PM Edition: Here are the top 10 business articles on LiveNews.co.nz for November 4, 2026 – Full Text
1. XTransfer and Bank of China (Hong Kong) Announce Partnership at Hong Kong FinTech Week
November 3, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Empowering Global Collections and Payments for Foreign Trade Enterprises
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 — XTransfer, the world’s leading B2B cross-border trade payment platform, and Bank of China (Hong Kong) (“BOCHK”) are pleased to announce the signing of a cooperation agreement. The two parties will work together to expand their international business, providing one-stop cross-border financial services, including global collections, payments, and foreign exchange, for enterprises engaged in international trade in Hong Kong and around the world.
(Left to Right) Mr Martin Liu, Vice President of XTransfer, Mr Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, Mr Liu Chao, General Manager of the Global Corporate Banking Department of BOCHK, Ms Winnie Fan, Deputy General Manager of the Global Corporate Banking Department of BOCHK.
Coinciding with Hong Kong FinTech Week 2026, Mr Martin Liu, Vice President of XTransfer and Ms Winnie Fan, Deputy General Manager of the Global Corporate Banking Department of BOCHK, officially signed the cooperation agreement at the XTransfer booth, witnessed by Mr Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer and Mr Liu Chao, General Manager of the Global Corporate Banking Department of BOCHK, marking a new stage in the partnership between the two parties.
Under this cooperation, XTransfer and BOCHK will collaborate in depth across business areas including global collections, payments, and foreign exchange. Leveraging BOCHK’s professional capabilities in cross-border settlement and foreign exchange trading, as well as its unique position as the RMB clearing bank in Hong Kong, combined with XTransfer’s self-built globally unified B2B cross-border settlement network and risk management system, the two parties will jointly create an efficient, lower-cost, and compliant fund collection, payment, and currency exchange experience for foreign trade enterprises. Under this cooperation model, XTransfer is the first corporate partner of BOCHK.
As the cooperation progresses, foreign trade enterprises in Hong Kong and around the world will be able to access global cross-border collection, payment, and foreign exchange services more conveniently, meeting their multi-currency transaction and settlement needs across different markets. Both parties expect that by reducing the handover points in cross-border transaction processes, they can enhance the service experience and capital turnover efficiency, helping enterprises seize global trade opportunities more flexibly.
This cooperation also reflects XTransfer’s continuously deepening Financial Institution Partnership Model. Financial institution partners can act as “Co-builders“, providing cross-border collection, payment, and foreign exchange capabilities; at the same time, through XTransfer’s network covering over one million business customers, they can reach more enterprise customer segments with cross-border financial service needs, achieving complementary capabilities and shared strengths.
Mr Bill Deng, Founder and CEO of XTransfer, said, “We are very honored to sign the cooperation agreement with BOCHK during Hong Kong FinTech Week. BOCHK is one of Hong Kong’s most representative banks, with deep expertise in cross-border settlement and foreign exchange services. This cooperation combines the strengths of both parties, enabling SMEs to enjoy cross-border financial services of the same standard as large multinational corporations. Going forward, we will continue to refine our compliance and risk control capabilities and work with more financial institution partners to build trustworthy cross-border financial infrastructure.”
https://www.xtransfer.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/xtransfer.cn
Hashtag: #XTransfer #BOCHK #Partnership #Crossborder #Payment #SMEs
About XTransfer
We connect top-tier financial institutions directly to SMEs, the backbone of global trade, giving businesses of every size access to the same secure, compliant and seamless payment infrastructure once reserved for multinationals. As of March 31, 2026, we provide payment services across more than 200 countries and regions through partnerships with financial institutions, including some of the most established international banks around the world.
XTransfer has obtained required licenses in major hubs, including the Chinese Mainland, Hong Kong SAR, the United Kingdom, the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia and Canada.
For more information, please visit: https://www.xtransfer.com
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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2. Natixis CIB bolsters key areas of expertise with senior leadership appointment in Australia & New Zealand
November 3, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Based in Sydney, Rob reports to Bruno Le Saint, CEO, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Natixis CIB. He will be responsible for all business across Australia and New Zealand, and he will also join the Asia Pacific and Middle East Executive Committee.
Rob has over 28 years’ financial services experience across structured finance, acquisitions, advisory and debt capital markets across Europe and Asia Pacific. Prior to joining Natixis CIB, he held several leadership roles at MUFG, where he served most recently as Head of Investment Banking Oceania and Head of Project Finance Asia. Rob brings significant expertise in the energy and infrastructure sectors, where he has led several landmark transactions.
Bruno Le Saint, CEO, Asia Pacific & Middle East, Natixis CIB said, “We are pleased to welcome Rob to Natixis CIB. Rob’s distinguished track record will help drive strategic growth and deepen client relationships in Australia and New Zealand, further demonstrating our ongoing commitment to the ANZ market. In his role, Rob will work closely with Natixis CIB’s affiliate and partner Azure Capital to deliver client solutions, especially in M&A-related situations. His extensive experience in energy and infrastructure will be key in accelerating Natixis CIB’s growth in our core sectors and supporting our clients through the energy transition.”
Established in Sydney almost 20 years ago, Natixis CIB’s team in Australia provides Australian and global clients a full range of expertise in advisory, arranging, underwriting, structuring, and delivering financing and global markets solutions.
https://cib.natixis.com/home/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/natixis-corporate-investment-banking/
https://www.youtube.com/user/natixisvideos
https://podcast.ausha.co/green-momentum
Hashtag: #NatixisCIB
About Natixis CIB
Our teams of experts in around 30 countries advise clients on their strategic development, helping them to grow and transform their businesses, and maximize their positive impact. Natixis CIB is committed to aligning its financing portfolio with a carbon neutrality path by 2050 while helping its clients reduce the environmental impact of their business.
As part of Groupe BPCE, one of the largest financial institution groups in France through its retail networks, Natixis CIB benefits from the Group’s financial strength and solid financial ratings (Standard & Poor’s: A+, Moody’s: A2, Fitch Ratings: A+, R&I: A+).
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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3. Use it or lose it: Business liquidations soar ahead of NZ Made Week
November 3, 2026
Source: Buy NZ Made
As New Zealand prepares for NZ Made Week, new figures revealing an 18% increase in company liquidations underline the importance of supporting local businesses and choosing New Zealand-made products.
Buy NZ Made is urging Kiwis to get behind local manufacturers, producers and businesses from November 16-22, warning that the future of New Zealand’s domestic business sector depends not just on the quality of what it produces, but on whether New Zealanders choose to support it.
New data from Centrix reports that 3,173 companies entered liquidation in the 12 months to September 2026, an 18% increase on the previous year. September alone recorded 314 company insolvencies, compared with 281 in September 2025. This included 296 liquidations, up from 258 a year earlier.
Buy NZ Made Executive Director Dane Ambler says the figures are a timely reminder of why NZ Made Week is so important. “When a small business closes its doors for good, it sends ripples throughout the economy. Employees, families, suppliers and communities feel the impact.
“Retail is the obvious concern, but construction and hospitality are sectors that touch almost every part of our lives, and the recent data shows all three are under pressure. These types of business employ thousands of New Zealanders and support extensive networks of local suppliers.”
Ambler says NZ Made Week, which began as NZ Made Day in 2019 is an annual campaign centred around turning awareness into action, and encouraging consumers to make more conscious purchasing decisions ahead of Black Friday.
“Businesses cannot survive on goodwill alone. They need customers, revenue and New Zealanders who are prepared to support them. Every time we choose a New Zealand-made product or use a local service, we’re helping support the people, jobs, skills and communities that make up our economy.
While household budgets face continued pressure, Ambler says choosing local doesn’t have to mean spending more.
“Buying local is a choice to be more deliberate about where your money goes and seeking out simple NZ-made alternatives. New Zealand has an incredible range of businesses making and producing quality products right here. From food and beverages to building products, furniture, clothing and everyday household goods, there are local alternatives worth seeking out.
