The Brief: Asia's economy, 7 September 2026

Economies

South Korea imposes anti-dumping duties on Chinese butyl acrylate: Seoul's finance ministry will levy anti-dumping duties on Chinese butyl acrylate imports, citing harm to local industry. The measure aims to correct market distortions from low-priced goods.

Singapore to Auction S$3 Billion in Forfeited Luxury Assets: Singapore will progressively sell over 80 properties and more than 1,000 luxury items. These assets were forfeited from its S$3 billion money laundering case. Sales commence September 2026, concluding by mid-2027.

China Directs Carmakers to Halt Overseas Price Wars: Beijing has issued new guidelines for Chinese carmakers and component suppliers. They must avoid steep discounts in international markets, a move aimed at fostering long-term global competitiveness for the industry.

Markets

Priority Jewels IPO Heavily Subscribed; Analysts Split on Valuation: Indian jewellery maker Priority Jewels closed its initial public offering today with significant investor demand. The share sale saw strong oversubscription, yet brokerages offered differing views on its long-term value and current pricing.

Banking & Fintech

MAS Commits S$220 Million to Singapore Fintech Development: Singapore’s central bank, the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), will inject S$220 million over three years into its financial technology sector. This funding, via the FSTI 4.0 scheme, aims to boost innovation and talent.

Crédit Agricole CIB Names Nicolas Vix Apac Regional Officer: Crédit Agricole CIB appointed Nicolas Vix as its Asia Pacific senior regional officer, effective today. He replaces Jean-François Deroche, operating from Hong Kong.

Societe Generale Names Sasai Japan Global Markets Head: Societe Generale has appointed Tomoyuki Sasai as its Head of Global Markets for Japan, effective September 1, 2026. He takes over from Marc Saffon, who now serves as the bank's Japan Country Head.

Industries

Industrial PC Market to Hit US$8.9bn by 2030, Driven by AI: Industrial PC output could reach US$8.9 billion by 2030. Artificial intelligence applications drive this 7.9% compound annual growth rate.

A Southeast Asian Nation Ranks 10th in 2025 Gold Output: A Southeast Asian country became one of the world's top ten gold producers in 2025. Its mines yielded 104.2 tonnes, placing it among leading global suppliers.

Mapletree Secures US$500M+ for Asia Logistics Fund First Round: Mapletree Investments has closed the initial funding round for its Mapletree Emerging Growth Asia Logistics Private Trust (Mega), raising more than US$500 million for logistics developments across Malaysia, Vietnam, and India.

Vietnam's Black Thorn Durian Commands Premium Prices Amidst Limited Supply: Black Thorn durian sells quickly in Vietnam at prices five to eight times higher than other varieties. Limited cultivation and lower yields drive this premium, despite falling prices for competing durian types.

Sino Land Net Profit Climbs 14% on Valuation Gains; Core Earnings Drop 6.4%: Hong Kong developer Sino Land reported a 14% rise in annual net profit, reaching HK$4.59 billion, driven by narrower property revaluation losses. However, underlying earnings fell 6.4%, revealing sustained pressure on its core business.