Economy

A Toyota Motor dealership in Mumbai: Indian unit sales sank for all major automakers in 2019 except Renault. (Photo by Akira Hayakawa)
Automobiles

India auto market skids to No. 5 behind Germany in 2019

With sales down 13%, slump hits every major brand except Renault

11 January 2020
Singapore Airlines has regular flights to more than 10 European cities. Other Asian carriers may follow its lead and divert flights away from Iranian airspace.
Iran tensions

Singapore Airlines avoids Iran airspace as regional tension rises

Flights between SE Asia and Europe face disruption as country lies along route

8 January 2020
Narayana Multispeciality Hospital in Mysore, India: Narayana has emerged as one of the country's successful social companies. (Photo by Takuya Imai)
Markets

India emerges as Asia's leader in socially beneficial markets

Planned Social Stock Exchange to connect impact investors with entrepreneurs

8 January 2020
Asian countries are among the world's biggest sources of ocean plastic pollution.
Opinion

Asia's consumers must take lead in abandoning plastic packaging

Switching to renewable sources will protect environment and boost economy

6 January 2020
The duty on refined palm olein was reduced to 45% from 50%, while the levy on crude palm oil import was cut to 37.5% from 45% under bilateral agreements between Malaysia and India.
Commodities

Malaysian palm oil shares rise on India's import tax cut

Analysts expect tax move to boost Malaysian exports, support palm oil prices

2 January 2020
Narendra Modi has embarked on implementing his party's core political projects and he will continue on this track in 2020.
Opinion

2020 look ahead: Politics and protectionism to dominate Indian economy

Slowing growth needs corporate kick-start, but Modi only offers distractions

2 January 2020
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Asia Insight

Asia's flashpoints: What could go wrong in 2020

Missiles, military clashes, defaults and political crises in the cards

31 December 2019
Vietnamese residents take photos as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un goes past in Hanoi on Feb. 26.
Photos

2019 in pictures: Looking back at a year of celebrations, confrontations and more

A selection of striking images from across Asia, and the stories behind them

29 December 2019
Prices for rare earths like Neodymium surged in the middle of 2019 as importers feared China would take the crucial elements hostage.
Commodities

Why Asia weaponized rare earths, soybeans and palm oil in 2019

Resource nationalism took hold amid trade war tensions and environmental risks

28 December 2019
Students demonstrate against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party as they conduct a mock funeral in New Delhi for the economy, rising unemployment, and the victims of the 2016 demonetization, on Nov. 8.
Economy

Modi's demonetization haunts India, weighing on central bank

Lending rates level off despite policy rate cuts, as economic growth slows

28 December 2019
As weak consumer and business confidence continue, India's economy is expected to be sluggish in the near future. 
Economy

Asian economies expected to pick up slowly in 2020

JCER survey shows economists see trade tensions and geopolitics as main risk factors

25 December 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Asian stocks gain on increased optimism over US-China trade

Trump's comments a deal is likely early next month boost sentiments

23 December 2019
A man stands on the back of a vehicle carrying sacks of onions in the ancient Nepalese city of Bhaktapur. India has banned onion exports in response to flooding, forcing Nepal to turn to China for supplies.
18 December 2019
A crude oil terminal in Ningbo Zhoushan port, China: Asian importers will need to continue accelerating the building of their strategic oil reserves.
Opinion

Trade war and strong dollar threaten Asia's oil security in 2020

Oil prices were benign in 2019 but have significant potential to swing

17 December 2019
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16 December 2019
Things are not going to plan. 
Opinion

Modi's inaction leaves Indian economy languishing

Prime minister should tackle difficult tasks to assuage critics

16 December 2019
An activist sets on fire an effigy of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a protest to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir on International Human Rights Day in Karachi, Pakistan, on Dec. 10.
Kashmir turmoil

Kashmir conflict takes toll on India and Pakistan economies

Business groups step up calls to improve economic ties

14 December 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Asian stocks surge as Trump reportedly approves trade deal

Chinese companies post biggest gains on A300 index

13 December 2019
A laborer whose name is excluded from the final list of the NRC stands at a construction site of a detention center in Assam on Sep. 1: the real challenge is what India is going to do with the people who do not make it on to the NRC.
Opinion

India's citizenship changes are immoral and self-defeating

Making it harder for Muslims to become citizens risks global backlash

13 December 2019
Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the leader of the Conservatives, poses with a sledgehammer after planting a "Get Brexit Done" sign in the garden of a supporter on Dec. 11.
Politics

Asian companies face tough calls on Brexit after Johnson's UK win

British PM is now more likely to push for 'harder' divorce from EU

13 December 2019
A coal-burning plant in Ahmedabad, India.
Energy

India electricity demand falls for 4th month as slowdown deepens

Companies like Tata Power and Adani Power grapple with weaker sales

12 December 2019
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11 December 2019
Aerial view of Shanghai: urban planning cannot simply stop at the city limits.
Opinion

Asia must rethink its cities to make the most of urbanization

Detailed maps, better transport and affordable homes are vital for growth

11 December 2019
JCER projects that Mumbai will be the world's fourth-largest city in 2035.
Economy

India to overtake Japan as world's No. 3 economy in 2029

Rise of urban population and tech sector expected to drive growth: JCER forecast

11 December 2019
Tata Motors and other Indian automakers are grappling with weakening consumer sentiment as the economy slows.
Automobiles

India auto sales fall in November as consumers curb spending

Industry group calls for tax reductions to spur demand

10 December 2019