Media OutReach
Asia Pacific dominates top rankings in Kearney’s 2026 FDI Confidence Index® amid global geopolitical tension and industrial policy expansion
- Asia Pacific holds the largest share of ranked markets on the Index for the first time in more than a decade, claiming 10 out of 25 spots.
- Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea and India see leaps in ranking as Thailand and Malaysia re-enter the top 25.
- Technological and innovation capabilities emerges as the most important factor shaping investment decisions.
- Industrial policy is now critical in investment decisions, with 84 percent of investors citing it as extremely or very important.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 April 2026 – Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council today released the 2026 Foreign Direct Investment Confidence Index (FDICI), an annual survey of global business executives that ranks markets most likely to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) over the next three years. The 2026 Index sees Asia Pacific (APAC) claiming the largest share of the ranked markets (10 out of 25) for the first time in more than a decade, amid a global investment environment shaped by intensifying geopolitical tensions, expanding industrial policy, and accelerating technological competition.
The survey, conducted in January 2026 among more than 500 senior executives from leading corporations worldwide, shows that companies remain committed to international investment despite mounting uncertainty. Eighty-eight percent of respondents say they plan to increase foreign direct investment over the next three years, signaling sustained confidence in long-term global opportunities.
The United States and Canada retain their first and second positions on the Index. Japan rises to third, and China (including Hong Kong) climbs to fourth. Singapore (8th), South Korea (11th) and India (22nd) post gains as Thailand (20th) and Malaysia (21st) re-enter the top 25 list after three and 12 years respectively— reflecting a strong showing from APAC.
“The APAC region emerges as a winner as investors recalibrate how they make decisions in a more turbulent operating environment,” said Shigeru Sekinada, Region Chair, Asia Pacific at Kearney. “The technological capability, economic growth potential, and geopolitical relevance offered by the top-ranking APAC markets make them choice FDI destinations among a business community that is both actively pursuing emerging opportunities and attentive to mounting complexities and risks.”
Middle powers and emerging markets attract renewed investor interest
Most APAC markets in the top 25 list saw improvements in rankings, but none as remarkable as Singapore, which rose from 15th to 8th place. This leap can be attributed to the city-state’s reputation as a hub for R&D and innovation, supported by tax incentives, research grants, and partnerships. One third (34 percent) of investors in the survey cite Singapore’s technological innovation as the strongest reason to invest there, followed by its economic performance (30 percent), driven by expansions in biomedical manufacturing and electronics, and sustained AI-driven semiconductor and server related growth.
Singapore’s significant gain in this year’s Index, alongside those of markets like Saudi Arabia, reflects the rise of “middle powers”—markets that are neither great powers nor small states but still exercise meaningful influence in international politics and generally abide by global rules and norms.
Meanwhile, emerging markets remain dynamic and increasingly interconnected with global investment flows. China ranks as the top market on the Emerging Markets Index for the third consecutive year. Thailand and Malaysia (6th and 7th on the Emerging Markets Index) post some of the largest gains in the rankings while Vietnam (16th) rises three spots.Investor sentiment toward emerging markets has improved modestly year over year, suggesting that companies are increasingly looking beyond traditional investment hubs as they expand supply chains and pursue growth opportunities across a broader set of emerging markets.
Innovation drives investment decisions
Technological and innovation capabilities rank as the most important factor influencing where companies choose to invest, surpassing traditional considerations such as regulatory efficiency and domestic economic performance. As investment in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, and data-driven technologies accelerates worldwide, markets with strong innovation ecosystems are increasingly viewed as the most attractive destinations for long-term investment.
Investors cite technological innovation as the strongest or tied strongest reason to invest in 10 of the 25 markets on the Index, including Japan, China, Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan (China).
Geopolitical risk and industrial policy reshape the investment landscape
Executives remain alert to rising global risks even as investment intentions remain strong. Geopolitical tensions rank as the most likely development over the next year (36 percent), followed by commodity price increases and political instability in developed markets (30 percent).
