The Brief: Asia's economy, 25 August 2026
What moved across Asia overnight: 14 stories on economies, markets, banking and industry, read in five minutes.
Economies
Thai Leaders, World Bank Convene Bangkok Summit 2026 for Economic Restructuring: Thailand's Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking (JSCCIB), with government agencies and the World Bank, convened the Bangkok Business Summit 2026 yesterday. The event aims to restructure the Thai economy, positioning the nation as a global investment hub ahead of major international meetings.
Singapore Increases Child Support to S$70,000 Per Child: Singapore will provide S$70,000 in direct financial support for each eligible child, from birth to age 17, under a new package. This measure addresses the nation's record-low birth rate and aims to ease parenting costs.
Markets
RBI Holds Repo Rate at 5.25%, Focuses on Inflation Guidance: India's central bank maintains its key lending rate. The Monetary Policy Committee's (MPC) August decision centres on its inflation and liquidity outlook, rather than rate adjustments, amid global economic uncertainty.
RBI Absorbs ₹1.25 Trillion in Three-Day Liquidity Auction: The Reserve Bank of India conducted a three-day variable rate reverse repo auction. This action drew ₹1,25,000 crore from the banking system. It manages prevailing liquidity levels.
Saigon Jewelry Company Gold Climbs Amid Weaker Dollar: Vietnam's gold bar prices gained Monday, with Saigon Jewelry Company reporting a 0.56% increase. Weaker US dollar and reduced rate hike expectations drove global bullion.
Hotai Leasing debuts on Taiwan stock market tomorrow: Hotai Motor's mobility services unit, Hotai Leasing, begins trading on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) on August 11. The company reported NT$2.7 billion in July revenue, marking a 7.0% annual increase.
Hang Seng Indexes Proposes Tech Index Expansion, Adds Sales Growth Criterion: Hang Seng Indexes Company plans to expand its Hang Seng Tech Index (HSTECH) to 50 constituents. The proposal introduces sales growth as a new selection criterion, aiming to include more fast-growing technology firms.
Unitree Robotics IPO Sees 1-in-5,500 Odds for Chinese Retail Investors: Unitree Robotics' recent Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Shanghai's Star Market presented Chinese retail investors with exceptionally slim chances of securing shares. Nearly 9.8 million accounts competed for a limited allocation, Unitree filings showed.
Banking & Fintech
Singapore FinTech Association Refreshes Advisory Council: Singapore's FinTech Association appointed four new members to its Strategic Advisory Council, bringing expertise in public-private partnerships, banking, investment, and industry development.
Industries
Cerebras unveils AI chip for chatbots; TSMC fabricates: Cerebras Systems introduced new server hardware, including its WSE-3 Turbo chip, to accelerate AI chatbot queries. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) produces the large chips.
Thailand's NESDC Calls For Data Centre Regulatory Body: Thailand's National Economic and Social Development Council (NESDC) advocates for a new central authority to manage data centre investments. This body would ensure job creation, economic growth, and environmental oversight.
Olive Young US Expansion: Two California Stores Open, More Planned: South Korean beauty retailer Olive Young has opened its first two US stores in California, with plans for five by mid-2027. The stores offer interactive K-beauty experiences and product discovery.
Hong Leong, GuocoLand Bid S$576.8M for Record Singapore Condo Site: A joint venture between Hong Leong Holdings and GuocoLand secured Singapore's Berlayar Drive condo site with a S$576.78 million offer. This establishes a new price record for 99-year leasehold city-fringe Government Land Sale (GLS) residential sites, demonstrating developer confidence in the Greater Southern Waterfront redevelopment.
Wealth
India Income Tax Department Details ITR-3, ITR-4 Selection for AY 2026-27: India's Income Tax Department issued guidance for taxpayers selecting between ITR-3 and ITR-4 forms for Assessment Year 2026-27. The checklist helps individuals and firms meet the 31 August filing deadline.
Each item above was reported and checked separately; this brief collects the overnight session in one place. Follow any headline through for the figures and the source they came from. The Week Ahead maps the week's data and central-bank dates every Sunday.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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