Latest news with #Apac
Business Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Indonesia plans its first-ever dimsum, kangaroo bonds this year
[JAKARTA] Indonesia is planning to sell bonds denominated in the Chinese yuan and Australian dollar for the first time ever, as the government seeks to diversify its debt portfolio. The government will 'strongly consider' to sell dimsum and kangaroo bonds this year, subject to market conditions, Suminto, head of the finance ministry's debt management office, told reporters on Friday (May 23). The move may help Indonesia lower its exposure to volatility in the US dollar, while potentially helping it strengthen financial ties with China – its biggest trading partner. A successful bond issuance in diverse foreign currencies will demonstrate growing investor confidence in Indonesia and its financial system. It reflects an effort to reduce reliance on traditional funding currencies such as the US dollar and euro, and tap a new pool of investors, said Wee Khoon Chong, senior Apac market strategist at BNY. 'Typically, the choice of bond issuance is demand-led.' Indonesia's plan comes as governments around the world are exploring ways to diversify away from US dollar bonds as volatility remains elevated in US markets. South Korea issued its first-ever kangaroo debt last year. Foreign-denominated bonds typically make up less than 20 per cent of the Indonesian government's debt issuance – primarily denominated in US dollars. The announcement comes just hours after Indonesia priced a 103.2-billion yen, multi-tranche samurai bond deal on Friday. BLOOMBERG
Business Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Times
Apac family offices favour developed market equities, bonds: UBS report
[SINGAPORE] Family offices (FOs) in the Asia-Pacific favoured equities and bonds from developed markets in 2024 and plan to increase their strategic allocations into these asset classes in 2025, a report by UBS showed. On average, an Apac FO allocated 24 per cent to equities and 20 per cent to bonds from developed markets in 2024, according to UBS' Global Family Office Report 2025. South-east Asian FOs – which are ones that book their assets in that region – allocated 27 per cent to equities and 22 per cent to bonds from developed markets in the year. The interest in bonds is in line with investors moving away from cash, as interest rates fall, said LH Koh, head of global family and institutional wealth Apac at UBS, at a media roundtable on Thursday (May 22). Cash holdings remained high in previous years due to the high interest rate environment. But with yields on deposits on a decline, investors are now deploying their cash into products with similar risk profiles, such as in high-quality, investment-grade, developed market bonds, Koh said. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up For 2025, Apac FOs are planning to increase their holdings in developed market bonds to 17 per cent, from a range of 11 to 16 per cent from 2019 to 2024. They also plan to increase their allocation in developed market equities to 29 per cent, compared to the range of 23 to 26 per cent from 2019 to 2024. In terms of asset allocation over the next five years, 48 per cent of Apac FOs are looking to increase investments in developed market equities, while 40 per cent of them are looking to raise their stakes in emerging market equities. Furthermore, Koh noted that gold has drawn interest in the recent 12 months. While gold is not a significant allocation as a whole, there is still structural demand ahead. 'The clients that are buying gold may not buy a lot of gold, but more and more clients are buying gold,' he said. More interest in Apac Apac is where most FOs plan to increase their investments. Some 55 per cent of Apac FOs are looking to raise their asset allocation in the Apac excluding Greater China, while 30 per cent are eyeing Greater China. Koh noted that the Chinese markets remain challenging. He said: 'But if you look at the delta that the China market offers, I think it's looking much better.' Koh expects a key challenge for China will be international consumption, especially as the export market will likely be hit by the trade war with the US. But he noted that the Chinese government has been very focused on boosting domestic consumption, which gives assurance and comfort to private enterprises. It has also made moves to improve its real estate sector. Koh said companies in the generative artificial intelligence, renewable energy and healthcare space sees most interest in China. Another market of interest in the region is India, supported by its secular trend and the prospect of above average growth. Meanwhile, the report also noted that succession planning is a big topic for many Apac FOs. Close to six in ten of Apac FOs will involve their next generation on their boards. Some 49 per cent of Apac FOs will involve their next generation in management or executive roles in the FOs, higher than that of their global peers, which came in at 31 per cent.
