Author: Isla

Chinese authorities raise concerns over Hong Kong bank access for mainland investors

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Hong Kong’s banking system just got a lot less welcoming for mainland Chinese investors. Major banks including HSBC, Hang Seng Bank, and Bank of China (Hong Kong) have tightened or outright suspended the opening of new investment and wealth management accounts for mainland clients, following a regulatory push from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority that aligns with Beijing’s intensified crackdown on illegal capital routing. What’s actually happening The HKMA issued a circular around May 22-26, 2026, mandating that banks enhance their due diligence processes for mainland Chinese clients. The core requirement: written declarations from clients regarding the legal source of…

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AM2026 African Development Bank Group launches inaugural Integrate Africa Forum, commits to ‘Made in Africa. Trade in Africa’

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The African Development Bank Group held an inaugural Integrate Africa Forum during its 2026 Annual Meetings, convening heads of development partners, corporate leaders and other stakeholders, to accelerate intra-African co-financing, trade and policy harmonisation. The forum took place on 28 May 2026 in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo under the theme ‘Made in Africa. Trade in Africa’. Leaders representing the African Union Commission, and Regional Economic Communities attended, alongside government ministers and heads of the Trade and Development Bank Group, Afreximbank, African Trade and Investment Development Insurance and other DFIs.  The leaders welcomed the launch of the forum. SADC Executive…

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BRC Therapeutics Adds Veteran Healthcare Investor Ron Eastman to Board of Directors

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Ron Eastman BRC Therapeutics has appointed pharmaceutical executive and healthcare investor Ron Eastman to its board of directors as the company advances a pipeline of therapies targeting neurological and inflammatory diseases. The Monterey, California-based biotechnology company said Eastman brings more than 40 years of experience spanning drug development, pharmaceutical operations, executive leadership, and healthcare investing. Eastman currently serves as a senior advisor at EW Healthcare Partners, a healthcare-focused private equity and life sciences investment firm where he previously served as managing director. During his tenure, he led investments in several healthcare companies, including ProteinSimple, Corium Therapeutics, Revance Therapeutics, EyePoint Pharmaceuticals,…

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When will international travellers return to Dubai?

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As the UAE travel market recovers from recent regional challenges, the timing of a full return of international travellers to Dubai remains uncertain. Emirates Airline President Sir Tim Clark said the carrier continues to operate in a “very robust manner” while waiting for passenger confidence to return across key markets.   Speaking about the impact of the Iran war on travel demand at the ILA Berlin Air Show, Clark said government travel advisories continued to weigh on passenger confidence in some markets. “We now rely on governments to be less restrictive with regard to the warnings that they give to…

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Philippine scholar: Shared ideas and Guangdong manufacturing make cooperation a natural fit

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The APEC Economies China Studies Scholars Forum kicked off in Guangzhou on June 11 bringing together nearly 100 experts from 16 APEC economies to discuss “China’s Development and the Shared Future of the Asia-Pacific.” Alvin Ang, a professor at Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, shared his views with South on how APEC member economies can benefit from economic cooperation despite political differences.Ang highlighted the mutually beneficial exchange of ideas between Philippine creatives and Guangdong manufacturers. He noted that if Filipino innovators are unable to produce competitively at home, they can turn to Guangdong for manufacturing solutions. Such cooperation…

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