“Even small changes in purchasing habits, multiplied across millions of consumers, can make a significant difference to the businesses employing New Zealanders.”
Ambler says the benefits of buying local extend well beyond individual businesses. “Local businesses employ people, train apprentices, support suppliers, invest in their communities and contribute to the tax base that funds public services. They also help maintain the skills, manufacturing capability and economic resilience that New Zealand needs.
“It’s as simple as saying ‘use it or lose it’. If we want to retain the skills, capability, innovation and manufacturing base that New Zealand has built, we need to support the businesses doing that work. We cannot expect businesses to keep making things here, employing people here and investing here if we consistently take our spending elsewhere.
NZ Made Week begins Monday 16 November and encourages New Zealanders to seek out and choose locally made products while highlighting the businesses that manufacture and produce goods in New Zealand.
Find out more at buynz.org.nz/nz-made-week.
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4. Government backs regional airline Air Napier
November 3, 2026
Source: New Zealand Government
The Government is continuing its support for regional air services, with Regional Development Minister Shane Jones and Associate Transport Minister James Meager announcing an $845,000 loan to Hawke’s Bay airline Air Napier.
The Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) loan will help Air Napier undertake essential upgrades to its fleet and refinance some existing debt.
“Air Napier plays an important role in supporting businesses across Hawke’s Bay and Tairāwhiti, and helping people access essential services,” Mr Jones says.
“For decades, it has provided flights for Hastings-based doctors and nurses travelling to and from Wairoa, saving hours of road travel and helping ensure local communities can access vital healthcare.”
The loan is from the remainder of the Government’s $30 million regional air connectivity package, established in 2025 to support vulnerable regional air services. Air Napier is the final airline to receive support through the package.
“Regional airlines are critical to the economic success of our regions,” Mr Meager says.
“They support tourism, trade and business activity, while also helping maintain essential services during emergencies and civil defence responses.
“During Cyclone Gabrielle, Air Napier helped transport civil defence personnel, medical staff, patients, and urgent supplies, including medicines, up and down the East Coast.”
Mr Meager says regional airlines continue to face significant cost pressures in a challenging operating environment.
“The Government recognises the important role these airlines play in connecting regional communities. That is why we have continued to support the sector, including through the recent announcement of $5.7 million in grants to help meet day-to-day operating costs.”
Editors’ note
For more information on the regional air connectivity RIF package, see Government backing vital regional connectivity | Beehive.govt.nz.
The following loans have been provided to date:
Air Chathams – $17.2m to refinance debt
Sounds Air – $4.5m to upgrade its fleet and refinance debt
Island Air – $252,000 for fleet maintenance
Golden Bay Air – $1.1m to refinance debt and fund essential ongoing maintenance
Stewart Island Flights – $640,000 for aircraft refurbishment
Sunair – $2.08 million for potential aircraft acquisition, fleet maintenance, and debt refinancing
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/03/government-backs-regional-airline-air-napier/
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5. Bridge Data Centres Appoints New Co-Chief Executive Officer
November 3, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
- Mr Drew Chen’s appointment as Co-CEO strengthens BDC’s leadership team as the Company surpasses one gigawatt of capacity in 2026 and accelerates its growth across Asia Pacific.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 – Bridge Data Centres (BDC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Drew Chen as Co-Chief Executive Officer (Co-CEO), effective 1 November 2026. He will work alongside Mr Eric Fan, BDC’s Co-CEO, as a key member of the leadership team to accelerate the Company’s growth across Asia Pacific and beyond.
Mr Drew Chen, Co CEO of Bridge Data Centres
Mr Chen brings over 20 years of private equity experience, with a focus on the telecommunications, media, technology, and business services sectors. He previously served as a Senior Partner at Bain Capital and was a founding member of the firm’s Asia Pacific private equity team. Prior to Bain Capital, Mr Chen worked at Bain & Company. He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and an MBA from Harvard Business School.
