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Kearney’s 2025 FDI Confidence Index® highlights APAC’s innovation-driven growth amid mounting global headwinds
- Japan and South Korea leap in ranking due to technological innovation capabilities and improving economic performance.
- Rising commodity prices, regulatory challenges, and geopolitical tensions temper optimism.
- Southeast Asia’s emerging markets showcase strong talent and investment appeal.
- New U.S. tariffs add urgency to scenario planning and highlight sector vulnerabilities, particularly in manufacturing and automotive.
SINGAPORE – Media OutReach Newswire – 9 April 2025 – Kearney’s Global Business Policy Council today released its 2025 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Confidence Index (FDICI), a survey capturing investor sentiment on FDI flows over the next three years. With 30 percent of respondents based in Asia Pacific (APAC), the survey results show a mixed outlook for APAC markets.
Eight markets from APAC make the top 25 this year, the same representation as last year. This includes Japan (4th), China (including Hong Kong) (6th), Australia (10th), South Korea (14th), Singapore (15th), New Zealand (16th), Taiwan (China) (23rd) and India (24th).
Investors highly value the technological and economic performance of some APAC markets, while the challenges from a complex global geopolitical environment have negatively impacted investors’ views on others.
Though there have been profound developments since the survey was in the field in January, including the announcement of new U.S. tariffs in April, key findings remain illuminating — particularly the value that investors place on efficiency of legal and regulatory processes, domestic economic performance, and technological and innovation capabilities.
Technology and Economic Strength Propel APAC Markets
Investor confidence in APAC remains underpinned by notable advancements in technology and solid economic fundamentals. Japan’s ascent from 7th to 4th place is a prime example, as market participants point to its leading technology innovation and strong economic performance, bolstered by a tight labor market and record wage growth.
Likewise, South Korea makes its strongest-ever showing by leaping from 20th to 14th. 41 percent of investors cite its dynamic technology sector as a key driver of renewed confidence. Significant government investments in semiconductors are potential influencing factors behind this change.
82 percent of APAC-based investors plan to increase FDI in the next three years. 50 percent are more optimistic than a year ago about the APAC economy.
“The impressive strides in technology and economic performance across APAC are reshaping our investment landscape. Japan’s leap and South Korea’s record performance demonstrate the power of innovation and strong market fundamentals, even as recent U.S. tariff measures add complexities to global trade dynamics,” said Shigeru Sekinada, Region Chair, Asia Pacific, Kearney.
“These trends reinforce that strategic and forward-looking investments in innovation will drive sustainable and regenerative growth in our region in the face of evolving global dynamics.
Nonetheless, businesses should also conduct scenario planning as they navigate tariffs and prepare for emerging risks. Sectors like automotive and manufacturing are expected to be hard-hit on top of existing cost and regulatory challenges.”
Regional Headwinds Temper Optimism
Investor sentiment is also affected by rising uncertainties.
Roughly 43 percent of APAC investors surveyed see a rise in commodity prices as the most likely development over the next year, up a striking 14 percent from last year. The uptick is perhaps explained by investor fears of increased global conflict and subsequent supply chain disruptions that could drive commodity prices up.
Ranked second as a likely development in 2025 for APAC investors is a more restrictive business regulatory environment in developed markets (36 percent), up two percent from last year. Tied for third are a rise in geopolitical tensions and a more restrictive business regulatory environment in emerging markets (28 percent).
China slipped from 3rd to 6th place, reflecting ongoing economic challenges including a persistent property crisis and heightened US–China trade tensions. Nevertheless, the nation’s tech innovation continues to be a draw, as evidenced by the recent launch of DeepSeek AI.
Furthermore, Singapore’s drop from 12th to 15th and India’s decline from 18th to 24th underscore growing concerns over trade-related risks and regulatory complexity, respectively.
Shigeru Sekinada added: “While our region continues to showcase significant strengths, we also recognize the challenges in a shifting global landscape. For instance, the new U.S. tariffs have impacted Southeast Asian nations and traditional China +1 beneficiaries.
