Media OutReach
CPA Australia: Hong Kong SMEs eager to innovate amid tougher financing conditions
The annual survey collected views from 4,236 small businesses in 11 markets across the Asia-Pacific region (including Singapore, Mainland China and Australia) to understand their business performance and outlook. The survey included 306 respondents from Hong Kong, with 65 per cent of the businesses surveyed reporting business growth in 2024, a notable rise from 57 per cent in 2023 and the strongest performance since 2017.
However, 57 per cent of respondents expect their business to grow in 2025, marking a sharp decline from last year’s 69 per cent growth projection. Confidence in Hong Kong’s broader economy mirrors this trend, with 68 per cent expecting economic expansion this year, down from 73 per cent in 2024.
Mr Cliff Ip, a councillor on CPA Australia’s Greater China Divisional Council, said: “2024 was a positive year for most Hong Kong SMEs, thanks to an improving economy and various government support measures. However, this year, many SMEs are facing multiple challenges, including economic pressures, tightening financing conditions and increased market competition. As a result, business sentiment has become more cautious.
“Some sectors are still adapting to changes in consumer behaviour, such as the rise in online shopping and spending outside of Hong Kong. For SMEs to achieve sustainable development, it’s important to adopt a more proactive approach in embracing these trends.”
To remain competitive, Hong Kong SMEs are keen to innovate and expand into overseas markets. In 2025, 94 per cent of respondents intend to innovate their products or services, surpassing their regional counterparts for the second consecutive year. Additionally, 79 per cent expect revenue growth from overseas sales this year, the highest among the markets surveyed.
“It is encouraging to see that many Hong Kong SMEs are looking to grow their business through alternative sources, such as overseas sales. They should actively leverage government support programs such as E-commerce Express and SME Export Marketing Fund to accelerate business transformation. Meanwhile, given heightened geopolitical risks, SMEs need to stay alert to the risks and opportunities from policy changes, such as tariffs,” Mr Ip said.
The challenging financing conditions are noteworthy. In 2024, over 80 per cent of Hong Kong’s small businesses required external finance. However, 37 per cent found it difficult to access funds, up from 8 per cent in 2023. Additionally, the number of small businesses struggling to repay their debts rose from 9 per cent in 2023 to 22 per cent in 2024. The financing and solvency issues are likely to persist this year. In 2025, 40 per cent anticipate difficulty accessing finance, while 26 per cent expect they may struggle to repay debts.
“While banks remain the main source of external funding, many SMEs used their personal resources last year, marking a five-fold surge from 2023, due to tightened lending requirements. We therefore welcome the measures, announced this week by the Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) and the banking sector, to support SMEs obtain bank financing. To further assist SMEs in managing their liquidity needs, we suggest the Hong Kong government and financial institutions extend the Pre-approved Principal Payment Holiday Scheme for 12 months,” Mr Ip said.
“To sustain growth, SMEs should continuously innovate to stay competitive, closely monitor their cash flow, focus on high-growth business opportunities, diversify revenue streams, and seek professional advice on cost-saving measures. These strategies will help businesses navigate economic uncertainties and strengthen their long-term competitiveness.”
Employment trends in the SME sector remain strong. Last year, 42 per cent reported an increase in headcount, and 51 per cent expect to hire new staff this year.
The survey also highlights robust technology adoption among Hong Kong’s small businesses. In 2024, 80 per cent sold online, 83 per cent offer digital payment options and 95 per cent leverage social media. Notably, 41 per cent reported making a major investment in AI last year, marking it as a significant investment among other technologies. Another 26 per cent sought advice from AI tools.
Mr Davy Leung, Deputy Chairperson of CPA Australia’s Small and Medium Enterprises Committee – Greater China, said: “Hong Kong SMEs are facing labour shortages and talent competition issues, especially because many business owners are keen on hiring. This might be prompting them to invest heavily in advanced technologies such as AI and conversational platforms to interact with potential customers, improving efficiency and saving costs.
