Thailand monetary policy should remain accommodative as the country’s economic recovery remains low and uneven, with scope for further interest-rate cuts if necessary. Minutes from the Bank of Thailand’s Aug. 26 meeting showed the monetary policy committee unanimously kept its one-day repurchase rate at 1% for a third consecutive meeting. Policymakers said further easing outside a crisis could produce limited benefits relative to potential side effects. Preserving policy spac

A China state bank capital injection programme worth around RMB360bn (USD54bn) is being rolled out as Beijing strengthens major financial institutions and seeks to support economic growth. Agricultural Bank of China plans to raise up to RMB160bn through a private placement, while Industrial and Commercial Bank of China is targeting up to RMB100bn. China Life Insurance is set to receive RMB35bn, while Export-Import Bank of China will receive RMB30bn. Other institutions covered

Hong Kong Kazakhstan investment ties are set to deepen as the two markets pursue a “hub-to-hub” model designed to connect Asian capital with Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Under the proposed approach, Hong Kong would provide Kazakh businesses with greater access to mainland China and wider Asian markets, while Kazakhstan would act as a gateway for Hong Kong investors seeking opportunities across Central Asia. The two sides are also pursuing institutional arrangements to sup

A Xi Washington CEO delegation is being prepared for the Chinese president’s Sept. 24 summit as Beijing seeks to signal support for commercial and investment ties with the United States, Reuters reported. Xi Jinping rarely travels overseas with large groups of corporate executives, and Reuters said it had not determined which business leaders would participate. His last sizeable corporate delegation to the US was in 2015 and included Alibaba founder Jack Ma and Tencent founde

Singapore accounting firms Asia expansion could become easier under a regional professional-services network being developed by the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants. ISCA’s Professional Services Centre network allows smaller Singapore firms to work with local providers for regulated services, market expertise and business connections without incurring the full cost of establishing overseas offices. A newly launched Jakarta centre joins existing locations in Singap

Asian wealth management growth could increasingly favour banks in Singapore and Hong Kong as household assets shift from deposits and property towards equities, bonds, funds and alternative investments, according to Morgan Stanley. The trend is expected to increase demand for private banking, investment management and advisory services as household wealth across Asia continues to expand. Morgan Stanley said Singapore should benefit from its position as a centre for family off

Philippine CEO confidence remains strong despite growing concerns over regulatory uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, climate change and technological disruption. A PwC Philippines and Management Association of the Philippines survey of 176 CEOs and business leaders found that 83% were confident about their industry prospects over the next 12 months, while 81% expected company revenues to grow. Domestic consumption was the most frequently cited growth driver, followed by infr

Japan Q2 GDP growth was stronger than initially estimated, reinforcing expectations that the Bank of Japan will continue raising interest rates. Gross domestic product expanded at an annualised 1.4% in April-June from the previous quarter, revised up from an initial 1.1% estimate. Non-annualised quarterly growth was 0.4%, government data showed. Capital expenditure fell 0.9%, a smaller decline than the previously estimated 1.2%, while private consumption was unchanged. Separa

The Taiwan growth forecast 2026 has been raised by Standard Chartered to 11.5% from 9.5% after stronger-than-expected second-quarter expansion, robust AI-related exports and improving domestic demand. The bank also lifted its 2027 growth estimate to 6.5% from 5%, above government forecasts of 11.05% and 6.04%, respectively. Senior economist Tommy Wu said growth was likely to slow sharply from the fourth quarter as high base effects weighed on export comparisons. However, a su

Hong Kong living investment ranked fifth among Asia-Pacific markets after attracting 24 student-housing conversion deals worth USD1.63bn since 2021, according to Cushman & Wakefield. Ten transactions valued at USD739.9m were completed during the first seven months of 2026, supported by accommodation shortages and continued growth in the student population. The APAC Living Investor Survey 2026 found that 90% of respondents were considering repositioning or change-of-use invest