Mr Eric Fan, Co-CEO of Bridge Data Centres, said, “On behalf of Bridge Data Centres, we would like to welcome Drew. His appointment strengthens our leadership team at an important point in BDC’s growth, as we surpass one gigawatt of capacity in 2026. Drew’s experience and deep domain knowledge of the data centre sector will support our strategy as we scale BDC into a multi-gigawatt digital infrastructure platform in the coming years.”
Mr Drew Chen, Co-CEO of Bridge Data Centres, said, “The Asia Pacific data centre sector is at inflection point for growth, fuelled by surging cloud adoption and the rapid expansion of AI workloads. BDC is well positioned to capture this opportunity, backed by our world class engineering and design team, longstanding partnerships with global clients, and a decade of experience developing and operating next-generation digital infrastructure. I am excited to partner with Eric and the leadership team to scale BDC’s footprint across Asia Pacific and support our customers’ ambitious growth plans.”
Mr Jonathan Zhu, Partner and Chair of China at Bain Capital, said, “Drew possesses deep expertise in the digital infrastructure space and an intimate knowledge of BDC’s business, having played a pivotal role in the buildout of BDC and its sister company ChinData. We are delighted that, as the Co-CEO, Drew will continue to bring strategic foresight and robust business building capabilities to BDC. Together, he and Eric are well positioned to lead BDC through its next chapter of growth.”
Headquartered in Singapore, BDC is one of Asia Pacific’s top three next-generation digital infrastructure platforms by live capacity, with a presence across Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, and India.
https://www.bridgedatacentres.com/
https://th.linkedin.com/company/bridgedc
Hashtag: #BridgeDataCentres
About Bridge Data Centres
Bridge Data Centres (BDC) is a Singapore headquartered digital infrastructure platform delivering next-generation data centres across Asia Pacific and beyond.
Backed by Bain Capital, BDC operates in Malaysia, Thailand, India, and other high-growth markets, with an ambition to scale into a multi-gigawatt digital infrastructure platform in the near future.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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6. Same inflation, different choices: Australia protected jobs while Luxon’s Government cut them NZCTU
November 3, 2026
Source: NZCTU
Australia and New Zealand faced the same global inflation shock, but only New Zealand workers have been made to pay for it with their jobs, a new report from the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) shows.
The report finds the two countries have had very similar inflation outcomes over the past five years. What differed was how their governments responded. Australian policymakers chose to protect the post-pandemic gains in employment, while New Zealand aggressively pursued lower inflation at a major cost to working people.
“Across the Ditch, unemployment is a full percentage point lower, employment has kept growing through the entire post-pandemic period, and full-time employment has expanded significantly. In New Zealand, job numbers have fallen steeply and unemployment and underutilisation have skyrocketed,” says Sandra Grey, New Zealand Council of Trade Unions Te Kauae Kaimahi President.
“While Australia has added thousands of full-time jobs, New Zealand has lost thousands under Luxon’s Government. It’s no wonder so many young Kiwis have moved across the Tasman in recent years,” says Grey.
“The unemployment rate in New Zealand rose higher than ours and working people in New Zealand saw the largest fall in real wages in the OECD and found it increasingly difficult to find a job. This difference is because of different monetary, fiscal, and employment policy choices”, says Melissa Donnelly ACTU Secretary.
The report sets out how the two countries took very different monetary, fiscal, and employment policy approaches through the inflationary period, and how those choices led to very different labour market outcomes.
“Luxon’s Government slashed public services, cut public spending, and cancelled major infrastructure projects. The Australian Government did the opposite and backed the labour market by investing more in public services. Luxon’s Government helped drive New Zealand into recession in 2024, while Australia’s public investment helped it avoid one,” says Grey.
The report also contrasts the two countries’ employment relations policies.
“Luxon’s Government repealed the Fair Pay Agreements Act, while Australia’s Secure Jobs, Better Pay reforms have strengthened workplace protections and supported real wages through the inflationary period. In a time of rising interest rates, Luxon’s Government made life much harder for working people by pulling back public investment and stripping away employment protections. Australia’s approach shows a better way is possible,” says Grey.
“Both countries saw unemployment fall to decades-long lows in 2022, but only Australia has held on to those gains. Luxon’s Government made the wrong choices, and working people have paid the price,” says Grey.
