Asia Investment Survey 2023

Our latest report examines investment sentiment towards the region as it emerges from Covid-19 controls

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Optimism and concerns: investment sentiment towards Asia following Covid-19

On 8 January 2023, China dismantled its last pillar of Covid-19 restrictions and the world's attention turned to Asia to see what would happen next. The region that went into isolation in 2020 is far removed, both economically and politically, from the one that has emerged in 2023. Are investors feeling the pressure from the ‘new macro’? Is fragmentation, geopolitics, and pressure on the global financial system making Asia less attractive?

Our research brings together views from both private and corporate investors. We spoke to over 400 senior decision-makers across China, Hong Kong, Singapore, US, UK, Gulf and Western Europe. They told us about their views on the emerging opportunities, risks and structural dynamics they are seeking to navigate in Asia post Covid-19.

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Key insights from the report

Long-term assumptions and optimism about growth in Asia remain in place and do not appear to have been significantly impacted by Covid-19 or the ‘new macro’.

Concerns are proliferating and investment consensus breaks down around which strategies and Asian sub-regions are best placed to benefit from the changing dynamics and risks associated with current conditions.

Financial services and fintech are consistently seen as the biggest opportunities for investment in Asia, across all sub-regions.

97%

Agree Asia is important to their overall investment or expansion strategy in the next 5 years

72%

Agree that corporate governance standards in Asia are a barrier to investment in the region

36%

Say evidence of strong local economic growth is a top reason for investing in Asia

Uncover the insights

In this short video, S-RM’s Morgan Stark and Anna Beare - both based in Hong Kong - are  joined by Kath Lau in Singapore to introduce the S-RM Asia Investment Survey 2023. The survey was conducted in February 2023, capturing investor sentiment towards the region right at the very moment it started to open up fully after the Covid 19 pandemic.

Speak to our experts

Reach out to our senior leadership team in APAC to discuss the survey findings and learn how S-RM can support all aspects of your investment decision-making, from market entry intelligence to due diligence. 

Morgan Stark
Morgan Stark
Head of Corporate Intelligence, Asia

Morgan Stark joined the business in 2019.

He leads the delivery of intelligence and diligence work throughout the Asia Pacific region. Before S-RM, Morgan led the Stroz Friedberg due diligence and strategic research practice in Hong Kong, where he worked from 2012.

Morgan has a BA from the University of York, and an MA and PhD in Russian Philosophy from University College London. He speaks Russian, Mandarin, and Cantonese.

 

Stark, Morgan

Kath Lau
Kath Lau
Head of Singapore

Kath Lau is an Associate Director based in S-RM’s Singapore office, specialising in complex transactional due diligence assignments with a focus on Greater China and Southeast Asia. She has been leading the operations of S-RM’s new Singapore office since its opening in February 2023.

Before joining S-RM’s Hong Kong office in 2018, Kath worked on human rights advocacy and investigation projects in China and India. Kath has a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Hong Kong and a Master of Law and Development from the University of Melbourne.

Naresh Sakhrani
Naresh Sakhrani
Director, APAC

Naresh joined S-RM in 2023 and is based in the Hong Kong office. He is a member of the APAC senior leadership team, overseeing key client relationships with banks and other financial institutions, and helping lead business development and strategy for the region. 


Naresh has 25 years’ experience in establishing and managing financial crime compliance programmes and practices; leading complex investigations, corporate intelligence assignments, and forensic legal reviews; and as a solicitor focusing on corporate, offshore and regulatory law. 


Following his early career with Kennedys Law LLP as a solicitor and Conyers, Dill & Pearman as an offshore attorney, Naresh held senior roles at Credit Suisse, FTI Consulting, Citi and Kroll. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) Degree and Master of Laws (LL.M) (Financial Regulation & Compliance). He is a member of the Law Society of England and Wales (Solicitor, non-practising). 


Email Naresh: N.Sakhrani@s-rminform.com

Anna Beare
Anna Beare
Director, Corporate Intelligence

Anna joined the business in 2015. She played a key role in establishing S-RM’s office in Hong Kong and growing the company’s footprint in the region. Anna has experience conducting complex investigations across Asia for a variety of clients, including multinationals, private equity investors, financial institutions, and law firms. Anna has a BA in Chinese Studies from Cambridge University. She has previously lived in Beijing and speaks Mandarin.

Morgan Stark
Morgan Stark

Head of Corporate Intelligence, Asia

Kath Lau
Kath Lau

Head of Singapore

Naresh Sakhrani
Naresh Sakhrani

Director, APAC

Anna Beare
Anna Beare

Director, Corporate Intelligence

Download the report