South Korea capital market reform will be a priority for finance minister nominee Lee Hyung-il as he seeks to address the “Korea discount” and strengthen corporate governance. Lee, currently first vice finance minister, outlined plans to revive potential growth, reduce economic inequality and advance market reforms ahead of his parliamentary confirmation hearing. He said the government would accelerate three national projects, promote regional growth hubs and increase investm

The Forest City fintech tax incentive will give eligible financial technology companies and related service providers access to a 5% corporate tax rate in Malaysia’s Forest City Special Financial Zone. The incentive is available for 10 years and may be extended for a further decade, subject to approval and continued compliance. Eligible businesses include fintech companies, financial global business services providers and foreign payment system operators. Qualifying activitie

Chinese state-owned banks profits recovered simultaneously in the first half for the first time since 2022 as revenue increased and net interest margins showed early signs of stabilisation. ICBC, China Construction Bank, Agricultural Bank of China, Bank of China, Bank of Communications and Postal Savings Bank of China generated more than RMB2tr (USD297bn) in combined revenue and around RMB712.6bn in attributable profit. Revenue increased by between 4% and 11%, while profit ro

Singapore Indonesia local currency settlement is now operational, allowing trade, direct investment and cross-border payments between the two markets to be conducted directly in Singapore dollars and Indonesian rupiah. The framework, launched by the Monetary Authority of Singapore and Bank Indonesia, is designed to reduce foreign-exchange risks and transaction costs while encouraging broader use of regional currencies. Appointed cross-currency dealers will facilitate settleme

Vietnam fund management assets have reached more than VND846tr (USD32bn) as the industry takes a larger role in supplying long-term capital and supporting development of the country’s institutional investor base. At the end of June, 43 fund managers and 142 investment funds were operating in the market. Assets under management had increased 6.8 times from 2015, representing annual growth of more than 20%. Despite that expansion, managed assets remain equivalent to only around

The first Hong Kong Five-Year Plan will be released alongside Chief Executive John Lee's annual Policy Address on Sept. 16, potentially providing greater clarity on how long-term development priorities connect with immediate government measures. Legislator Bill Tang urged officials to establish measurable performance indicators for innovation and technology, including research and development expenditure as a percentage of gross domestic product and funding for gerontechnolog

Hong Kong remained first in the 2026 Asian Cities Internationality Index, reinforcing the city's position as one of the region's most internationally connected business centres. Hong Kong scored 74.6 points, ranking ahead of Singapore at 72.6. Seoul climbed to third with 69.2, followed by Tokyo at 68.6 and Shanghai at 65.3. The index, commissioned by the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce and conducted by Ipsos, assessed 11 cities across multiple measures of international

Hong Kong startup support is being expanded through a new HKD10bn (USD1.27bn) technology fund and greater use of patient capital as the city positions itself as a gateway for mainland companies expanding internationally. Innovation Secretary Sun Dong said the Innovation and Technology Industry-Oriented Fund will target life and health technology, artificial intelligence, robotics, semiconductors and smart devices. Hong Kong Investment Corporation Chief Executive Clara Chan sa

Vietnam economic growth accelerated to 8.4% year on year during the second quarter of 2026, exceeding an earlier 7% forecast as manufacturing, construction and domestic demand strengthened. Gross domestic product expanded 8.2% during the first half, while exports jumped 21% to USD266.5bn and foreign investment increased 61% to USD34.65bn. Standard Chartered expects Vietnam’s economy to grow 9.5% in 2026 and accelerate further to 11% in 2027, according to Xinhua. The bank also

New Vietnam small business tax breaks will provide lower rates and exemptions for smaller enterprises while introducing additional compliance requirements under the country's latest income tax changes. Corporate income tax rates will range from 15% to 20%, depending on company size, while businesses involved in petroleum and precious-mineral activities will face rates ranging from 25% to 50%. Businesses generating annual revenue of no more than VND1bn (USD38,000) will be exem