The World Bank warns that Asian governments are fast running out of fiscal room to shield households from surging energy bills – a squeeze that could push up inflation, slow economic growth and spark social unrest as crude oil prices stay elevated
Southeast Asia faces a looming food crisis as fertiliser supplies are squeezed by disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, threatening crop yields, food prices and regional food security.
Retail Asia reports that surging production costs and lagging consumer confidence will slow fashion-sector growth across Asia through 2026, forcing brands to defend ever-thinner margins while navigating a market of increasingly selective, cautious shoppers
Soaring travel costs haven’t dimmed the appetite for meaningful trips, Klook says. TTG Asia reports travellers are simply redirecting their spending toward activities, tours and attractions to get the most out of their journeys
Asian stocks dipped as renewed U.S. tariff worries and a tech-sector sell-off dented sentiment. Japan bucked the regional downtrend, buoyed by softer CPI data that offered a modest lift, Investing.com reports
Food prices in the Caucasus and Central Asia continued to rise steadily in 2024, driven by supply chain disruptions and inflation, the World Bank reported. The trend poses challenges for regional food security and economic stability.