A survey by Milieu Insight indicates that the rapidly growing Thai e-commerce market, which sees $87\%$ of consumers shopping online monthly or weekly, has undergone a fundamental shift from being purely price-driven to value-driven. While price factors like discounts and free shipping remain important, consumers are now increasingly prioritizing factors that build trust and reliability, such as wide product selection and credible customer reviews, and are unwilling to trade confidence for lower prices. This shift means the new "battleground is confidence," with 84% of consumers willing to pay more for reliable delivery, and 45% having switched platforms due to perceived unfair treatment. To close this satisfaction gap, the top platforms—led by Shopee, TikTok Shop, and Lazada—must focus on five key missions: making delivery reliability non-negotiable (as 79% reported issues), eliminating hidden costs, strengthening buyer protection to address consumer feeling that platforms favor sellers, investing in convenience innovations like Buy Now, Pay Later, and rewarding good service over mere sales volume to build buyer confidence for sustainable growth.

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Thai consumer confidence reached a six-month high in November, rising for the third consecutive month to $53.2$, fueled primarily by the government's economic stimulus policies, including a $44$ billion baht consumer subsidy program, and support for domestic tourism. Consumers expressed hope that these measures would lead to a short-term economic recovery. Despite this optimism, consumers generally felt that the overall economic recovery was slow and that the cost of living remained high. Furthermore, risks such as severe flooding in the South, ongoing trade tensions, and political tensions between Thailand and Cambodia continue to pose threats that could undermine confidence in the near future. A joint business group projected that the recent Southern flooding would trim economic growth both this year and next.

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STEPPING into the business after her grandfather passed, Claire Ariela Shen knew Dona Manis Cake Shop would be faced with a major challenge.

The traditional bakery, founded in 1992 in the basement of Katong Shopping Centre, would need to keep up with the times.

A previous partner had also exited the bakery, leaving Shen in charge of a business which had often operated along trust-based systems and personal relationships – neither of which she had been deeply involved in building.

“There was no proper cash register, transactions were largely cash-based, and records were kept in a handwritten booklet my grandfather maintained,” said Shen, chief heritage officer of Dona Manis. She saw that a digital transformation would be needed to keep the business sustainable.

These challenges are not unique to Shen’s case; many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in South-east Asia face similar obstacles when seeking to scale.

The relevant digital tools are difficult to identify; furthermore, SMEs with tight budgets and limited time are unable to experiment freely with such instruments.

UOB FinLab, the innovation accelerator launched in 2015, has spent the last decade helping businesses across the region bridge these gaps.

“UOB FinLab came at a time when we needed both structure and guidance – practical tools paired with a supportive ecosystem that understood the realities of small, heritage-rooted businesses,” said Shen, who participated in the Womanpreneur digitalisation innovation programme run by FinLab.

Structure came in the form of providing strategic frameworks to better understand her vision for the business, she said.

Meanwhile, guidance in the form of social media and communication modules proved to be enlightening for Shen, while access to resources such as preferential financing options and Web-hosting support enabled her to take tangible steps towards growing the business.

“Equally meaningful was the community itself,” noted Shen. “It reminded me that entrepreneurship does not have to be a solitary journey.”

Shannon Lung, head of UOB FinLab, explained that the accelerator was founded in 2015 with the mandate to support emerging technology innovators, mainly among fintech startups.

Ten years later, FinLab’s mandate has evolved to support SMEs – in all industries and across South-east Asia – to leverage its ecosystem and programmes to achieve growth.

This includes connecting businesses to UOB’s regional network, providing commercial validation pathways and running transformation programmes tailored to each market’s needs, Lung told The Business Times.

Nearly two years after Shen first participated in FinLab’s programme, she noted that Dona Manis has taken crucial steps to modernise.

“We now operate with a point-of-sale system and have expanded into online ordering and delivery platforms,” she said.

Shen added that much of the bakery’s internal documentation has moved to cloud-based systems, such as accounting and human resources software.

“While we still remain a relatively small team, these tools have helped us grow in a more sustainable and manageable way,” she said.

But for businesses across South-east Asia, FinLab’s support goes beyond its ability to drive local transformation.