“It’s interesting that AI tools have become a popular source of advice for many SMEs in Hong Kong. There are pros and cons of consulting AI on doing business. While leveraging advanced technologies like AI reflects a positive attitude and open mindset towards trying new methods, it also increases cyber risks. Additionally, SMEs should not rely solely on AI and should seek advice from reliable professionals, especially on technical issues such as financing and taxation.
“Last year, 72 per cent of SMEs suffered financial or operational losses due to cyberattacks, ranking highest among all markets. This highlights urgent cybersecurity gaps that must be addressed. To safeguard SMEs from escalating cyber threats, the government should strengthen support programs by providing more funding for cybersecurity investments, offering practical training on cyber risk management, and enhancing information-sharing platforms.”
Hashtag: #CPAAustraliaHongKong
https://www.cpaaustralia.com.au/
https://www.linkedin.com/school/cpaaustralia/
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About CPA Australia
CPA Australia is one of the largest professional accounting bodies in the world, with nearly 175,000 members in over 100 countries and regions, including more than 22,500 members in Greater China. CPA Australia is celebrating its 70th anniversary in Hong Kong this year. Our core services include education, training, technical support and advocacy. CPA Australia provides thought leadership on issues affecting the accounting profession and the public interest. We engage with governments, regulators and industries to advocate policies that stimulate sustainable economic growth and have positive business and public outcomes. Find out more at cpaaustralia.com.au
On its 30th Anniversary, Zoho Corporation exceeds milestone of 150 million users
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 5 March 2026 – Zoho Corporation, a global technology company, today marked its 30th anniversary with the announcement of two major company milestones. Zoho Corporation, consisting of Zoho, ManageEngine, Qntrl, and TrainerCentral, is now a trusted technology provider to more than one million paying customers and more than 150 million users globally. Today’s announcement follows significant YoY customer (32%) and revenue (20%) growth in 2025.
Zoho Corporation would foremost like to thank every one of its customers, big and small, whose loyalty and support has had an outsized impact on the company’s foundation, growth, and future success. To honor that commitment, Zoho Corporation is shining a light on a few dedicated customers, whose success it is proud to have helped support.
“‘What made us stick with Zoho for so long is consistency and trust. Zoho continues to invest in its platform with a clear long-term vision, not short-term trends. The products are stable, well integrated, and designed to support real business needs, which allows us to confidently recommend Zoho to our clients year after year,” said Alexon Garcia, Technical Delivery Manager, Devtac, Philippines. “As Zoho turns 30, we would like to thank the people building the products. Your focus on privacy, value, and practical innovation truly sets Zoho apart in the market. It shows that the company is built for the long run and not driven by hype.”
“For almost a decade of using Zoho Desk and Zoho SalesIQ, we have seen a huge improvement in the way we handle tickets and access reports, enabling our team to make faster, data-driven decisions. Over time, Zoho has naturally become an integral part of our daily operations because it is easy to use, reasonably priced, and continues to evolve based on real feedback from its users. A big thank you to the Zoho team for building such a powerful SaaS platform—we look forward to continuing to grow together in the years to come,” said Wildan Zubaidi, VP of Customer Experience, PT Biznet Gio Nusantara, Indonesia.
“During periods of rapid business expansion and operational complexity, particularly when organizations needed to move from fragmented systems to integrated digital platforms, Zoho played a critical role. Solutions such as Zoho CRM, Creator, Analytics, and Finance applications enabled faster decision-making, improved visibility, and operational resilience, especially during times of disruption and digital transformation. These moments reinforced Zoho’s value not just as a software provider, but as a strategic enabler,” said Henry Soo, Founder, DataDevelop Consulting Ltd., Hong Kong.
Recent customers to Zoho Corporation include: In the United States, Rapid Response Monitoring and Synergy Home Care; In India, Mercedes-Benz India, Force Motors, Joyalukkas and Union Bank of India; in the UK/European Union, Flora Food Group, Handl Tyrol and Atout France; in Middle East-Africa, Al-Ahli Saudi FC and Al Qadsiah FC; in LATAM, Grupo Gonher; and in Brazil, Creditas and Editora Globo.
