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China Continues as an Attractive Investment Destination

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GUANGZHOU, China, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) today released its 2025 Special Report on the State of Business in South China. The release was attended by over 200 government officials, business executives and members of media including over 40 foreign consulates mostly represented by their consuls general. This publication can be downloaded free of charge from the Chamber’s website at http://www.amcham-southchina.com/amcham/static/publications/specialreport.jsp

The 208-page bilingual 2025 Special Report on the State of the Business in South China, the 21st such endeavor, provides a comprehensive and quantitative analysis of the business community and valuable insights into the development trends in South China. This year, 316 companies participated in the study in total. This publication is researched and produced independently by AmCham South China and does not represent the opinions of the US or any other government or organization. AmCham South China does not receive any funds from any government in the production of this publication.

According to the 2025 Special Report on the State of Business in South China, 76% of the companies studied plan to reinvest in China in 2025. A sizeable number of the participating companies have budgeted for reinvestment in China in 2025 under US$10 million, accounting for 77% of the total. A notable 6% have allocated over US$250 million for reinvestment plans in the coming year. It is estimated that member companies have set aside a total of US$14.59 billion from profits in China to reinvest over the next three to five years to expand existing operations and capture additional market share, a surge of 33.18% compared to the previous reinvestment figure.

Dr. Harley Seyedin, Chairman and President of AmCham South China, winner of 2017 Oslo Business for Peace Award (along with Elon Musk, Durreen Shahnaz and Murad Al-Katib), which is awarded by an Award Committee consisting of Nobel Laureates in Peace and Economics, said, “Businesses are increasing their commitments in China to secure a stronger foothold in this critical market. The reinvestment surge signals confidence in China’s future, and their hope for US-China increased cooperation.” Dr. Seyedin continued, “Since nearly 75% of American companies in China are primarily focused on importing components from the US to produce goods and services in China for China, they believe that continued reinvestment in China is essential for their long-term success.”

In 2024, China achieved a GDP growth rate of 5% and a total GDP of RMB 134.91 trillion (US$18.80 trillion). This robust economic performance continues to attract global investors, with 39% of the companies studied ranking China as their top investment destination and 58% of foreign companies placing it among their top three global investment priorities. The 2025 Special Report further highlights strong investor confidence, as 73% of the participating companies report a positive or very positive overall return on investment in China in 2024, while 39% enjoy a higher return on investment in China than in other global markets.

Key Takeaways of the 2025 Special Report on the State of Business in South China:

The proportion of companies that gained over 60% of their global revenue from China has risen by 5 percentage points (pp) to 31%.47% of the companies studied experienced a significant or slight increase in revenue in China. A larger share of American companies (43%, +7pp y-o-y) and manufacturing companies (47%, +17pp y-o-y) experienced revenue growth.In 2024, overall profitability declined, with 85% of companies reporting profitability in China, a 3pp decrease compared to the previous two years.Concerning the companies that are profitable in China, 45% reported to have met their budget expectations. Among companies yet to make profits in China, 88% expect to reach that milestone within two to five years. Only 8% anticipate it will take more than six years.In 2024, 57% of the companies studied remain optimistic about their business prospects in China, a 5pp decrease from the previous year. American companies’ confidence dropped by 14pp, while the manufacturing sector saw the steepest decline, with an 18pp drop in optimism.In 2024, 61% of the companies studied reported to have reinvested in China, marking a 5pp decline compared with the previous year. The reinvestment trend remains consistent for American companies, with 57% reporting to have actually reinvested in China, in line with last year’s figures.3% of the companies studied had each budgeted to reinvest US$250 million or more in China in 2024, while this year’s findings reveal that 7% had actually followed through with reinvestments of this magnitude.59% of the companies studied have plans to expand their operations in China over the coming three years.Guangzhou has been ranked as the top investment destination in China for eight consecutive years, followed by Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing.Fierce local competition remains the greatest challenge faced by the companies studied in South China, followed by rising labor costs and rising operation costs.Not a single company indicated a complete withdrawal from the Chinese market. 91% of the companies studied assert that they will not decouple from the Chinese market due to the US-China trade tensions, a 5pp increase from 2023.One quarter of the companies studied are bullish about the US-China relations in the coming year, a significant decrease of 19pp compared to previous assessments.

The negative effects of both US and Chinese tariffs on the companies studied have been somewhat alleviated. Many companies have found ways to mitigate the impact through supply chain adjustments, strategic sourcing, or absorbing some of the tariff costs.

Dr. Seydin remarked, “American companies have long recognized the importance of the strong economic relationship between the two countries, and they remain committed to the mutual benefits of innovation, job creation, and cultural exchange that this partnership fosters. It is essential that both governments work together to create a more predictable and supportive trade environment where American businesses can continue to thrive and contribute to the long-term economic growth of both countries.”

Special Report on the State of Business in South China

The Special Report on the State of Business in South China is a quantitative study of the business environment, conducted for consecutive years by AmCham South China. Each year, AmCham’s member and non-member companies participate in AmCham’s State of Business study, results of which will be garnered and edited into a separate publication.