The Star
15-05-2025
- Health
- The Star
Apac NGOs form coalition to promote drug-free societies
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam addressing attendees at the Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs at Furama RiverFront Hotel on May 15, 2025. - Photo: ST SINGAPORE: (Bernama) Six non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from across the Asia-Pacific (Apac) region have formed a coalition to advocate for a more robust drug demand reduction programme and promote drug-free societies. Known as the Asia-Pacific Confederation against Drugs (APCD), the coalition was launched on Thursday (May 15) at the biennial Asia-Pacific Forum Against Drugs (APFAD) 2025 here as it strives to share best practices, forge regional cooperation, and sound the alarm on the harms of drugs through concerted programmes and projects. The founding members are Malaysia's Green Crescent, the Singapore Anti-Narcotics Association (Sana), the Association of Anti-Drug Abuse Coalitions of the Philippines, Hong Kong's Society for the Aid and Rehabilitation of Drug Abusers, Indonesia's National Movement Against Narcotics (Granat), and the Assistance and Empowerment Foundation for Papuan and West Papuan Community (YP2MP). Singapore Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam, who launched the coalition, said the initiative would bolster international partnerships in the fight against drug trafficking and abuse. "APCD will also seek to have a voice at international platforms like the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (UN CND) to speak against the rising tide of liberal policies and misinformation on drugs,' he said. Addressing the worsening global drug situation, Shanmugam said that synthetic drugs such as methamphetamine have driven a global surge in drug abuse. He also claimed that the loosening of cannabis restrictions globally is driving increased demand for drugs. He cautioned against the influence of the cannabis lobby and the false narrative of cannabis as a "soft drug", driven largely by commercial entities. "We saw this happening with tobacco companies. Cannabis companies are likewise downplaying the risks, driven by profits. They are also trying to entice the young,' he said. Shanmugam said that just two months ago, the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) seized a haul of cannabis-infused chocolate bars and candies during an operation. Shanmugam reiterated Singapore's firm stance against drugs. "The people have a right to a society free of drugs and the government has a responsibility to safeguard this right. "We take a harm prevention approach that combines tough laws and rigorous enforcement, robust rehabilitation programmes, and extensive public education,' he said, adding that the government enjoys the support of more than 85 per cent of the Singaporean community and civil society. Application for APCD membership is now open to APAC NGOs. "If more organisations join APCD, its effectiveness and voice can be multiplied,' he said. Organised by Sana from May 15 to 17, APFAD 2025 brings together more than 300 regional coalition members, NGOs, community partners, overseas correctional officers, and local government officials. Singapore has designated the third Friday of May each year as Drug Victims Remembrance Day to remember families, friends, and the wider community affected by drug abuse. This year, the day is observed on May 16. - Bernama
New Paper
14-05-2025
- New Paper
Only a third of S'pore travellers will wake aisle seat passenger to get to the bathroom: Survey
Singapore travellers tend towards thoughtfulness and practicality in-flight, findings from a travel survey by international insurance company Allianz Partners suggest. On May 14, the company released its first Asia-Pacific (Apac) edition of the Allianz Partners Travel Index, a survey it has been conducting in the United States since 2009 and in Europe since 2012. This latest version includes insights from 502 respondents in Singapore, alongside travellers from Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Hong Kong and Japan. Among its key findings is that a third of Singapore travellers will wake a passenger in an aisle seat to use the washroom - the same proportion as respondents from Australia and India. At 38 per cent, New Zealand has the highest proportion who will do so. In contrast, Japanese respondents are the least likely to do that (18 per cent). Dr Amy Lim, discipline lead for psychology at Murdoch University Singapore, explains that in such moments of urgency, travellers typically face two awkward options: "Climbing over or waking the aisle passenger." "From an evolutionary-social psychology lens, we avoid unwanted physical contact with strangers. Respectfully asking someone to move - instead of brushing past him or her - honours that need for distance," she says, suggesting that it may be why a third of Singapore travellers choose to wake the passenger in the aisle seat. Singaporean travellers speaking to The Straits Times list being considerate among the reasons for preferring not to awaken the aisle passenger. Professional photographer Lee Aik Soon, 30, says: "I think I'd be disrupting their rest or bothering them, since they have to unbuckle their seat belts and stand to let me out. "If I were sitting at the window seat and the flight is more than six hours, I'd probably allow myself to go to the washroom only twice, so I don't disturb passengers in the middle and aisle seats." Fitness trainer Carissa Wong, 26, has taken multiple flights - some up to 12 hours long - without using the washroom and prefers a window seat. "Moving around in-flight is too troublesome. Window seats come with a wall to lean on and sleep, and no one needs to climb over me to get out," she says. The survey also found a notable gender divide when it comes to giving up seats on board for families to sit together. In Singapore, 38 per cent of male travellers say they will do so, compared with 26 per cent of women. "Maybe guys are less picky with seats? Or women are tired of giving in elsewhere and want some me-time on holiday?" Ms Wong wonders, surprised by the finding. A third of respondents from Singapore, Australia and India say they would wake a passenger in an aisle seat to use the washroom during a flight. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Dr Lim says an analysis of the composition of demographic variables will help with arriving at fuller conclusions. For instance, are the families travelling with young children and are the respondents parents? She adds: "The fact that more men are stepping aside suggests another layer: Fathers may experience stronger kin-care motivations and greater sensitivity to family needs. "Would we observe men who are not fathers, or females who are mothers, giving up their seats? Only by exploring how single men and mothers behave in this context can we arrive at a fuller explanation of the gendered dynamics at play." The survey, which primarily focuses on identifying macro trends in the travel industry, does not record the personal information of respondents, such as age or marital status. Mr Vinay Surana, managing director for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Allianz Partners, says: "While the survey doesn't explore the underlying motivations behind each behaviour, these insights offer a glimpse into cultural nuances, social expectations and the unspoken rules of travel etiquette in different countries."
