Ant International has opened its Global Development Centre (GDC) in Kuala Lumpur, while KPS Capital Partners is expanding into Asia with the launch of KPS Asia.
Ant International opens GDC in Malaysia
Ant International has opened its Global Development Centre (GDC) in Kuala Lumpur, marking its latest investment in Malaysia as it expands its AI, fintech and digital payments operations in Southeast Asia.
Ant International’s GDC is located at The Exchange 106, within TRX, Malaysia’s dedicated international financial centre.
Ant International said the hub will support its global businesses spanning AI, payments, SME digitalisation and financial technology. The company has created about 1,500 fintech jobs in Malaysia, with more than half focused on technology roles.
The company also plans to deepen partnerships with the Malaysian government and local universities to develop AI talent through training programmes, hackathons and industry-academia collaborations.
The opening builds on Ant International’s existing presence in Malaysia, where it has partnered with CIMB, TNG Digital and PayNet to expand digital payments and cross-border commerce.
Cyril Han, CEO of Ant Group said, “Ant has many deep and long-term partnerships in Malaysia and the region, and with the unveiling of the Ant International Global Development Centre in Kuala Lumpur, we stand ready to support the AI Nation 2030 vision and digitalisation of Malaysia.”
KPS launches Asia platform
KPS Capital Partners, a global investor in manufacturing and industrial companies, is expanding into Asia with the launch of KPS Asia, appointing former Mitsubishi Heavy Industries executive Takajiro “Tak” Ishikawa as president and establishing a Tokyo office to lead investments across the region.
The move marks a significant step in KPS’ global expansion strategy as the firm targets growing opportunities in Japan and broader Asia, particularly in manufacturing and industrial businesses.
Ishikawa joins KPS after a 43-year career at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Corporation, where he held senior leadership roles including executive vice president of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and CEO of MHI North America. He also helped build Mitsubishi Corporation’s asset management platform to more than $24 billion in assets under management.
KPS, which manages approximately $18.6 billion in assets, said the launch of KPS Asia follows its successful expansion into Europe, where the firm established its Frankfurt office in 2010 and has since become one of the most active investors in manufacturing and industrial companies across the region.
KPS believes many of the same dynamics that created attractive opportunities in Europe are increasingly present in Japan today, including corporate carve-outs, portfolio rationalisations and transformational public-to-private transactions.