“Our Asean footprint is our differentiating factor,” said Lung. “It transforms us from a traditional accelerator into a regional growth catalyst.”

UOB FinLab’s presence within South-east Asia spans Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam.

By connecting SMEs and startups with UOB’s regional network, FinLab enables these enterprises to ecosystem access to government agencies, solution providers, institutes of higher learning, Lung told BT.

This ecosystem also enables FinLab to connect companies with each other – through corporate partnerships, industry associations and even matching businesses with potential customers.

Such regional connections are critical to the expansion hopes of AltoTech Global, a Bangkok-based energy management solutions company which participated in FinLab’s GreenTech Accelerator programme in 2024.

This was a six-month programme spanning Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, where SMEs were challenged to tackle real-world sustainability problems and create solutions.

Dr Warodom Khamphanchai, chief executive officer of AltoTech, said that the programme helped the company, which leverages artificial intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things technology to optimise heating, ventilation and air-conditioning operations, to refine its product for expansion beyond Thailand.

“Throughout the programme, we provided AltoTech with the strategic support essential for scaling, from deep-dive mentorship and industry matching to access to our strong regional ecosystem,” said Lung.

Through the Greentech Accelerator, the Thai company participated in the Singapore Fintech Festival, and even ran a pilot project within a UOB building.

Dr Warodom told BT that AltoTech intends to establish a stronger presence in Singapore over the next year, viewing UOB as a strategic partner in this endeavour.

He noted that not every market can be won over by technology alone; a potential entrant needs to build trust among local partners, while the capability to execute in foreign markets is never guaranteed.

“UOB’s ecosystem helps us connect with relevant stakeholders,” he added. “This reduces time (taken) to the first project and helps us adapt our delivery and commercial approach to each market’s expectations.”

Lung explained that cultural norms in different countries could influence business priorities and adoption rates unevenly.

“Each Asean market has distinct digital maturity, regulatory frameworks, and business culture expectations, which shape how we design and deliver our programmes,” he said.

Through FinLab, more specific support solutions can be tailored to different countries’ contexts, Lung noted.

For example, the Jom Transform programme for Malaysian SMEs was designed to aid businesses looking to enter markets for halal goods and services through obtaining the proper certifications and enhancing their digital capabilities to achieve growth.

Aligning with the growth trajectories of regional economies has also been a crucial element of FinLab’s mission to support innovation-driven transformation.

As regional economies and businesses sought to find their footing during the Covid-19 pandemic, FinLab chose to expand into markets including Vietnam and Indonesia, where initiatives related to sustainability and AI were launched to align with regional growth priorities.

“Ultimately, our ambition is to continue being a future-ready innovation partner,” said Lung.

“We help SMEs anticipate change, seize new opportunities and build the resilience they need for the decade ahead.”

 Source: Business Times, 29 Dec 2025 (Across digital gaps and borders, UOB’s FinLab helps businesses build bridges - The Business Times)

Thailand, Southeast Asia’s automotive hub, is undergoing a major transformation as it shifts from internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to electric vehicles (EVs). The government’s “30@30” vision aims for 30% of domestic vehicle production to be EVs by 2030, supported by two key incentive packages: EV 3.0 (2022-2023), which introduced subsidies and local production requirements, and EV 3.5 (2024-2027), which tightens local production ratios and expands support to commercial EVs. While the shift has attracted foreign investment and positioned Thailand as a rising EV production base, it has also created challenges, particularly for traditional auto-parts SMEs specializing in ICE components. Economic disruptions, such as job displacement and supply chain disruption, are significant in the short term. However, with coordinated policies, Thailand has an opportunity to turn its automotive sector into a new engine of productivity, innovation, and sustainable growth.

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Massive BOI Investment Approval for Data Centers and Clean Energy In a significant boost to Thailand's digital and green economy, the Board of Investment (BOI) approved 15 major project applications in early December 2025 with a combined investment value of over 240 billion baht (approx. US$7 billion). This approval wave is heavily concentrated in the data center sector, involving 11 projects worth nearly 185 billion baht from key players like STT GDC and others, signaling Thailand's rapid emergence as a regional digital hub. The board also fast-tracked 16 other projects under the "Thailand FastPass" initiative to expedite investments in clean energy and industrial estates, directly supporting the country's strategic shift toward high-tech and sustainable industries.

