Democrats won both the House of Representatives and the Senate in the US midterm elections on November 3, with the new Congress due to be sworn in on January 3, 2027. The main questions amongst Southeast Asian governments and exporters is whether a divided government in Washington will soften the tariffs imposed on the region.
Category: Business
Indonesia’s Third-Quarter Growth Beats Forecasts While Investor Sentiment Stays Weak
On November 5, Indonesia’s Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.47% year-on-year in the third quarter of 2026. The figure was above the 5.29% recorded in the second quarter and the 5.18% forecast in a Reuters poll.
“Not A New Levy,” Indonesian Tax Chief Clarifies Hashim’s Claim
The Directorate General of Taxes (DJP) on November 2 issued an official notice to clarify Indonesian public concern regarding the upcoming implementation of “digital tax”, stating that it is merely an adjustment to an existing tax collection mechanism, rather than a new levy.
Vietnam’s FDI Pledges Exceeds $54 Billion, Highest Since 2009
On November 3, the National Statistics Office under Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance reported that registered foreign direct investment (FDI) reached 54.85 billion US dollar in the first 10 months of 2026.
After Its Worst Week Since 2020, Can Indonesia’s Stock Market Avoid a Downgrade?
Indonesia’s benchmark Jakarta Composite Index (JCI)—dommestically known as IHSG—closed down 41.01 points (0.8%) on October 30, hovering precariously in the red zone at 5,057 level.
Ungrounded Supply Chains: How Climate Shocks and Regulations Reshape Southeast Asian Coffee
The planned formal implementation of the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) on the end December 2026 has coincided with severe climatic disruptions across Southeast Asia’s primary coffee producing regions.
Thailand Holds Interest Rate at 1%, Attributes Weak Consumption
The Bank of Thailand on October 28 announced that its interest rate remained unchanged at 1%. In a press release, Monetary Policy Committee Secretary Don Nakornthab stated that the decision was reached via a unanimous vote, noting only one member was absent.
“Not an Opponent to Topple, but a Referee to Listen To”, Expert Takes on MSCI’s Indonesia Downgrade Threat
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, in his address to the Plenary Cabinet Meeting on October 21, declared that the country is not afraid and will not be intimidated by MSCI. “They are trying to scare us,” he told his ministers.
Philippines Leads the 20th AMMTC, Calls for “Concrete Steps” to Dismantle Transnational Crime
The 20th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Transnational Crime (AMMTC) and its related meetings concluded on October 21. This conclave serves as the annual meeting of the highest policy-making institution specialised in dismantling transnational organised crime across the region.
Indonesia’s Benchmark JCI Plummets 11.5% Following Proposed Standalone MSCI Reclassification
On October 15, the MSCI announced a consultation to reclassify Indonesia from an emerging market to a standalone market status, bypassing a lesser frontier-market downgrade.