Vietnam
Investment/M&A activities:
Government issues decree for National Venture Investment Fund: On October 15, 2025, the Vietnamese government issued Decree No. 264/2025/ND-CP, establishing the legal framework for the National Venture Investment Fund. The decree outlines the fund's operational structure, state capital contributions, and private capital mobilization mechanisms, aimed at providing critical seed and early-stage funding to support Vietnam's innovation and startup ecosystem. Read more here.
- EuroCham BCI hits three-year high: EuroCham announced on October 15, 2025, that its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the third quarter of 2025 climbed to 66.5 points. This marks the highest level of optimism among European firms operating in Vietnam in three years, driven by expectations of economic stabilization, forward-looking visa reforms, and growing momentum in green investment. Read more here.
Philippines
Investment/M&A activities:
- ADB approves $400m loan for Philippines insurance sector: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced on October 14, 2025, that it had approved a $400 million policy-based loan to help the Philippines modernize its insurance industry. The financing aims to strengthen the regulatory framework, promote climate and disaster resilience, and support the development of long-term capital for infrastructure projects. Read more here.
- STT GDC Philippines announces new connectivity partners: ST Telemedia Global Data Centres (STT GDC) Philippines announced on October 15, 2025, that it had secured its first connectivity partners, including Globe Telecom, Radius Telecoms, and Source Telecoms, for its new 124MW STT Fairview data centre campus. This move establishes a carrier-neutral ecosystem to support the country's growing demand for AI and digital services. Read more here.
EMEA
Others:
- Algeria inks $5.4bn Illizi Basin production-sharing pact: On October 13, 2025, Sonatrach signed a 30-year production-sharing contract with Saudi Arabia’s Midad Energy for the Illizi South area. Midad funds a seven-year exploration phase (c.~$288m) and the project targets an estimated ~993 mmboe over the contract life, including ~125 bcm of gas—aligning with Algeria’s broader $60bn five-year upstream push. Read more here.
