CGS International Securities Pte Ltd successfully wrapped up the third edition of its annual ASEAN Investment Challenge (AIC) 2025 in Kuala Lumpur during the Securities Commission Malaysia’s ASEAN Capital Markets Forum. This year marked a significant milestone as the Philippines joined the competition for the first time, alongside teams from Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand. Since April, the national teams competed for the regional title by presenting the strongest investment portfolios, culminating in a finale judged by representatives from NASDAQ, Singapore Exchange, Bursa Malaysia, Indonesia Stock Exchange, the Stock Exchange of Thailand, the Philippines Stock Exchange, Securities Commission Malaysia, and CGS International.
Aligned with the growing emphasis on sustainable finance, participants were required to include ESG-aligned stocks in their portfolios, integrating responsible investment principles into their strategies. After months of rigorous evaluation, Team Rever from Malaysia emerged as the champions, winning over S$22,000, while also being recognised by Yang Berhormat Senator Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Malaysia’s Finance Minister 2. The top five placements were: Malaysia – Team Rever (International Islamic University Malaysia), Philippines – Team ABM Quant (Polytechnic University of the Philippines), Thailand – Team ICU Associates (Mahidol University International College), Singapore – Team Retirement by 30 (Ngee Ann Polytechnic), and Indonesia – Team Liquid (Petra Christian University).
The AIC 2025 offered participants hands-on exposure to capital markets, including mentorship from industry experts, access to CGS Academy’s e-learning platform, and demo trading accounts to practice investment strategies and risk management in real-world scenarios. Carol Fong, Group CEO of CGS International, highlighted the growing sophistication of teams and the continuity of past participants returning as mentors. She also noted initiatives like fractional share trading on Bursa Malaysia, which lowers barriers for new investors, reflecting CGS International’s commitment to financial literacy and inclusivity across ASEAN.
Kevin Lee, Group Head of Sustainability, praised the participants for their dedication over seven months of training and activities, noting how the program has inspired students to pursue careers in finance and capital markets. Many alumni, including past winners, have already joined CGS International in professional roles, demonstrating the program’s long-term impact. Winners Muhammad Eyzzul Helmi Bin Zul Ramli and Nik Atikah Hani Binti Nik Mohd Zaid from Team Rever expressed their gratitude, emphasizing how AIC allowed them to integrate sustainability principles with practical investing and gain cross-border collaboration experience.
Since its launch in 2023, the AIC has engaged over 15,000 students from 500 institutions across the five participating ASEAN nations, establishing itself as a premier platform for financial literacy, sustainable investing, and youth empowerment. By combining education, mentorship, and practical trading experience, the program continues to nurture the next generation of confident and responsible investors across the region.