2026 is year without job security in Bangladesh
Layoffs outpaced hiring, while employment shifted toward low-quality informal activity.
Big Picture
Cheap child care? South Korea’s Filipina caregiver program found it wasn’t
The cost of the child care service has reached levels comparable to those provided by Korean nationals in Seoul, as the city failed to implement a lower wage system.
Philippines, Thailand seen lagging behind Asia peers: London-based research firm
In a note to clients, the London-based research firm Capital Economics said Vietnam, Taiwan and India were likely to remain among the region’s strongest performers.
Will the end of South Korea’s aesthetics VAT refund drive medical tourists away?
Long supported by Korea’s price competitiveness, the industry warns that losing the tax incentive will not only raise costs for patients but also weaken pricing transparency, a…
Japan’s steelmakers turn to hydrogen in decarbonisation efforts, but high costs hinder progress
As market conditions worsen due to shrinking domestic demand and overproduction in China, there have been moves to reconsider decarbonisation investments.
Climate change reducing Bangladesh’s RMG productivity
The research, titled "Global Value Chains and Climate Change Governance: Garment Producers' Futures," said excessive heat inside factories poses a major barrier to social…
Philippine incomes can match Europe level—in 2050
Experts noted that three other Asian cities—Delhi and Mumbai in India and Shenzhen, China—are expected to see similar gains, reflecting a broader shift in the region toward…
Japanese property giants deepen their push into a booming Indian market
One key draw for Japanese developers is India’s low labour costs.
Nepal’s Gen Z unrest wipes billions off economy as multinationals report mixed first-quarter results
Unilever Nepal posts a sharp profit fall while Bottlers Nepal sees earnings surge despite turmoil.
All that glitters: The rise and rise of gold in Pakistan
In an economy where trust in institutions falters, Pakistanis are turning to the oldest currency of confidence.