Japan mulling restart of Go To Travel scheme in July
Launched in 2020 in an attempt to revive the tourism industry hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic, the campaign offers subsidies of up to ¥20,000 to cover half of users’ expenses.
Policy Matters
Goal to raise minimum wages to be included in Kishida’s ‘new capitalism’ action plan
The government wants to eliminate regional disparities and improve the terms of nonregular employees and other workers, aiming to raise the weighted average minimum wage to…
Indonesians cut back on insurance but industry remains upbeat over growth potential
The decline in average insurance spending comes amid growth in insurance assets to account for 13 percent of the financial industry.
South Korea to lift tariff on food imports, raise LTV for first home seekers
A core measure is levying a zero quota tariff on ingredients for food, including wheat, flour, cooking oil, processed eggs and pork, until the end of this year.
Petroleum prices unchanged as PM prioritises ‘relief for consumers’ over revenue
The measure was taken with the "view to provide maximum relief to the consumers" despite the loss in revenue due to globally rising petroleum prices.
EU leaders back push to ban some Russian oil over war in Ukraine
The bulk of the current pipeline delivery is to Germany and Poland, which have signalled they will wean themselves off Russian supplies regardless of any European Union action.
China makes all-out efforts to prop up foreign trade
Apart from increasing fiscal and financial support for foreign trade enterprises, the country will also seek to bolster cross-border e-commerce.
China details measures to stabilise, upgrade foreign trade
Services for key foreign trade enterprises will be enhanced, measures will be put in place to ensure unimpeded logistics for foreign trade cargos, among others.
China increases efforts to help small and midsize rural commercial banks
It is estimated that some of the deferred repayments of principal and interest on loans to these enterprises during the Covid-19 pandemic will turn into bad loans.
Competition Commission investigation will cover all in the poultry industry: Minister
The Malaysia Competition Commission will conduct investigations of allegedly engaged in anti-competitive agreements and/or abuse of dominant position to influence market prices.