KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Global credit rating agency, AM Best has affirmed Hawaii’s PanAsia Reinsurance Inc (PanAsia Re) financial strength rating of A- (Excellent) and the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (Excellent), with a stable outlook.
The credit ratings (ratings) reflect PanAsia Re’s very strong balance sheet, adequate operating performance, limited business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management. The assessment also incorporates both implicit and explicit support from its parent, Hikari Tsushin Inc (Hikari Tsushin).
PanAsia Re’s balance sheet strength is underpinned by projected risk-adjusted capitalisation at the strongest level, as measured by Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, supported by a significant capital injection from its parent in mid-2025, according to AM Best in a statement.
The company has demonstrated strong capital growth, expanding 102.9 per cent between fiscal year 2020 and fiscal year 2024, driven by profitable underwriting and capital infusion from the parent. Its low reliance on reinsurance and conservative investment strategy further support its capital position.
Operating performance is assessed as adequate, supported by consistent profitability with double-digit average return on equity and favourable combined ratios over the past five years.
The company’s small amount and short-term insurance (SASTI) segment, which forms the bulk of its portfolio, typically records low loss ratios, although commission expenses to its parent remain relatively high. PanAsia Re is pursuing gradual expansion of its SASTI business while exploring non-SASTI opportunities to diversify its premium base.
PanAsia Re operates under a captive licence, primarily reinsuring risks from affiliated entities, with selective third-party business subject to regulatory approval. Its business profile remains limited due to modest scale and concentration in Japan-originated personal property, health, and accident lines. The company’s risk management framework is closely integrated with that of its parent.
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 25 March 2026
HORIZON QUANTUM COMPLETES BUSINESS COMBINATION, LISTS ON NASDAQ
KUALA LUMPUR, March 25 (Bernama) -- Horizon Quantum Computing Pte Ltd (Horizon Quantum) has completed its business combination with dMY Squared Technology Group Inc (dMY), securing approximately US$120 million in gross proceeds and marking its public debut on the Nasdaq. (US$1=RM3.94)
In a statement, Horizon Quantum said the transaction, approved by dMY shareholders on March 17, will see the combined entity begin trading on March 20 under the ticker symbols “HQ” for shares and “HQWWW” for warrants.
Horizon Quantum develops software infrastructure designed to enable developers to leverage quantum computing for complex computational challenges. The proceeds from the transaction will be used to accelerate research and development, enhance its hardware testbed, and advance its integrated development environment, Triple Alpha.
“Recent rapid progress in quantum hardware and error correction signals an inflection point for the industry.
“With our Nasdaq listing, we are well-positioned to deliver the software infrastructure needed to power the next phase of computing and enable broad quantum advantage,” said Horizon Quantum Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joe Fitzsimons.
Meanwhile, dMY Chairman and CEO, Harry You said Horizon Quantum’s hardware-agnostic approach positions it to benefit regardless of how quantum computing technologies evolve across competing modalities, including cloud-based systems.
Advisers to the transaction included Needham & Company LLC as exclusive financial adviser and placement agent, alongside legal counsel from Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, and White & Case LLP, among others.
The listing underscores growing investor interest in quantum computing, as companies seek to commercialise software platforms capable of unlocking future computational capabilities.
-- BERNAMA
In a statement, Horizon Quantum said the transaction, approved by dMY shareholders on March 17, will see the combined entity begin trading on March 20 under the ticker symbols “HQ” for shares and “HQWWW” for warrants.
Horizon Quantum develops software infrastructure designed to enable developers to leverage quantum computing for complex computational challenges. The proceeds from the transaction will be used to accelerate research and development, enhance its hardware testbed, and advance its integrated development environment, Triple Alpha.
“Recent rapid progress in quantum hardware and error correction signals an inflection point for the industry.
“With our Nasdaq listing, we are well-positioned to deliver the software infrastructure needed to power the next phase of computing and enable broad quantum advantage,” said Horizon Quantum Founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Joe Fitzsimons.
