Strategy

Exports grew 15% in Q1, however there is expected to be a slowdown moving forward as tariffs bite, the baht remains strong and tourism faces headwinds.

JP Morgan Payments' global head of treasury services discussed how Apac corporate payments are evolving, including the drive for real-time, digital wallets, APIs and blockchain.

Adnan Zaylan Mohamad Zahid, deputy governor at the Bank Negara Malaysia, told an audience at Money 20/20 Asia that Asean is innovating with cross-border payments, QR codes, Project Nexus, sandboxes and Islamic finance.

The global economy is going through unprecedented times and expert panelists from Baguio Green Group, SF Reit Asset Management and HSBC discussed how to best manage the volatility.

Geopolitical and economic uncertainty is causing greater competition and supply chain concerns for businesses across Apac; investment in technology and new markets are ways to buffer the impact.

China, India, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Taiwan, Cambodia, Thailand, Pakistan and Indonesia to be hit particularly hard by US tariffs on imports announced on April 2; many fear the move could spark a global trade war.

US president Donald Trump is causing chaos this week across global markets with a spate of tariffs set to take effect in the US on April 2, against a wide range of goods; Goldman Sachs is predicting an extra US rate cut this year, amid stagflation fears.

Amit Chand was formerly CFO at TCNS Clothing, where he led treasury.

The pharmaceutical firm expects its workforce in Beijing to grow to 1,700 employees and is launching a JV with BioKangtai to help make vaccines; there is also investment into AI.

Jennifer Barker, global head of treasury services and depositary receipts at BNY, recently discussed cross-border and instant payments, collaboration, Swift, AI, trade finance, and more, with CT.

Retail sales and industrial output have beaten expectations for January and February, as China's leadership eyes 5% GDP growth again; meanwhile global suppliers are showing optimism for the year ahead, according to a survey.

Multiple payment fintechs have announced expanded offerings across Apac, reflecting a growing cross-border payment space that might challenge traditional players, especially for SMEs.