Food and spices stranded on Nepal highway ahead of festival
Landslides along Narayanghat–Muglin route choke Kathmandu’s lifeline, leaving goods and passengers stranded for days.
Economic Affairs
Nepal rolls out relief, austerity plan after protest fallout
Tax breaks, loans, payroll support, and cost cuts were announced amid billions in damage and thousands of job losses.
India imposes new condition on non-basmati rice exports
Bangladesh is one of the main importers of non-basmati rice from India.
Dire warnings, early planning for Super Typhoon Ragasa pay off for Hong Kong
Economists expect lower financial disruption from Ragasa, with the stock market remaining open and increased ability to work from home.
Corruption rattles Philippine firms more than most of Asia
Beyond corruption, Philippine respondents identified other frictions specific to the region, including electricity, business licensing and permits, and transportation. Tax rates…
Philippine stock exchange falls to 6,100 level on flood control, corruption woes
The benchmark Philippine Stock Exchange Index (PSEi) tumbled to 6,118.54 by the closing bell, losing 1.55 percent, or 96.29 points.
Malaysia’s inflation set to stay tame
An important enabler for this is the government’s decision to move away from its previous plan to remove RON95 petrol subsidy for the top 15% income earners.
Philippines found to have highest financial misreporting rate in region
The problem, the study noted, was that Philippine society tended to place strong emphasis on social reputation despite financial hardship and literacy gaps, making it hard for…
New World Bank report highlights rise in Pakistan’s poverty rate, calls for people-centred reforms
The report says this is largely owing to compounding shocks — including COVID-19, inflation, floods, and macroeconomic stress — but also because the consumption-driven growth…
Thai tourism hit by strong baht, losing 17% revenue as trips costlier than Japan, Vietnam
When foreign travellers exchange their money for baht, they receive less, making hotel rooms, food, and entry fees appear more expensive.