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Hong Kong SMEs face rising business costs and rapidly evolving cyber risks, while AI is thought to significantly impact business productivity, finds QBE Hong Kong annual SME survey

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Almost 60% of survey respondents say increased costs and reduced profitability is a challenge, with about half finding cash flow and access to funding a challenge.To counter these issues, many continue to implement a wide range of measures, including the use of AI to support business productivity.While AI is having a positive impact on Hong Kong SMEs, risks loom, with the proportion of respondents concerned about AI-associated threats increasing.Fortunately, awareness of cyber risks is on the rise, as is the proportion of Hong Kong SMEs purchasing insurance as a means of protecting their businesses from these threats.

HONG KONG, Feb. 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — QBE Insurance today announced the findings from this year’s QBE Hong Kong SME Survey. Conducted between November 2024 and January 2025, 600 decision-makers gave their views on a wide range of business risks and opportunities, including the impact of artificial intelligence and cyber risks, and their appetite for insurance digitalisation.

Notably, today’s business challenges are being felt by many more Hong Kong SMEs than in the past. The percentage of businesses experiencing increased costs and lower profitability dramatically rose from 40% last year to almost 60% this year. Similarly, about half are challenged with both talent and labour shortages, as well as financial issues such as cash flow shortfalls and limited access to funding, compared to 39% and 34% respectively last year. The proportion of respondents experiencing such challenges rose across eight different categories year-on-year.

Echoing these findings, the economic outlook for the next 12 months is less positive than a year ago. Some 64% of respondents believe this year will be better economically than the past 12 months, versus 70% last year. Among several drivers of this viewpoint, 74% of today’s SMEs are experiencing deteriorating investor and customer confidence, up from just 63% last year. Survey respondents are equally as pessimistic about the performance of their respective companies: in the 2024 survey, 70% of respondents believed sales during the ensuing year would be better, compared to 65% in this year’s edition.

“Despite today’s difficult conditions, businesses are rising to the challenge,” observed Andex Fung, Head of SME Segment, Asia at QBE. “Over the past few years, Hong Kong SMEs have become more resilient to the myriad of challenges ahead of them, and continue to roll out measures designed to meet these. Three-quarters of Hong Kong SMEs have taken cost control measures, while 45% of respondents have streamlined their operations, and 42% have diversified their offerings. We believe these actions underscore the ability of local businesses to respond and adapt.”

AI adopted in business productivity, despite looming cyber risks

Increasingly, Hong Kong SMEs are leveraging AI when it comes to business productivity. This year, 57% of respondents said they were using the technology, up from 55% 12 months ago. Despite this, 57% also don’t believe AI will replace jobs in their respective companies any time soon.

While SMEs are upbeat about the current and future trajectory of AI, they are also wary of the future risks the technology poses. Some 47% said it presents a threat to business activity, up from 31% last year. The top AI risks include privacy issues and loss of jobs, cited by 69% of respondents; with 52% of SMEs having security concerns. Regarding the likelihood of AI replacing human roles, the majority of respondents only expect to see this in three areas — customer service, human resources, and sales and marketing — but not until after 2031.

Awareness of cyber risks overall is notably on the rise. Over half of SMEs say they are now fully informed of these, with 43% saying they are somewhat informed, up from 48% and 41% respectively. Despite this, the proportion of businesses experiencing a cyber event rose from 30% in 2024 to 33% this year. This increase might be the result of Hong Kong SMEs retracting on cyber protection activities. This year’s survey saw a fall in the proportion of businesses using cyber security solutions and software (down from 62% to 60%), staff training (45% to 43%), and cyber resilience consultants (42% to 36%).

While businesses may be reducing investment in these areas, they are however spending in other areas. The percentage of Hong Kong SMEs hiring dedicated cyber security staff rose from 43% to 49% over the past year, while those purchasing cyber insurance also rose, from 39% to 43%. The top three drivers for purchasing coverage this year include paying for legal services, hiring security or forensics experts, and covering the costs associated data breaches.

Of the 62% of respondents who do not have any form of cyber insurance, 63% would consider purchasing it, while 11% would categorically not consider it. Potential reasons include cost; the fact that their business doesn’t store data; and the perceived low impact of such events on their businesses.

