage platform. With an expected 65,000 attendees from both local and international markets, FHA-F&B is set to once again unite industry professionals, culinary innovators, and industry leaders under one roof. The opening […]
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 8 April 2025 – Cristiano Ronaldo is set to redefine the shopping experience with the grand opening of the first-ever CR7® LIFE Official Flagship Store at Times Square in Hong Kong celebrating his museum and legacy. Set to open its doors on June on the 7th floor of the iconic shopping hub, the first worldwide CR7® LIFE Store promises […]
Matein Khalid In a financial panic, investors sell what they can and not what they must. So the most ominous data points for me is the dramatic widening in US corporate credit/high yield spreads, which means Mr. Market is now certain that default risk will strangle capital markets as varied as auto finance, subprime mortgages, student loan and credit card receivables. The widening of Asian sovereign credit […]
Investors should brace for volatility to remain a defining feature of financial markets until at least September, as a new era of trade disruption, inflation pressures, and global realignments gathers pace. Markets are still reeling from the deepening fallout of President Donald Trump’s sweeping tariff offensive. After his aggressive trade moves last week — dubbed Liberation Day by the White House — equities have suffered one of […]
New global thought leadership series spotlighting the HKSTP I&T powerhouse, uniting its soft power of visionaries to rally the world to keep up with Hong Kong’s innovation HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 April 2025 – HKSTP’s Keep Up global brand campaign has taken the world by storm, reaching over 19 million people across 240+ destinations worldwide since its launch in July 2024—a testament […]
Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission has announced a temporary ban on short selling, effective from April 7 to April 11, in response to a significant market downturn triggered by newly imposed U.S. tariffs. This measure aims to stabilize the financial markets after the benchmark TAIEX index experienced a 12% decline since the beginning of April.
The U.S. administration, under President Donald Trump, recently imposed a 32% tariff on Taiwanese imports, citing concerns over trade imbalances. This action has had immediate repercussions on Taiwan’s export-driven economy, particularly affecting the semiconductor sector, which is a major contributor to the nation’s exports. In response, the FSC has increased the margin requirement for short selling from 90% to 130% and limited the volume of shares available for such transactions. These steps are intended to mitigate speculative trading and reduce market volatility.
President Lai Ching-te has stated that Taiwan does not intend to retaliate against the U.S. tariffs. Instead, the government plans to collaborate with other Asian nations and engage in negotiations with the United States to seek a reduction or elimination of the imposed tariffs. Lai emphasized Taiwan’s significant contribution to the U.S. economy and proposed increasing Taiwanese purchases of American goods as a strategy to address the trade deficit. A delegation led by the deputy premier, including trade and security officials, is set to initiate these discussions.
The global financial markets have also felt the impact of the U.S. tariffs. Major indices, including the S&P 500, Dow Jones, and Nasdaq, have experienced declines ranging from 2% to 2.5%. In Asia, markets have been particularly affected, with Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index dropping by 13.2% and Taiwan’s TAIEX falling by 9.7%. Commodity markets have not been spared, with oil prices decreasing by 2.7% and cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether also experiencing losses.
Grade A office rents remained under pressure in Q1, while a tourist inflow recovery is yet to boost retail market confidence Smaller-sized residential units have been more sought-after following the relaxation of the maximum property value chargeable at a HK$100 stamp duty level as announced in the latest government budget speech, supporting first-hand residential sales. The total residential unit transaction number for Q1 climbed 24% y-o-y to […]
World’s Pioneering Drone Solution Achieving Millimetre-level Precision Setting a New Benchmark for Smart Sites in Hong Kong HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 April 2025 – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC), the Civil Engineering and Development Department, and the Hyder-Meinhardt Joint Venture have co-developed the “Autonomous Air-ground Cooperative Tunnel Inspector” in the Trunk Road T2 and Cha Kwo Ling Tunnel project. This system […]
Oil prices have experienced a significant decline, reaching their lowest levels since April 2021, driven by escalating trade tensions between the United States and China, coupled with strategic decisions by OPEC+ regarding oil production. Brent crude futures dropped by $2.28, settling at $63.30 per barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude decreased by $2.20 to $59.79 per barrel. This marks a continuation of a downward trend, with […]
Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission has intensified its scrutiny of virtual asset platforms offering staking services, emphasizing the associated risks and potential legal ramifications. The regulatory body has observed a surge in platforms promoting high-yield returns through staking, prompting a public advisory on the matter.