The document can be downloaded free of charge from the chamber’s website at http://www.amcham-southchina.com/amcham/static/publications/specialreport.jsp 

About the American Chamber of Commerce in South China

The American Chamber of Commerce in South China (AmCham South China) is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating bilateral trade between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. Accredited in 1995 by the US Chamber of Commerce in Washington DC, AmCham South China represents more than 2,300 corporate and individual members, is governed by a fully-independent Board of Governors elected from its membership, and provides dynamic, on-the-ground support for American and international companies doing business in South China. Over the past decade, AmCham South China has hosted on average each year more than 10,000 business executives and government leaders from around the world at its briefings, seminars, committee meetings and social gatherings. All AmChams in China are independently governed and represent member companies in their respective regions.

 

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SOURCE The American Chamber of Commerce in South China

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E&R Engineering to Launch New Malaysia Plant: Expanding Global Packaging Materials Production and Localized Services

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October 5, 2026

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KAOHSIUNG, Oct. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — E&R Engineering Corp., (TWSE: 8027) an international provider of semiconductor packaging equipment, announced today the upcoming grand opening of its new Malaysian subsidiary—E&R SEMICONDUCTOR (MALAYSIA) SDN. BHD.—at the Melaka Free Trade Zone on October 13.

To meet surging Southeast Asian demand, E&R Engineering is upgrading its global strategy for the packaging materials business unit. While its plant in China continues to experience steady business growth, E&R is strategically shifting a portion of its production focus to Malaysia while expanding overall capacity. The new facility is currently undergoing sample testing and qualification, with mass production scheduled to begin early next year. The plant is expected to create 50 local job opportunities and strengthen E&R’s supply capabilities for semiconductor and OSAT customers in Southeast Asia.

Deepening Roots in Southeast Asia’s Packaging Hub: Localized Mass Production of Advanced Carrier Tapes

Accounting for approximately 13% of the world’s backend packaging and testing capacity, Malaysia’s semiconductor market is projected to reach $16.51 billion by 2030, driven by robust policy support. Capitalizing on this momentum and increasing regional customer demand, E&R has established a footprint in Phase III of the Batu Berendam Free Trade Zone in Melaka. The facility brings its manufacturing expertise in high-end Embossed Carrier Tapes and Cover Tapes directly to local production.

Through “local manufacturing and fast response,” the new plant directly addresses the needs of OSAT and semiconductor customers—shortening lead times while providing high precision, excellent electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection, and robust packaging interfaces to support advanced packaging trends such as chip miniaturization and Chiplet integration.

Opening a New Chapter with “Innovation, Collaboration, and Growth”

E&R President KS Chen stated: “To address growing customer demand in Southeast Asia, we have shifted part of our production focus for packaging materials to Malaysia while expanding capacity. Furthermore, this facility serves as a local hub for E&R’s semiconductor equipment Field Service Engineers. We will focus on hiring local talent and building our specialized equipment engineering team, enabling us to provide immediate, localized technical support and after-sales services.”

AK Ong, General Manager of the Malaysia plant, added: “The completion of our new facility allows us to stay closer to our customers, offering real-time support. We remain committed to delivering top-quality products and strictly monitoring every quality checkpoint to create a win-win future for all.”

E&R Website: https://en.enr.com.tw/

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SOURCE E&R Engineering Corp.

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Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute announces first I20 Summit alongside G20 Leaders’ Summit, targets US$5tn capital deployment into US

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October 5, 2026

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Five-day event set for Miami (11–15 December 2026) alongside the G20 Leaders’ Summit at Trump National Doral.Convenes global sovereign, pension, and institutional allocators representing every G20 and allied nation.SWFI targets US$5 trillion in capital deployment into key American growth sectors.

NEW DELHI, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI) has officially announced G20 Investment Week and the inaugural I20 Summit, taking place in Miami from 11–15 December 2026. Held alongside the official G20 Leaders’ Summit at Trump National Doral, this invitation-only gathering aims to direct US$5 trillion in long-term institutional capital into the United States.

The five-day program opens with a welcome dinner on 11 December, followed by specialized investor days, and concludes on 15 December with Global Leaders Day and the GOOD Fellows Awards. Over three core days, SWFI will host parallel sector sessions bringing sovereign wealth funds, pension funds, endowments, central bank reserve managers, and state officials into direct alignment. American governors and economic development authorities will present shovel-ready projects across twelve key growth sectors, including energy & LNG, SI & data center infrastructure, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, real estate, private credit, and digital assets.

Announced at iBRICS 2026 in New Delhi, the initiative engages allocators across the Global South and allied economies spanning G20 members, the European Union, the African Union, and invited guest nations such as Qatar, Singapore, the UAE, Norway, and Finland.

Lakshmi Narayanan Ramanujam, Chairman, SWFI said: “The G20 sets the direction of the world economy. The I20 is where capital decides whether to follow. We unveiled this project at iBRICS 2026 in New Delhi because capital does not belong to a bloc. It looks for scale, rule of law and returns, and no market offers more of all three than the United States.”