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The European Union (EU) welcomed the opportunity to discuss Thailand's trade and economic policies, underscoring the long-standing and well-developed economic relationship between them, with the EU being Thailand’s fourth-largest trading partner and a major source of foreign investment. Following the deepening of bilateral ties, notably through the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the relaunch of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, the EU looks forward to a high-quality FTA that supports resilient supply chains and enhances Thailand's competitiveness, aligning with Thailand's goal of achieving high-income status by 2037. The EU, while commending Thailand's active role in the WTO, raised several key areas of concern to enhance Thailand's business environment. In services and investment, the EU urged Thailand to ease restrictions under the Foreign Business Act, lift foreign equity caps, reduce market concentration in services like logistics and telecommunications, and streamline licensing procedures. Regarding trade in goods, the EU encouraged a simplified tariff structure, greater transparency in import/export restrictions, and non-discriminatory excise taxes on imported products. Additionally, the EU called for improved transparency in regulatory approval for animal/plant-based products, preservation of a robust framework against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing, and greater clarity on energy-related measures such as third-party access to the gas grid and fossil-fuel support schemes. The EU encouraged Thailand to continue structural reforms, increase liberalisation in key sectors, and join the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Agreement (MPIA), expressing confidence that the review will lead to a more open and predictable trade environment for Thailand.

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[SINGAPORE] As part of its strategic priorities for 2026, the Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (Asme) has launched a programme that equips smaller businesses with capabilities to engage in strategic alliances, and will expand its market access initiatives to Asia.

The new SME Unite (Unifying Networks, Integration & Teaming for Enterprises) programme encourages SMEs to diversify beyond traditional organic growth avenues and instead, look to strategic partnerships as a growth strategy.

These include forming consortiums and joint ventures, as well as exploring mergers and acquisitions (M&A).

Asme will also expand its global market access initiatives to connect SMEs to new opportunities in key South-east Asian markets – such as Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia – and China.

These plans were announced at the association’s media engagement event on Wednesday (Dec 3), where it unveiled its newly elected 29th council and strategic priorities for the year ahead.

Championing inorganic growth

Asme president Ang Yuit, who was elected for a second term, said the council will focus on the “tangible implementation” of initiatives to help SMEs scale and enter new markets.

Firstly, the SME Unite programme aims to equip SMEs with foundational knowledge of partnership models and inorganic growth strategies, such as forming alliances, joint ventures and M&A.

Targeted at smaller firms with revenues below S$20 million, it will facilitate deal sourcing and connect them to qualified professional services, which they may not typically have access to.

A poll of 211 SMEs by Asme found that while 60 per cent of firms are open to M&A and partnerships as a growth strategy, 82 per cent of them rated their own knowledge of the process as “poor” or “basic”.

In addition, only 13 per cent of respondents were satisfied with the availability of professional services for their segment, citing cost and complexity as major barriers.

Ang said the programme addresses these gaps by consolidating the know-how and resources for small and micro-SMEs to band together through inorganic growth models. This will give them a greater chance of success in scaling to overseas markets.

“When you’re a much smaller firm, it’s a vicious cycle where you don’t know enough and you cannot scale up inorganically... now, with the rapid pace of disruption and change, we need to give our SMEs a leg up to empower themselves with multiple pathways to grow faster,” he added.

Lee Swee Siong, chairman of the SME Unite advisory council, said: “Our extensive research with SME owners revealed a strong desire to grow through partnerships, but there is a clear gap in the knowledge and resources to do so.”

He added that the SME Unite programme is therefore designed to “demystify this complex process”, and build an ecosystem to help SMEs forge “powerful alliances, execute deals and achieve the scale necessary to compete internationally”.

Strengthening market access initiatives

Secondly, Asme said it is “actively undertaking exploratory initiatives” to connect SMEs to new opportunities in Asia, including China, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

This is part of the new council’s 2026 strategy to identify and secure high-potential growth opportunities for Singapore SMEs in the region. The association recently staged a business mission to Dubai in October that focused on AI and technology partnerships.

