Apple will open its first retail store in Malaysia on June 22, while Aspire has secured an MSO license in Hong Kong to expand its SME financial services.
Apple to open its first retail store in Malaysia
Apple Inc has announced on its website that it will open its first retail store in Malaysia at The Exchange TRX mall in Kuala Lumpur on June 22.
The store has been in development for several years, with hiring for positions beginning early last year. This new store underscores Apple’s expansion efforts in Southeast Asia, adding to its existing locations in Thailand, Singapore, and India.
The company is already manufacturing some Macs in Malaysia, iPhones in India, and AirPods in Vietnam.
Aspire secures MSO licence in Hong Kong
Aspire, a Singapore-based fintech firm, has obtained a Money Service Operator (MSO) Licence in Hong Kong, allowing it to expand its financial services for SMEs into the region.
In a statement on Wednesday, Aspire said that it aims to support the growing digitalisation trend among Hong Kong SMEs.
The company—which operates across Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines—offers a suite of solutions, including business accounts, international payments, and a payment gateway.
In 2023, Aspire closed an oversubscribed $100-million Series C round and announced that it has achieved profitability. Its backers include Sequoia, Lightspeed, Y Combinator, Tencent, and Paypal.