“Being bootstrapped, private, and built entirely in-house makes Zoho an outlier among competitors,” says Sridhar Vembu, Co-founder and Chief Scientist, Zoho Corporation. “But vendors don’t need our help, businesses do, which is why delivering customer value has, for 30 years, been Zoho Corporation’s North Star. Before any innovation, strategy, or guiding principle becomes a product, pivot, or policy, it must first affirm the question, ‘Will this help businesses?’ We are incredibly grateful that companies around the world have responded so positively to our customer-first approach over the past three decades, and will continue to meet the evolving needs of businesses with powerful, scalable, and affordable solutions.”
To learn more about the unique growth stories of Zoho Corporation’s customers over 30 years, visit here.
Hashtag: #ZohoCorporation
https://www.zoho.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/zohoapac
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Zoho Corporation
With 60+ apps in nearly every major business category, Zoho Corporation is one of the world’s most prolific technology companies. Zoho is privately held and profitable with more than 19,000 employees globally with headquarters in Austin, Texas and international headquarters in Chennai, India. Zoho APAC HQ is located in Singapore. For more information, please visit: www.zoho.com/
Zoho respects user privacy and does not have an ad-revenue model in any part of its business, including its free products. The company owns and operates its data centers, ensuring complete oversight of customer data, privacy, and security. More than 150 million users around the world, across hundreds of thousands of companies, rely on Zoho everyday to run their businesses, including Zoho itself. For more information, please visit: https://www.zoho.com/privacy-commitment.html
Media OutReach
Southco’s New Heavy-Duty Rotary Latch Simplifies Cab Access While Enhancing Operator Safety
The new R4-50 Rotary Latch provides the heavy-duty performance that modern machinery demands, to tackles vibrations, safety-risking accidental releases, and complex access delays in rough environments.
Engineered for demanding conditions, the R4-50 delivers:
- Independent interior and exterior actuation – making it easier and safer to enter and exit equipment cabs.
- A pre-loaded interior hand lever – purpose-built for high-impact environments, reducing noise and vibration while ensuring smoother, more reliable operation.
- Accidental actuation prevention – minimizing unintended movement to keep operators secure and equipment protected.
- Flexible release options – including remote actuator connection via cable or rod, or direct push release, to meet different cab design needs.
Southco’s R4 Rotary Latch series is highly durable, and is available in a variety of configurations that meet customer needs with little to no modification, including compact mechanical and electromechanical designs made of durable materials suitable for any environment. R4-50 Rotary Latches with Dual Triggers are compliant with FMVSS 206 impact standards, IP65 dust and water intrusion standards, EN 45545-3 fire protection standards, as well as applicable vibration standards.
As a heavy-duty upgrade to Southco’s trusted R4 Rotary Latch line, the R4-50 with Dual Triggers combines operator safety, rugged durability, and simplified access in one cost-effective system. The latch is also compatible with Southco AC actuators, offering OEMs a low-investment, high-value option for enhancing their cab entry solutions.
Global Product Manager Cynthia Bart adds, “The new R4-50 Rotary Latch with Dual Triggers offers a complete, highly versatile cab door entry system for use in heavy-duty construction and agricultural vehicles. The latches are compatible with Southco AC Actuators, allowing designers to quickly and affordably upgrade their existing designs.”
For more information about the functionality of R4-50 Rotary Latches, please visit southco.com or email the 24/7 customer service department at in**@*****co.com
Hashtag: #Southco
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Southco
Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design. For over 75 years, Southco has helped the world’s most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more. With unrivalled engineering resources, innovative products and a dedicated global team, Southco delivers the broadest portfolio of premium access solutions available to equipment designers throughout the world.
Media OutReach
DBS Hong Kong collaborates with Know Your Customer Limited to further improve digital account opening for SMEs
Leveraging Know Your Customer’s cutting-edge digital compliance platform, DBS Hong Kong will gain real-time access to comprehensive business verification data — including instant retrieval of official company documents and automatic identification of complex ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO) networks across more than 140 jurisdictions.
