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This Week in Asia /

Economics

A tourist uses his smartphone to film burnt cars in Paris, France, on Saturday. Photo: AFP

A French police officer extinguishes burning bicycles during a demonstration against the cost of living and rising fuel prices in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

A man walks past burnt-out vehicles in Paris on Monday. Photo: AFP/dpa

A cafe waiter tries to push back tear gas canisters during clashes between protesters and police in Paris on Saturday. Photo: EPA

‘Videos made me panic’: France unrest gives jitters to Southeast Asian tourists

Safety alerts and riots lead to itinerary changes at a time when tourism from the region to France is experiencing an uneven recovery.

23 Oct 2026 - 10:00PM

What Indonesia’s warnings of energy cuts mean for Asean

23 Oct 2026 - 9:22PM

Vietnam partners with Denmark to propel its wind energy ambition

23 Oct 2026 - 8:16PM

Can ‘Buy Indonesia’ economic nationalism restore investor trust?

Analysts say, however, that Indonesia will need concrete steps to improve market transparency and governance to save its bourse.

22 Oct 2026 - 4:00PMvideocam

A woman walks past the Indonesia Stock Exchange building in Jakarta on Wednesday. Photo: Reuters

Asean wants a single digital economy. Will different state laws hobble its goal?

Citing implementation hurdles under Asean’s e-commerce agreement, an analyst says a proposed digital economy pact may face similar issues.

22 Oct 2026 - 10:30AM

The Philippines

How remote virtual assistant work is transforming the Philippine economy

Prized in English-speaking countries, Filipinos make up about 38 per cent of the global virtual assistant market, a placement agency says.

21 Oct 2026 - 6:33PMvideocam

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India’s record US$108b Jio IPO tests market faith as Musk rivalry heats up

India’s largest initial public offering will test international investors’ confidence amid shifting global capital and rising energy costs.

20 Oct 2026 - 7:43PM

A security officer is pictured beside the Jio logo during a news conference for the Jio Platforms IPO in Mumbai, India, on Thursday. Jio Platforms is aiming for a US$108 billion valuation in India’s biggest-ever IPO. Photo: Reuters

As Indonesia faces MSCI downgrade threat, officials vow reforms to ease fears

Officials met MSCI on their planned reforms of Indonesia’s stock market after the global index provider’s announcement triggered a selloff.

20 Oct 2026 - 6:02PM

Malaysia’s Anwar promises ‘full disclosure’ as ‘corporate mafia’ scandal grows

The government will publicly release findings on alleged corruption and coerced takeovers involving senior officials within three months.

20 Oct 2026 - 2:31PM

The Philippines

Dire straits: why Filipino sailors continue to brave troubled Middle East waters

Financial concerns and blacklist worries outweigh safety fears for some of the Philippines’ over 468,000 sailors around the world.

20 Oct 2026 - 6:17PMvideocam

Thai‑flagged cargo ship Mayuree Naree catches fire after being hit by Iranian missiles in the Strait of Hormuz on March 11. Photo: Royal Thai Navy/EPA

Singapore vs Hong Kong: who’s likely to win race for stablecoin dominance?

Singapore is boosting infrastructure while Hong Kong is betting on banks – but ultimately, practicality will decide the winner, experts say.

20 Oct 2026 - 12:00PMvideocam

Attendees pass cryptocurrency signage at the Token2049 crypto conference in Singapore on October 1, 2025. Photo: Reuters

Calls grow for India to lure tech talent home as US tightens job curbs

Washington has suspended a programme allowing foreign professionals to work in the US and potentially obtain permanent residency.

19 Oct 2026 - 8:02PM

The Philippines

Is Philippines’ laws on underwater cables lagging behind its digital hub goal?

A leading telco executive says bureaucracy is slowing cable repairs carried out by specialised vessels in Philippine waters.

19 Oct 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

Chinese overseas

Southeast Asia’s ethnic Chinese traders feel the China squeeze

From Indonesia to the Philippines, small traders say the factories supplying them have become their toughest competitors.

18 Oct 2026 - 12:00PM

A vendor sells fruit and vegetables in Pasar Besar Bentong, a small town in the west side of Pahang Darul Makmur, Malaysia. Photo: Shutterstock

Trump’s second Asean summit presence comes at a price for region

On the president’s list are supply-chain security, critical minerals, technology cooperation, AI and investment in the US, experts say.

20 Oct 2026 - 12:55PMvideocam

US President Donald Trump (third from left) gathers with Asean leaders during the summit in Kuala Lumpur on October 26, 2025. Photo: AFP

Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. But is the bargain worth it?

Pinduoduo’s arrival has thrilled bargain hunters, even as direct e-commerce shipments price out local firms and waste chokes landfills.

18 Oct 2026 - 10:38PM

Indonesia’s central bank insists it is independent. Investors want proof

Huge bond purchases, the president’s nephew on board and a shifting legal role leave investors asking who really controls Bank Indonesia.

16 Oct 2026 - 8:38PMvideocam

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Laos private jet bust reveals how Mekong meth slips past borders

Drug experts say narcotics production infrastructure extends across Southeast Asia, and transport routes are fluid and move with enforcement.

15 Oct 2026 - 8:17PMvideocam

Police seized 521kg of methamphetamine from a private jet at Luang Prabang International Airport in Laos earlier this month. Photo: Facebook/KhuamsaNgopDaily

Energy shock tests Bangladesh’s US$1 trillion economy ambitions

Surging inflation and rising prices are straining government finances as the new leadership battles to reform the country.

15 Oct 2026 - 2:45PM

AI-armed hackers tear through corporate Japan’s neglected defences

For years, the Japanese language was a defence against hacking in and of itself, observers say. But no more.

15 Oct 2026 - 8:00AMvideocam

Indonesia’s Bali hit by fuel crisis as huge queues form at petrol stations

Bali’s governor insists supplies are ample and points the finger at panic buying, even as fuel deliveries fail to keep pace with demand.

14 Oct 2026 - 12:42PMvideocam

Motorcyclists queue to refuel at a petrol station in Denpasar, Bali, on Tuesday, amid reports of shortages. Photo: EPA

India to gain? Trump’s Russian diesel deal offers New Delhi leverage

Washington’s climbdown on Russian fuel undermines US sanctions pressure and clears a path for India’s Ukraine diplomacy, analysts say.

13 Oct 2026 - 7:03PM

US President Donald Trump (right) meets Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the White House in Washington, in 2025. Photo: AFP

Australia tax rises ‘nail in coffin’ for tech sector as founders eye Singapore

Singapore’s start-up ecosystem, commitment to innovation and proximity to Australia are among pull factors, industry players note.

13 Oct 2026 - 11:17AM

AI fuelling growth while putting Asia’s young workers at risk, IMF meeting hears

AI investment is propping up global growth amid energy shocks, but leaders at the IMF summit warn of a job tsunami threatening Asia’s youth.

12 Oct 2026 - 7:10PM

17 key takeaways from Malaysia’s 2027 budget - ‘live with dignity’

The government is projecting slower economic growth and higher inflation in 2027 as it seeks to narrow the deficit.

9 Oct 2026 - 8:01PM

People walking in the streets of Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur's most prominent area for shopping. Photo: Shutterstock

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