Advertisement
Advertisement
-
This Week in Asia /

Economics

Related Topics:
Money Matters
Banking & finance
Stocks
Singapore is set to launch a national space agency to cement its status as regional innovation hub. Shutterstock/Nasa
Singapore

Singapore aims for stars with its new space agency, in a boost for Asia-Pacific

By launching a national space agency, Singapore aims to scale its satellite capabilities and lead the Asia-Pacific in space sustainability.

India

India eyes ‘global manufacturing powerhouse’ status with budget boost

Malaysia

Malaysia rushes to plug leaks as Sabah’s subsidised fuel flows to Philippines

Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia set to redraw economic road map as megaprojects scale down

A plunge in construction deals and the postponement of the 2029 Asian Winter Games have cast doubts on Riyadh’s Vision 2030.

An artist’s impression for The Line, 500-metre tall parallel structures in the heart of the Red Sea megacity Neom. Photo: Neom/AFP
An artist’s impression for The Line, 500-metre tall parallel structures in the heart of the Red Sea megacity Neom. Photo: Neom/AFP
The Philippines

Is Philippines falling behind in EV race as Southeast Asia revs up?

Policy uncertainty and the Philippines’ lack of competitiveness in key areas have reinforced investor unease, observers say.

6
Thailand

‘Critical point’: can Thailand election pave way for national reset?

With the economy struggling and corruption rife, Thai voters will look to the February 8 election as a chance to turn the country around.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
India

Why India should tackle pollution more urgently than tariffs

The adverse impact of pollution could lead to significant health and economic costs for India if left unchecked.

videocam
A rally by protesters in New Delhi in November against what they called the Indian government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital. Photo: AP
A rally by protesters in New Delhi in November against what they called the Indian government’s lack of action to combat air pollution in the capital. Photo: AP
Thailand

Will Thai tourism ambassador Blackpink’s Lisa help lure Chinese visitors back?

Chinese visitor arrivals slumped by nearly 30 per cent last year amid concerns over safety, the border war with Cambodia and the strong baht.

4
Indonesia

Bank Indonesia’s autonomy under scrutiny as Prabowo’s nephew joins leadership

Thomas Djiwandono’s appointment as deputy governor has made it seem ‘as if power at Bank Indonesia is inherited’, some analysts say.

Japan

Why Japan’s public is ‘happy’ to see a Chinese tourist drought

Travel operators say business has so far remained resilient, with strong demand from other parts of Asia, Europe and the US.

videocam
24
A Chinese tourist group is led by a tour guide in Asakusa, a popular sightseeing spot in Tokyo, Japan, in November 2025. Photo: Reuters
Malaysia

As Malaysian ringgit strengthens, Singapore shoppers in Johor reap less savings

The ringgit’s appreciation is also bad news for Malaysian export-oriented sectors, such as gloves and electronics, analysts say.

videocam
A woman counting several notes of the Malaysian ringgit. The currency has risen against the Singapore dollar in recent trading sessions. Photo: Shutterstock
A woman counting several notes of the Malaysian ringgit. The currency has risen against the Singapore dollar in recent trading sessions. Photo: Shutterstock
India

India, EU ‘make history’ as they seal trade pact amid US tariff pressure

Both sides are ‘set to benefit’ from the deal that analysts say will underscore broader shifts under way in the global order.

videocam
15
South Korea

South Korea tariff hike: is Trump ‘sending message’ to US court ahead of ruling?

Trump’s message appears more focused on pushing through the US-South Korean trade bill than on permanently raising tariffs, analysts say.

videocam
Malaysia

Malaysia’s aim for sustainable aviation fuel faces low Asian demand hurdle

Most of the demand still comes from Europe, with Malaysia aiming to produce 1 million tonnes of sustainable aviation fuel by 2028.

videocam
A technician filling a plane with sustainable aviation fuel. Malaysia has two SAF production plants. Photo: Handout
The Philippines

‘Bitter fruits’: why the Philippines faces a 10-year climb to fix its schools

Its ‘historic’ US$23 billion education budget might not be enough to close long-standing gaps, experts say.

videocam
Children walk to school in Bulacan province, north of Manila, in 2025. Photo: AFP
Children walk to school in Bulacan province, north of Manila, in 2025. Photo: AFP
Singapore

How Johor-Singapore SEZ is delivering for businesses a year on

While the zone has attracted sizeable investment since its launch last year, experts call for better coordination to ensure seamless operations.

The Philippines

Philippines’ new gas find fuels energy diversification hopes

With gas supply at a current well set to run out by 2027, potential new sources could help avert an energy crisis in Luzon.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

Indonesia’s Prabowo pitches stability at Davos amid rising global tensions

Prabowo says Indonesia aims to stamp out corruption and ‘greedanomics’, and calls for trade integration to help boost global prosperity.

Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto delivers a speech at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters
India

India, EU ramp up push for ‘historic’ free-trade deal amid US tariff tensions

A trade pact with the EU would offer an ‘alternative market’ for Indian goods amid a fraught global environment, analysts say.

World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos

At Davos, Singapore’s Tharman calls for US-China rivalry to ‘benefit’ world

The city state’s president urges nations to build resilient global alliances and, at a separate panel, calls for ways to boost job creation.

Donald Trump

How Asia’s economies could benefit from Trump’s global power plays

Countries such as Canada are looking to diversify their customers, particularly for oil and gas, with ‘a strong focus on Asia’, analysts say.

An illustration shows a 3D-printed miniature model of US President Donald Trump, the EU flag and the word “Tariffs”. Photo: Reuters
Asean

As more nations block Grok for obscene content, calls for Asean-wide curbs mount

The Philippines should push the fight against deepfakes high on the Asean agenda as the bloc’s chair, analysts say.

The Grok AI website displayed on a mobile phone as a nationwide restriction on the service took effect in Malaysia earlier this month. Photo: EPA
The Grok AI website displayed on a mobile phone as a nationwide restriction on the service took effect in Malaysia earlier this month. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

Malaysia’s expat salary rules dubbed ‘ridiculous’, stoking talent drain fears

The pay threshold for expatriate visas will be doubled to boost local hiring, sparking concern over reduced foreign talent and rising costs.

Donald Trump

Diversify or die: Asian firms face trade uncertainty amid Trump’s Mexico threats

The president’s call for strikes against drug cartels in Mexico and Colombia will add to the cost of trading with the US, analysts say.

videocam
Indonesia

US drone demand puts Indonesia’s strategic balance to the test

According to a leaked document, Washington proposed lowering tariffs if Indonesia bought US-made drones and publicly announced the purchase.

videocam
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and his US counterpart Donald Trump shake hands during a world leaders’ summit in Egypt in October 2025. Photo: Reuters
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW