Economy

Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman
International relations

India's Modi set to ask visiting Saudi prince for cheaper oil

New Delhi may sidestep Khashoggi murder in hopes of infrastructure investment

16 February 2019
India's oil demand recovered strongly in 2018, due in part to strong sales of commerical vehicles. (Photo by Mamoru Yago)
Economy

India to outpace China in increasing oil demand, report says

New Delhi says it will keep importing Iranian oil despite looming US sanctions

3 February 2019
China has poured huge amounts of money into developing the port of Gwadar, a key hub in its China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, but Pakistan has now opened the door for Saudi investment in an oil refinery in the area, stoking tensions.
International relations

Saudi investment in Pakistan stokes tensions with China

Riyadh's billion dollar refinery projects in Gwadar seen irking Beijing

28 January 2019
China, Russia and Turkey have been buying gold to replace U.S. Treasury bonds as they look to reduce their reliance on the dollar.
Commodities

China builds up gold reserves in shift away from dollar

Currency weakness and tensions with US spur moves to diversify

24 January 2019
Japanese oil distributors plan to resume imports of Iranian oil using an exemption that the U.S. government agreed to in November.
International relations

Japan to restart importing Iranian oil

Exemption from US sanctions allows banks to handle transactions temporarily

15 January 2019
A key question is whether U.S. shale production can offset planned cuts by OPEC and others, said Daniel Yergin in a recent interview. (Photo by Shihoko Nakaoka)
Interview

Oil to hover in $60 to $80 range in 2019, says analyst Yergin

India looks particularly promising as investment market for the industry

6 January 2019
The Indonesian rupiah was one of many Asian currencies that tumbled during the year, at one point hitting its lowest rate against the U.S. dollar in 20 years.
2018 in review

Emerging Asia challenged by slumping currencies throughout the year

Fed rate hikes and US-China trade war send value against greenback to new lows

30 December 2018
Qatar is planning an ambitious new initiative with Malaysia and Turkey to serve the $2 trillion global Islamic finance market.
Economy

Qatar partners Malaysia, Turkey to conquer Islamic finance market

Gas-rich Gulf state aims to escape blockade by diversifying economy

22 December 2018
The 2011 Fukushima disaster sill looms large over Japan's nuclear industry, which has seen rising safety costs undermine its ability to compete for overseas projects.
Business trends

Japan risks losing nuclear prowess with Turkey project abort

Plans to pursue overseas opportunities stall as safety costs tower

5 December 2018
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, left, and Turkey's then-Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan shake hands after agreeing to deepen cooperation in nuclear power generation in Istanbul in October 2013.
Economy

Japan to scrap Turkey nuclear project

Post-Fukushima safety measures doubled costs for Mitsubishi and partners

4 December 2018
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has been making the rounds of "friendly countries" to seek a way out of economic turmoil. (Getty Images)
Economy

Pakistan turns to 'friends' after failing to secure IMF bailout

Analysts say Saudi and Chinese billions will not restore country's credibility

21 November 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump aims to squeeze Tehran while minimizing the effects on the American economy.
International relations

Japan, India and China among 8 exempt from Iran oil ban, US says

Trump reinstates all sanctions that were lifted by Obama in 2015 deal

6 November 2018
China’s presence in the oil tanker market is becoming increasingly strong.
Commodities

Oil tanker freight rates surge in Asia

US sanctions prompt importers to switch from Iran to Africa

31 October 2018
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, center right, attends a Saudi investment conference Tuesday that was boycotted by many international business and political figures.
Economy

Saudis throw Pakistan $6bn lifeline in return for show of support

Riyadh saves face with Khan's visit amid uproar over journalist's killing

25 October 2018
A gas pump hangs from the ceiling at a gasoline stand in Seoul.
Economy

South Korea to cut gasoline tax to avert further spending slowdown

Latest measure expected to offset rising crude prices and help indebted households

17 October 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani talk during a reception in New Delhi on Feb. 17. Securing ample supplies of energy is a crucial matter for India to support its economic growth. 
International relations

India to keep importing oil from Iran, brushing off US pressure

Despite sanction threats, New Delhi puts priority on obtaining low-cost energy

11 October 2018
SoftBank Group CEO Masayoshi Son, left, signs a solar power project agreement with Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman on March 28.
Economy

Saudis reportedly pull plug on solar farm project with SoftBank

Both sides say they continue to cooperate on solar energy endeavors

2 October 2018
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan visits Saudi Arabia on Sept. 18.
Belt and Road

Pakistan pulls out all stops to avert economic crisis

Khan revises budget and seeks Saudi participation in Belt and Road projects

26 September 2018
The Indonesian rupiah has fallen 9% against the dollar since the start of the year.
Economy

Asian companies and consumers weighed down by sliding currencies

From Indonesia to Turkey, people struggle with rising prices and interest rates

3 September 2018
Emerging countries in Asia and authoritarian governments are stocking up on gold.
Economy

Emerging countries snap up gold to cut dollar dependence

Nations in conflicts with the US prepare for Trump sanctions and possible economic downturn

28 August 2018
The Indonesian rupiah has fallen as much as 7% against the U.S. dollar this year.
Economy

Turkey crisis heaps pressure on Asian central banks to raise rates

Indonesia becomes latest nation to tighten policy after major sell-offs

15 August 2018
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan declared that the country would "not fall into the interest-rate trap," despite the fall in value of the lira.
Economy

Asia braces for impact of Turkey crisis

Japanese banks have largest exposure in Asia

14 August 2018
China is the top importer of Iranian oil.
Trade war

China to ignore US demand for Iran oil ban

Tehran's top customer unfazed by threat of blocking access to dollars

28 June 2018
Sanctions on Iran come into effect on Nov. 4. The deadline for Japanese companies to secure alternative sources falls in early September.
International relations

US tells world to halt all Iranian oil imports by November

Japan and India under pressure as Washington says 'no exceptions'

27 June 2018
Kuala Lumpur's stocks have fallen as investors became concerned about national debt and the state fund scandal.
31 May 2018