“It’s heartening to see Hong Kong SMEs heighten both their knowledge as well as protection measures against cyber-attacks. The interdependency across sectors and businesses makes such risks unavoidable and the increased awareness of local SMEs demonstrates the role insurers like us can play in furthering their know-how and supporting their risk management in the current cyber risk landscape,” added Mr. Fung.

Insurance digitalisation sees a shift back towards offline channels

When purchasing insurance, whether cyber or any other form of coverage, customers prefer an experience that combines in-person and digital touchpoints. Overall, 68% of Hong Kong SMEs prefer offline channels (2024: 57%), versus 32% who prefer online (2024: 43%).

85% of SMEs prefer an insurance package tailored to their unique needs, covering multiple business risks, while 15% want individual products that cover specific business risks. “Although SMEs’ preference for online insurance channels has declined, our survey shows that a higher percentage of SMEs are using digital platforms for key touchpoints such as research, payment, inquiries, and claims,” noted Lei Yu, CEO for North Asia.

A notable finding from this year’s survey is a shift away from online towards offline channels, with a decline in preference for both online aggregators (2025: 16%; 2024: 22%) and direct online platforms (2025: 16%; 2024: 21%). While reliance on offline, in-person channels among brokers (2025: 30%; 2024: 22%) and banks (2025: 18% ; 2024: 14%) is up 8% and 4% respectively.

“Through a combination of various digital initiatives, combined with the high servicing levels of our intermediaries, we offer an omnichannel purchasing experience that leverages the best of both worlds — creating a highly personalised buying experience that enables customers to acquire holistic insurance solutions that meets their unique needs,” said Ms. Yu.

Appendix: Hong Kong SAR-Singapore SME survey: Business outlook summary

For results of a similar survey conducted with Singapore SMEs, please visit this link.

2025 vs. 2024 results

Hong Kong SAR

Singapore

Top 5 business challenges

(2025: 2024)

1)      Increasing costs / reduced profitability (59% : 40%)

2)      Staff acquisition and retention / labour shortage (50% : 39%)

3)      Finances (cash flow, funding, investments, forex etc.) (49% : 34%)

4)      Economic uncertainty and financial resilience / economic downturn (47% : 30%)

5)      Shortage of orders / business decline / closing down (46% : 33%)

 

1)      Increasing costs / reduced profitability (66% : 50%)

2)      Sales growth / reduced customer spending (56% : 40%)

3)      Finances (cash flow, funding, investments, forex etc.) (51% : 36%)

4)      Growing the business (50% : 36%)

5)      Increasing competition (50% : 39%)

Top 5 business concerns

(2025: 2024)

1)      Cost of running the business (46% : 35%)

2)      Possible economic downturns in Hong Kong or other countries (41% : 27%)

3)      Long-term profitability (39% : 30%)

4)      Shifting to a sustainable business model (39% : 30%)

5)      Consolidating services (39% : 33%)

1)      Cost of running the business (62% : 39%)

2)      Getting new customers / keeping customers (55% : 37%)

3)      Long-term profitability (53% : 34%)

4)      Cost of staff (48% : 33%)

5)      Possible economic downturns in Singapore or other countries (48% : 29%)

Business outlook

(2025 : 2024)

Economic confidence

•         Better (64% : 70%)

•         Unchanged (19% : 14%)

•         Worse (17% : 16%)

Business sales outlook

•         Increase (65% : 70%)

•         Unchanged (21% : 20%)

•         Decrease (14% : 10%)

Economic confidence

•         Better (52% : 60%)

•         Unchanged (26% : 22%)

•         Worse (22% : 18%)

Business sales outlook

•         Increase (55% : 62%)

•         Unchanged (29% : 25%)

•         Decrease (17% : 13%)

About QBE Hong Kong

QBE Hong Kong is part of QBE Insurance Group and has been serving Hong Kong for more than a century. Today, QBE Hong Kong operations include QBE Hongkong & Shanghai Insurance Limited, QBE General Insurance (Hong Kong) Limited, and QBE Mortgage Insurance (Asia) Limited. As a leading general insurer, QBE Hong Kong provides a comprehensive range of non-life insurance solutions for both business and personal customers. QBE Hong Kong operates through an extensive network of professional insurance agents and brokers.

To learn more about QBE Hong Kong, please visit www.qbe.com/hk

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SOURCE QBE Hong Kong

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Solid Joins Snowflake and Industry Leaders to Advance Open Standards for AI-Ready Semantic Context

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The Open Semantic Interchange (OSI) creates a universal semantic framework that enables AI agents, analytics platforms, and data systems to share trusted business context across the modern data ecosystem.