Despite these challenges, APAC markets retain their core appeal, offering strong fundamentals that investors value deeply – tech-driven innovation, talent, and a strong business-friendly environment. With proactive policies and strategic investments, we are confident that the region is well-equipped to unlock long-term value amidst a volatile global environment.”
ASEAN Shines Among Emerging Markets
Southeast Asia continues to excel in the FDICI’s Emerging Market Index, launched in 2023 to highlight attractive emerging markets for FDI over the next three years. Three ASEAN-6 nations (Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia) have secured spots in the top 15. Investors cite the talent and skills of the workforce as the top reason for investing in Thailand (34 percent), Malaysia (30 percent), and Indonesia (32 percent).
Notably, investor optimism remains high in Thailand, leading ASEAN nations, only behind Singapore.
About the 2025 Kearney FDI Confidence Index®
The Kearney FDI Confidence Index® is an annual survey of global business executives that ranks markets that are likely to attract the most investment in the next three years. In contrast to other backward-looking data on FDI flows, the FDICI provides unique forward-looking analysis of the markets that investors intend to target for FDI in the coming years. Since the FDICI’s inception in 1998, the markets ranked on the Index have tracked closely with the top destinations for actual FDI flows in subsequent years.
The 2025 Kearney FDI Confidence Index® is constructed using primary data from a proprietary survey of 536 senior executives of the world’s leading corporations. The survey was conducted in January 2025. 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. Service-sector firms account for 53 percent of respondents, industrial firms for 35 percent, and IT firms for 12 percent.
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. Together, the markets presented to respondents in the survey received 97 percent of the world’s inward FDI flows in 2023, according to UNCTAD data.
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.
For past editions of the FDI Confidence Index, please go to:
www.kearney.com/foreign-direct-investment-confidence-index.
For more information, contact the Global Business Policy Council (
gb**@*****ey.com).
Media OutReach
iQOO 15R Named Official Gaming Phone for 2026 Asian Games Esports Qualifiers: Honor of Kings
The performance-focused smartphone will support tournament-level mobile gameplay with stable performance, responsive controls and sustained power.
DONGGUAN, CHINA – Media OutReach Newswire – 19 June 2026 – iQOO, a smartphone brand built for high-performance mobile gaming experiences, today announced that the iQOO 15R has been named the Official Gaming Phone for the 2026 Asian Games Esports Qualifiers: Honor of Kings.
As an official esports title of the Asian Games, Honor of Kings brings together competitive mobile esports players from across the region. Through this partnership, iQOO will support the Qualifiers with a device designed for competitive mobile gaming, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to supporting powerful, stable and immersive experiences for players and fans.
Supporting Tournament-Level Mobile Esports
Competitive mobile esports requires more than peak performance. Players often rely on consistent frame rates, responsive touch control and reliable power throughout extended matches. With the iQOO 15R serving as the Official Gaming Phone for the Qualifiers, iQOO aims to bring its performance-driven technology into a professional tournament setting and support players with a device built for speed, control and sustained gameplay.
Built for Stable, High-Intensity Gameplay
Designed as a performance-focused smartphone, the iQOO 15R is equipped to support the high demands of mobile gaming. Powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Gen 5 Mobile Platform and Monster HyperCore Engine, the device is engineered to help deliver stable frame rates and responsive gameplay during extended sessions.
The Supercomputing Chip Q2 is designed to enhance visual clarity for a more immersive gaming experience, while the Super Touch Control Chip is designed to improve input accuracy and control response. In addition, the advanced cooling system and large-capacity Silicon Anode Battery with fast charging help provide the sustained performance and power required for tournament-level play.
Hashtag: #iQOO
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About iQOO
iQOO, a sub-brand of vivo, differentiates itself in performance and Esports experience. iQOO leverages the research, quality assurance and after-sales service expertise of vivo, and follows the brand ethos of i Quest On and On to push boundaries, innovate boldly and share the excitement of exploring future technology. With products offering Esports-standard capabilities, iQOO aims to become the top choice of consumers who are passionate about performance and gaming.