“Inflation has gone up again in both countries because of rising fuel and energy prices from the US-led attack on Iran. The only real difference now is that, because of policy choices, New Zealand has been left with higher unemployment and worse real wage outcomes,” says Donnelly.
“Luxon has justified his Government’s choices as necessary to bring down inflation, but the Australian experience shows that isn’t true. When inflation is driven by international factors, the Government needs to support workers, not make their lives harder by tanking the job market,” says Grey.
“Luxon’s Government hasn’t delivered better inflation outcomes than Australia. All it has managed to do is destroy jobs and livelihoods and drive tens of thousands of Kiwis offshore. Vote for change this week. Don’t risk 6 years of Luxon,” says Grey.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/03/same-inflation-different-choices-australia-protected-jobs-while-luxons-government-cut-them-nzctu/
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7. ONYX Hospitality Group Expands Strategic Partnerships through ONYX Rewards
November 3, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
Partners with MAGURO Group and The Coral Lounge to Enhance Travel, Dining and Lifestyle Experiences Beyond Hotel Stays
BANGKOK, THAILAND – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 – ONYX Hospitality Group, a leading hospitality management company specialising in hotels, resorts, serviced apartments and luxury residences across Asia Pacific, continues its year-long 60th anniversary celebrations by expanding its network of strategic partners through ONYX Rewards. Spanning the travel, dining and lifestyle sectors, these collaborations build on more than six decades of hospitality expertise to deliver greater value to members beyond their hotel stays, while creating opportunities for long-term growth and shared value with business partners.
As part of this ongoing expansion, ONYX Hospitality Group has partnered with two organisations: MAGURO Group, a premium Japanese restaurant operator, and The Coral Lounge, a premium airport lounge provider. These partnerships enhance the ONYX Rewards experience through exclusive benefits and experiences covering every stage of the customer journey, from travel and hotel stays to everyday life.
The collaborations reflect the continued evolution of ONYX Rewards from a hotel guest benefits programme into a platform connecting members with a broader range of travel, dining and lifestyle experiences under the concept “Every Stay Becomes More”. Through joint marketing initiatives across ONYX Hospitality Group’s and its partners’ channels, the partnerships also aim to reach new customer segments, connect customer bases across brands, strengthen long-term member engagement and support mutual business growth. ONYX Rewards currently has more than 1.8 million members and a network of over 14 key partners.
Pornthip Paothong, Vice President, Marketing, ONYX Hospitality Group, said: “As ONYX Hospitality Group celebrates its 60th anniversary throughout 2026, we are not only reflecting on the achievements and experience gained over the past six decades, but are also building on our strong foundations to create new opportunities for the future. ONYX Rewards plays a key role in extending our relationships with customers beyond their hotel stays. This strategy is not simply about offering more benefits or discounts, but about developing meaningful collaborations with like-minded partners that bring together the strengths of each business to enhance customer experiences and create shared business value.
“Our partnerships with MAGURO Group and The Coral Lounge represent another step in making ONYX Rewards an integral part of our members’ lifestyles and travel journeys, offering access to a wider range of experiences. At the same time, these collaborations create opportunities for ONYX Hospitality Group and our partners to reach new customer segments, strengthen brand engagement and build lasting relationships under the concept ‘Every Stay Becomes More’.”
Extending the ONYX Rewards Experience into Dining with MAGURO Group
The partnership with MAGURO Group, which operates premium Japanese dining brands including MAGURO, MAGURO KAPPOU and HITORI SHABU, reflects a shared commitment to quality, attention to detail and the delivery of meaningful customer experiences.
MAGURO Group places particular emphasis on sourcing high-quality ingredients from Japan and trusted suppliers, complemented by attentive service designed to exceed customer expectations. This philosophy aligns closely with ONYX Hospitality Group’s approach to hospitality, which focuses on creating memorable experiences through a deep understanding of guests’ needs and thoughtful attention to detail.
