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This Week in Asia /
Economics
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Banking & finance
Stocks
Brics
Why Brics can’t do away with US dollar even as currency cooperation rises
Brazil says there has been no proposal or talks within Brics to create a common currency across the bloc.
25 Feb 2026 - 4:26PM
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India
India and Brazil set sights on US$30 billion trade milestone by 2030
24 Feb 2026 - 5:57PM
Malaysia
Malaysia’s biggest state wants its energy wealth back – and it’s going to court
24 Feb 2026 - 4:13PM
Singapore
Cross-border trips to Johor push Singapore checkpoint traffic to new high
About three-quarters of the record 245 million travellers who crossed Singapore’s checkpoints last year went via the land border.
23 Feb 2026 - 9:12PM
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Vehicles travel across the causeway from Malaysia’s southern state of Johor to the Woodlands immigration checkpoint in Singapore on October 10, 2025. Photo: AFP
Trade
Tariff whiplash throws Asia’s recent US trade deals into doubt
India has already paused trade talks with Washington as other Asian nations are left to question the validity of their recent agreements.
23 Feb 2026 - 5:48PM
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Thailand
Thailand ‘buzzing’ with travel boom as Chinese tourists back in droves
The country’s heavy investment in wooing Chinese visitors appears to have paid off as it overcomes safety fears to secure holiday growth.
22 Feb 2026 - 3:03PM
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The Philippines
Views of corruption in Philippines worsen as ‘grease money’ dents confidence
A global index on corruption perceptions shows the Philippines posting its lowest ranking since 2012.
21 Feb 2026 - 5:00PM
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Protesters wearing face masks depicting Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr and Vice President Sara Duterte take part in an anti-corruption rally in Manila in November. Photo: AFP
India
India-Europe trade corridor gathers pace as Modi, Macron pledge port partnership
The India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor is seen as an alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
19 Feb 2026 - 5:38PM
India
India AI summit aims to shift focus from model races to scaled reality
The event offers emerging economies a chance to reframe AI as public infrastructure and work together to put it into public services.
17 Feb 2026 - 7:00PM
Indonesia
Can Indonesia’s US$762 million Ramadan stimulus boost spending and growth?
The package, which includes fare cuts and food handouts, is meant to keep people travelling and shopping, and help shore up early-growth momentum.
17 Feb 2026 - 6:00PM
Cambodia
Battered Cambodia seeks economic reset after Thailand border war
Shuttered borders have choked trade and sent migrant workers home, forcing Phnom Penh to seek new partners and markets.
17 Feb 2026 - 3:23PM
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Cambodian migrant workers cross from Thailand into Cambodia at the Ban Laem checkpoint in Chanthaburi on July 28, 2025. At least 20,000 people were estimated to be returning to Cambodia amid fighting along the Thai–Cambodian border around that time despite reported peace talks. Photo: dpa
Japan
Russia emerges as unlikely growth market for Japan tourism as China pulls back
New visa centres in Moscow and St Petersburg reflect a sharp rise in Russian demand as Chinese arrivals fall amid diplomatic tensions.
17 Feb 2026 - 11:00AM
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Indonesia
Crude business for Indonesia amid West’s squeeze on Russian oil
Analysts say Indonesia’s energy demand could draw scrutiny as Moscow seeks new buyers, potentially complicating US trade talks.
16 Feb 2026 - 2:58PM
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Indonesia
Why Indonesia’s US$1.67 billion China-backed dam is in limbo
Even energy regulators were kept in the dark about the abrupt crackdown that has spooked renewables investors.
16 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
South Korea
Why do South Korea’s Hallyu heroes find taxes so … taxing?
As K-culture conquers the world, its wealthy stars keep falling foul of a tax system ‘that has not yet fully caught up’.
15 Feb 2026 - 8:00AM
South Korean actor Kim Seon-ho stars in the Netflix series “Can This Love Be Translated?”. Photo: No Ju-han/Netflix
UAE
‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown
With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.
14 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM
The Philippines
Philippines’ AI reckoning puts millions of jobs on the line
The US$30 billion outsourcing sector is fighting to adapt, leaving millions of workers with a stark choice: upskill or be left behind.
14 Feb 2026 - 4:03PM
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The Philippines
Philippines flood fund theft of ‘people’s money’ forces tax rethink
Abolishing the much maligned travel tax is a good start but the whole system needs an overhaul, critics say.
13 Feb 2026 - 5:15PM
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Protesters, one wearing a mask of President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr, take part in an anti-corruption protest in Manila, the Philippines, on November 30, 2025. Photo: AP
India
India pushes for domestic weapons manufacture with French jet purchase
Around 80 per cent of the fleet will be assembled in India, with parts being progressively made in the country.
13 Feb 2026 - 6:47PM
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Scams and swindles
More Southeast Asian human trafficking gangs use crypto to move illegal funds
The transactions are linked to activities such as forced labour recruited by scammers and international escort services, a report says.
16 Feb 2026 - 4:48PM
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Singapore
Singapore set for US$12 billion surplus as Wong unveils AI ambitions in budget
PM Lawrence Wong says while defence spending will be kept at about 3 per cent of GDP, Singapore is prepared to spend more if the need arises.
12 Feb 2026 - 9:50PM
Malaysia
Malaysia courts US to climb critical minerals value chain, keeps raw export ban
Analysts say Kuala Lumpur wants US capital and technology without being drawn into the US-China minerals rivalry.
11 Feb 2026 - 9:33PM
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A worker walks inside the Lynas Advanced Materials Plant in Gebeng, Pahang. Malaysia says it aims to expand downstream processing of rare earths rather than export raw materials. Photo: Reuters
Japan
‘Job terrorism’: 1 in 4 workplaces in Japan victims of employee pranks
Psychologists say the quest for online clout is driving the rise in ‘meaningless’ workplace pranks, also known as part-time job terrorism.
11 Feb 2026 - 1:07PM
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Japan
Japan’s wage squeeze undermines Takaichi’s ‘trickle down’ plans
Fresh labour ministry figures show the cost of living crisis is deepening, as inflation continues to outpace salary increases for workers.
11 Feb 2026 - 7:25PM
China Conference: Southeast Asia
Ambassador urges ‘shared prosperity’ in China-Asean ties as protectionism grows
Wang Qing says both sides should uphold multilateralism and oppose external interference, even as Asean members seek trade deals with US.
11 Feb 2026 - 11:43AM
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