Straits Times
14-05-2025
- Straits Times
A third of Singapore travellers will wake passenger in the aisle seat for the bathroom: Survey
Some of the findings in the survey reflect passenger behaviours shaped by social and cultural norms. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI A third of Singapore travellers will wake passenger in the aisle seat for the bathroom: Survey SINGAPORE – Singapore travellers tend towards thoughtfulness and practicality in-flight , findings from a travel survey by international insurance company Allianz Partners suggest. On May 14, the company released its first Asia-Pacific (Apac) edition of the Allianz Partners Travel Index, a survey it has been conducting in the United States since 2009 and in Europe since 2012. This latest version includes insights from 502 respondents in Singapore, alongside travellers from Australia, New Zealand, China, India, Hong Kong and Japan. Among its key findings is that a third of Singapore travellers will wake a passenger in an aisle seat to use the washroom – the same proportion as respondents from Australia and India. At 38 per cent, New Zealand has the highest proportion who will do so. In contrast, Japanese respondents are the least likely to do that (18 per cent). Dr Amy Lim, discipline lead for psychology at Murdoch University Singapore , explains that in such moments of urgency, travellers typically face two awkward options: 'Climbing over or waking the aisle passenger.' 'From an evolutionary-social psychology lens, we avoid unwanted physical contact with strangers. Respectfully asking someone to move – instead of brushing past him or her – honours that need for distance,' she says, suggesting that it may be why a third of Singapore travellers choose to wake the passenger in the aisle seat. Singaporean travellers speaking to The Straits Times list being considerate among the reasons for preferring not to awaken the aisle passenger. Professional photographer Lee Aik Soon, 30, says: 'I think I'd be disrupting their rest or bothering them, since they have to unbuckle their seat belts and stand to let me out. 'If I were sitting at the window seat and the flight is more than six hours, I'd probably allow myself to go to the washroom only twice, so I don't disturb passengers in the middle and aisle seats.' Fitness trainer Carissa Wong, 26, has taken multiple flights – some up to 12 hours long – without using the washroom and prefers a window seat. 'Moving around in-flight is too troublesome. Window seats come with a wall to lean on and sleep, and no one needs to climb over me to get out,' she says. The survey also found a notable gender divide when it comes to giving up seats on board for families to sit together. In Singapore, 38 per cent of male travellers say they will do so, compared with 26 per cent of women. 'Maybe guys are less picky with seats? Or women are tired of giving in elsewhere and want some me-time on holiday?' Ms Wong wonders, surprised by the finding. A third of respondents from Singapore, Australia and India say they would wake a passenger in an aisle seat to use the washroom during a flight. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI Dr Lim says an analysis of the composition of demographic variables will help with arriving at fuller conclusions. For instance, are the families travelling with young children and are the respondents parents? She adds: 'The fact that more men are stepping aside suggests another layer: Fathers may experience stronger kin‐care motivations and greater sensitivity to family needs. 'Would we observe men who are not fathers, or females who are mothers, giving up their seats? Only by exploring how single men and mothers behave in this context can we arrive at a fuller explanation of the gendered dynamics at play.' The survey, which primarily focuses on identifying macro trends in the travel industry, does not record the personal information of respondents, such as age or marital status. Mr Vinay Surana, managing director for Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa at Allianz Partners, says: 'While the survey doesn't explore the underlying motivations behind each behaviour, these insights offer a glimpse into cultural nuances, social expectations and the unspoken rules of travel etiquette in different countries.' Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