For more information, please visit 
https://www.iqoo.com/en.
About Honor of Kings
Developed by TiMi Studio Group, Honor of Kings has become the world’s most-played MOBA. In 2025, the combined MAU of Honor of Kings titles surpassed 260 million. Featuring highly detailed and diverse character and battlefield design plus music created by world renowned composers including Hans Zimmer, Joe Hisaishi, and Howard Shore, Honor of Kings immerses players in a unique and colorful universe. Honor of Kings prides itself on being free to play and fair to win, with success determined by players’ skills and tactics. Honor of Kings is also home to a thriving esports ecosystem supporting competitive play from grassroots amateurs to elite professionals. To learn more about Honor of Kings, follow on 
Twitter, 
Facebook, 
Youtube, 
Instagram, 
TikTok or visit the official website of Honor of Kings.
Media OutReach
ZEEKR Surpasses 800,000 Global Deliveries and Unveils Global Expansion Strategy for Dual Flagship 9-Series Models
As a key gateway connecting China with global markets, Hong Kong serves as an important benchmark for the premium automotive industry and a strategic platform for luxury brands expanding internationally. Launching the global strategy for the 9-Series in Hong Kong marks a significant new chapter in ZEEKR’s growth across the global premium new energy vehicle market.
800,000 Deliveries Milestone Underscores ZEEKR’s Global Growth Momentum
Strong market performance continues to support ZEEKR’s expansion in the global premium new energy vehicle segment. As of June 16, 2026, ZEEKR’s cumulative global deliveries officially exceeded 800,000 vehicles, marking a major milestone for the brand.
In Hong Kong, ZEEKR has maintained strong momentum. From January to May 2026, ZEEKR captured a 40.7% market share of Hong Kong’s luxury vehicle segment, ranking first among all luxury automotive brands. The ZEEKR 009 ranked as Hong Kong’s best-selling luxury MPV, while the ZEEKR 7X became the city’s best-selling luxury SUV.
Across key international markets, ZEEKR continues to achieve strong results. In Thailand, the brand was the best-selling luxury pure-electric MPV brand in 2025 and retained its leadership position from January to May 2026. In Malaysia, ZEEKR ranked No.1 among luxury pure-electric brands during the same period, with the ZEEKR 7X leading the luxury electric SUV category and the ZEEKR 009 remaining the top-selling luxury electric MPV. In Australia, ZEEKR continued to lead the luxury SUV segment priced above AUD 65,000 from January to May. In Mexico, the ZEEKR 7X secured the monthly luxury EV sales title in both April and May.
Dual Flagship 9-Series Models Showcase ZEEKR’s Technology-Luxury Vision
At this year’s expo, ZEEKR is showcasing five models spanning family mobility, executive transportation and flagship luxury, highlighting the breadth of its premium product portfolio.
The ZEEKR 9X, ZEEKR’s new global flagship of ultra-luxury SUV, is built on the SEA-S architecture and features a 900V high-performance silicon carbide electric drive system delivering more than 1,030 kW of maximum power. Four integrated safety structures combined with extensive use of 2,000 MPa ultra-high-strength steel contribute to a torsional rigidity rating of 41,600 N·m/deg, setting a new benchmark for safety in the hybrid SUV segment. The ZEEKR 9X recently opened pre-sales in the Middle East, where it has received strong market interest. The model is scheduled to expand into key markets across Latin America, Central Asia and Europe.
The ZEEKR 009 Grand, the brand’s global ultra-luxury four-seater flagship MPV, features a 720-degree comprehensive safety architecture and the world’s first integrated die-cast C-ring cabin structure, delivering segment-leading rear-seat protection. The second row is equipped with two ultra-soft aniline leather executive seats featuring 20 massage points and an industry-leading seven-zone graphene heating system, creating an exceptional luxury experience for rear passengers. The right-hand-drive version of the ZEEKR 009 Grand is scheduled to launch in Hong Kong in the fourth quarter of 2026.
