On January 6, as ASEAN chair, the Philippines is advancing an ambitious economic agenda centred on deeper regional integration and digital transformation.
Author: Amanda Laticia
Cambodia cashew production grows 30% y-o-y
On January 3, Cambodia reported an earning of US$1.5 billion from raw cashew nut exports in 2025, marking a 30% year-on-year (y-o-y) increase as export volumes reached 1 million tonnes.
Digital payments drive Thailand’s tourism growth
On January 3, Thailand’s tourism revenue has surpassed 1.7 trillion baht (US$53.9 billion), with foreign card spending reaching a record 327 billion baht (US$10.3 billion) as tourists increasingly shift away from cash.
Meta acquires Singapore-based Manus to boost AI strategy
On December 30, Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, a Singapore-based startup that builds AI agents capable of performing tasks like resume screening, trip planning, and stock analysis.
Indonesia to cut mining output, aim to stabilise commodity prices
On December 30, Indonesia announced that it will reduce mining output quotas to help stabilise and raise prices of key commodities such as coal and nickel.