Thailand’s SET Index closed at 1,401.70 points, increased 10.67 points or 0.77% with a trading value of 44.2 billion baht. The analyst stated that the Thai stock market bounced back in the same direction as regional markets after US bond yields edged lower and there was no escalation in conflict between Israel and Hamas. Meanwhile, concerns about Fed raising rates eased due to recent weak economic data. The analyst recommended investors to monitor the announcement of US GDP tomorrow.
Hong Kong leader John Lee delivered his annual policy statement on Wednesday with a main focus on announcing measures to boost the property market and an economy hurt by slowing demand from the mainland.
According to local media Sing Tao, the leader is expected to deliver a cut on Hong Kong’s home-buying tax by half to 7.5% for second home purchase. Currently, a second-home buyer is subject to a tax equivalent to 15% of the property value.
Meanwhile, John Lee also announced a reduction of stamp duty (taxes on foreign transactions) of stock transactions to 0.1% from 0.13%.
In Q3 of 2023, UK startups already amassed $4.9 billion from mainly US investors. This thrust the UK to the European top for venture capital. If taking three quarters of 2023 into account, British start-ups already attracted $15 billion, which is equal to France and Germany combined. However, the US and China still globally take a larger piece of the pie.
According to the report, the UK is aiming for a total of $18 billion on startup in 2023, which is a half year’s sum of 2022, one third of 2021’s all-time record and $1 billion more than the 2019 numbers.
