Businesses’ pursuit of digital transformation has been driving deal making activity in Asia Pacific and several experts predict it will continue to do so for the remainder of 2023. First-quarter activity showed that the technology, media and telecom (TMT) sector contributed two of the largest deals in the region and was the busiest sector in terms of deal volume, with 622 transactions.
“Tech acquisitions have been a consistent force driving mergers and acquisitions (M&A). Last year, we saw a lot of deals revolving around artificial intelligence and the future of work,” Sapana Maheria, director for Thematic Research at GlobalData Plc, told Singapore Business Review.
“Automation and cybersecurity were very strong themes in the last few years. Cloud is also a very strong theme,” Maheria added.
These days, generative AI applications such as ChatGPT are making waves in the market. “I think innovation and tech are the two things that are going to be very strong drivers for M&As in 2023. What we expect is that as cost-cutting is going to be one of the main focus areas for businesses, we will see a lot of focus on automation, with innovations, (and) more collaborative tools really picking up, hence, driving the M&A deal trends as well,” she said.
This story is from the Issue 104 edition of Singapore Business Review.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 104 edition of Singapore Business Review.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
How TikTok powers cross-border shopping for Singapore retailers
The yellow basket feature allows viewers to purchase items directly during livestreams.
Income Insurance seeks to fill billion-dollar financing gap in climate transition
The region skimmed its carbon intensity by 2.8%, far below the 17.2% needed.
SIDS fights misconceptions in interior design with accreditation, education
The organisation is setting up a digital platform to speed up accreditation from 6 to 2 months.
IHH's proton therapy takes aim at tumours with precision and low risk
Leaving surrounding organs at risk during cancer treatment might become a thing of the past.
SingPost pivots from mail to logistics as e-commerce demand drives growth
It is banking on e-commerce to drive its logistics unit, which accounts for 69% of revenue.
Singapore needs SEA neighbours to power renewable energy transition
Experts favour Malaysia and Indonesia as renewable energy import sources.
Singapore's architecture blueprint spurs push to tackle brain drain in other sectors
Paying the country's architects just right will hopefully stop the brain drain.
Millionaires eye a piece of Singapore's rich colonial era
The country's remaining 6,500 shophouses are in high demand amongst the ultra-rich.
HDB resale portal unlikely to cut out property agents
The portal enables sellers to list their units themselves.
Factory and retail spaces shine as housing heads for worst market slump in 16 years
Its manufacturing and tourism rebound will spur demand for industrial and high-street shops.