Investments industry

SINGAPORE: It was only a decade ago in 2011 that Myanmar started democratic reforms and opened its doors to foreign investment. Industries such as oil exploration, retail and wholesale, telecommunications, and insurance and banking have since been opened up. Aung San Suu Kyi’s landslide victory in the 2015 elections further cemented the country’s path towards democracy. Foreign investors piled in. World Bank data shows that foreign direct investment inflows jumped to a high of 6 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2015. Foreign direct investment inflows have since tapered off, hitting a low of 1.7 per cent of GDP in 2018. Now, with the army back in control , there are concerns foreign investor sentiment will take another hit. READ: Myanmar military takeover threatens country's development: World Bank READ: Myanmar nationals in Singapore express disbelief over military coup back home, worry about families Htwe Htwe Thein, an Associate Professor … [Read more...] about What does military rule mean for foreign investments in Myanmar?

SINGAPORE: A new Maritime Transformation Programme (MTP) and the setting up of a data hub, as well as an injection of S$100 million in the Maritime Cluster Funds are among initiatives to position Singapore’s maritime industry for the next phase of growth. These were revealed by Senior Minister of State for Transport and Health Lam Pin Min during the Ministry of Transport’s Committee of Supply debates session on Wednesday (Mar 7). Dr Lam said the MTP, which was first announced by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat in his Budget 2018 speech, will be supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and MPA to co-fund the development of technologies with “high potential” for industry applications. Industry partners are expected to match the investments, he added. In a separate press release on Wednesday, MPA said the MTP will be rolled out “over the next few months” and will focus on four areas: Efficient and intelligent world-class next-generation port Smart autonomous vessel … [Read more...] about New transformation roadmap, tech to propel Singapore’s maritime industry

SWITZERLAND: Two of the most anticipated IPOs are likely to round out 2020. Airbnb and DoorDash are expected to make their initial public offerings in mid-December. Both companies represent the future - one in travel experience and the other in food delivery. Arguably, DoorDash got a boost because of COVID-19, while Airbnb has taken a hit. That hit had been reflected in the company’s valuation which fell from a peak of US$38 billion in 2019 to US$18 billion this year. Even though Airbnb restored profitability by the third quarter, when it was reported that Airbnb’s IPO would value the company at US$35 billion, it raised the obvious question: Is it worth the price? The short answer is yes. Because Airbnb is the Amazon of travel. COVID-19 is to the hospitality industry in 2020 as the dot-com bubble was to the Internet in 2000. Jeff Bezos emerged from the crisis stronger than ever. So will Brian Chesky – co-founder and CEO of Airbnb. LISTEN: COVID-19: Aviation and flying … [Read more...] about Commentary: Is Airbnb’s IPO listing this week worth your investment?

Dr. Craig Emerson, director of the Australian APEC Study Centre Vietnam’s success in containing COVID-19 with minimal economic fallout compared to other nations has improved its already-strong reputation for competent governance. The government has been liberalising Vietnam’s economy for decades and is now reaping the benefits of rapid growth. Vietnam has stood to gain from the recent US-China trade conflict with many companies relocating at least some of their production facilities there. Vietnam is also rapidly adopting digital technologies to deploy automation, smart manufacturing, and big data analytics. Competent economic management, consistent reforms, swift digital uptake, and effective COVID-19 containment make Vietnam a very attractive destination for trade and investment in 2021 and beyond. Economically, Vietnam is becoming a manufacturing powerhouse, particularly for electronics and apparel. It is also becoming a focal point for regional value chains with … [Read more...] about Mutual merit in Australian investment

Chandigarh-based real estate developer Sushma Group will invest Rs 450 crore in four projects in the next few years, a senior company executive said. Among the four projects, two are commercial – Metropol ( Zirakpur ) and Empiria (Zirakpur) – and two are residential – Belleza (Zirakpur) and Elementa ( Kasauli ). The investment will be through internal accrual, sale, and IIFL except for leisure residential project Elementa in Kasauli where the investment would be through self and sale only, the company said in a statement. The group has delivered 14 projects with a total area of 3.6 million sq ft so far. “Before the pandemic, the demand was already on the rise, and it is likely to go further northwards now. Moreover, post lockdown, we have started the possession of five residential and commercial projects,” said Prateek Mittal, Executive Director, Sushma Group. “Also, many reports put out the figures of rising real estate investment in Tier-II at around 20 per cent … [Read more...] about Chandigarh’s Sushma Group set to invest over Rs 400 crores over the next few years

SINGAPORE: For every Singaporean senior looking forward to saving enough to enjoy retirement, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a rude awakening. COVID-19 has upended entire industries and created uncertainty for many jobs. While Singapore’s economy is expected to recover by 4 to 6 per cent this year , there is an economist consensus growth will be gradual, uneven with little relief for sectors related to air travel. Jobs and fresh opportunities created with the slew of government schemes, including the Jobs Growth Initiative, Job Support Scheme and SGUnited Jobs and Traineeships have provided a ballast against unemployment for most Singaporeans. But how have you nursed your nest egg during this period? Did you capitalise on opportunities during the global financial market’s longest recorded bull run ever or did you withdraw for fear of losing it all? READ: Commentary: You can still retire at 40, even with a longer life expectancy You don’t have to be a financial … [Read more...] about Commentary: When and what to buy? At what age? Investing for retirement in a COVID-19 economy