https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/ THE BUSINESS TIMES - Find latest business and financial news including analysis and opinion on top business stories, stock markets in Singapore, Asia-Pacific and global market news and more at The Business Times. en-US https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/favicon.ico https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/ 32 32 https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/small-nuclear-reactors-could-boost-asean-power-grid-ge-vernova-executive Mon, 26 Oct 2026 11:35:37 +0000 Sharanya Pillai Asean Companies & Markets Energy & Commodities International /international/asean/small-nuclear-reactors-could-boost-asean-power-grid-ge-vernova-executive Eric Gray sees Singapore, the Philippines as promising markets for deployment of these cutting-edge reactors https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/vietnams-first-chip-plant-unlikely-meet-2027-target-sources-say-no-deal-yet-asml Mon, 26 Oct 2026 09:02:48 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/vietnams-first-chip-plant-unlikely-meet-2027-target-sources-say-no-deal-yet-asml The project is part of the ruling Communist Party’s plans for Vietnam to move up the semiconductor value chain https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/dbs-maybank-ifc-collaborate-funding-johor-singapore-renewable-energy-project Mon, 26 Oct 2026 07:32:06 +0000 Shikhar Gupta Asean Companies & Markets Energy & Commodities International Singapore /international/asean/dbs-maybank-ifc-collaborate-funding-johor-singapore-renewable-energy-project The financing framework could be reference for future cross-border initiatives under Asean Power Grid https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/thailand-sees-us50-3-billion-investment-applications-first-nine-months-28-year Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:36:17 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/thailand-sees-us50-3-billion-investment-applications-first-nine-months-28-year Growth was led mainly by the electronics, digital and food industries https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/indonesia-strengthens-measures-against-stock-manipulation-after-market-rout-triggered-msci Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:10:49 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/indonesia-strengthens-measures-against-stock-manipulation-after-market-rout-triggered-msci The downgrade warning spurred Indonesia’s deepest-ever two-day stock selloff in mid October https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/singapore-malaysia-energy-regulators-renew-mou-bilateral-collaboration Mon, 26 Oct 2026 02:00:00 +0000 Shikhar Gupta Asean Companies & Markets Energy & Commodities International /international/asean/singapore-malaysia-energy-regulators-renew-mou-bilateral-collaboration Renewable energy projects, cross-border electricity trade can get boost from agreement https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/mekong-capitals-chris-freund-turns-hard-lessons-better-leadership Sun, 25 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/mekong-capitals-chris-freund-turns-hard-lessons-better-leadership The Vietnamese PE firm now wants to build a company led by a new generation of partners https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/indonesia-begins-cutting-natural-gas-exports-singapore-oct-24-reports Sat, 24 Oct 2026 03:20:20 +0000 Singapore Asean International /singapore/indonesia-begins-cutting-natural-gas-exports-singapore-oct-24-reports The cut is equivalent to about 8% of the pipeline gas Indonesia exported to Singapore in 2024 https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/thailand-welcomes-us-myanmar-engagement-expects-asean-talks-countrys-future Sat, 24 Oct 2026 02:09:51 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/thailand-welcomes-us-myanmar-engagement-expects-asean-talks-countrys-future The US and Myanmar’s military-backed government held talks in Tokyo https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/manilas-us113-5-billion-budget-battle-becomes-test-fiscal-discipline Fri, 23 Oct 2026 09:11:07 +0000 Rachel Ranosa-Joshi Asean Economy & Policy International Singapore /international/asean/manilas-us113-5-billion-budget-battle-becomes-test-fiscal-discipline Supreme Court ruling compels the government to reassess congressional spending power https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/how-vietjets-us250-million-global-asset-freeze-complicates-its-600-aircraft-financing-plans Fri, 23 Oct 2026 07:25:57 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/how-vietjets-us250-million-global-asset-freeze-complicates-its-600-aircraft-financing-plans This comes as Vietnamese airlines order new planes worth hundreds of billions to fuel growth https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/ai-tracking-no-burn-policies-how-sgx-listed-plantation-firms-are-responding-haze Fri, 23 Oct 2026 04:23:33 +0000 Shikhar Gupta Isabelle Chong Companies & Markets Asean Energy & Commodities International /companies-markets/ai-tracking-no-burn-policies-how-sgx-listed-plantation-firms-are-responding-haze All eight issuers maintain that they do not use fire to clear land https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysia-thailand-central-banks-join-mas-cross-border-payment-initiative Fri, 23 Oct 2026 03:58:03 +0000 Shikhar Gupta Asean Crypto & Alternative Assets International Wealth /international/asean/malaysia-thailand-central-banks-join-mas-cross-border-payment-initiative MAS