
Who is Kuok Hui Kwong, daughter of Malaysia's richest man and new CEO of the $2.19 billion Shangri-La Asia?
Kuok Hui Kwong, daughter of Malaysian tycoon Robert Kuok, will take over as CEO of Shangri-La Asia starting 1 August. She already serves as chair and executive director of the group, which runs over 100 hotels globally. The position has been vacant since late 2022. Kuok is expected to bring strategic alignment to the company's leadership. She holds a significant stake in Shangri-La's parent group and has a long history of managing businesses linked to the Kuok family empire.

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Hans India
9 hours ago
- Hans India
Singapore-based Surbana Jurong eyes AP housing projects
Singapore: Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu held a series of back-to-back meetings on the first day of his Singapore visit, successfully engaging global investors and inviting them to capitalise on AP's burgeoning growth opportunities. Among the key developments, leading urban infrastructure company Surbana Jurong expressed keen interest in investing in the state's housing sector, while Malaysian construction giant Eversendai proposed setting up a significant manufacturing factory. Representatives from Singapore-based Surbana Jurong, a prominent urban and infrastructure consulting firm, met Chief Minister Naidu. The Chief Minister extended an invitation to Surbana Jurong to actively invest in large-scale housing construction projects across Andhra Pradesh, encouraging their participation in the state's ambitious 'Housing for All' initiative. Chief Minister Naidu elaborated on Andhra Pradesh's strong focus on infrastructure development, highlighting plans for the development of 20 ports and 15 airports. He emphasised the state's strategic positioning as a major logistics hub and outlined the government's vision to transform these regions into thriving industrial townships. He urged Surbana Jurong to explore the extensive investment opportunities available in these areas. Tan Sri Dato' A K Nathan, chairman and managing director of Eversendai Engineering, a leading Malaysian construction company renowned for its iconic projects, also held discussions with Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. The primary focus of their meeting was Eversendai's proposal to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing factory and an integrated training center in Andhra Pradesh. The Eversendai chairman indicated that Visakhapatnam or Krishnapatnam are being considered as potential locations for this facility, which would facilitate nationwide distribution of its products. The proposed manufacturing unit is projected to span approximately two lakh square meters. This substantial investment is anticipated to significantly boost industrial growth and create large-scale employment opportunities within the state. Eversendai also conveyed its interest in investing in infrastructure projects related to the development of Amaravati, the state capital. Furthermore, Chairman Nathan discussed the establishment of a Structural Engineering Training Center in collaboration with premier institutions such as IIT-Tirupati and IIIT Sri City, underscoring a commitment to skill development. Eversendai highlighted its impressive track record, which includes contributions to landmark global projects such as the Burj Khalifa, Petronas Towers, DLF Downtown Taramani in Chennai, and the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, showcasing their expertise and capacity for large-scale development.


Mint
11 hours ago
- Mint
Thai and Cambodian PMs to meet today after Trump steps in to broker peace deal
Thai and Cambodian leaders are expected to meet on Monday in a bid to end the most intense border violence between their countries in more than ten years. The talks come after President Donald Trump intervened by threatening trade tariffs to push for a ceasefire. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will hold the meeting in Kuala Lumpur at 3 p.m. local time, Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said. The discussions will take place at the office of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is hosting the talks in his role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The first talks since clashes began on July 24 come within 48 hours of Trump saying Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire.' After separate calls with Phumtham and Hun Manet on Saturday, Trump had threatened that Washington will not do a trade deal with either country as long as the fighting continued. The threat set off a flurry of diplomatic activities on Sunday with Anwar eventually getting the two sides to agree to meet. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also spoke to the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and urged them to immediately de-escalate tensions while offering US help in future talks. Speaking to reporters just before meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, Trump acknowledged the phone calls with the two leaders. 'I called the prime ministers of each and I said, 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war.' A lot of people killed,' Trump said. 'And I think by the time I got off, I think they want to settle now.' With Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline looming, trade-reliant Thailand wants to avoid antagonizing the US president, especially as its officials have been holding talks to lower the steep 36% planned levy on its exports. Trump has claimed credit for helping halt border clashes earlier this year between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade measures, and is now applying similar pressure in Southeast Asia. 'When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!,' Trump said on Truth Social after speaking to Thai and Cambodian leaders Saturday. Thailand's trade talks with the US have included offering expanded access for American goods in an effort to narrow a $46 billion trade surplus with Washington. Neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have already secured trade deals with the US in recent weeks. Thailand and Cambodia shouldn't have needed the pressure from Trump, and should have turned to Asean as a natural middle ground to mediate the conflict well before US intervention, said Fuadi Pitsuwan, a lecturer in international relations at Thammasat University in Bangkok. 'In the end, Trump will likely frame the situation as a win: he enforced a ceasefire while securing leverage' to impose punitive tariff rates, he said. Despite the economic stakes, Thailand has taken a firm stance ahead of Monday's talks. Officials say any ceasefire must be tied to bilateral resolution of the dispute, the withdrawal of troops, and a halt to the use of lethal weapons. Cambodia, by contrast, has said it is open to an unconditional cessation of hostilities. The talks are 'intended to listen to all proposals that could contribute to restoring peace,' spokesman Jirayu said. 'The Thai government remains committed to defending the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Every square inch of it.' The conflict, which escalated from months of simmering border tension, has killed more than 30 people and displaced over 150,000 civilians on both sides. Thailand has reported 22 fatalities, including eight soldiers, while Cambodia has confirmed 13 deaths, including five military personnel. Heavy artillery fire continued on Sunday across the countries' 800-kilometer (500-mile) shared border. Both sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas with rockets and artillery. Thailand has responded by deploying F-16s and Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets to strike Cambodian military positions. Thailand and Cambodia share a history of border disputes, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 clash that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centered on the Preah Vihear temple, a historic flashpoint rooted in colonial-era disagreements. Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina.


The Hindu
18 hours ago
- The Hindu
Surbana Jurong and Eversendai show interest to invest in Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu's visit to Singapore is yielding strong investment interest, with back-to-back meetings on Day 1 focusing on infrastructure and industrial collaboration. In a key interaction on Sunday, urban infrastructure giant Surbana Jurong expressed interest in investing in large-scale housing projects in the State. Mr. Naidu invited the Singapore-based company to play a pivotal role in the State's 'Housing for All' initiative. He outlined the State's infrastructure roadmap, which included development of 20 ports and 15 airports, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a logistics and industrial hub. He urged the company to explore investment avenues in integrated township development. Meanwhile, Eversendai Engineering, a leading Malaysian construction company known for its global landmark projects, proposed the establishment of a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and an integrated training center in Andhra Pradesh. Eversendai Chairman Tan Sri Dato' A. K. Nathan discussed potential sites in Visakhapatnam and Krishnapatnam, with the proposed factory spanning nearly two lakh square metres. The project is expected to boost industrial growth and job creation. The company also proposed a Structural Engineering Training Center in partnership with IIT- Tirupati and IIIT, Sri City, and expressed interest in the Amaravati infrastructure projects. Eversendai had previously worked on iconic projects such as Burj Khalifa, Petronas Towers, DLF Downtown Chennai, and Statue of Unity.