Strategy

The needs for treasury transformation and restructuring at firms in the SAR is growing.

Despite a tentative US, China deal, uncertainty around tariffs has increased demand for trade finance products from Asian corporates, as firms look to reroute supply chains, derisk and improve working capital.

Asian corporates look to strengthen ties across Asean in face of US tariff uncertainty; one Hong Kong-based CFO said their firm is sourcing more from Vietnam and Bangladesh.

Investment strategies, such as MMFs, are being reconsidered, while cash buffers are growing; meanwhile a major US court ruling could derail the tariffs.

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.