is expanding the Borderless, Liquid, Open, Online, Multi-currency (Bloom) initiative https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/tsh-resources-reports-274-hot-spots-within-estate-boundaries-after-sgx-queries-over-haze Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:23:37 +0000 Singapore Asean Companies & Markets International /singapore/tsh-resources-reports-274-hot-spots-within-estate-boundaries-after-sgx-queries-over-haze The company says these are in community enclaves outside areas it directly manages https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/indonesia-warns-it-could-review-energy-exports-countries-disrespect-it Thu, 22 Oct 2026 12:35:49 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/indonesia-warns-it-could-review-energy-exports-countries-disrespect-it Minister Bahlil Lahadalia does not name any specific country https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/philippines-fdi-slowdown-exposes-uneven-investment-prospects-across-s-e-asia Thu, 22 Oct 2026 10:24:36 +0000 Rachel Ranosa-Joshi Asean International /international/asean/philippines-fdi-slowdown-exposes-uneven-investment-prospects-across-s-e-asia Inflows are slipping as regional rivals draw tech projects, putting pressure on Manila https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/philippine-central-bank-delivers-larger-expected-50-bps-hike-combat-inflation Thu, 22 Oct 2026 09:21:31 +0000 Asean Banking & Finance Companies & Markets International /international/asean/philippine-central-bank-delivers-larger-expected-50-bps-hike-combat-inflation The move is BSP’s fourth straight increase; it lifts 2027 inflation forecast to 6% from 5.4% on oil and El Nino risks https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/indonesian-stocks-high-shareholding-concentrations-be-excluded-index-starting-nov-2 Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:55:52 +0000 Asean Banking & Finance Companies & Markets International /international/asean/indonesian-stocks-high-shareholding-concentrations-be-excluded-index-starting-nov-2 There are 80 stocks on the high shareholding concentration list https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/danantara-ready-deploy-more-capital-indonesian-stocks-after-msci-triggered-rout Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:24:48 +0000 Elisa Valenta Asean International /international/asean/danantara-ready-deploy-more-capital-indonesian-stocks-after-msci-triggered-rout The fund has bought shares it deems attractive and will continue investing while valuations remain favourable https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysia-allows-first-export-unprocessed-rare-earths-under-new-rules Thu, 22 Oct 2026 05:21:56 +0000 Asean Companies & Markets Energy & Commodities International /international/asean/malaysia-allows-first-export-unprocessed-rare-earths-under-new-rules It is among the nations that are developing capacity for the minerals to reduce reliance on China https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/banking-finance/cimb-categorically-denies-it-will-privatise-indonesian-unit-niaga Thu, 22 Oct 2026 04:04:06 +0000 Shikhar Gupta Banking & Finance Asean Companies & Markets International /companies-markets/banking-finance/cimb-categorically-denies-it-will-privatise-indonesian-unit-niaga It says Niaga remains an ‘integral part’ of the group’s regional footprint https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysias-cimb-explores-taking-indonesian-arm-private-amid-market-volatility Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:30:16 +0000 Tan Ai Leng Elisa Valenta Asean International /international/asean/malaysias-cimb-explores-taking-indonesian-arm-private-amid-market-volatility Tight float rules are among the factors pushing the bank towards an estimated US$196 million buy-out https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/singapore/strengthen-customer-ties-ai-changes-hotel-booking-behaviour-far-east-hospitality-global-hotel Wed, 21 Oct 2026 10:13:24 +0000 Elysia Tan Singapore Asean International /singapore/strengthen-customer-ties-ai-changes-hotel-booking-behaviour-far-east-hospitality-global-hotel Far East Hospitality’s Oasia, Quincy, Rendezvous, Village and Far East Collection brands join GHA’s loyalty programme https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/haze-clouds-indonesias-growth-economists-see-breathing-room-malaysia-and-singapore Wed, 21 Oct 2026 09:28:01 +0000 Tessa Oh Asean Economy & Policy Global International Singapore /international/asean/haze-clouds-indonesias-growth-economists-see-breathing-room-malaysia-and-singapore Indonesia bears the fires’ direct damage while its neighbours’ growth engines are insulated https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/gic-temasek-deny-allegations-pressuring-msci-downgrade-indonesia Wed, 21 Oct 2026 08:25:04 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/gic-temasek-deny-allegations-pressuring-msci-downgrade-indonesia Accusations by country’s ex-trade minister ‘have no basis and are patently untrue’ https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/indonesias-central-bank-keeps-main-rate-unchanged-hikes-deposit-facility-rate-cut-rrr Wed, 21 Oct 2026 07:23:38 +0000 Asean Banking & Finance Companies & Markets International /international/asean/indonesias-central-bank-keeps-main-rate-unchanged-hikes-deposit-facility-rate-cut-rrr Decision underscores central bank’s caution against tightening policy prematurely and stalling growth in South-east Asia’s largest economy