“Geopolitical instability and rising commodity prices have proven to be major factors impacting global business this year, as reflected in the current Middle East conflict. Supply chain resilience, diversification of energy sources and government policies will be crucial for markets to maintain their attractiveness in the eyes of investors in the medium term,” said Sekinada.
At the same time, industrial policy is playing an increasingly central role in shaping investment decisions. According to the survey, 84 percent of investors globally say industrial policy is extremely or very important in determining where they invest, and 57 percent believe it has a positive impact on their company’s business performance. APAC investors show strong support for infrastructure development and subsidies as the most effective industrial policy tools, with 88 percent of investors in the region viewing infrastructure-focused industrial policy as favorable, and 80 percent saying the same for subsidies.
About the 2026 Kearney FDI Confidence Index®
The 2026 Kearney FDI Confidence Index® is constructed using primary data from a proprietary survey of 507 senior executives of the world’s leading corporations. The survey was conducted in January 2026. Respondents include C-level executives and regional and business leaders. All participating companies have annual revenues of $500 million or more. The companies are headquartered in 30 countries and span all sectors.
The Index is calculated as a weighted average of the number of high, medium, and low responses to questions on the likelihood of making a direct investment in a select market over the next three years.
Index values are based on responses only from companies headquartered in foreign markets. For example, the Index value for the United States was calculated without responses from US-headquartered investors. Higher Index values indicate more attractive investment targets.
All economic growth figures presented in the report are the latest estimates and forecasts available from Oxford Economics unless otherwise noted. Other secondary sources include investment promotion agencies, central banks, ministries of finance and trade, relevant news media, and other major data sources.
Hashtag: #Kearney
https://www.kearney.com/
www.kearney.com/foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index.
For more information, contact the Global Business Policy Council (
gb**@*****ey.com).
Media OutReach
Industry expert Jason Gerlis has been appointed as the Chief Revenue Officer at GoGlobal
With more than 15 years’ experience in helping businesses to scale internationally, his role will be to drive revenue growth at GoGlobal, align this to delivery excellence and add long-term value to those companies looking to expand and operate overseas.
“I’m delighted to welcome Jason into the fold,” states Jeremy Wastall, CEO at GoGlobal. “His extensive industry knowledge and global corporate services background support our strategy to deliver best‑in‑class business expansion and operational solutions to clients looking to enter new markets compliantly, and at speed.”
His appointment is also in-line with the company’s aim to build a business where cultural fit and mindset are just as important as experience.
“Alongside his impressive experience, Jason’s approach to leadership aligns with our brand values. I have full confidence in his ability to create a world-class environment where his teams will grow and excel,” adds Jeremy.
The move follows a series of recent senior hires and strategic investments designed to enhance GoGlobal’s ambitious growth plans, which include greater geographic reach, deeper technology capabilities and the continued development of market-winning solutions for clients.
Independence and long‑term focus
Explaining what drew him to GoGlobal, Jason points to the company’s independence and investment strategy.
“GoGlobal’s independence is a real strength,” he states. “It gives the business the freedom to invest in what genuinely matters to clients and focus on building sustainable, future growth. That long‑term perspective leads to better client outcomes, stronger partnerships and a more engaged, motivated workforce.”
Jason also highlights the company’s culture which is deeply grounded in servicing clients’ needs as a reason to join the business. He notes: “Understanding, consistency, collaboration and responsiveness are at the foundation of GoGlobal’s approach to client service, all of which resonate with me.
“And it’s these values and business ethics that truly set GoGlobal apart,” he concludes.
Strengthening global networks
Based in Charlotte, USA, Jason will spend his first months in the role engaging closely with GoGlobal’s global clients and partner ecosystem, while helping shape the company’s long‑term commercial strategy.
“I’m excited to work with clients across the full spectrum — from fast‑growing start‑ups and venture / private equity‑backed businesses to large multinationals — as we continue to build GoGlobal’s future roadmap,” he states.
