All eyes on Asia: How investors are future-proofing their portfolios
At the inaugural UBS Asian Investment Conference in Singapore, business leaders and policymakers explored what is driving the region’s rise as a destination for global wealth
UBS SUCCESSFULLY launched its inaugural Asian Investment Conference Singapore Wealth Edition. More than 1,000 clients, entrepreneurs, family offices and policymakers convened to explore how wealth owners in Asia Pacific (APAC) and beyond are adapting their strategies to today’s dynamic investment environment.
Among the distinguished speakers were President Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States and Founder, Clinton Foundation, Gan Kim Yong, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry, and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, and Ravi Menon, Singapore’s Ambassador for Climate Action and Chairman, ImpactSG.
Overall topics from the conference included how investors, companies and countries can navigate the current global conditions and market environment.
As markets grapple with heightened volatility, the wealthy are taking a closer look at diversification strategies and increasing their exposure to Asia.
Said Iqbal Khan, Co-President UBS Global Wealth Management and President UBS Asia Pacific: “Singapore stands at the crossroads of global finance – making it an ideal setting for meaningful dialogue and forward-looking perspectives.”
Khan reaffirmed the importance of the region to UBS’s global ambitions. “APAC is crucial to our growth strategy, as reflected in our first quarter results where our APAC business surpassed US$900 billion (S$1.15 trillion) in assets under management. The results highlight our clients’ trust in our advice and global capabilities to protect their wealth in today’s macroeconomic environment.”
Young Jin Yee, Co-Head UBS Global Wealth Management Asia Pacific and Country Head UBS Singapore highlighted the region’s enduring appeal as a key investment destination, noting that family offices in South-east Asia allocate a fifth of their investments in APAC (excluding Greater China). “Against a volatile macroeconomic environment, UBS is well-placed to grow, protect and preserve our clients’ wealth for generations,” she said.
Resilience in a shifting global order
The day’s opening keynote featured a dialogue between Young and DPM Gan, who outlined how Singapore is positioning itself for the future.
DPM Gan noted that Singapore’s resilience is underpinned by its ability to adapt quickly, invest in talent and remain open to global trade and ideas. This, he said, will be critical as the country works to retain its edge as a hub for finance, innovation and enterprise.
Throughout the day, conference sessions explored how investors can navigate a landscape marked by inflationary pressure, changing interest rate expectations and a rapidly evolving technology sector. Speakers discussed the investment opportunities in Asia, the role of the US dollar in a multipolar world and the economic rebalancing underway in China.
Amid these discussions, one recurring theme was how to stay invested while managing risk. UBS’s Chief Investment Office advocates for a phased approach to investing as a way to manage market volatility. For clients who prefer a guided strategy to achieve this, discretionary mandates may be an option that allows professionals to manage portfolios based on clients’ risk appetite and long-term objectives.
To support this approach, the bank offers a range of solutions, one of them being UBS My Way, a digital-first mandate offering that enables clients to tailor their own portfolios with over 70 investment options, spanning active, passive, direct and thematic strategies.
