Shelter from the storm:
Investing in the era of uncertainty

In partnership with The Economist Impact, EquitiesFirst delves into topics that most concern investors across financial markets. Through the “Shelter from the storm: Investing in the era of uncertainty” podcast series, experts will break down emerging financial risks and help listeners better manage and identify investment opportunities as the global economy is again facing severe headwinds.

In this five episodes series, we will speak to wealth management experts on how investors could mitigate risks from potential future obstacles such as de-globalization and intense rate hikes, as well as ways to best position themselves to ride out the storm.

The podcast series has been prepared for informational purposes only. The episodes do not constitute offerings of financial products or investment advice, and they are not intended for residents in any jurisdiction where their use is unauthorized or unlawful.

SEASON 2
SEASON 1  
From silk road to skyscrapers: Charting the investment landscape between Asia-Pacific and the United Arab Emirates
Pratibha Thaker
Pratibha Thaker
Editorial Director, Middle East and Africa,
Economist Intelligence Unit
V. Shankar
V. Shankar
Co-founder and CEO,
Gateway Partners
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?
2024-04-16
Funding impact in Asia-Pacific
Hannah Lee
Hannah Lee
Head of Asia-Pacific ESG Equity Research,
J.P. Morgan
Natasha Garcha
Natasha Garcha
Senior Director of Innovative Finance,
Impact Investment Exchange
Increasingly more financial players are interested in tapping into the potential of ESG and impact investments in Asia-Pacific. To address social and environmental challenges effectively, key stakeholders need to ensure that impact capital is deployed strategically, matching with the right opportunities. What are the opportunities investors can leverage to generate social and environmental value along with economic returns? What is the role of innovative models of business and financing in unlocking the potential of impact-driven investments?
2023-12-20
Unlocking entrepreneurship in Asia-Pacific
Amra Naidoo
Amra Naidoo
Co-Founder and General Partner,
Accelerating Asia
Jeffrey Paine
Jeffrey Paine
Co-founder and Managing Director,
Golden Gate Ventures
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.
2023-11-14
India's time to shine? Opportunity and risk in India
Ben Mathias
Ben Mathias
Managing Partner,
Vertex Ventures SEA & India
Taimur Baig
Taimur Baig
Managing Director and Chief Economist,
Group Research at DBS Bank
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.
2023-09-28
How to invest in artificial intelligence in Asia-Pacific?
William Bao Bean
William Bao Bean
Managing Director, Orbit Startups
General Partner, SOSV
Arvind Sethumadhavan
Arvind Sethumadhavan
Founder,
The AI Living Lab
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.
2023-08-08
What would a protracted war in Ukraine mean for Asia-Pacific economies?
Mahesh Menon
Mahesh Menon
Director & Head of Strategic Initiatives,
InCred Global Wealth, Singapore
John Marrett
John Marrett
Senior Analyst & Asia Manager for Financial Risk,
The Economist Intelligence Unit, Hong Kong
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.
2023-05-10
How to weather the coming recession
Charlie Buxton
Charlie Buxton
Head of Investment Management,
The Fry Group, Hong Kong
Dhruv Arora
Dhruv Arora
Founder and CEO,
Syfe, Singapore
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.
2023-02-23
Protecting investment portfolios against climate change risks
Aurélia Britsch
Aurélia Britsch
Senior Director,
Climate Risk & Sustainable Finance
Sustainable Fitch, Singapore
Michelle Loi
Michelle Loi
Vice President,
Asia Sustainable Finance
WWF, Singapore
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?
2022-12-14
Can China's economic slowdown create opportunities in Asia?
Raymond Cheng
Raymond Cheng
Managing Director & Chief Investment Officer for North Asia,
Standard Chartered Bank, Hong Kong
Martin Hennecke
Martin Hennecke
Head of Asia Investment Advisory,
St. James Place Wealth Management, Hong Kong
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.
2022-11-03
Can Asia Pacific benefit from deglobalisation?
Arnulfo (Noli) de Pala
Arnulfo (Noli) de Pala
Chief Investment Officer,
Trilake Partners, Singapore
Gareth Nicholson
Gareth Nicholson
Chief Investment Officer,
Nomura, Singapore
Is the world becoming bipolar? In 2020, covid-19 and the resulting disruptions to supply chains shook the foundations of the globalised economy. Companies that had earlier embraced offshoring of manufacturing and sourcing, pivoted to bringing production home, or "onshoring".
2022-09-20