Staking, a process where cryptocurrency holders delegate their assets to support blockchain network operations, has gained popularity as a means to earn passive income. However, the SFC warns that many of these staking arrangements are not regulated, leaving investors vulnerable to significant risks, including the total loss of their investments. The commission highlighted that some platforms offer returns by on-lending deposited virtual assets or engaging in other investment activities without adequate transparency.
In a statement, the SFC underscored that certain staking programs might constitute unauthorized collective investment schemes . Under Hong Kong law, promoting or operating such schemes without proper authorization is a criminal offense, potentially leading to substantial fines and imprisonment.
The regulatory focus on staking services aligns with Hong Kong’s broader efforts to establish a comprehensive framework for virtual assets. The SFC has been actively exploring the introduction of new token listings, derivatives, and margin trading to enhance the city’s position as a digital asset hub. Julia Leung, the SFC’s Chief Executive, announced plans to potentially expand the regulatory framework to facilitate the listing of new tokens exclusively for professional investors and to review existing safeguards for retail offerings.
The SFC is considering the regulation of crypto derivative trading for professional investors, aiming to facilitate efficient risk transfer within the market. Staking is another area under review, with the commission planning to establish requirements governing the custody of client assets and mitigating risks associated with staking activities.
In addition to these initiatives, the SFC has been in discussions with crypto exchange-traded fund issuers about the possibility of including Ether staking options. This move could allow ETF issuers to stake ETH and generate passive income, providing investors with additional avenues for returns. However, these discussions are ongoing, and no definitive timeline has been established for implementation.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 7 April 2025 – The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, successfully hosted Thai Night: Where Films Come Alive 2025 at JW Marriott Hong Kong during FILMART 2025, reinforcing Thailand’s position as a global hub for the film and entertainment industry. Presided over by Her Royal Highness Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi, the event brought together […]
The United Arab Emirates has reaffirmed its position as the global leader in Fibre to the Home connectivity, achieving a penetration rate of 99.3%. This marks the eighth consecutive year the nation has topped international rankings, surpassing technological hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and South Korea. The FTTH Council’s latest annual report highlights this milestone, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to advancing its digital infrastructure.
The FTTH Council’s analysis encompassed data from 20 countries with FTTH availability exceeding 50%. Singapore secured the second position with a penetration rate of 97.1%, followed by Hong Kong at 95.3%, China at 92.9%, and South Korea at 91.5%. The UAE’s leading status reflects the nation’s strategic emphasis on developing next-generation digital infrastructure to support its economic and technological ambitions.
Central to this achievement is e& UAE, formerly known as Etisalat, which has played a pivotal role in enhancing the country’s connectivity landscape. The company has consistently invested in and developed world-class infrastructure for both 5G and fibre networks. Masood M. Sharif Mahmood, CEO of e& UAE, stated that the UAE’s proactive strategies and investments in fibre connectivity are a testament to the nation’s visionary leadership and its confidence to empower people to thrive in the digital age.
The UAE’s focus on fibre connectivity is integral to its broader digital transformation agenda. The nation has continuously invested in innovation and next-generation technologies to expand and enhance its infrastructure. This robust network forms the backbone of a digital ecosystem that supports various advanced technologies, including augmented reality, robotics, and artificial intelligence.
The high FTTH penetration rate offers tangible benefits to both consumers and enterprises. For consumers, it translates to high-speed internet access, facilitating seamless experiences in gaming, streaming, and other bandwidth-intensive applications. Enterprises, on the other hand, can leverage this infrastructure to support advanced use cases, applications, and technologies, thereby driving digital transformation across various sectors.
Beyond performance enhancements, fibre connectivity contributes to energy efficiency and sustainability goals. It is also critical in advancing hyperscalers, 5G Advanced, data centre connectivity, smart cities, and AI-driven initiatives. The UAE’s commitment to fibre connectivity aligns with its vision to become a global hub for innovation and technology.
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 April 2025 – Associate Director-General of Investment Promotion at Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK) Mr Charles Ng will commence his duty visit to the Middle East from today (April 6) to April 10, with key engagements in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The visit underscores Hong Kong’s commitment to deepening economic ties with these dynamic markets […]
Impressive technological applications win international praise, assisting enterprises in going global to explore more opportunities HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 April 2025 – The Hong Kong Productivity Council (HKPC) debuted with a dedicated pavilion at Hannover Messe 2025 (Hannover Messe), showcasing a range of Hong Kong’s technological applications, which were highly regarded by international companies and investors. HKPC successfully showcased the impressive achievements […]
