The Bid

Asia infrastructure investing is becoming central to the global energy transition as rising demand, energy security concerns, and the need for more resilient systems accelerate capital deployment across the region. In Southeast Asia, the opportunity is not only about replacing old systems, but building new infrastructure at scale for a growing economy.
In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido speaks live from Ecosperity in Singapore with Salim Samaha, Global Head of Energy at Global Infrastructure Partners, a part of BlackRock, and Heidi Yip, Head of Sustainable and Transition Solutions for Asia Pacific at BlackRock. Together, they discuss how the infrastructure opportunity is evolving globally, why Asia’s transition differs from Western markets, and where investors are seeing momentum across renewables, grids, storage, and system flexibility.
Key insights include:
· How Asia’s infrastructure build-out differs from Western markets
· Why energy security is becoming inseparable from the energy transition
· Where capital is flowing across renewables, grids, storage, and interconnection
· How public-private partnerships can help mobilize transition finance
· Why execution bottlenecks, permitting, and offtake frameworks remain critical
· Where AI, innovation, and rising demand may reshape future infrastructure needs

Key moments:
00:00 Asia Infrastructure Boom
01:06 Live From EcoSperity
03:16 Energy Transition Now
04:20 Southeast Asia Grid Challenge
06:43 West vs Asia Reality Check
08:58 How APAC Investors Deploy Capital
11:26 Scaling Projects and Labor Crunch
13:17 Where Capital Flows and Bottlenecks
15:13 Five Year Outlook and Innovation
17:23 Wrap Up and Disclosures

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Asia infrastructure investing, energy transition, infrastructure, capital markets, megaforces, renewables, energy security, sustainable investing
Sources: IEA World Energy Investments 2025, Southeast Asia; IEA World Energy Investments 2024; IEA Global Energy Review 2026, Electricity generation mix for selected regions, 2025; IEA Integrating Solar and Wind in Southeast Asia; IEA Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2024; IEA Global Energy Review 2026, Electricity generation mix for selected regions, 2025; Singapore Monetary Authority Press Release 2024; IEA data and charts energy investments; Urban Population in Southeast Asia, 2023-2050, IEA
This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.
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Asia infrastructure investing is becoming central to the global energy transition as rising demand, energy security concerns, and the need for more resilient systems accelerate capital deployment across the region. In Southeast Asia, the opportunity is not only about replacing old systems, but building new infrastructure at scale for a growing economy.
In this episode of The Bid, host Oscar Pulido speaks live from Ecosperity in Singapore with Salim Samaha, Global Head of Energy at Global Infrastructure Partners, a part of BlackRock, and Heidi Yip, Head of Sustainable and Transition Solutions for Asia Pacific at BlackRock. Together, they discuss how the infrastructure opportunity is evolving globally, why Asia’s transition differs from Western markets, and where investors are seeing momentum across renewables, grids, storage, and system flexibility.
Key insights include:
· How Asia’s infrastructure build-out differs from Western markets
· Why energy security is becoming inseparable from the energy transition
· Where capital is flowing across renewables, grids, storage, and interconnection
· How public-private partnerships can help mobilize transition finance
· Why execution bottlenecks, permitting, and offtake frameworks remain critical
· Where AI, innovation, and rising demand may reshape future infrastructure needs

Key moments:
00:00 Asia Infrastructure Boom
01:06 Live From EcoSperity
03:16 Energy Transition Now
04:20 Southeast Asia Grid Challenge
06:43 West vs Asia Reality Check
08:58 How APAC Investors Deploy Capital
11:26 Scaling Projects and Labor Crunch
13:17 Where Capital Flows and Bottlenecks
15:13 Five Year Outlook and Innovation
17:23 Wrap Up and Disclosures

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🔗 Follow Us on LinkedIn: https://1blk.co/3v09q6Q
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🔗 Learn More About BlackRock: https://1blk.co/41uwhDS
Asia infrastructure investing, energy transition, infrastructure, capital markets, megaforces, renewables, energy security, sustainable investing
Sources: IEA World Energy Investments 2025, Southeast Asia; IEA World Energy Investments 2024; IEA Global Energy Review 2026, Electricity generation mix for selected regions, 2025; IEA Integrating Solar and Wind in Southeast Asia; IEA Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2024; IEA Global Energy Review 2026, Electricity generation mix for selected regions, 2025; Singapore Monetary Authority Press Release 2024; IEA data and charts energy investments; Urban Population in Southeast Asia, 2023-2050, IEA
This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

ETFs in Asia have grown significantly since the global financial crisis, but their role is changing. What began as a way to access markets is now expanding into broader portfolio applications as investors face more complex market conditions.
In this episode of The Bid, Oscar Pulido speaks with Christian Obrist, Head of iShares Distribution in Asia, and Nick Peach, Head of iShares Asia Pacific at BlackRock. They discuss how ETF usage in the region has developed and how investors are applying them across different strategies.
The conversation explores how education has shifted from fundamentals to advanced use cases, including liquidity management, tactical allocation, and operational efficiency. It also highlights the role of digital investors, the importance of local market development, and how ETFs are becoming more integrated into portfolio construction.