Prior to joining GoGlobal, Jason spent five years as Global Head of Corporate Services at Ocorian and held several senior leadership roles at TMF Group over seven years, including Global Head of Consulting and Regional Director for North America and the Caribbean.
Hashtag: #GoGlobal
https://goglobal.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/goglobalgeo/
Wechat: GoGlobal环瑀
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
GoGlobal
GoGlobal – the global expansion business – helps companies set up and manage global operations compliantly and confidently. By combining global expertise with local execution, GoGlobal supports market entry, M&A activity and vendor consolidation through a single point of accountability.
Founded eight years ago in 2018, GoGlobal has grown from a startup into a fully decentralized global organization, supporting thousands of clients with their own growth stories.
It now has over 450 internal employees, operating across 85+ countries, and has enabled more than 1,000 clients to establish and manage their global operations across 145 markets.
Services include entity setup, compliance and management; accounting and tax services; HR and payroll support; Employer of Record (EOR); and Independent Contractor Solutions (ICS).
GoGlobal is headquartered in Tokyo but the leadership and operational teams are worldwide, enabling seamless support across time zones.
Media OutReach
Korean Liquor (K-SUUL), Raises Its First Flag for Globalization on Asia’s Largest Stage
“K-SUUL Pavilion” to Open for the First Time at the HKCEC on May 26-28
HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 10 June 2026 – The National Tax Service of Korea (Commissioner: Lim Kwang-hyun), for the first time, opened the “K-SUUL Pavilion” at Vinexpo Asia[1], which was held for three days from May 26 to 28 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC).
The opening of the “K-SUUL Pavilion” was served as a key milestone in raising the global profile of Korean alcoholic beverages and expanding overseas exports.
At the inaugural “K-SUUL AWARDS” held by National Tax Service of Korea last December, 175 small and medium-sized liquor producers from across Korea submitted a total of 366 products. Following document screening and blind testing, 12 products were selected.
The award-winning liquors, selected through a fair judging process with the participation of Korean citizens, was introduced to the global market through this exhibition, marking their first step toward overseas expansion.
The “K-SUUL Pavilion” was operated through cooperation between the National Tax Service of Korea and the liquor industry and association (the Korea Alcohol and Liquor Industry Association). It was designed as an integrated promotional platform to strengthen the export competitiveness of Korean alcoholic beverages and develop overseas sales channels.
The “K-SUUL Pavilion” was operated with a total of 16 booths (display and tasting booths), and 12 companies — including winners of the K-SUUL AWARDS — participated to hold consultations with overseas buyers.
Participating companies ranged from traditional liquor breweries to regional soju producers and major liquor companies, showcasing the diverse spectrum of Korea’s alcoholic beverage industry on a single stage.
In addition to the booths operated by the 12 participating companies, a dedicated booth was set up exclusively to showcase the award-winning liquors, further highlighting the significance of the K-SUUL AWARDS.
At the venue, promotional videos of the award-winning liquors were screened, while English-language brochures and souvenirs were distributed to attract local buyers and visitors to raise awareness of Korean alcoholic beverages.
In addition, meetings with the organizers of Vinexpo Asia, overseas buyers, and distribution industry officials were also held to identify rapidly changing global liquor market trends and assess the overseas expansion potential of Korean alcoholic beverages.
Han Yeong-seok Fermentation Research Institute expressed gratitude for being given the opportunity to participate in the exhibition, saying, “It was meaningful to showcase our award-winning liquor, ‘Dohan Cheongmyeongju,’ on the same stage as liquors from around the world through this exhibition. We did our best to promote Korea’s unique fermentation culture and the value of Korean liquor to the world.”
Going forward, the National Tax Service of Korea will continue to enhance the substance of the K-SUUL AWARDS, continuously discover outstanding liquors from promising small and medium-sized enterprises, and will actively support the globalization of Korean liquor (K-SUUL) by promoting it both domestically and internationally and helping these businesses expand their sales channels.