Meanwhile, dMY Chairman and CEO, Harry You said Horizon Quantum’s hardware-agnostic approach positions it to benefit regardless of how quantum computing technologies evolve across competing modalities, including cloud-based systems.
Advisers to the transaction included Needham & Company LLC as exclusive financial adviser and placement agent, alongside legal counsel from Ellenoff Grossman & Schole LLP, Rajah & Tann Singapore LLP, and White & Case LLP, among others.
The listing underscores growing investor interest in quantum computing, as companies seek to commercialise software platforms capable of unlocking future computational capabilities.
-- BERNAMA
Tuesday, 24 March 2026
AM BEST AFFIRMS PVI INSURANCE’S TOP-TIER RATINGS
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- AM Best has affirmed the financial strength rating of A- (Excellent), the long-term issuer credit rating of “a-” (Excellent), and the Vietnam National Scale Rating of aaa.VN (Exceptional) for PVI Insurance Corporation (PVI Insurance), with a stable outlook.
The credit ratings (ratings) reflect PVI Insurance’s very strong balance sheet, strong operating performance, neutral business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management. The affirmation also factors in rating support from its ultimate parent, HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie V.a.G. (HDI V.a.G.).
The global credit rating agency said in a statement that PVI Insurance’s balance sheet strength is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, measured via Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, which is expected to remain at the strongest level over the medium term.
The company benefits from financial flexibility as a majority-owned subsidiary of HDI V.a.G. Its investment portfolio is considered moderate risk, primarily in cash and term deposits, supplemented by non-rated corporate bonds, affiliated private equity, and real estate.
Offsetting factors include a high dividend payout ratio and reliance on reinsurance for underwriting large commercial property, engineering, and energy risks.
Operating performance is strong, supported by a five-year average return on equity ratio of 16.7 per cent from fiscal year (FY) 2021 to FY 2025. FY 2025 earnings improved due to favourable loss experience and reserve development following Typhoon Yagi.
Profitable results in both commercial and retail lines, combined with stable investment income from interest and dividends, are expected to continue driving overall earnings.
PVI Insurance’s business profile is assessed as neutral. It remains Vietnam’s largest non-life insurer based on 2024 and nine months of 2025 direct premiums written. The company holds strong positions in commercial and industrial lines, including energy, property, engineering, aviation, and marine insurance.
Support from HDI V.a.G. has enhanced technical expertise and service offerings, strengthening PVI Insurance’s regional position in industrial risk coverage. Recent growth has been driven by expansion in inwards reinsurance, while prudent accumulation management continues to be monitored.
-- BERNAMA
The credit ratings (ratings) reflect PVI Insurance’s very strong balance sheet, strong operating performance, neutral business profile, and appropriate enterprise risk management. The affirmation also factors in rating support from its ultimate parent, HDI Haftpflichtverband der Deutschen Industrie V.a.G. (HDI V.a.G.).
The global credit rating agency said in a statement that PVI Insurance’s balance sheet strength is supported by its risk-adjusted capitalisation, measured via Best’s Capital Adequacy Ratio, which is expected to remain at the strongest level over the medium term.
The company benefits from financial flexibility as a majority-owned subsidiary of HDI V.a.G. Its investment portfolio is considered moderate risk, primarily in cash and term deposits, supplemented by non-rated corporate bonds, affiliated private equity, and real estate.
Offsetting factors include a high dividend payout ratio and reliance on reinsurance for underwriting large commercial property, engineering, and energy risks.
Operating performance is strong, supported by a five-year average return on equity ratio of 16.7 per cent from fiscal year (FY) 2021 to FY 2025. FY 2025 earnings improved due to favourable loss experience and reserve development following Typhoon Yagi.
Profitable results in both commercial and retail lines, combined with stable investment income from interest and dividends, are expected to continue driving overall earnings.
