(June 30): A record 66% of financial firms in Asia Pacific plan to expand across the region over the next three years, driven by soaring market confidence despite intensifying competition for global capital, a survey showed.
The figure is up from 59% last year and 40% in 2024, according to the survey released Tuesday by the Asia Securities Industry & Financial Markets Association and KPMG.
Financial firms are largely concentrating capital in mature markets. Singapore remains the primary target, followed by a tie between Hong Kong and South Korea, marking a rise in the latter’s appeal.
Hong Kong rose to second place for ease of doing business, climbing from third in 2025 and closing the gap with top-ranked Singapore, according to the survey. India and mainland China also saw improvements, rising to fifth and seventh respectively.
Information was gathered from January through April for the survey, which is in its fifth edition.
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