Treasury

The US Federal Reserve has decided to cut interest rates by 0.25% in a meeting this week after the US created only 22,000 jobs in August, well below trend.

The SAR's chief executive John Lee wants Hong Kong as a base for mainland Chinese firms looking to go global as his government ramps up investment in AI, the Northern Metropolis and rolls out help for firms looking to do business with Saudi Arabia.

The funding for Green Investments Partnership was raised via FAST-P from a range of global investors; it will be invested in renewable energy, EV infrastructure, transport, water and waste management, for Southeast Asia’s energy transition; some of the projects are perceived as more risky.

Amit Baraskar, vice president & head of treasury at Thomas Cook India Group, shared insights into the company’s renewed focus on mid-office controls, automation, and workshops, with CorporateTreasurer.

The system, which encompasses forecasting tools and a large language model, is available globally, except for mainland China.

Toll Group’s executive chairman Thomas Knudsen told CT about the freight firm's plans to step up investment in Asia, where shifting trade corridors, rising middle-class consumption, and a push toward decarbonisation are rewriting the rules of logistics.

The US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit agreed with another court's verdict that most of the tariffs are illegal; however the tariffs, including 50% on many Indian goods, will stay in place until October 14 to allow an appeal to the Supreme Court.

Aavishkaar Capital provides credit to mid-sized MSMEs operating in the supply chain with a social and environmental impact, in India, emerging Asia such as Indonesia and Vietnam, and Africa.

Postal services across Asia Pacific are dealing with the fallout from the removal of so-called US ‘de minimis’ tariff exemption from small packages below the value of $800 sent to the US; also this week, 50% tariffs on many goods being sent from India to the US have started.

The sustainability linked financing covers greenfield and operational assets across Australia, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore, and involved a consortium of 60 banks. The financing comes after Blackstone and CPPIB's acquisition of the group last year.

The softening jobs market in the US could see the US Fed act in September; however inflation pressure from tariffs are a concern.

Surveys show Hong Kong's SMEs facing rising costs, late payments, a tight credit stance from banks, and tariffs, despite an overall economic recovery in the SAR; bad weather has also been an issue this summer.