Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Thailand Slashes Diesel Refinery Margins to Cap Pump Prices Amid Red Sea Disruption
Government taps 3.89 billion baht in refinery profits to absorb global crude surge triggered by Saudi tanker attacks
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
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Southeast Asia
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Finance·Jul 25, 2026
Funding Societies Bundles Free Insurance Into SME Loans Across Southeast Asia
The Singapore-based fintech now covers outstanding balances if a borrower's key person dies or becomes disabled, removing a barrier that has left many small businesses exposed.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 4 min ·
Finance·Jul 25, 2026
Ikhlas Capital Raises $370 Million, Plans Fresh Philippine Deals
Singapore private equity firm eyes partnerships with Filipino conglomerates and AI ventures after backing cold chain logistics and banking.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Indonesia Locks in Coal Deliveries to Manila Amid Energy Crunch
Jakarta commits to honoring existing contracts as the Philippines leans harder on coal imports to weather high oil prices and regional electricity pressures
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
Technology·Jul 25, 2026
PLDT Positions Data Centers to House Philippine Government Secrets
Telco giant offers 34 megawatts of capacity across 11 facilities as Manila enforces local storage mandate for classified information
By Mariel D. Santos · 4 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Indonesian Consumer Confidence Hits Nine-Month Low as Income Pressures Mount
June's Consumer Confidence Index fell to 117.8, its weakest reading since September 2025, as households reported deteriorating income conditions and growing employment concerns.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Mitsubishi Motors Commits $470 Million to Thailand EV Manufacturing Push
Japanese automaker targets Southeast Asia's largest car market as regional production hub for electrified vehicles through 2030
By Cheng Wei-Lun · 3 min ·
Sustainability·Jul 25, 2026
Malaysia Returns Over 3,000 Tons of E-Waste After Absolute Import Ban
A new customs rule took effect in April 2026, but enforcement faces hurdles as smugglers falsify cargo documents and ports process millions of containers annually
By Siti Nuraini · 4 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Philippine Export Zones See Investment Surge to 152 Billion Pesos
Manufacturing and tech projects drove a 70% jump in PEZA approvals during the first seven months, positioning the country for deeper integration into global supply chains.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 2 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Indonesia's Tobacco Industry Faces Sweeping New Regulations After Two-Year Delay
New controls on packaging, nicotine levels, and additives take effect despite industry protests over last-minute clarity from Jakarta
By Siti Nuraini · 3 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Indonesia Orders Telcos to Preserve Unused Data Quotas in Landmark Consumer Ruling
Constitutional Court decision mandates that prepaid internet packages must protect residual data without expiration fees, reshaping the region's mobile service structure
By Priyanka V. Rao · 4 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Indonesia Launches Nationwide Crackdown on Subsidized Fuel Misuse Amid Regional Shortages
Seven provinces report fuel scarcity as authorities target hoarding and illegal distribution of state-subsidized petroleum products
By Siti Nuraini · 3 min ·
Asia·Jul 25, 2026
Philippines Moves Toward Pacific Trade Bloc With UK Support
British business group welcomes preparatory talks on CPTPP accession as Manila seeks to diversify trade amid Middle East tensions
By Priyanka V. Rao · 2 min ·
Perspectives·Jul 24, 2026
Southeast Asia Must Force Crypto Exchanges to Stop Enabling Scammers
With nearly $40 billion stolen annually through regional scam networks, baseline global standards are failing. The Philippines and Thailand show a better path forward through shared liability and proactive prevention.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 7 min ·
Asia·Jul 24, 2026
Washington Raises Tariff on Philippine Goods to 12.5% Over Forced-Labor Ban
Manila joins 40 countries hit with higher duty after US trade review finds no effective prohibition on imports made with coerced labor
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
Perspectives·Jul 24, 2026
Indonesia's Path to 2045 Demands State-Led Capital Formation, Not Just Finance
The archipelago's economic future hinges on building accountable institutions that convert strategic priorities into productive assets, not merely expanding government payrolls or chasing investment flows.
By Rajesh K. Iyer · 6 min ·
Perspectives·Jul 24, 2026
Indonesia's Financial Hub Gambit Risks Becoming a Tax Shelter With No Roots
A 21-day legislative sprint to create a zero-tax international financial center sidesteps the transparency and structural reforms that would actually draw serious capital to Jakarta.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 6 min ·
Asia·Jul 24, 2026
Singapore Stands Alone as Southeast Asia's Only High-Income Economy
World Bank threshold of $14,375 GNI per capita leaves most ASEAN members in middle-income category despite decades of growth
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
Finance·Jul 24, 2026
Vietnam Looks Beyond Banks to Fund Economic Growth
Policymakers signal capital markets must shoulder more of the country's financing burden as banking system faces capacity constraints
By Tran Quoc Bao · 3 min ·
Sustainability·Jul 24, 2026
Electric Vehicle Sales Surge 133% in the Philippines as Traditional Auto Market Contracts
Electrified vehicles captured nearly 15% of total market share in first half, with battery and plug-in hybrid segments posting triple-digit growth despite broader industry decline
By Priyanka V. Rao · 3 min ·
Asia·Jul 24, 2026
Manila Runs Wider Deficit Yet Stays Under Target as Revenue Climbs Faster Than Spending
The Philippines recorded a P786.8 billion budget shortfall in the first six months, up 2.8 percent year-on-year, though fiscal discipline kept the gap below programmed levels amid stronger tax collection.
By Priyanka V. Rao · 5 min ·