To further strengthen in-market support, Asme has partnered the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants’ professional services centres, located in cities such as Shanghai and Ho Chi Minh City.

These overseas centres support SMEs in accessing new markets and facilitating lead generation.

In addition, the association is planning a series of China business missions to support Singapore SMEs in entering various Chinese cities of interest.

It will lead off with a business mission to Chongqing in the first quarter of 2026 to help SMEs looking to establish a foothold in Western China.

To build synergies with China-based SMEs, Asme is also holding joint business exploration with Chinese entrepreneurs to Asean and other markets of interest.

This will be an extension of its “venture as a pack” strategy, which aims to foster cross-border collaboration and shared growth.

Source:  Business Times, 3 Dec 2025 (ASME launches new programme to help SMEs form strategic alliances, to expand market access initiatives to Asia - The Business Times)

SINGAPORE – Singapore and Malaysia will deepen collaboration and continue talks on longstanding issues, with the leaders of both countries emphasising moving forward with a “constructive spirit”, mutual respect and goodwill.

The two countries have inked an additional deal on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link and will strengthen cooperation in their fight against the trafficking of illicit drugs.

They will also work together more on healthcare under agreements exchanged on Dec 4.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim witnessed the exchange during the 12th Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat held at The Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore hotel.

At a press conference following the exchange, both leaders laid out their positions on three outstanding bilateral issues: water, airspace and maritime boundaries.

PM Wong said officials on both sides have had several rounds of discussions and have a better understanding of each other’s position, but will still need time to resolve the matters.

 “All of these outstanding bilateral issues are complex issues. There are differences in views, and they are not easy to resolve, but as good neighbours, we will continue engaging in good faith,” he said.

In a joint statement later on Dec 4, both prime ministers said they aspire to resolve outstanding bilateral issues through an amicable and constructive approach, in a spirit of mutual respect and in accordance with the principles of international law.

They encouraged continued discussions on the way forward regarding raw and treated water prices through an existing joint technical committee, “without prejudice to each other’s respective long-declared positions on the right to review the prices” under the 1962 Water Agreement.

Both countries have a shared interest in increasing the yield and safeguarding the water quality of the Johor River, and guarding against extreme weather changes and disruption scenarios, PM Wong said.

They also want to meet growing needs in Johor, and Singapore’s needs as provided for under the 1962 Water Agreement, he added. Both sides are discussing more infrastructural investment to strengthen the resilience of the water supply.

The two prime ministers have guided their officials to continue their discussions in a constructive spirit and with mutual respect, PM Wong said.

“We look forward to working with Malaysia to achieve positive and durable outcomes with a balance of benefits for both sides, and even as we continue these discussions, we will ensure that we maintain the positive tenor of our overall relationship, and do not allow these issues to colour or undermine our overall cooperation.”

Mr Anwar, at the same press conference, said that while there are differences between the two countries, “there’s no hostility”.

“Let us find out the solution where both would be able to resolve or benefit from this – to function effectively – both in the air services and also maritime.”

The two countries also committed to exchanging more information on the trends and techniques used in the production, abuse, trafficking and illicit diversion of drugs.

Asked at the press conference if capital punishment for drug offences was discussed, given that Singapore has executed a number of Malaysians, PM Wong said it was not. He added that it has not resulted in bilateral issues.

He said: “We hope that all countries understand... the rationale for our strong stance and respect the way in which we can go about conducting our policies on this point.”

Mr Anwar said that due legal process has to be respected, and stressed Malaysia’s strong stance against drugs. “I’m not suggesting, therefore, the families cannot appeal. They cannot be turned into a major or any political issue or differences, if at all.”

On healthcare, both countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in research and policy exchange.

More exchange of knowledge and best practices, as well as cross-border visits of experts and officials, is on the cards as part of the agreement which covers collaboration on digital health, health financing, public health and long-term care and healthy ageing, among other things.

The leaders’ joint statement noted that discussions are ongoing for two more agreements: on mutual recognition for halal certification between the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia, and for more cooperation in the development of youth and sports.

Good progress on ongoing projects

Both leaders spoke about various successful joint projects the two countries have shared in recent years.

