Indonesia extends income tax relief for labour-intensive industries
Tax relief is provided for employees working in five business sectors: footwear, textiles and apparel, furniture, leather and leather goods, as well as tourism.
Economic Affairs
2026 may prove yet another challenging year for Pakistan’s middle class and poor households
The new year is marked by rising living costs, job anxieties, and aspirations that continue to outpace opportunities.
Bangladesh’s exports fall for fifth straight month to $3.96 billion in December
Despite the year-on-year decline, export earnings in December rose 1.97% compared with November.
Tourism in Thailand faces challenges but shows growth as long-haul arrivals soar
Looking ahead to 2026, the Tourism Authority of Thailand forecasts foreign tourist arrivals will reach 36.7 million, generating a total of 2.8 trillion baht in tourism revenue.
K-fashion accelerates push into Japan, China with offline expansion
Industry insiders say overseas expansion is no longer optional. Sluggish domestic consumption, economic uncertainty and long-term demographic pressures have reduced room for…
‘More hassle than fun’: Philippines struggles to draw tourists as it lags regional peers in arrivals
Infrastructure constraints, like airport congestion and unreliable transport, make travel "less fun," while connectivity issues hinder longer stays and digital nomads.
Why diverse trade networks are becoming more important for Singapore
Despite global resilience to US tariffs, Singapore's export growth is predicted to slow in 2026.
Nepal’s poultry sector faces challenges reminiscent of post-Covid era despite growing demand
Rising feed costs, dependency on imports, and shrinking hatcheries threaten Nepal’s once-thriving poultry industry as stakeholders call for government support ahead of National…
China’s manufacturing rebounds in December
Data released by the National Bureau of Statistics on Wednesday showed that China's official PMI rose to 50.1 in December from 49.2 in November, returning to expansion territory…
Thailand’s foreign reserves hit record high above US$300 billion as baht strengthens and gold rallies
The increase underscores the Bank of Thailand’s ongoing role in managing baht stability amid pressures from capital flows and a strengthening currency.