While operating in different sectors, both organisations share a commitment to delivering meaningful customer experiences. The partnership extends the ONYX Rewards experience beyond hotel stays into dining and everyday lifestyle activities. It also creates opportunities to connect the customer bases of ONYX Rewards and MAGURO Group’s Give More+ Club, encouraging greater member engagement and strengthening long-term relationships between the two brands.
Enhancing the Travel Experience with The Coral Lounge
In the travel sector, ONYX Hospitality Group has partnered with The Coral Lounge, a premium airport lounge provider, to extend ONYX Rewards benefits to the pre-departure travel experience.
ONYX Rewards members will enjoy exclusive privileges at seven departure lounges operated by The Coral Lounge located at Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani and Hat Yai airports. These lounges offer services and facilities designed to provide greater comfort and convenience throughout the travel experience.
The partnership reflects ONYX Hospitality Group’s approach to creating a more seamless customer journey, from pre-departure experiences and hotel stays to the return journey. By extending its commitment to guest care beyond the hotel environment, ONYX aims to deliver meaningful experiences at more touchpoints throughout members’ journeys.
The collaboration also provides The Coral Lounge with opportunities to connect with ONYX Rewards’ extensive membership base, particularly customers with an interest in travel and tourism. Through joint marketing initiatives, both organisations aim to strengthen brand awareness, broaden customer engagement and contribute to the continued development of ONYX Rewards as a strategic partnership network that creates shared value.
Building a Stronger Lifestyle Ecosystem through ONYX Rewards
Benefits under the partnerships with MAGURO Group and The Coral Lounge have been available to ONYX Rewards members since 15 October 2026. These collaborations mark another step in connecting members with a wider range of travel and lifestyle experiences, responding to the evolving needs of customers seeking greater value from travel and everyday life.
As ONYX Hospitality Group marks its 60th anniversary, the company remains committed to building on its six decades of hospitality expertise to create meaningful experiences that meet increasingly diverse customer needs. Beyond delivering memorable hotel stays, ONYX continues to expand opportunities for customers to engage with its brands through experiences that extend beyond the hotel environment.
This commitment reflects the concept “Every Stay Becomes More” and the ambition to create “More Reasons to Return”, ensuring that every experience strengthens the lasting connection between customers and ONYX Hospitality Group’s brands.
Hashtag: #ONYXHospitalityGroup
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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8. Global Investment Giants Managing Trillions of Dollars Head to New Asia Forum 2026
November 4, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
BlackRock, KKR, Brookfield, Oaktree and Franklin Templeton among leading global investment institutions represented at the Inaugural Edition of the New Asia Forum in Bali
JAKARTA, INDONESIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 – Some of the world’s most prominent investment institutions are set to participate in the inaugural New Asia Forum (NAF) 2026, underscoring the growing strategic importance of Asia in global investment and the opportunities to deepen enduring capital partnerships across the region and beyond.
Executives from BlackRock’s Global Infrastructure Partners, KKR, Brookfield, Oaktree and Franklin Templeton, alongside other leading institutions, will join more than 100 speakers at the forum, which will take place on 3 and 4 December 2026 at The Mulia, Bali, Indonesia.
Spanning across infrastructure, private equity, real estate and global asset management, these institutions bring extensive international investment experience and access to significant pools of institutional capital. Their participation reflects the increasing importance of connecting Asia’s economic growth and industrial transformation with patient, long term investment, particularly in energy, digital connectivity and advanced industries.
Confirmed speakers from the global investment community include Will Brilliant, Partner at Global Infrastructure Partners and Head of Digital Infrastructure at BlackRock; David Luboff, Partner, Co-Head of Asia Pacific and Head of Asia Pacific Infrastructure at KKR; Andrew Burych, Managing Partner and Head of East Asia at Brookfield Real Estate Group; Roger Zhang, Managing Director and Co-Head of Asia at Oaktree; and Manraj S. Sekhon, Chief Investment Officer of Templeton Global Investments at Franklin Templeton.
Global business and technology leaders from Freeport-McMoRan, Jardine Matheson, AirAsia, Databricks, Archer Aviation and Honeywell will also be represented, bringing perspectives from industries shaping the region’s next phase of economic growth.