The ZEEKR 8X, a super hybrid high-performance flagship SUV, also makes its Hong Kong debut. Built on the SEA-S Super Hybrid Architecture, the ZEEKR 8X delivers a flagship experience across four key dimensions: performance, intelligence, safety and comfort.
Expanding Global Capabilities and Opening a New Chapter of Technology Luxury
As its product lineup continues to grow and its international footprint expands, ZEEKR is accelerating the development of a comprehensive global operating system spanning R&D, product planning, market operations and customer services. Today, ZEEKR’s overseas business covers more than 60 major cities worldwide with a rapidly growing global user base.
As the global automotive industry accelerates toward electrification and intelligent mobility, the luxury vehicle market is entering a new era in which technological innovation is redefining the premium experience. Leveraging Hong Kong’s position as a globally connected international hub, ZEEKR will continue to deepen its global presence and advance the evolution of luxury through innovation. Through cutting-edge technologies, exceptional products and comprehensive lifecycle services, ZEEKR is committed to delivering a distinctive technology-luxury mobility experience for customers around the world.
Hashtag: #ZEEKR
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
About Zeekr
Zeekr is the global luxury electric vehicle technology brand from Geely Auto Group. Utilizing advanced software-defined architectures and cutting-edge propulsion technologies, Zeekr is dedicated to creating a fully integrated user ecosystem with innovation at its core.
Media OutReach
A Decade of Sharing the Flavors of China: ‘Chinese Restaurant’ Stays True to Its Mission Through Food and Culture
Over the past nine years, Chinese Restaurant has traveled across multiple countries and regions, including Thailand, France, Italy, and Hungary. Looking back on its journey of cultural exchange, the program launched a dedicated Chinese food truck in France, allowing local residents and visitors to conveniently experience authentic Chinese flavors. In Hungary, food served as a unique language that fostered deeper intercultural understanding. During the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Italy, the program actively responded to the Belt and Road Initiative, using cultural interaction and culinary exchange to strengthen friendship between the two nations.
Now, standing at the threshold of its second decade, Chinese Restaurant: Nanyang Memories Season returns to Thailand, drawing upon the longstanding cultural, tourism, and people-to-people ties between China and Thailand. Through food and storytelling, the program once again brings Chinese culture to life on Southeast Asian soil.
The new season introduces an innovative business model inspired by traditional Chinese agricultural wisdom, creating a distinctive experience that combines pastoral ecology with the aesthetics of contemporary Chinese dining. New service concepts, including the “Chef’s Table” and “Chef at Home,” offer guests diverse culinary experiences while naturally integrating Chinese cuisine into everyday local life.
For ten years, Chinese Restaurant has remained committed to its original vision: telling authentic and heartfelt Chinese stories while showcasing the unique appeal of Chinese cuisine to global audiences. Through food, the program has helped narrow cultural distances, deepen international understanding, and highlight the confidence, vitality, and inclusiveness of Chinese culture.
The premiere episode of Chinese Restaurant: Nanyang Memories Season coincides with the Dragon Boat Festival, as the seven partners begin a brand-new entrepreneurial adventure in Chiang Mai, Thailand. From unexpected operational challenges and cultural differences to the dynamic interactions among team members with diverse personalities, the journey promises a wealth of memorable moments and compelling stories for viewers.
Over the years, the Chinese Restaurant franchise has consistently used authentic Chinese cuisine as a bridge connecting people across cultures. Every dish reflects the traditions and warmth of Chinese daily life, while every shared meal conveys the spirit and values of Eastern culture. Set against real-world international backdrops, the program vividly presents the depth and richness of Chinese civilization.
Today, Chinese Restaurant is far more than a culinary reality show. It has become a platform for cultural dialogue, mutual understanding, and friendship between China and the world. Through the universal language of food, the program continues to bring people closer together, allowing Chinese flavors and Chinese stories to resonate across borders and leave a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.
Hashtag: #MGTV
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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