Paul DiGiacomo speaks at DealStreetAsia conference in Hong Kong

DealStreetAsia featured Paul DiGiacomo, Managing Partner at BDA Partners, as a speaker on the panel “Why Developed Asia Is Setting the Pace for Private Capital” at the Asia PE Leadership Summit 2026 in Hong Kong.

“Western capital allocation to China really slowed down or dried up over the last couple of years,” said DiGiacomo. “Japan has been the one market everyone has been excited about because it can absorb a large amount of capital.”

DiGiacomo noted that Japan’s appeal is driven less by macroeconomic growth and more by established private equity playbooks, including corporate carve-outs, succession deals, and operational improvements.

“It comes down to returns, and people have figured out how to make money in Japan,” he said.

Developed Asia is also attracting investment beyond traditional buyouts, with panelists highlighting infrastructure, data centers, healthcare, energy transition, structured capital, and private credit as areas of growing interest.

DiGiacomo added that Korea could see a rebound in activity following a difficult 2025, citing stronger pitch activity, mandates, and inbound inquiries. China, meanwhile, could eventually re-enter the developed Asia discussion as investors adapt to a lower-growth environment.

“People will figure out how to make money in China the same way they did in Japan,” he said.