PM Wong noted that there is “good progress” on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, and expressed his happiness at Malaysia’s formal agreement to Singapore opening consulates in the eastern states of Sabah and Sarawak.

He added that there is “tremendous potential for this to grow further – we have only just begun”, especially with added connectivity from the upcoming RTS Link.

The 4km light rail track will connect Woodlands in Singapore to Bukit Chagar station in Johor and is scheduled for completion by end-2026. The project, announced in 2010, faced multiple delays before work started in 2020.

PM Wong said the new deal will “facilitate preparations for co-located CIQ (Customs, immigration and quarantine facilities) and the eventual operationalisation of the RTS Link”.

In a Facebook post later on Dec 4, Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow said the new deal sets out a legal framework so passengers on both sides need to clear immigration only at the point of departure.

He said: “It takes us one more step towards the operation of the RTS Link end of next year, which we both look forward to.”

When asked about how the new rail link will ease congestion and how the two countries are coordinating infrastructure planning, PM Wong said both sides are working to provide more commuting options, whether by train, car or bus, while Mr Anwar said Malaysia is working to improve the infrastructure within Johor.

Officials are also discussing improvements to the cross-border taxi scheme to provide more convenient options to passengers from both sides, PM Wong added.

This is the second annual retreat PM Wong and Mr Anwar – who are both also the finance ministers of their countries – have attended as heads of government.

To cap the meeting, they cut a red velvet cake with Nutella buttercream to commemorate 60 years of diplomatic relations.

The two prime ministers – who have had five bilateral meetings in 2025 – emphasised their strong working relationship.

In their joint statement, PM Wong congratulated Mr Anwar on Malaysia’s successful 2025 ASEAN chairmanship and applauded his “strong personal leadership in shepherding ASEAN through an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape”.

At the press conference, Mr Anwar said he was “extremely delighted” to be in Singapore and to be able to “discuss very candidly and frankly” with PM Wong and both their cabinets.

The two countries have a unique relationship, he added, and can choose to focus on problems from the past or to ensure a favourable outcome that strengthens not only diplomatic relations but also economic, trade, cultural and educational ties.

Mr Anwar noted that Singapore has demonstrated “goodwill” in this by sending volunteer teachers to Malaysia. At the previous edition of the retreat in January, the pair had discussed getting volunteers, fully paid by the Singapore Government, to teach English in rural areas, villages and the interior of Sabah and Sarawak.

PM Wong said he is grateful to Mr Anwar for his friendship, leadership and support.

“I’m glad to find in him a partner who is equally committed to ensuring that our ties continue to flourish for many more years to come.”

He added that at an early meeting between the pair, Mr Anwar had said the two countries “should be role models for the rest of the world on how good neighbours should work together”.

“I am fully committed to upholding that same vision, and I look forward to working closely together with him and his team to further strengthen our partnership and uplift the citizens of both our countries,” said PM Wong.

 Source: The Straits Times, 4 Dec 2025 (S’pore, Malaysia deepen collaboration; continue talks on longstanding issues in ‘constructive spirit’ | The Straits Times)

RISING costs, tariffs and regulatory uncertainty are among the largest challenges faced by South-east Asia’s trade networks. But the region’s businesses are finding new ways to keep their supply chains resilient through deeper integration with digital tools, according to Standard Chartered (StanChart).

Fresh off the back of substantial conclusions to Asean’s Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa) in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 24, this digital wave can help the region drive greater inter-region trade and inclusivity.

Sunil Kaushal, StanChart’s co-head of corporate and investment banking and chief executive officer of Asean and South Asia, noted that a majority of regional corporates were expecting supply chain realignments to increase costs by about 10 to 19 per cent.

In response, up to 70 per cent of South-east Asian businesses are setting in motion plans to digitalise their supply chain management, based on a study by StanChart in September.

This includes using digital supply chain finance platforms, which help businesses use data to optimise their use of cashflows and working capital.

“These platforms also enable transparency, reduce friction and speed up payments, supporting suppliers, buyers and smaller Asean businesses,” Kaushal noted.

Additionally, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) provides businesses with crucial cost-saving and productivity-boosting capabilities, such as predictive analytics, real-time fraud monitoring and reducing human error, he said.

