Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty

The signs of a thriving business and investment ecosystem between Asia-Pacific and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are hard to miss. The two regions are strengthening ties through strategies such as trade agreements and infrastructure investments. Asian companies are interested in becoming a part of the UAE’s free trade zones.What is the current state of the UAE-Asia Pacific relations as well as the future prospects? What are the implications for some of the key players? How can investors and businesses navigate the opportunities and risks within this transforming landscape?Our guests are:● Pratibha Thaker, Editorial Director, Middle East and Africa, Economist Intelligence Unit● V. Shankar, Co-founder and CEO, Gateway Partners“Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty” is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst.The episode is hosted by Bilge Arslan, analyst, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

On the global stage, India and China are becoming key players in terms of total number and valuation of startups, following the United States. Indonesia and Vietnam’s progress have been remarkable as well. Can Asia-Pacific create the next generation Silicon Valley and become a centre for entrepreneurship and innovation? In this episode, we talk about the startup ecosystem in Asia-Pacific. We also discuss how investors and founders can unlock entrepreneurship opportunities in the region. Our guests are:Amra Naidoo, Co-Founder and General Partner, Accelerating AsiaJeffrey Paine, Co-Founder and Managing Director, Golden Gate Ventures“Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty” is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst.The episode is hosted by Bilge Arslan, analyst, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

In the last six years, India’s business environment rankings rose 10 places among the 82 countries assessed by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Expanding investments will be crucial in maintaining the country’s favourable position for investors. To achieve this, India needs to keep improving regarding ease of doing business and governance transparency. Transforming the infrastructure to meet the needs of a growing economy is also key. In this episode, we discuss business and investment opportunities and risks in India. Our guests are: Taimur Baig, Managing Director and Chief Economist, Group Research at DBS BankBen Mathias, Managing Partner at Vertex Ventures SEA & India“Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty” is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst. The episode is hosted by Bilge Arslan, analyst, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

The era of AI has begun. Asia-Pacific’s spending on AI will reach around $50 billion in 2026. In the sixth episode of the series "Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty," sponsored by EquitiesFirst, we discuss the opportunities and risks around artificial intelligence investments in Asia-Pacific. Our guest speakers talk about the new business models emerging from the expanding industry applications of AI and how investors can leverage the associated investment opportunities. What AI can offer is almost limitless, but the opportunities don’t come without risks.Our guests are: William Bao Bean, managing director at Orbit Startups and general partner at SOSV Arvind Sethumadhavan, founder at The AI Living Lab"Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty" is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst.The episode is hosted by Bilge Arslan, analyst, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

The war in Ukraine is entering its second year, with no end in sight. In the fifth episode of the series "Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty," sponsored by EquitiesFirst, we look at the impact of a protracted war in Ukraine on the Asia-Pacific economies. Our guests discuss topics such as how vulnerable APAC economies are to price shocks in an increasingly multipolar world. We also talk about the financial risks of an escalation on the global equity and fixed income markets, and how investors can protect themselves.Our guests are:Mahesh Menon, director and head of Strategic Initiatives at InCred Global WealthJohn Marrett, senior analyst and Asia manager for financial risk at Economist Intelligence Unit"Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty" is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst.The episode is hosted by Bilge Arslan, Analyst, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

The late 2022 predictions of an impending global recession have not materialised, but the global economy is not out of the woods yet. In the fourth episode of the series "Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty," sponsored by EquitiesFirst, we look at the risk of persistent high inflation and global economic slowdown for Asia-Pacific economies. We also discuss how investors are adjusting their portfolios in response to the new reality of high interest rates. Our guests are:Charlie Buxton, head of investment management at The Fry Group,Dhruv Arora, founder and CEO of Syfe."Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty" is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst. The episode is hosted by Piotr Zembrowski, CFA, Senior Manager, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact, and produced by Bilge Arslan and Rudi Osman.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

In the third episode of the series "Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty," supported by EquitiesFirst, we look at climate change. What risk does the warming climate represent for the economies, industries and businesses in Asia Pacific? And what opportunities do risk mitigation and adaptation efforts create for investors? Our guests are:Aurélia Britsch - Senior Director, Climate Risk and Sustainable Finance at Sustainable Fitch Michelle Loi - Vice President, Asia Sustainable Finance at WWF-Singapore"Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty" is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst.The episode is hosted by Piotr Zembrowski, CFA, Senior Manager, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact, and Bilge Arslan, Analyst, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.

This is the second episode in the "Shelter from the storm" series on economic, geopolitical and environmental challenges facing companies and markets today. In this episode, we look at the dominant role of China in Asia's economy and the effect its slowdown might have on the region.Our guests are:Raymond Cheng, managing director and chief investment officer for North Asia at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong KongMartin Hennecke, head of Asia investment advisory at St. James Place Wealth Management"Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty" is a ten-part podcast series, supported by EquitiesFirst.The episode is hosted by Piotr Zembrowski, CFA, Senior Manager, Policy and Insights at Economist Impact.The podcast has been prepared for informational purposes only. This episode is not an offering of a financial product or investment advice. It is not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where its use is not authorised or is unlawful.