financing

Financing is a critical component of economic development and innovation, as highlighted by recent news. In Hong Kong, the government is expanding its intellectual property (IP) financing sandbox scheme. This initiative, which has already helped seven firms lower borrowing costs over a nine-month trial, aims to refine the IP ecosystem by improving valuation practices, reducing professional service costs, and increasing market awareness. Meanwhile, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral lender, has announced ambitious plans to double its annual financing to approximately US$20 billion by 2030. This expansion is driven by a consistent demand from member economies for infrastructure development. Both developments underscore the ongoing efforts to facilitate access to capital for diverse economic needs, from fostering innovation through IP to bridging significant infrastructure gaps in Asia.