PVI Insurance’s business profile is assessed as neutral. It remains Vietnam’s largest non-life insurer based on 2024 and nine months of 2025 direct premiums written. The company holds strong positions in commercial and industrial lines, including energy, property, engineering, aviation, and marine insurance.
Support from HDI V.a.G. has enhanced technical expertise and service offerings, strengthening PVI Insurance’s regional position in industrial risk coverage. Recent growth has been driven by expansion in inwards reinsurance, while prudent accumulation management continues to be monitored.
-- BERNAMA
DMITRY SHUBOV: AI LOCK-IN RISK RISES FOR SOUTHEAST ASIA LEGAL-TECH
KUALA LUMPUR, March 24 (Bernama) -- Southeast Asian legal-tech startups targeting United States (US) expansion face mounting compliance and commercial risks as governments and enterprise buyers increasingly favour region-specific artificial intelligence (AI) platforms, in line with projections from Gartner.
“As suggested by Gartner’s findings, decisions about platforms require careful consideration. Founders who treat AI-platform and data-residency decisions as investor-grade deliverables will encounter fewer surprises when entering the US market,” said Dmitry Shubov Consulting Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dmitry Shubov in a statement.
Platform lock-in—driven by sovereign cloud frameworks and country-specific AI ecosystems—is expected to surge from five per cent to 35 per cent by 2027, complicating cross-border deployment strategies.
Founders pursuing US-based pilots, enterprise contracts, or fundraising must now account for stricter data residency, processing, and transfer requirements.
Governments and large buyers are increasingly mandating the use of approved local platforms, limiting cross-border data movement and introducing new operational constraints.
While regional large language models (LLMs) may offer advantages in regulatory alignment and multilingual capability, deploying across multiple jurisdictions can create friction for US customers and investors.
The shift is also raising due diligence standards. US stakeholders now expect investor-grade transparency, including auditable data flow diagrams, clear subprocessor disclosures, and legally compliant transfer mechanisms such as standard contractual clauses (SCCs) or binding corporate rules (BCRs).
These evolving requirements have direct commercial implications. Startups that proactively structure data governance frameworks and residency strategies can accelerate procurement cycles, reduce transaction risk, and improve valuation outcomes by addressing investor concerns early.
Dmitry Shubov Consulting advises Southeast Asian legal-tech firms on translating region-specific AI and cloud risks into investor-ready frameworks, including data mapping, contractual playbooks, and US go-to-market strategies.
-- BERNAMA
“As suggested by Gartner’s findings, decisions about platforms require careful consideration. Founders who treat AI-platform and data-residency decisions as investor-grade deliverables will encounter fewer surprises when entering the US market,” said Dmitry Shubov Consulting Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dmitry Shubov in a statement.
Platform lock-in—driven by sovereign cloud frameworks and country-specific AI ecosystems—is expected to surge from five per cent to 35 per cent by 2027, complicating cross-border deployment strategies.
Founders pursuing US-based pilots, enterprise contracts, or fundraising must now account for stricter data residency, processing, and transfer requirements.
Governments and large buyers are increasingly mandating the use of approved local platforms, limiting cross-border data movement and introducing new operational constraints.
While regional large language models (LLMs) may offer advantages in regulatory alignment and multilingual capability, deploying across multiple jurisdictions can create friction for US customers and investors.
The shift is also raising due diligence standards. US stakeholders now expect investor-grade transparency, including auditable data flow diagrams, clear subprocessor disclosures, and legally compliant transfer mechanisms such as standard contractual clauses (SCCs) or binding corporate rules (BCRs).
These evolving requirements have direct commercial implications. Startups that proactively structure data governance frameworks and residency strategies can accelerate procurement cycles, reduce transaction risk, and improve valuation outcomes by addressing investor concerns early.
Dmitry Shubov Consulting advises Southeast Asian legal-tech firms on translating region-specific AI and cloud risks into investor-ready frameworks, including data mapping, contractual playbooks, and US go-to-market strategies.