Asia Pacific accounts for close to 60% of global economic growth, yet significant opportunities remain to mobilize long term capital towards the region’s investment and development priorities. As global investors reassess capital allocation strategies amid shifting economic and geopolitical dynamics, Asia offers opportunities for diversification, new partnerships and sustained value creation.
The investment institutions represented at NAF collectively manage trillions of dollars across public and private markets. Their participation brings together global capital, policymakers and business leaders to forge partnerships and advance concrete investment opportunities across the region.
Pahala Nugraha Mansury, Managing Director of Global Relations & Communications at Danantara Indonesia, a founding partner of the New Asia Forum, emphasized the importance of moving beyond investment interest towards sustained institutional engagement and concrete partnerships.
“The participation of leading global investment institutions shows that global investors are paying closer attention to Asia. However, the real opportunity is not just attracting more capital, but building the right partnerships to turn the region’s potential into lasting investment.
“The New Asia Forum brings global investors, governments and industry to the same table, so that conversations become meaningful collaboration and opportunities. For Danantara Indonesia, it is about establishing Indonesia as a trusted, enduring partner for global capital,” said Pahala.
Beyond the investment community, NAF 2026 will convene senior government leaders, including H.E. Tshering Tobgay, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bhutan, and Sebastian Kurz, former Federal Chancellor of Austria.
Their participation reflects NAF’s broader ambition to connect capital with the industrial capabilities, technologies and strategic partnerships required to unlock new investment opportunities across Asia. The growing lineup follows the announcement earlier this month of NAF 2026’s ambition to help mobilize US$30 billion in investment across the New Asia region, with Danantara Indonesia serving as a founding partner.
Designed to move beyond dialogue, NAF 2026 will place particular emphasis on facilitating actionable investment opportunities and partnerships. The forum will feature targeted investor engagements, private roundtables and opportunities to connect international capital with selected investment propositions. The objective is to establish relationships and advance discussions that can be developed into concrete investment outcomes beyond the forum itself.
Held under the patronage of President Prabowo Subianto, NAF 2026 is expected to convene more than 1,000 participants, including senior government officials, global investors, sovereign investment institutions and business leaders, across more than 40 sessions. Further speaker announcements and program updates will be released ahead of the December gathering.
As a founding partner of the New Asia Forum, Danantara Indonesia views the forum as an important platform to advance its mandate of mobilizing long-term capital, building strategic global partnerships, and expanding investment capacity to support Indonesia’s economic transformation. By bringing together global investors, sovereign institutions, policymakers and industry leaders, NAF 2026 enables Danantara Indonesia to connect international capital and expertise with investment opportunities in Indonesia’s priority sectors, while strengthening Indonesia’s position as a trusted long-term investment partner in the region.
Hashtag: #NewAsiaForum #NAF
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.
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9. Citi Wealth AI Pulse Survey: Hong Kong Consumers Embrace AI, But Still Want Humans in the Driver’s Seat
November 3, 2026
Source: Media Outreach
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 November 2026 – Citi Hong Kong today released its 2026 Citi Wealth AI Pulse Survey, revealing that while AI has become firmly embedded in the daily lives of Hong Kong consumers, many remain concerned about keeping pace with its rapid evolution. A notable finding is the “Gen Z paradox”: despite being the most avid users of AI, younger consumers are also the most concerned about falling behind. The survey also found growing openness to more advanced AI applications, including agentic commerce, while underscoring the continued importance of human expertise and trust.
Sarah O, Head of Digital Growth & Cards and Unsecured Lending Sales, Citi, said, “The findings of the 2026 Citi Wealth AI Pulse Survey underscore a fundamental shift in how consumers engage with technology. AI is no longer a future concept. It is becoming an integral part of how we learn, plan and make decisions. As adoption continues to accelerate, the opportunity is to harness AI in ways that make everyday experiences more relevant, seamless and meaningful, while maintaining the human judgment and trust that people value. At Citi, we see AI as an enabler of better client experiences, complementing our expertise and human touch as technology continues to evolve. “
The survey found that despite widespread AI adoption (92%), more than half (52%) say they are concerned about keeping up with AI developments, showing that adoption alone does not automatically translate into confidence. The tension is particularly evident among younger generations. While AI adoption among Gen Z has reached 100%, 66% are concerned about keeping pace with developments, the highest level among all generations surveyed.
