Lena Ho
Writes the Review's briefings on Asian markets and policy: the rate decisions, prints and rule changes that move costs and capital, answered one question at a time.
How does multilateral trade support a sustainable ocean economy?
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala outlined multilateral frameworks, including the Fisheries Subsidies Agreement, to protect the US$2.6 trillion ocean economy and its 133 million jobs.
Pakistan's airspace restriction: What does it reveal about its One China policy adherence?
Islamabad temporarily barred China Airlines and EVA Air flights last month, reversing the decision until March 2027, a move its Defence Minister linked to the One China policy.
How will the Reserve Bank of India's ₹50,000 crore repo affect liquidity?
India's central bank will conduct a four-day variable rate repo auction on 9 November 2026, aiming to address prevailing short-term liquidity conditions in the financial system.
Bank of Japan's October assets reach ¥626.19tn
The Bank of Japan's total assets reached 626.19 trillion yen by the end of October 2026, primarily driven by holdings of government securities and pecuniary trusts.
Singaporean REITs: Bond yields threaten stability
Despite attractive high yields and rising rents, analysts suggest Singaporean real estate investment trusts face potential impact from bond yield concerns, similar to those affecting the banking sector.
Huawei Qinyun HM650 desktop claims 100% domestic components
The company's first desktop, unveiled on 4 November, uses its Kirin X90 processor and HarmonyOS, targeting enterprise and government clients with a "100 per cent domestically made" claim.
What does PGBank's B1 rating reveal for its market position?
PGBank, a Vietnamese lender, has received a B1 long-term deposit rating from Moody's Ratings with a stable outlook, signalling its financial strength and growth potential in the retail banking sector.
ADB: Third of funding for cross-border projects by 2030
The Asian Development Bank aims to dedicate nearly a third of its operational funding to cross-border projects, a move announced today as President Masato Kanda highlighted rising trade barriers.
Fintech to seize 40% of banking revenue, boosting volatility
A Bank for International Settlements analysis projects traditional banks will retain three-quarters of assets, but new providers could capture 40% of revenue, increasing earnings volatility and deposit outflow risk.
DaouKiwoom-CJ's ₩520bn JoongAng Ilbo buy targets debt
A consortium led by DaouKiwoom and CJ Corp. will purchase ₩520 billion ($388 million) in new shares of the South Korean publisher, aiming to address its debt and improve financial health.
Singapore's COE reforms: 5-band model to reshape car pricing
Singapore's Ministry of Transport confirmed public backing for a five-band rebate-surcharge model, aiming to distinguish Certificate of Entitlement premiums for mass-market and luxury vehicles.
Mirae's $12.5m Solana notes advance digital finance
Mirae Asset Securities (HK) Limited issued $12.5 million in tokenised notes on Solana, expanding its digital finance strategy for institutional distribution.
BIS: Supply Chain Chokepoint Types Dictate Resilience
A Bank for International Settlements analysis, published 26 October 2026, distinguishes between persistent and temporary supply chain vulnerabilities, advising businesses to match resilience measures to the specific nature of the disruption.
Loke Confirms Malaysia's Major Projects Will Proceed Despite Exit
Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke confirmed that significant infrastructure initiatives, including the East Coast Rail Link and the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System, will proceed despite his forthcoming cabinet resignation.
ECB's Digital Euro to cut small business payment costs by 2029
The European Central Bank expects to launch a pilot for its digital currency in 2027, with a full rollout projected for 2029, aiming to reduce transaction fees for small businesses and increase competition in the payments sector.
APEC 2026 Summit Faces Modest Agenda, Limited Outcomes
The upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Summit in Shenzhen this November is expected to yield limited outcomes, with a reduced agenda and lower high-level participation observed by November 2026.
What prompted Bank of Canada's first rate hike since July 2023?
Canada's central bank raised its policy interest rate by 25 basis points to 2.5% on 28 October 2026, citing a deteriorating inflation outlook driven by elevated global oil prices and resilient domestic growth.
Why did Great Eastern's Q3 net profit decline by 72%?
Singaporean insurer Great Eastern posted a net profit of S$102.9 million for the third quarter ended 30 September 2026, a 72% year-on-year drop primarily due to market shifts and a S$57.1 million divestment loss.
ADB's €620m loan to boost Türkiye's healthcare capacity
The Asian Development Bank has approved a €620 million loan, complemented by €182 million from the Government of Türkiye, to fund nine new public hospitals and increase annual inpatient capacity by nearly 300,000 by 2033.
Why is Australia's inflation outlook worsening after RBA rate hike?
The Reserve Bank of Australia raised its cash rate by 25 basis points in October 2026, bringing the cumulative increase this year to 100 basis points, as inflation persists above 3.5%.
TBC's mischief 1 AI offers 5x faster video generation for creators
San Francisco-based The Biological Computing Co. launched its mischief 1 image-to-video AI model on 30 October 2026, claiming generation speeds five times faster than its foundational technology.
RBI sets SGB 2021-22 Series VII early redemption price
The Reserve Bank of India has set the early redemption price for Sovereign Gold Bond 2021-22 Series VII at ₹14,167 per unit, applicable to those opting out on November 2, 2026.
ADB loans $139.55m to boost Puducherry water, sanitation
The Asian Development Bank approved a $139.55 million loan on 30 October 2026 to enhance Puducherry's water, sanitation, and public spaces, aiming to boost the Indian city's competitiveness for investment and tourism.
North Korea's DMZ: 960,000 mines laid since 2024
Since 2024, North Korea has laid an estimated 960,000 mines along the Demilitarised Zone, alongside other fortifications, reflecting a policy shift to solidify its sovereign border rather than prepare for an offensive.
New research: EU trade tariffs can cut deforestation for Asia
New research suggests that linking market access to forest conservation could prevent agricultural expansion and even lead to reforestation, with implications for Asian nations negotiating with the European Union.
US boosts rare earth processing to counter China curbs
Washington is investing in private firms to develop novel rare earth refining techniques, aiming for self-sufficiency as Beijing restricts refining technology and skilled personnel exports.
Etihad Airways deploys A380s, boosts Bangkok capacity by 30%
The carrier has deployed Airbus A380 superjumbos on its daily route to the Thai capital, increasing passenger capacity by approximately 30% compared to its A350 fleet.
ECB's €50bn EUREP: Impact on global euro liquidity
The Eurosystem repo facility for central banks, updated this year, provides standing access and significant same-day liquidity to non-euro area central banks to manage euro funding needs.
Singapore's urban cooling challenge: 5°C rise by century's end
Singapore faces a projected annual mean temperature rise of up to 5 degrees Celsius by the century's end, according to the Centre for Climate Research Singapore, necessitating integrated urban cooling strategies.
ADB's $75m loan targets Türkiye's data centres, energy storage.
The Asian Development Bank and Rönesans Holding A.Ş. signed the financing on 22 October 2026, targeting battery energy storage and a hyperscale data centre.