“AI and big data have massive potential to improve productivity, visibility and efficiency of supply chains,” Kaushal added.

He noted that developing innovations such as programmable money – where rules and conditions about payments can be embedded via smart contracts – are also likely to transform supply chain finance.

Digital economy is key to regional integration

Asean’s younger demographics, paired with progressive regulations, have enabled the region to swiftly adopt many such digital tools, Kaushal said.

“Investments in digital transformation, regulatory and legal digital economy frameworks are central to trade resilience.” They enable businesses to be agile, help overcome trade barriers, and strengthen Asean’s position as a trade bloc, he added.

Improving intra-regional trade in South-east Asia has become increasingly critical to Asean’s economic ambitions, as the region’s leaders highlighted during the Asean Summit in October.

South-east Asia’s digital economy remains a critical aspect of greater regional integration.

Prior to the summit on Oct 24, regional economies announced they had reached a substantial conclusion on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa). The pact is set to be signed next year, in an effort to boost cooperation across a range of areas including digital trade, e-commerce and cross-border data flows.

Such digital integration could hold the key to inter-regional trade resilience, said Kaushal. Cross-border tools, such as cloud-based corridors between Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia, could aid South-east Asian countries in turning to each other rather than extra-regional hubs, he noted.

Kaushal added that a stronger digital economy would work in parallel with greater inter-regional trade and supply chain corridors, such as the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, with e-commerce among the most promising sectors to tap on infrastructure growth.

“Driven by the region’s youthful, tech-savvy population and the rapid expansion of digital channels, we see a clear trend of re-shoring and proximity manufacturing to serve Asean demand,” he explained.

Malaysia’s Minister for Investment, Trade and Industry Tengku Zafrul Aziz had noted earlier in the year that e-commerce trade under Defa could hit US$2 trillion by 2030.

The framework would also ensure greater inclusivity for over 70 million small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the region’s digital transformation, Zafrul said.

Such smaller enterprises and suppliers, Kaushal added, also stand to benefit from adopting digital supply chain finance platforms – these can help cascade financing to smaller suppliers, making supply chains more inclusive and resilient.

Government and industries must work together

Crucially, governments and industry partners will need to effectively expand access to trade financing to such smaller players, enabling them to integrate into global value chains.

Kaushal noted that such cooperation between governments and industries is critical to maintain the region’s competitiveness within global trade.

Further cooperation could include the acceleration of digital and data interoperability to integrate trade and financing platforms across borders, and greater strategic investment in logistics, ports and digital infrastructure like data centres.

Efforts to harmonise customs, procedures and standards would also enable South-east Asia to integrate more effectively as a trade hub, he added.

StanChart’s report also noted a greater demand among regional respondents to diversify their supply chains geographically, to reduce overreliance on any single trade corridor.

Likewise, ties from beyond the region are being forged with South-east Asia’s economies as global supply chains undergo a major recalibration.

Asean’s economies signed with China an upgraded “3.0” version of their free trade agreement on Oct 28, which will include sections on the digital and green economy, among other new industries.

In September, Indonesia signed a pact with the European Union (EU), joining other South-east Asian countries Singapore and Vietnam in establishing bilateral free trade with the bloc. The EU is also in talks with Malaysia, Thailand and the Philippines for similar deals.

Kaushal noted, however, that he expects the US to maintain its position as a major trade partner for the region.

“The US continues to be an important market and innovation hub, given its technology leadership and substantial consumer base, and many corporates plan to maintain or expand their presence there,” he said.

StanChart said that it is actively supporting South-east Asian clients in using strategic levers to tap on these trends.

“As production bases diversify and intra-Asean trade deepens, our focus is on helping clients stay ahead,” said Kaushal.

A deep cross-border network and on-the-ground presence across 54 countries, he noted, enables StanChart to help clients navigate shifts in global and regional supply chains.

“This involves connecting them across emerging trade corridors, supporting their liquidity and risk management needs, and enabling their digital transformation so they can capture opportunities in this dynamic and interconnected region.”

Source: The Business Times, 3 Nov 2025 (Forging resilience: How South-east Asia is digitalising trade to overcome headwinds - The Business Times)