Human-led, AI-enabled. Human Judgment and trust remain at the heart of relationships
While consumers are increasingly receptive to AI’s role in wealth management, they continue to view human expertise as an essential pillar of financial decision-making. The survey reveals that 61% believe AI is already transforming how wealth is managed today, and 82% expect AI to have at least a moderate impact on wealth management over the next one to three years. Among AI wealth-tool users, adoption is still concentrated around information gathering and decision support, led by three primary use cases: monitoring market developments and volatility, synthesizing expert financial commentary, and clarifying complex financial concepts.
At the same time, 77% of the respondents from the Emerging Affluent[1] segment prefer AI to inform or recommend actions, while only 4% allow AI to manage investments entirely on its own. This sharp contrast suggests that consumers expect AI to augment rather than replace the existing advice model.
Agentic Commerce: Early appetite but safety comes first
AI is already demonstrating tangible value in everyday life, helping consumers make faster and more informed purchasing decisions. In shopping specifically, the top three AI use cases are comparing prices, brands or merchants; researching product information and reviews; and discovering new products or brands. Among consumers who have used AI-powered shopping tools, 73% reported being satisfied with their experience, suggesting that practical, positive interactions are building consumer confidence in the technology.
This growing familiarity is paving the way for the next evolution of AI: agentic commerce, where AI moves beyond providing recommendations to completing actions and transactions on consumers’ behalf. More than half (53%) of consumers said they would be willing to try agentic commerce within the next 12 months, rising to 71% among high-net-worth individuals. However, broader adoption will depend on addressing key concerns around security, information accuracy and potential bias, underscoring the importance of trust as AI capabilities continue to evolve.
Banks emerge as most trusted AI wealth providers
While AI adoption continues to grow, the survey suggests that the next phase of adoption will depend less on technology itself and more on trust. Consumers ranked traditional banks as the most trusted providers of AI-powered wealth solutions. The findings indicate that trusted, secure and well-governed platforms will play a critical role in driving future adoption, reinforcing that while innovative features may spark interest, trust will ultimately determine whether consumers move from experimenting with AI to embracing more advanced and sustained use cases.
About the Survey
The 2026 Citi Wealth AI Pulse Survey was conducted online in Hong Kong and completed in early September 2026, among 1,053 Hong Kong respondents aged 21 to 69. Respondents were primary or joint decision-makers for their investment and wealth management activities and had invested in wealth management products within the past 12 months. The survey examined attitudes towards AI across wealth management, payments and emerging innovations such as agentic commerce. This study was developed by Citi Hong Kong, with research support provided by Mastercard.
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10. Dedicated Beat team for Hawke’s Bay
November 3, 2026
Source: New Zealand Police
Police are stepping up their presence in Hawke’s Bay with the launch of a dedicated Beat team, hitting the streets from Monday 2 November 2026.
The team will be walking the beat from Napier to Waipukurau connecting with community and business partners along with members of the public, contributing to a higher visibility of Police.
The establishment of the Hawke’s Bay Beat teams follows similar dedicated Beat teams set up in areas such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Bay of Plenty and New Plymouth.
More than two years after the first community Beat teams were set up around the country Police have seen a reduction in certain crime types including assault, robbery, and theft.
Hawke’s Bay Area Commander Inspector Caroline Martin says the Beat team will be a visible and trusted presence, regularly patrolling busy shopping areas and engaging with local businesses and members of the community.
“When Police are visible and approachable, it not only helps prevent crime but builds confidence,” she says.
“We also know that people enjoying our CBDs and retail areas feel safer when they see police out and about.”
The new team will work closely with other community policing units in Hawke’s Bay to maximise coverage across the region.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/11/03/dedicated-beat-team-for-hawkes-bay/
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