Student from a 3rd world country looking to break into IB in Singapore or Hong Kong

Background: I am an incoming senior-year Economics student from the top university of a 3rd world country. I am currently taking an internship at a bulge bracket’s front office IB operations in my country, whose advisory team has only 2 members, but both with Ivy League MBAs, international experience, and are undoubtedly engaged in real IB work, on-par with what is done in financial hubs abroad, albeit on a much smaller scale.

The problem is, my firm does not hire fresh grads, because of a headcount limit imposed on the branch. Therefore, my goal is to break into IB in either Singapore or HK. My biggest mistake, according to my superiors, was not taking an internship there, because they hire most of their analysts from their internship pool.

I can speak basic Mandarin, but it is unrealistic for me to reach business-level fluency before employment. My main selling points are my internships (at the bulge bracket firm and in government), English fluency, and niche knowledge about the local economy. My university is very well-known domestically but obscure internationally. My GPA is competitive.

At this point, my plan is to apply anyways, despite limited chances. My backup is to work as an analyst for a domestic firm, aim for graduate studies abroad, and hopefully move in at the associate level. However, finances are an obvious issue (I am not poor, but MBA tuitions are very much beyond me). These paths are based on advice given to me by my bosses. Hopefully by the end of my internship, I can get a recommendation or referral from them in some way, but as of now any help from them in getting a full-time position is uncertain.

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My question is if there’s anything else I am missing, or can still do to improve my outlook. I really want to maximize my chances as much as possible, and the worst thing that can happen in the next year is that I apparently missed out on some opportunity, or there was something else I should have done, and that may have pulled me back without me knowing.

As for my internship, they are currently making me do company profiles and financial overviews for a lot of domestic corporations. I am working on some pitchbook formatting as well, but it’s been menial and (I think) hardly resume-worthy. Should I be asking for more work? Will I be competitive experience-wise with other IB interns from financial hubs?

Also, after my internship, I will be attending the LSE Summer School program which runs for about a month. Even though admissions were not really competitive and it is quite expensive, I’m hoping the LSE brand, the course I will be taking, and the people I meet can help get me somewhere. Also I’d love to tour London on my own haha. Are there any networking activities in London I should be aware of? Anyone in this sub based in London willing to meet up with me for a chat on career opportunities? Do IBs in London offer tours/career orientations/mixers/things of the like?

Lastly, will a CFA level I certification help? Or even a mention that I will be taking the December exam on a resume add some value? I’d rather not take the CFA yet, as it will coincide with my senior thesis and it’s an added expense. Any advice on whether or not a CFA is a good idea?

Also, I am willing to disclose the names of my institutions to people who are able to give useful and relevant advice. Message me!

Thanks so much guys!