The Brief: Asia's economy, 17 September 2026

Economies

India's August 2026 CPI inflation rises to 4.82%: India's consumer price index climbed in August, driven by higher food costs, though price changes varied significantly across everyday goods and services.

Indonesia Integrates Indigenous Land Data for Spatial Planning: Indonesia's government has combined data from its Ministry of Culture, the Ancestral Domain Registration Agency (BRWA), and AMAN to map 3,857 Indigenous communities. This initiative aims to strengthen policymaking and land recognition, potentially streamlining spatial planning.

Markets

Korea Exchange after-hours debut triggers 1,637 volatility halts: The Korea Exchange's expanded after-hours session on Monday processed ₩1.8 trillion (US$1.3 billion) in trades, with observers linking a surge in price control activations to lower liquidity.

Kazakhstan secures Rmb10.3bn from China bond markets: Kazakhstan's Ministry of Finance and its Development Bank raised Rmb10.3 billion in September from China's onshore and offshore bond markets, establishing fresh Renminbi benchmarks.

India's RBI reports ₹6.73 trillion in overnight market activity: The central bank injected ₹4.05 trillion into the system through repo and marginal standing facilities, according to its September 11 data.

RBI to Auction ₹24,000 Crore Treasury Bills on September 16: The Reserve Bank of India will offer government debt instruments across three tenors. Settlement for successful bids is scheduled for September 17, 2026.

Vietcombank Raises Dollar Price 0.08% Against Dong: The US dollar strengthened against the Vietnamese dong on Tuesday, with Vietcombank selling the greenback at VND26,200, as global dollar gains reflected Federal Reserve rate hike expectations.

Banking & Fintech

StashAway Names Nandini Joshi CEO, Ferrario Becomes Chairman: Singapore-based digital wealth platform StashAway has appointed Nandini Joshi as its new Group Chief Executive Officer, succeeding co-founder Michele Ferrario, who transitions to chairman after nine years.

Morgan Stanley: Singapore, Hong Kong Banks Gain Most From Asia Capital Markets: Singapore and Hong Kong financial institutions will capture the largest gains as Asia's capital markets deepen in the second half of this year, Morgan Stanley analysts forecast. Regional wealth accumulation drives this shift from traditional deposits to diverse financial assets.

Industries

HK Landlords: Bank Mortgage Curbs Deepen Shop Slump: Hong Kong property owners and industry figures claim local banks are worsening the city's commercial shop downturn. They accuse banks of restricting commercial mortgages, which impedes transactions despite falling property values.

Singapore Business Closures Rise, Landlords Face Takeover Risks: Over 38,000 commercial establishments ceased operations in Singapore during the first seven months of this year, following 60,000 closures in 2025.

Tesla China Cuts Model 3, Model Y Prices Amid Weak Demand: Tesla China has introduced discounts on its Shanghai-built Model 3 and Model Y vehicles. This marks the first such price adjustment since late 2024, following declining deliveries in the world's largest electric vehicle market.

Taiwan MOEA outlines power stability plan at APEC: Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs presented its strategy for ensuring reliable energy supplies to support advanced industries at the 16th APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting.

Wealth

Beijing Offshore Trust Tax Deadline Nears for Global Chinese Wealth: Mainland tax residents face a 20 per cent levy on realised gains from offshore trusts, with a penalty-free declaration window closing on October 22.