Chip Rogers, Advisor and spokesperson to SWFI, said: “American states have projects that are permitted and ready for capital. What they rarely get is a week in the same city as the funds that can finance them. Miami gives them that week.”

About the I20 Summit

The I20 Summit is SWFI’s independent convening of long-term investors for the United States’ G20 host year. https://i20summit.com/

About the Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute

Established in 2008 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, SWFI has convened sovereign wealth funds, pension funds and family offices across 60 cities in 20 countries, at venues including the House of Commons, Guildhall and Mansion House. www.swfinstitute.org

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SOURCE Sovereign Wealth Fund Institute (SWFI)

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FGR advances carbon fibre commercialisation with Aeropreg agreement

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2 hours ago

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October 4, 2026

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Highlights

First Graphene enters Development and Commercialisation Agreement with global prepreg manufacturer Aeropreg to develop graphene-enhanced carbon fibre prepregThree-year agreement builds on positive results from First Graphene’s development work incorporating PureGRAPH® into carbon fibre compositesCollaboration combines PureGRAPH® and proprietary epoxy concentrates with Aeropreg’s established manufacturing and resin development capabilitiesFirst Graphene intends to progress the graphene-enhanced prepreg product towards commercial launch through Aeropreg’s existing sales channelsPartnership solidifies FGR’s pathway into the global carbon fibre reinforced plastics market, estimated to grow to US$43.7 billion by 2033

SYDNEY, Oct. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — First Graphene Limited (ASX: FGR; “First Graphene” or “the Company”) (FRA:M11) (OTCQB:FGPHF) has entered a three-year Development and Commercialisation Agreement with Turkish prepreg manufacturer, Aeropreg, to advance a PureGRAPH® enhanced carbon fibre prepreg towards commercialisation.

Under the three-year agreement, First Graphene’s proprietary epoxy concentrates will be used to optimise the incorporation of PureGRAPH® into Aeropreg’s existing carbon fibre prepreg manufacturing process.

Carbon fibre prepreg is a composite material that has been pre-infused with partially cured polymer resin and is often used to strengthen components used in aerospace, defence, automotives and sporting goods.

The development program will focus on achieving controlled and repeatable graphene loading within prepreg before validating the strength, durability, performance and manufacturability of the resulting material.

Subject to trial results, First Graphene and Aeropreg will advance the material towards commercial launch, leveraging Aeropreg’s existing sales channels across the aerospace, automotive, marine and sporting goods industries.

The new partnership represents the next stage in First Graphene’s strategy to convert its technical development in carbon fibre composites into commercial opportunities for PureGRAPH®.

It also follows First Graphene’s track record of positive results from customer development programs and grant-funded research on graphene-enhanced carbon fibre composites.

Securing a commercial prepreg solution and an experienced manufacturing partner is an essential step towards addressing defence, aerospace and automotive applications. Modern commercial aircraft make extensive use of carbon fibre prepreg in their airframes, for primary structures.

The collaboration aligns with First Graphene’s increased focus on the US market and its recent acquisition of MITO Materials, which expanded the Company’s composites technology and customer relationships in North America.

Importantly, Aeropreg has in-house resin development and testing capabilities, providing First Graphene with a manufacturing partner to advance this technology towards commercial production.

This agreement provides First Graphene with a potential pathway into the global carbon fibre reinforced plastics market, which is estimated to grow to the value of US$43.7 billion by 2033[1].

About Aeropreg

Aeropreg manufactures and supplies prepreg composite materials, including carbon, glass, aramid and basalt fibre prepregs, for aerospace, automotive, marine, sporting goods, medical and wind energy applications. The company offers customised material solutions and technical support to meet customers’ specific requirements.

Aeropreg’s research and development capabilities include developing and refining resin systems, supported by in-house chemical, physical, thermal and mechanical testing.

Aeropreg is a subsidiary of Spinteks. According to Aeropreg, its prepreg production operates under AS9100 aerospace quality management certification. In June 2026, Spinteks was added to the Turkish Aerospace (TUSAŞ) Approved Supplier List for composite manufacturing, with Aeropreg carrying out prepreg production within the group.[2]

First Graphene Managing Director and CEO, Michael Bell, said:

“The new partnership with Aeropreg represents an important step in progressing our carbon fibre development work towards commercialisation in key industries such as aerospace and defence.

We have built considerable knowledge around incorporating PureGRAPH® into composite materials and the next step was to combine that expertise with an established manufacturer capable of producing and taking a product to market.

Aeropreg brings extensive prepreg manufacturing and resin development capabilities, as well as established global sales channels across a number of high-value industries.

Our immediate focus will be on successfully validating the material within Aeropreg’s manufacturing process, with the longer-term objective of establishing another commercial route to market for PureGRAPH®.”

-Ends-

This announcement has been approved by the Chairman.

References

 

SOURCE First Graphene Limited

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