NEW YORK, July 13, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Solid today announced it is joining the Open Semantic Interchange (OSI), an open source initiative that creates a universal specification for all companies to standardize their fragmented data definitions with an open, vendor-neutral semantic model specification. OSI aims to enhance interoperability across various tools and platforms, offering enterprises a vendor-neutral specification that provides consistent metrics and definitions across dashboards, notebooks, and machine learning models.

OSI is an open source initiative led by Snowflake, the AI Data Cloud company, and ecosystem partners across multiple domains and industries including business intelligence (BI), data governance, data engineering, AI, financial services, and manufacturing. Its goal is to create a common, vendor-agnostic specification that defines semantic metadata in a standard, open format. By facilitating seamless semantic metadata exchange, the initiative will accelerate the adoption of AI and BI tools to streamline operations and reduce complexity. This in turn allows organizations to unify their data definitions, leading to more comprehensive and accurate data analysis and data product sharing to fuel AI innovation.

By joining the Open Semantic Interchange, Solid is committed to the creation of a universal standard that simplifies data operations and accelerates innovation for the broader ecosystem,” said Yoni Leitersdorf, CEO & Co-Founder, Solid. “Our participation ensures that semantic context can automatically move seamlessly across AI agents, data warehouses, BI tools, and analytics platforms – enabling organizations to build reliable AI systems on top of a shared, interoperable understanding of their business, without vendor lock-in.”

As a member of OSI, Solid is helping to build a transparent and community-driven standard for semantic model sharing, ensuring that business metrics and definitions remain consistent and interoperable.

“Unlocking the full potential of data and AI requires a common foundation, and the Open Semantic Interchange is the critical step in building that bedrock,” said Josh Klahr, Director of Analytics Product Management at Snowflake. “Our collaboration with partners like Solid establishes a unified, vendor-neutral standard for semantic data, ensuring clarity and consistency across the entire ecosystem. This initiative is essential for simplifying data operations, fostering innovation, and preparing organizations to build the next generation of AI applications.”

OSI is poised to revolutionize interoperability within the data and AI ecosystem by providing a transparent, community-driven standard. This collaborative effort simplifies data operations, unlocks new possibilities for innovation, and gives organizations the flexibility and efficiency they need to build a future-ready data infrastructure.

To learn more about the Open Semantic Interchange visit Snowflake’s blog here.

About Solid

Solid is the AI-native context layer for enterprise AI, automatically creating, evaluating, and maintaining the semantic context AI agents need to understand and act on business data reliably. Unlike legacy semantic layers built for dashboards and manual modeling, Solid continuously benchmarks accuracy, detects data changes, and keeps AI systems aligned as the business evolves. The result is faster deployment of trusted AI agents, workflows, and analytics across any data warehouse or AI platform.

To learn more about Solid, visit getsolid.ai

Media Contact: Blair Bader, blairb@getsolid.ai

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SOURCE Solid Data, Inc

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Orbis Marks 30 Years of Advancing Eye Health in Vietnam Through Long-Term Partnership and Training

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Flying Eye Hospital project in Da Nang, supported by FedEx, advances locally led eye care and expands access across Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

DA NANG, Vietnam, July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Global eye care nonprofit Orbis International is marking three decades of collaboration with Vietnam’s eye health community, a long-term partnership that has helped build local expertise, strengthen institutions, expand access to care, and support Vietnam’s growing leadership in eye health across the Asia-Pacific region.

The arrival of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital in Da Nang represents the next chapter in that partnership. At the invitation of Da Nang Eye Hospital and with approval from the People’s Committee of Da Nang City, and support from Da Nang Department of Health, and other relevant departments and local authorities, the project will serve as a platform for hands-on training, innovation, and knowledge exchange. Through clinical training and mentorship across key specialties, the project will help approximately 230 eye care professionals build skills that will benefit communities for years to come, while supporting access to specialized services for nearly 9 million people in Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands.

Cybersight, Orbis’s telemedicine and e-learning platform, is an integral part of every Flying Eye Hospital project—connecting in-person training with continuous learning before and after the aircraft is on site. Through Cybersight, participants can prepare in advance, consult with global experts, access ongoing education, and continue building skills long after the project concludes, extending the impact of the Flying Eye Hospital far beyond the aircraft itself.

