Philippine financial markets closed weaker on Tuesday as market players digested government data showing inflation accelerating to 7.2% in September, matching the fastest pace in more than three years and above market expectations.

The World Bank has upgraded Thailand’s 2026 growth forecast by 0.7 percentage points to 2.0%, citing stronger exports linked to the global AI boom, but warned that flooding, a potential severe El Niño and weak domestic adoption of AI could limit the benefits. The upgrade comes even as Thailand continues to face unusually heavy flooding, […]

The country"s agricultural export revenue slumped to US$554.7 million in August of this year, the lowest since January 2024, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

Shenzhen Transsion Holdings, the maker of Africa’s bestselling phones, aims to kick off its Hong Kong share offering on Wednesday to raise up to US$500 million ahead of a targeted October 15 listing, according to people familiar with the matter. The company, which already trades in Shanghai and has a market capitalisation of 62 billion yuan (US$9.24 billion), could offer up to 132 million offshore ordinary shares, according to approval documents from the China Securities Regulatory Commission...

The country"s total rice stocks inventory dropped to 1.91 million metric tons (MT) as of September as the country prepares for what is expected to be a severe El Niño in the coming months, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.

Banking apps from Mox Bank, Bank of China (Hong Kong) (BOCHK), ZA Bank and Citibank Hong Kong are among the top 10 in Asia-Pacific, according to a study exclusively previewed by the South China Morning Post. Sia, an international consulting firm, assessed 145 banking apps in 20 markets in Europe, Asia and Australia using 100 criteria, including functionality, user experience and feedback, with each receiving a score from 0 to 100. The app from digital lender Mox Bank – backed by Standard...

Consumer groups on Tuesday raised alarm over a "truck holiday" or “port holiday” to protest against congestion and other logistics issues, saying this could end up hurting more consumers.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is pushing to expand the country"s minimum access volume (MAV) for corn to 500,000 metric tons (MT) to help cushion hog and poultry producers from potentially higher feed costs amid the threat of El Niño.

Even as geopolitical frictions and market swings unsettle venture investors, Hong Kong-founded Hermitage Capital is sticking to a global strategy of backing frontier technology companies wherever they emerge. With a US$1.5 billion war chest that is 80 per cent in US dollars, with the remainder in renminbi, the private equity firm is ramping up investments across artificial intelligence, semiconductors and robotics, mainly in the US and China, capitalising on a market turnaround triggered by the...

Global fintech giant Revolut is now working to secure a digital banking license from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) to offer its full suite of financial products in the Philippines.

Robinsons Land takes part in Pag-IBIG"s 4PH as partner developer

Villar-led Vista Land and Lifescapes Inc. has turned over a house and lot in Palawan to the five children of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) who died of cancer in 2021, the property developer said Tuesday.

The Department of Agriculture (DA) is seeking P300 million in funding to expand ube production by 1,000 hectares as it seeks to meet surging global demand for the purple root crop.

Digital gaming firm Casino Plus has entered into a strategic content partnership with international game developer Peter & Sons to bring select gaming titles from the Yerevan- and Barcelona-based gaming studio to players in the Philippines.

Mobile wallet GCash is offering its GStocks PH feature users with the first 100 shares of its parent, Mynt Inc."s initial public offering (IPO) stakes.

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summarize this content to 20 words The proposed ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) could reduce trade barriers between Canada and Southeast Asia while creating new opportunities for companies using ASEAN as a manufacturing, sourcing, services, or regional investment base. Canada-ASEAN bilateral merchandise trade reached C$52.5 billion (US$38 billion) in 2025, up 23.6 percent from C$42.4 billion (US$31 billion) in 2024. ASEAN’s member states collectively represented Canada’s fifth-largest merchandise trading partner. From ASEAN’s perspective, Canada ranked as its 16th-largest trading partner and 10th-largest source of foreign direct investment in 2025. ASEAN now comprises 11 member states following Timor-Leste’s admission in October 2025. Where ASEAN-Canada trade and investment stand today Manufacturing in ASEAN frequently involves regional production networks. A product assembled in Vietnam, for instance, may contain inputs from Malaysia, Thailand, or Indonesia. Whether those inputs count toward the product’s originating status could determine whether it qualifies for preferential tariffs when exported to Canada. Canada’s negotiating objectives specifically seek rules allowing the cumulation of materials and production and recognizing existing regional production patterns. If reflected in the final agreement, these provisions could give manufacturers greater flexibility to divide qualifying production and sourcing among ASEAN countries rather than concentrating activities in one jurisdiction solely to obtain tariff preferences.