This AI-powered automation addresses the traditionally manual and cumbersome SME onboarding processes by streamlining the end-to-end business KYC process, efficiently verifying corporate structures and ownership, reducing manual effort and accelerating onboarding timelines. The result is significantly enhanced operational efficiency and a faster, more seamless onboarding experience for DBS Hong Kong’s business customers.
[Lareina Wang, Head of SME Banking, DBS Bank Hong Kong] said,
” At DBS Hong Kong, we are dedicated to reimagining the customer onboarding experience through continuous digital innovation. By engaging Know Your Customer, we leverage advanced technology to streamline CDD workflows, delivering faster service to our customers. This collaboration also represents a major advancement in automating SME onboarding processes that have historically been complicated and manual, solidifying SME banking position of DBS in the market of Hong Kong. “
Claus Christensen, CEO and Co-Founder of Know Your Customer, added,
“Our service provided to DBS Hong Kong exemplifies how financial technology can simplify complex onboarding challenges. With our global data coverage and AI-powered automation, we empower DBS Hong Kong to accelerate KYC processes and provide business customers with an unrivalled onboarding journey. Together, we are shaping the future of digital banking.”
In recognition of its visionary digital strategy, DBS Hong Kong was named Asia’s Best Digital Bank in 2025 by Euromoney. The bank also continues to lead digital innovation, evidenced by over 70% of Hong Kong SMEs already integrating or exploring AI and digital technologies as part of their operations, according to its recent SME survey.
This transformative collaboration underscores DBS Hong Kong’s unwavering commitment to innovation and delivering safe and trusted digital onboarding solutions in Asia’s rapidly evolving financial landscape.
Hashtag: #KnowYourCustomer
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About DBS Bank (Hong Kong) Limited
DBS is a leading financial services group in Asia with a presence in 19 markets. Headquartered and listed in Singapore, DBS is in the three key Asian axes of growth: Greater China, Southeast Asia and South Asia. The bank’s “AA-” and “Aa1” credit ratings are among the highest in the world.
Recognised for its global leadership, DBS has been named “
World’s Best Bank” by Global Finance, “World’s Best Bank” by Euromoney and “Global Bank of the Year” by The Banker. The bank is at the forefront of leveraging digital technology to shape the future of banking, having been named “World’s Best Digital Bank” by Euromoney and the world’s “Most Innovative in Digital Banking” by The Banker. In addition, DBS has been accorded the “Safest Bank in Asia” award by Global Finance for 17 consecutive years from 2009 to 2025. In 2026, DBS won the “Triple A award – Best Digital Customer Onboarding Experience – Hong Kong”
DBS provides a full range of services in consumer, SME and corporate banking. As a bank born and bred in Asia, DBS understands the intricacies of doing business in the region’s most dynamic markets.
DBS is committed to building lasting relationships with customers, as it banks the Asian way. Through the DBS Foundation, the bank creates impact beyond banking by uplifting lives and livelihoods of those in need. It provides essential needs to the underprivileged, and fosters inclusion by equipping the underserved with financial and digital literacy skills. It also nurtures innovative social enterprises that create positive impact.
With its extensive network of operations in Asia and emphasis on engaging and empowering its staff, DBS presents exciting career opportunities. For more information, please visit www.dbs.com.
About Know Your Customer Limited
Know Your Customer Limited is an award-winning RegTech company specialised in next-generation business verification solutions for financial institutions and regulated organisations worldwide. For teams struggling with inefficient client due diligence and onboarding processes, Know Your Customer offers an intuitive digital compliance workspace that combines unmatched real-time registry data, covering over 140 countries, seamless integrations, and AI-powered smart automation. This streamlined approach transforms the compliance function at its core, allowing customers to customise their solutions by selecting only the functionalities they need, all accessible via a robust REST API.
Founded in Hong Kong in 2015, with a local presence in Singapore, Dublin, London, and Shanghai, Know Your Customer has built a global customer base across 11 verticals and 18 jurisdictions. The company also maintains a wide network of technology and data partners, ensuring high-quality entity data and enhanced compliance processes for its customers.
For more information visit https://knowyourcustomer.comor follow Know Your Customer Limited on 
LinkedIn or 
X.
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