“This project is not a standalone intervention; it is the latest chapter in a long-term partnership to advance Vietnam’s eye health system,” said Ngoc Pham, Orbis Vietnam Country Director. “The most important outcome is not what Orbis has done in Vietnam, but what Vietnamese institutions and eye care professionals now lead themselves. Our role at Orbis is increasingly to support, convene, innovate, and accelerate that local leadership so progress continues long after the Flying Eye Hospital departs.”

“Around the world, Orbis is focused on creating lasting change by investing in people, institutions, technology, and local leadership,” said Kathleen Sherwin, President and CEO of Orbis International. “The Flying Eye Hospital is one part of that larger model—bringing intensive, hands-on training together with tools like Cybersight, artificial intelligence (AI), and research so local teams can continue improving care long after a project ends. Vietnam shows what is possible when long-term partnership helps proven solutions take root and scale.”

Building on decades of progress, Vietnam is emerging as a regional leader in eye health, with particular strengths in pediatric care, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathy of prematurity, workforce development, and technology-enabled care. Its growing experience in AI-supported screening, implementation, research, and evidence generation can help inform eye health progress across the Asia-Pacific region.

FedEx, a long-time supporter of Orbis, and a title sponsor for this Flying Eye Hospital project in Vietnam, donated the MD-10 aircraft that serves as the Flying Eye Hospital and continues to provide essential logistical, financial, and operational support. Volunteer pilots from FedEx fly the aircraft to its destinations around the globe. FedEx is represented on the Orbis International Board of Directors.

“At FedEx, we believe that connecting people goes beyond delivering packages – it is about creating opportunities and helping communities thrive,” said Ee-Hui Tan, managing director of FedEx Vietnam and Cambodia. “We are proud to support the return of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital to Vietnam. Together with Orbis, we are investing in the knowledge and skills of healthcare professionals, helping strengthen Vietnam’s eye care system so more patients can access quality care closer to home.”

Underscoring Orbis’s commitment to high-quality training and patient care, QUAD A, a nonprofit accreditation organization, works with Orbis to ensure that the Flying Eye Hospital meets rigorous standards that prioritize patient safety.

Over the past 30 years, Orbis has supported the training of more than 40,000 eye care professionals and helped expand access to care for millions of people across Vietnam. Today, Vietnamese institutions and professionals are increasingly leading innovation and delivering high-quality care independently, demonstrating the impact of sustained investment in local capacity, technology, and systems change.

Looking ahead, Orbis will continue working with partners across Vietnam to scale proven solutions through workforce development, technology, Cybersight, AI-supported screening, research, and stronger health systems—so that more people can receive quality eye care closer to home.

Orbis in Vietnam

Since beginning work in Vietnam in 1996, Orbis has worked alongside government partners, hospitals, and training institutions to expand access to quality eye care and build sustainable local capacity. Cumulative impact includes:

More than 40,000 eye care professionals trained.More than 5.2 million people reached with eye care services.More than 139,000 sight-saving surgeries supported.17 retinopathy of prematurity centers supported.12 vision centers strengthened to bring care closer to communities.National clinical guidelines supported across priority eye health areas.Cybersight and AI-supported screening deployed to expand training, consultation, and early detection.

This work has supported national clinical guidelines, stronger referral pathways, improved treatment outcomes, and new models of care in areas including retinopathy of prematurity, pediatric eye care, school eye health, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.

As the partnership continues, Orbis and its partners are focused on scaling proven solutions through workforce development, technology, Cybersight, AI, research, and stronger health systems—so that everyone can access quality eye care closer to home.

About Orbis International

Orbis International works around the world to prevent blindness and restore sight for children and adults in places where eye care is out of reach—so vision problems don’t make it harder to learn, earn a living, or enjoy life. Around 1.1 billion people live with vision loss, but with the right care, 90% of it is completely avoidable. That is why Orbis trains doctors, nurses, and other eye care professionals to provide care in their own communities—and works to make sure people of all ages can access the eye exams, glasses, medicine, and surgeries they need to protect and restore their sight. Orbis began this work more than 40 years ago with the Flying Eye Hospital, a teaching hospital on a plane that brings expert training and care where they’re needed most. Today, we also work with local hospitals and clinics across Africa, Asia, and Latin America to make eye care available to more people, and we use and develop technology—like our award-winning Cybersight e-learning and telehealth platform, artificial intelligence screening, and virtual reality training—to help eye care teams treat patients more effectively. Orbis ranks in the top 3% of U.S. charities, having earned top marks for transparency and accountability from Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau. To learn more, please visit orbis.org

About FedEx Corp.