Thailand's floods have disrupted Toyota and Honda production, highlighting supply-chain vulnerabilities that could threaten the nation's automotive dominance as climate risks grow.

The Philippines" inflation rate accelerated in September 2026, cutting short a four-month deceleration streak, due to faster increases in food and utilities costs during the period, the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported on Tuesday.

Phuket is preparing to host the 2026 Vegetarian Festival from October 9–18, with more than 140,000 visitors expected and at least 1.4 billion baht in local economic activity. Deputy Government Spokesperson Ploytalay Laksmeesangchan stated that the annual festival, locally known as Jia Chai, is a significant cultural tradition that reflects the religious faith and heritage […]

Amid concerns over rising interest rates and a weak retail property market, a long-time investor has sold a portfolio of prime street shops in Tsim Sha Tsui – held for more than four decades – and locked in a profit of nearly HK$237 million (US$30.2 million) despite accepting a deal more than 40 per cent below his original asking price. The portfolio of retail shops in Cheung Lee Commercial Building and the podium of Wing Lee Building, both on Kimberley Road, changed hands for HK$256.8 million,...

Oil prices fell on Monday after crude exports from the Middle East increased and the Group of Seven nations pledged to boost supplies, though selling was limited by disruption fears.

[The content of this article has been produced by our advertising partner.] Passing wealth to the next generation can require flexibility over when, how and in which currency it is received. Designed to accommodate evolving family circumstances, Chubb MyLegacy Multi-Currency Insurance Plan offers customized life-event payments, succession arrangements, flexible withdrawals and multi-currency options. Passing wealth at the right time Families may need greater control over when and how...

Thailand's Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa program has approved 12,010 high-potential foreigners since its September 2022 launch, generating an estimated USD 1.28 billion in economic value through fees, spending, investment, and tax revenue.

The DOE blamed delays by the NGCP for the recent yellow and red alerts in the Visayas, saying these could have been avoided had critical ancillary service contracts been completed on time.

The cross-examination by Vice President Sara Duterte's defense of Anti-Money Laundering Council executive director, Atty. Ronel Buenaventura didn't sit well with some senators, as it sought answers from the witness regarding the confidentiality of AMLC records and the penalties for their disclosure.

Adrian Cheng Chi-kong, former heir apparent to Hong Kong’s New World Development (NWD), is expanding his K11 cultural retail business in mainland China, launching a venture of his own as his family’s property group grapples with heavy debt. Xiamen K11 Select, developed by Cheng’s K11 by AC Group along with state-owned Xiamen Rail Transit Group in the city in the southeastern province of Fujian, has attracted more than 2 million visits since its opening on September 22, with sales rising 32 per...

Japan"s Toshiba Corp. is set to invest billions of pesos to expand its hard disk drive production in the Philippines over the next three years, amid growing global demand for data storage.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) has granted a banking licence to Bakai Bank, marking the first Central Asian bank to set up in Hong Kong amid closer ties in the economy and trade flows between China and the region, according to a statement on Monday. Bakai Bank, one of the largest lenders in Kyrgyzstan, will operate as a restricted licence bank in Hong Kong. It will be the 17th restricted licence bank in Hong Kong. Under the licence, it can take deposits of at least HK$500,000 (US$63,776)...

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) has revoked the authority to operate and the renewal applications for two Transport Network Companies (TNCs) due to regulatory violations.