OCBC's mid-August forecast revisions quantify the bifurcation: Vietnam upgraded to 8.2% and Indonesia to 5.2%, while the Philippines was cut to 3.2% from 3.8% and Thailand nudged to 2.4%. DBS economists attribute the split to each economy's exposure to technology exports versus imported energy. The revisions signal where regional capital and manufacturing flows are heading.
A large tariff-arbitrage scheme has caused an alleged Rs 2,500 crore customs revenue loss. The fraud exploited the gap between India's 100% basic customs duty on areca nuts and SAFTA's zero-duty access for goods claimed to originate from Bangladesh.
Source: bangladeshsun.com · indiagazette.com
Aon's appointment of Stephen as CEO for Indonesia highlights a strategic push into one of Southeast Asia's most promising insurance markets. With over 20 years of underwriting experience and a strong local track record, Stephen is poised to drive revenue growth, potentially benefiting AON shareholders.
Source: businessdayghana.com · livenews.co.nz
The upgrade in Australia’s wheat forecast to 30 million tons offers a bearish signal for Chicago wheat futures, which recently hit a two-year high. The potential supply boost may ease food inflation and shift investor sentiment in grain markets.
The U.S. tariff on Indian goods is set at 10% rather than 12.5%, reducing trade friction and signaling successful diplomacy. Indian equities and the rupee gained after the announcement, as export-oriented sectors breathe a sigh of relief.
Source: (in) · Reena Bhardwaj (in)
The WEF and Marsh report that housing unaffordability will persist for 15 more years, with payments above 100% of earnings in Nigeria, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Vietnam, Brazil, and Mexico. This signals deep risks for mortgage markets, retirement systems, and intergenerational wealth transfer.
Indonesia's $75 million purchase of Russian crude arrives as the rupiah plummets to a record low against the dollar, driven by soaring fuel import bills. Investors must weigh the near-term cost relief against long-term sanctions and currency risks.
For investors, the IEA report quantifies a staggering fiscal and balance-of-payments risk: Southeast Asia’s energy imports could triple to $245 billion by 2035, fueling inflation and potentially triggering sovereign stress. Yet the same crisis opens investment opportunities in solar manufacturing, nuclear projects, and EV supply chains as policy pivots.
The escalating conflict in Iran has severely restricted the flow of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) through the Strait of Hormuz, forcing major Asian economies to revert to coal-fired power. This strategic shift to ensure energy security is delaying decarbonization goals across India, China, and Southeast Asia while highlighting the region's vulnerability to Middle Eastern geopolitical shocks.
Indonesian markets reopen following a week-long holiday to face a confluence of geopolitical instability and domestic economic pressures. With the Jakarta Composite Index in bear market territory and the rupiah at record lows, investors are navigating shifting headlines regarding the Iran conflict and potential credit downgrades.
Source: Bloomberg · List.metadata.agency (in)
The United States and Indonesia have finalized a landmark trade agreement aimed at securing long-term access to critical minerals and fossil fuels. This deal marks a strategic shift in U.S. supply chain policy, positioning Indonesia as a primary partner in the global energy transition and a key counterweight to regional dominance in mineral processing.
President Prabowo Subianto's new trade agreement with the United States faces intense domestic scrutiny following a US Supreme Court ruling that invalidated the tariff threats used to leverage the deal. The lopsided agreement imposes over 200 regulatory obligations on Indonesia in exchange for just nine from the US, raising concerns over national sovereignty.
Indonesia is aggressively consolidating state control over its dominant nickel reserves through massive land seizures and regulatory crackdowns. While Jakarta aims to anchor a domestic electric vehicle industry, a global pivot toward nickel-free battery chemistries and intensifying US-China competition threaten the long-term payoff of its strategy.
Indonesia's decision to backtrack on scheduled coal plant closures has cast doubt on the $20 billion Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). This policy shift highlights the growing tension between immediate energy security and international decarbonization commitments in emerging markets.
Source: hometownregister.com · suncommercial.com