FedEx Corp. provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services. With annual revenue of $92 billion, the company offers integrated business solutions utilizing its flexible, efficient, and intelligent global network. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 500,000 employees to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards, and the needs of their customers and communities. FedEx is committed to connecting people and possibilities around the world responsibly and resourcefully, with a goal to achieve carbon-neutral operations by 2040. To learn more, please visit fedex.com/about.

Media Contacts

Orbis Vietnam
Nhung Nguyen
Communications Officer
Nhung.nguyen@orbis.org
+84 0904562983

Orbis International
Jenna Montgomery
Interim Lead, Global Communications and Marketing
Jenna.montgomery@orbis.org

FedEx
Heather Harshbarger
Communications Advisor
+1 901-690-9869

 

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SOURCE Orbis International

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In HelloNation, Property Management Expert Karen Nolan Explains What Property Managers Do for Landlords

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The article outlines how property management services support landlords through tenant screening, maintenance, and lease enforcement.

MENIFEE, Calif., July 24, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — What do property managers actually do for landlords in Menifee, CA? HelloNation has published an article that provides clear answers and practical insight into the full scope of property management services.

 

The HelloNation article explains that a property manager handles far more than rent collection. Property management services begin with marketing vacancies and attracting qualified renters in Menifee, CA. The article explains how tenant screening plays a central role in protecting landlords by carefully evaluating applicants and reducing the risk of future issues.

According to the article, tenant screening helps ensure that each tenant meets financial and behavioral expectations. This step supports stable occupancy and reduces turnover, which is critical for any landlord managing property in Menifee, CA. Property Management Experts note that consistent tenant screening also helps maintain the long-term value of rental properties.

Once tenants are placed, the article outlines how a property manager becomes the main point of contact. Property management services include responding to tenant concerns, handling communication, and enforcing leases. By managing these responsibilities, the property manager allows the landlord to avoid direct disputes and maintain professional distance.

The article emphasizes that lease enforcement is essential to protecting both the property and the agreement. Property managers monitor compliance with lease terms and address violations when necessary. This structured approach helps landlords in Menifee, CA, maintain order and consistency across their rental properties.

Maintenance is another major focus of property management services. The article explains that property managers coordinate maintenance and oversee property repairs to keep homes safe and functional. While they may not perform repairs themselves, they manage vendors, schedule work, and respond to urgent issues quickly.

The article notes that timely maintenance and property repairs prevent small issues from becoming larger and more expensive problems. This proactive approach supports tenant satisfaction while preserving the property’s condition. Property Management Experts highlight that consistent maintenance planning is a key benefit for any landlord.

Beyond daily operations, the HelloNation article describes the administrative side of property management services. A property manager prepares leases, maintains records, and ensures compliance with local and state regulations in Menifee, CA. This includes staying informed about legal requirements that affect landlords and rental properties.

Financial oversight is also part of the role. The article explains that property managers handle rent collection, manage deposits, and provide regular financial reporting. These services give landlords a clear understanding of property performance without requiring constant involvement.

For landlords who own multiple properties or live outside Menifee, CA, the article highlights the value of professional property management services. A property manager helps streamline operations, coordinate maintenance, and ensure that lease enforcement and tenant screening are handled consistently. This reduces stress while improving efficiency.

The article concludes that understanding the full role of a property manager helps landlords make informed decisions about their level of involvement. With responsibilities that include tenant screening, maintenance, lease enforcement, and property repairs, property management services offer a comprehensive solution for effectively managing rental properties.

What Do Property Managers Actually Do for Landlords in Menifee features insights from Karen Nolan, Property Management Experts of Menifee, California, in HelloNation.

About HelloNation
HelloNation is a premier media platform that connects readers with trusted professionals and businesses across various industries. Through its innovative “edvertising” approach that blends educational content with storytelling, HelloNation delivers expert-driven, good-news articles that inform, inspire, and empower. Covering topics from home improvement and health to business strategy and lifestyle, HelloNation highlights leaders making a meaningful impact in their communities.

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