Key moments in this episode
00:00 Introduction
02:15 How ETF usage in Asia has moved beyond market access
03:55 Why ETF investor education is shifting toward advanced applications
05:15 Active ETFs and Efficiency
06:43 Asia Ecosystem Differences
07:40 How digital investors are influencing ETF adoption
08:59 Why local market listings matter for ETF accessibility
11:27 How ETFs are becoming more integrated into portfolio construction
13:52 Asia Weekend Travel Picks
15:05 Wrap Up and Disclosures

Sources: BlackRock client Survey May 2026
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ETFs Asia, ETF adoption, portfolio construction, Asia markets, digital investors, liquidity management, passive investing
This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Asia has often been viewed as a long-term growth story, but its role in global markets is becoming more immediate. The region now represents a significant share of global GDP and listed companies, while operating across distinct economic and policy cycles.
In this episode of The Bid, Oscar Pulido speaks with Aarti Angara, Head of Global Product Solutions in Asia Pacific at BlackRock. They examine why Asia is gaining more attention from investors and how opportunities are developing across equities and fixed income.
The conversation highlights the region’s diversity across countries, sectors, and growth drivers. It also explores themes such as AI-related manufacturing, domestic consumption in emerging markets, Japan’s shift in corporate behavior, and the role of Asian bond markets in diversification
Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction
02:23 How Asia’s scale is influencing its role in global portfolios
04:20 Why policy and economic cycles differ across the region
07:10 Why Japan’s corporate and inflation dynamics are drawing attention
08:36 Where AI-related manufacturing is concentrated
10:20 How domestic consumption is developing in India and Southeast Asia
12:47 How Asian fixed income behaves differently from developed markets
14:35 How to Allocate in Asia
17:42 Singapore Travel Tips
18:50 Wrap Up and Disclosures
Sources: Bloomberg May 12th 2026,

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Asia investing, APAC markets, Asian equities, Asian fixed income, Japan economy, AI supply chain, emerging Asia, portfolio diversification, Asia equity markets
This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Retirement systems are undergoing a structural shift as traditional pensions decline and individuals take on greater responsibility for financial outcomes. Longer lifespans and evolving capital markets are making retirement planning more complex and consequential.
Oscar Pulido speaks with Nick Nefouse, Global Head of Retirement Solutions at BlackRock. They discuss how defined contribution plans, target date funds, and regulatory changes are reshaping how individuals save, invest, and prepare for retirement.
The conversation explores how retirement is moving from a focus on accumulation to income generation, particularly during the “retirement window.” It also highlights how global systems are converging toward similar models, and how innovation—across portfolio construction, private markets, and guaranteed income—is influencing long-term outcomes.
Key insights:
· How the shift from pensions to defined contribution plans is changing investor responsibility
· Why longevity is reshaping retirement timelines and financial planning needs
· How target date funds are simplifying access to capital markets for individuals
· What the “retirement window” reveals about diverging investor outcomes
· Where global retirement systems are converging despite regional differences
· How income generation is becoming central to retirement portfolio design

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Key moments in this episode:
00:00 Introduction to retirement trends
02:00 Shift from pensions to defined contribution plans
04:30 The role of target date funds and regulation
6:00 The retirement “window” and investor behavior
8:00 Expanding access to retirement plans
10:00 Global retirement system comparisons
14:00 Retirement vs. wealth management convergence
16:00 Market volatility and long-term investing
18:00 The future of retirement systems and innovation
Sources: BlackRock Retirement Trends Report, 2025; Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, “Pension or 401(k)? Retirement Plan Trends in the U.S. Workplace,” 2025
retirement trends, retirement planning, defined contribution, 401k, target date funds, longevity, financial planning, investing,
This content is for informational purposes only and is not an offer or a solicitation. Reliance upon information in this material is at the sole discretion of the listener. Reference to any company or investment strategy mentioned is for illustrative purposes only and not investment advice. The views expressed by third‑party speakers are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of BlackRock, nor should they be interpreted as an endorsement by BlackRock. In the UK and non-European Economic Area countries, this is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. In the European Economic Area, this is authorized and regulated by the Netherlands Authority for the Financial Markets. For full disclosures, visit blackrock.com/corporate/compliance/bid-disclosures.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.