https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/companies-markets/south-east-asia-digital-economy-hit-us368-billion-gmv-2026-us1-1-trillion-2035-report Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:17:29 +0000 Benjamin Cher Companies & Markets Asean International /companies-markets/south-east-asia-digital-economy-hit-us368-billion-gmv-2026-us1-1-trillion-2035-report Singapore leads the region in GenAI adoption; Vietnam has highest proportion of daily users https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysias-co-working-operator-worq-confident-it-can-keep-its-40-growth-rate Wed, 21 Oct 2026 04:00:00 +0000 Lionel Lim Asean International New Articles /international/asean/malaysias-co-working-operator-worq-confident-it-can-keep-its-40-growth-rate Success stems from strategic sites around metro hubs, say founders https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/south-east-asia-digital-sales-rise-17-us368-billion-2026-research-shows Wed, 21 Oct 2026 03:52:55 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/south-east-asia-digital-sales-rise-17-us368-billion-2026-research-shows The region’s digital economy draws US$21 billion in funding in H1 2026, beating 2025’s US$11 billion https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/protect-people-not-prices-how-asean3-can-build-resilience-energy-shocks Tue, 20 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000 Asean Columns International Opinion & Features /international/asean/protect-people-not-prices-how-asean3-can-build-resilience-energy-shocks Targeted support helps the most vulnerable and does not distort price signals https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/faster-delivery-easier-credit-fuel-south-east-asia-e-commerce-survey Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:42:54 +0000 Tan Ai Leng Asean International /international/asean/faster-delivery-easier-credit-fuel-south-east-asia-e-commerce-survey Existing shoppers spend more online, prioritising product authenticity and purchase protection https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/global/free-trade-agreements-may-be-out-fashion-apec-can-further-existing-deals-jeffrey-siow Tue, 20 Oct 2026 11:09:10 +0000 Global Asean International Singapore /international/global/free-trade-agreements-may-be-out-fashion-apec-can-further-existing-deals-jeffrey-siow He said like-minded countries can work together to advance topical interests through plurilateral arrangements https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/indonesia-faces-growing-pressure-hold-companies-accountable-forest-fires-haze-worsens Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:04:25 +0000 Elisa Valenta Asean International /international/asean/indonesia-faces-growing-pressure-hold-companies-accountable-forest-fires-haze-worsens Online boycotts target products and businesses linked to firms allegedly tied to fires https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysia-de-registers-main-opposition-bloc-elections-loom Tue, 20 Oct 2026 09:01:21 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/malaysia-de-registers-main-opposition-bloc-elections-loom PN’s dissolution would mean that its component parties will not be able to contest elections under a common banner https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysia-set-special-committee-probe-corporate-crime-chaired-attorney-general Tue, 20 Oct 2026 07:16:00 +0000 Asean International /international/asean/malaysia-set-special-committee-probe-corporate-crime-chaired-attorney-general The report will be made public https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysias-economy-five-takeaways-gdp-trade-and-inflation-figures Tue, 20 Oct 2026 05:00:00 +0000 Tan Ai Leng Asean International /international/asean/malaysias-economy-five-takeaways-gdp-trade-and-inflation-figures Robust exports and domestic demand provide a boost, but external risks could delay interest rate hikes https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/malaysia-has-made-no-commitment-provide-financing-support-airasia-says-ministry Tue, 20 Oct 2026 03:20:11 +0000 Asean Companies & Markets International Transport & Logistics /international/asean/malaysia-has-made-no-commitment-provide-financing-support-airasia-says-ministry An earlier report claims the carrier was in talks with the government over potential support https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/gcash-parent-mynts-steady-debut-after-us1-billion-ipo-offers-hope-philippine-market-revival Tue, 20 Oct 2026 02:45:54 +0000 Rachel Ranosa-Joshi Asean Capital Markets & Currencies Companies & Markets International /international/asean/gcash-parent-mynts-steady-debut-after-us1-billion-ipo-offers-hope-philippine-market-revival Shares end 1.67% above the offer price in South-east Asia’s largest initial public offering of 2026, but early enthusiasm cools https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/asean/goto-makes-its-indonesian-language-ai-available-public Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000 Renald Yeo Asean International /international/asean/goto-makes-its-indonesian-language-ai-available-public The model supports Bahasa Indonesia and four regional languages, and is available for commercial use https://www.businesstimes.com.sg/international/indonesia-shields-consumers-oil-shock-energy-import-bill-jumps-40 Mon, 19 Oct 2026 23:00:00 +0000 Renald Yeo International Asean /international/indonesia-shields-consumers-oil-shock-energy-import-bill-jumps-40 Higher fuel costs are straining the Budget and external accounts, but economists see buffers holding