-- BERNAMA
Thursday, 19 March 2026
MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC SECURES MAJOR ORDER FOR TWO SUDIRMAN JAKARTA
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has announced that two of its Indonesian subsidiaries have secured a major order to supply 66 elevators, 30 escalators, 404 air-conditioning units, and 38 hand dryers for Two Sudirman Jakarta.
The subsidiaries involved are PT Mitsubishi Jaya Elevator and Escalator, responsible for manufacturing, selling, installing, and servicing the elevators and escalators, and PT Mitsubishi Electric Indonesia, which handles the air-conditioning systems.
The high-quality equipment is expected to enhance the luxury and comfort of the complex, according to a statement.
Two Sudirman Jakarta is a huge mixed-use urban space scheduled to open in the heart of Jakarta at the end of 2028.
The order reflects Mitsubishi Electric’s strong reputation in Indonesia for delivering reliable elevators, escalators, and related services.
The proposal to supply Two Sudirman Jakarta with the air-conditioning units was supported by Mitsubishi Electric’s extensive product lineup and the close cooperation between its group companies.
By providing advanced and dependable solutions, Mitsubishi Electric aims to contribute to safer, more secure, and comfortable urban environments in Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
The subsidiaries involved are PT Mitsubishi Jaya Elevator and Escalator, responsible for manufacturing, selling, installing, and servicing the elevators and escalators, and PT Mitsubishi Electric Indonesia, which handles the air-conditioning systems.
The high-quality equipment is expected to enhance the luxury and comfort of the complex, according to a statement.
Two Sudirman Jakarta is a huge mixed-use urban space scheduled to open in the heart of Jakarta at the end of 2028.
The order reflects Mitsubishi Electric’s strong reputation in Indonesia for delivering reliable elevators, escalators, and related services.
The proposal to supply Two Sudirman Jakarta with the air-conditioning units was supported by Mitsubishi Electric’s extensive product lineup and the close cooperation between its group companies.
By providing advanced and dependable solutions, Mitsubishi Electric aims to contribute to safer, more secure, and comfortable urban environments in Indonesia.
-- BERNAMA
ABAXX SINGAPORE JOINS SBMA, BOOSTS PHYSICAL GOLD TRADING
KUALA LUMPUR, March 19 (Bernama) -- Abaxx Technologies Inc (Abaxx), a financial software and market infrastructure company, announced its subsidiary, Abaxx Singapore Pte Ltd (Abaxx Singapore), has been accepted as a Local Associate Member of the Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA).
“Abaxx has anchored its integrated precious metals market infrastructure in Singapore to align with Asia’s physical trade.
“That approach is consistent with the direction SBMA has set for the next phase of market development, and we look forward to contributing to smarter precious metals markets,” said Abaxx Exchange Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nancy Seah in a statement.
Meanwhile, SBMA CEO, Albert Cheng welcomed Abaxx Exchange, calling the newly launched Abaxx Gold Singapore futures contract a timely addition to Asia’s gold market infrastructure.
Cheng highlighted that the contract seeks to establish a Singapore-based, kilobar-native, physically deliverable benchmark, supported by modernised title and transfer mechanisms.
The SBMA is a non-profit, member-driven industry body that represents key participants across the precious metals value chain, underpinning Singapore’s position as a regional hub for physical gold trading and custody across the Asia-Pacific.
This membership highlights Abaxx’s increasing involvement in the physical gold market, coinciding with growing participation in the Abaxx Exchange’s kilobar futures contract, deliverable into Singapore.
Abaxx is leveraging its co-located spot and futures infrastructure to establish a direct access point for the kilobar market, enabling the next phase of market expansion as the region solidifies its role in global gold trading.
In a recent pilot, the company demonstrated the mobilisation of physical gold as collateral within existing market structures, enabling T+0 ownership transfer to support financing against vaulted inventory.
