M&A activity to pick up in H2, in tandem with economic rebound: industry players

Market watchers say sectors to watch include renewables, semiconductors and electronics, and real estate

Uma Devi

Published Wed, May 4, 2022 · 05:50 AM

MERGERS and acquisitions (M&A) activity in the region is set to rise in the second half of the year, amid the easing of Covid-19 pandemic restrictions and a broader economic recovery.

Keoy Soo Earn, managing partner for financial advisory at Deloitte South-east Asia, said ease of travel would help move deals forward: “Deals that were being negotiated and pending the signing of definitive agreements are expected to push forward as foreign investors are now able to complete their site visits and physical meetings with key management and vendors.”

Meanwhile, improving macroeconomic fundamentals should spur corporate investment.

Udaishankar Raman, regional head of advisory at Maybank Investment Banking Group, is expecting the pace of M&A activity to pick up as companies in South-east Asia try to beef up their compet…