Hashtag: #K-SUUL
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
Media OutReach
YesAsia Holdings Advances Dual-Engine Strategy with First YesStyle Concept Store in the US
Driving O2O Synergy: Expanding Offline Reach to Complement B2C Strategy
Celebrating 20 years of delivering trending Asian products worldwide, YesStyle has transformed 1,500 square feet into an immersive retail fantasy. Serving as a strategic extension of the Group’s core B2C business, this new physical footprint enhances offline visibility and reaches a wider demographic of consumers who value hands-on product discovery and immediate purchase. The store offers a “Yesful playground” where beauty lovers can connect with over 60 Asian brands, featuring interactive makeup stations with beloved K-beauty labels like UNLEASHIA, dasique, fwee, and rom&nd, alongside a customizable mask bar. This experiential retail environment functions as a powerful, culturally rich marketing engine, generating offline brand awareness and foot traffic that seamlessly feeds into the digital platform, creating a complementary offline-to-online (O2O) loop that supports repeat purchases and maximizes customer lifetime value (LTV).
Mr. Joshua Lau, Founder, Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of YesAsia Holdings said: “The launch of YesStyle‘s retail store marks a significant milestone for our brand, as we bring our top-tier and bestselling K-beauty products, along with advanced skin care innovation, into an offline setting for customers in the Bay Area. The Bay Area holds a special place in our history as the city where the Group was founded and where our first office was established. Opening our first YesStyle beauty retail store here feels like coming home and reinforces our commitment to continue innovating and delivering exceptional experiences to our customers, both online and offline.”
Empowering the B2B Wholesale Business AsiaBeautyWholesale (ABW) Growth
This physical retail expansion also creates substantial value for YesAsia Holdings’ B2B operations, ABW. By physically showcasing a curated yet expansive selection of bestselling Korean beauty brands, including SKIN1004, Medicube, Anua, Dr. Althea, Beauty of Joseon, COSRX, and more, in a premium US retail environment, YesStyle acts as an effective market-testing ground. The elevated brand awareness and consumer validation generated at the retail level will bolster confidence among other local US retailers and distributors, effectively catalyzing B2B orders and driving synergistic growth across both of the Group’s core business modules.
Hashtag: #YesAsia #YesStyle
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About YesAsia Holdings Limited (02209.HK)
Established in 1997, YesAsia Holdings is a leading e-commerce platform operator recognized for its expertise in identifying and procuring quality Asian beauty, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment products. Headquartered in Hong Kong, the Group deliver products promptly and efficiently to a global audience through its strong ties with over 400 leading Asian beauty brand and supplier partners. The Group operates three major platforms: YesStyle, an e-commerce B2C platform for serving the increasingly popular Asian beauty, fashion and lifestyle products, particularly Korean beauty products; AsianBeautyWholesale, a B2B platform for Asian beauty products; and YesAsia, an e-commerce retail platform for entertainment products. YesAsia Holdings is a constituent of the MSCI Hong Kong Micro Cap Index.
For more information, please visit the Group’s official website: https://www.yesasiaholdings.com/
About YesStyle
YesStyle, a global B2C online retailer under YesAsia Holdings Limited. (02209.HK), is the go-to destination for the largest selection of authentic Asian beauty, fashion, and lifestyle products. As an authorized retailer of 400+ premium K-beauty brands, YesStyle aims to help everyone find their ‘yes!’ through innovative beauty inspired by Asia, friendly guidance and smart prices since 2006.
-
Feature/OPED6 years agoDavos was Different this year
-
Travel/Tourism10 years ago
Lagos Seals Western Lodge Hotel In Ikorodu
-
Showbiz3 years agoEstranged Lover Releases Videos of Empress Njamah Bathing
-
Banking8 years agoSort Codes of GTBank Branches in Nigeria
-
Economy3 years agoSubsidy Removal: CNG at N130 Per Litre Cheaper Than Petrol—IPMAN
-
Banking3 years agoSort Codes of UBA Branches in Nigeria
-
Banking3 years agoFirst Bank Announces Planned Downtime
-
Sports3 years agoHighest Paid Nigerian Footballer – How Much Do Nigerian Footballers Earn