The transaction illustrates how Abaxx Digital Title can be applied to vaulted gold to address inefficiencies in a US$47 billion segment of gold trade finance, aligning with SBMA’s focus on deepening Singapore’s leadership in bullion services. (US$1=RM3.93)
-- BERNAMA
“Abaxx has anchored its integrated precious metals market infrastructure in Singapore to align with Asia’s physical trade.
“That approach is consistent with the direction SBMA has set for the next phase of market development, and we look forward to contributing to smarter precious metals markets,” said Abaxx Exchange Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nancy Seah in a statement.
Meanwhile, SBMA CEO, Albert Cheng welcomed Abaxx Exchange, calling the newly launched Abaxx Gold Singapore futures contract a timely addition to Asia’s gold market infrastructure.
Cheng highlighted that the contract seeks to establish a Singapore-based, kilobar-native, physically deliverable benchmark, supported by modernised title and transfer mechanisms.
The SBMA is a non-profit, member-driven industry body that represents key participants across the precious metals value chain, underpinning Singapore’s position as a regional hub for physical gold trading and custody across the Asia-Pacific.
This membership highlights Abaxx’s increasing involvement in the physical gold market, coinciding with growing participation in the Abaxx Exchange’s kilobar futures contract, deliverable into Singapore.
Abaxx is leveraging its co-located spot and futures infrastructure to establish a direct access point for the kilobar market, enabling the next phase of market expansion as the region solidifies its role in global gold trading.
In a recent pilot, the company demonstrated the mobilisation of physical gold as collateral within existing market structures, enabling T+0 ownership transfer to support financing against vaulted inventory.
The transaction illustrates how Abaxx Digital Title can be applied to vaulted gold to address inefficiencies in a US$47 billion segment of gold trade finance, aligning with SBMA’s focus on deepening Singapore’s leadership in bullion services. (US$1=RM3.93)
-- BERNAMA
Wednesday, 18 March 2026
EDGECONNEX BREAKS GROUND ON AI-READY HYPERSCALE CAMPUS IN GREATER OSAKA
 |
| Sam Lee, Managing Director, Market & Commercial Development for EdgeConneX APAC performing the ground‑breaking ritual during the Shinto ceremony. |
KUALA LUMPUR, March 18 (Bernama) -- EdgeConneX, a pioneer in global Build-to-Suit and Build-to-Density data centre solutions, has commenced development of its first 200-megawatt (MW), artificial intelligence (AI)-ready data centre campus in Greater Osaka.
The milestone project, in partnership with Kagoya Asset Management, reinforces the company's commitment to the Japanese market and aims to meet the region’s growing demand for secure, resilient, and advanced digital infrastructure.
“Breaking ground on our first data centre campus in Japan is a landmark moment for EdgeConneX and a significant step in our strategy to bring advanced, AI-ready infrastructure to this critical market.
“With a combined 350MW of capacity planned for the Greater Osaka region, we are well-positioned to support the next wave of cloud and AI adoption, helping to establish Osaka as a top destination for cutting-edge IT infrastructure,” said EdgeConneX Managing Director, Market & Commercial Development APAC, Sam Lee.
Meanwhile, Kyotanabe City Mayor, Takashi Kamimura welcomed the project, expressing confidence that the facility will contribute to the regional economy and support sustainable community development.
According to EdgeConneX in a statement, the new hyperscale campus will span 130,000 square metres, with a 200MW power capacity, and is located approximately 30 kilometres from Osaka’s central business district.
The first phase is expected to be operational by the first quarter of 2028, following the company’s January 2025 market entry and local team expansion.
Designed for high-density AI workloads, the Osaka campus will feature a liquid-cooling-capable architecture offering flexibility, modularity, and mission-critical resilience. The facility will fully comply with Japan’s stringent building and seismic codes to ensure operational reliability.
-- BERNAMA
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