Global Finance

2 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Anthony Noto

CK Hutchison, the Hong Kong-based parent of Panama Ports Company (PPC), denied on Wednesday allegations that it owes $1.2 billion to Panama—disputes that surfaced as US-China tensions intensify over canal infrastructure and regional influence. Panama’s comptroller general announced this week that an audit of Panama Ports Company (PPC), a subsidiary of Hong Kong conglomerate CK Hutchison, uncovered irregularities in the renewal of a 25-year concession agreement.

2 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Justin Keay

At first glance, Bulgaria, one of the poorest countries in the EU, might not seem like an obvious destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), given its reputation for slow-moving bureaucracy, limited transparency, and political instability. And since 1985, the population has declined from about nine million to around 6.7 million, fueling a growing shortage of skilled labor. Scratch below the surface, however, and the terrain is more intriguing.

2 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Anthony Noto

In March, Italian football clubs Internazionale Milano (Inter Milan) and Associazione Calcio Milan (AC Milan) made a bold play: buying the legendary Stadio Meazza and its surrounding area, a real estate deal that’s due to wrap up in July. After sharing the iconic San Siro since 1947, the two rivals are teaming up to build a sleek, sustainable new stadium that could redefine Milan’s football scene (soccer, to you Americans).

2 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Andrew Osterland

Life insurance companies used to be conservative investors. For decades, they relied on long-term bonds—safe, steady, and predictable—to match their policy obligations. But as interest rates plunged following the 2008 financial crisis, traditional investment models no longer delivered sufficient returns. Now insurers are embracing alternative investments like private debt, infrastructure, and real estate—often partnering with asset managers and private equity firms to boost yields.

2 weeks ago | gfmag.com | Andrea Murad

Global Finance: Standard Chartered is this year’s Best Investment Bank for Infrastructure Finance. How does this award reflect the firm’s mission? Abbas Husain: This award reinforces our role as a trusted partner in driving sustainable development and economic progress. It reflects our commitment to delivering innovative financial solutions that enable critical infrastructure projects, strengthen trade corridors, and support long-term growth. GF: Is infrastructure finance changing?