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ECONOMYWorld Bank lifts East Asia and Pacific 2026 growth forecast to 4.5% on AI exports, raises Indonesia to 5.2%
The World Bank's October 2026 East Asia and Pacific Economic Update raises regional growth to 4.5% for 2026, led by AI-related exports from Viet Nam, Malaysia and Thailand, while the Philippines and Pacific Islands lag on high energy costs.
ECONOMYUS–China trade truce after the Trump–Xi summit: what was agreed, what wasn't, and what it means for Asia
Xi Jinping's September state visit to Washington produced a two-month truce extension to 10 January 2027 and a US$30 billion-each-way tariff-relief list, but rare earths, chips and the wider tariff wall remain unresolved ahead of APEC in Shenzhen.
ECONOMYIndonesia's New Ride-Hailing Rule Explained: What Perpres 27/2026 Means for Drivers, Grab and GoTo
After five months of delay, Indonesia has formally released Presidential Regulation 27/2026, which keeps the 8% cap on platform fees for motorcycle rides, confirms drivers' status as partners and gives ministries until 31 December to write the detailed rules.
ECONOMYChina's Golden Week final figures: 826 million trips, but spending per trip slips to a four-year low
Official data show Chinese travellers made 826 million domestic trips over the 1–7 October holiday, with daily trips up 6.3%. But spending per trip fell to its lowest level since 2022, while outbound trips by mainland residents grew faster than domestic travel.
ECONOMYIndonesia Between the US and China: What the IMF Says About Fragmentation, and Where Indonesia Stands in 2026
The IMF warns that a splintering world economy carries long-term costs. Indonesia trades heavily with both the US and China, faces a lower US tariff rate than China and several neighbours, and is still growing at about 5%, but its currency, stock market and commodity reliance show the strain.
ECONOMYMalaysia's Fuel Subsidy Reform After Budget 2027: BUDI95 and Targeted Diesel Stay as Fuel Bill Nears RM40 Billion
Budget 2027, tabled on 9 October, keeps Malaysia's MyKad-targeted RON95 and diesel subsidies in place, with fuel subsidies estimated at about RM40 billion, while aiming to cut the deficit to 3.3% of GDP. Here is where the reform stands.
ECONOMYASEAN vs China for Foreign Investment in 2026: What the Data Actually Shows
Southeast Asia now attracts more foreign direct investment than China, but much of it goes to Singapore and data centres, a sizeable share comes from China itself, and some global equity funds have stopped cutting their exposure to China. Here is the evidence as of October 2026.
ECONOMYIndonesia's Free Meals Programme in October 2026: Smaller Budget, Food-Safety Crackdown and a Corruption Case
The flagship Makan Bergizi Gratis programme's 2026 budget has been reduced to about Rp229 trillion, its agency has changed head twice since June and prosecutors are pursuing a corruption case, while it still gets the largest ministry allocation in the 2027 budget.
ECONOMYIndonesia vs Thailand Off the Pitch: How the Two Economies Compare in 2026
Indonesia is growing more than twice as fast, but Thailand is richer per person, has bigger reserves and a stock market that is up this year while Jakarta's is down sharply. A data-driven comparison of two of Southeast Asia's biggest economies.
ECONOMYBSU 2026: Indonesia Announces Rp900,000 Wage Subsidy for 13.3 Million Workers. What We Know So Far
The government will pay Rp300,000 a month for October to December as a one-off Rp900,000 transfer. Eligibility rules and payment dates have not been issued yet, and officials warn against fake registration links.
ECONOMYHow the Iran War Is Hitting Asia's Economies, and the Strategies Governments Are Using to Hold the Line
Seven months into the conflict, oil still costs far more than a year ago and Asian importers are paying the bill. From rate hikes and fuel subsidies to stockpile releases and Russian crude, here is how the region is responding.
ECONOMYOil Prices: Brent Holds Near $107 as Hormuz Talks Stall. What It Means for Asia and Indonesia
Front-month Brent is up about 60% from a year ago as a US–Iran standoff keeps the Strait of Hormuz in doubt. Here are the prices, the forecasts, and how the shock reaches Asian importers and Indonesia's budget.