Bank Asia declares 17% dividend

Bank Asia PLC recently announced a 17 percent dividend, including an 8.5 percent cash dividend for the year ended December 31, 2025. The announcement was made at the bank’s 27th annual general meeting (AGM), which was held virtually, according to a press …

Global Security Challenges Rise Post-WWII, South Asia Unaffected

A study by Norway indicates that security challenges have increased globally for the first time since World War II. For the first time since the World War, so many conflicts and attacks on civilians are occurring. Conflicts have escalated simultaneously in …

Asia Gold Demand 2026: Eastern Buying Defies Western ETF Outflows

By Penny Langford The global gold market has entered a period of profound structural divergence. In the first half of 2026, a clear rift has opened between Western financial centers and Eastern physical hubs, fundamentally altering how precious metals are …

How Middle East Conflict Is Accelerating Asia’s Energy Transition

Asian countries are rapidly transitioning to renewables and alternative fuels due to the Middle East oil crisis, with China leveraging reserves and boosting clean energy, while nations like Indonesia and Vietnam explore biofuels despite environmental …

Japan Focus: KitKat’s localisation strategy, food security, Glico at Growth Asia Summit, and FFC trends

KitKat may have originated in England but today is one of Japan’s most iconic confectionery brands, having established itself as a local speciality item for both locals and tourists. According to Nestlé Japan Business Executive Officer (BEO) for …

ジャパン フォーカス：キットカットのローカライズ戦略、食料安全保障、Growth Asia Summit 2026におけるグリコ、そしてFFCのトレンド

キットカットの発祥はイギリスだが、現在では日本を代表する菓子ブランドの一つとなり、日本の人々や観光客にとって「日本の名産品」としての地位を確立している。 Nestlé日本菓子事業担当執行役員（BEO）の Olivier Jakubowicz氏によると、この成功の多くは、徹底した現地化手法に起因しているという。 同氏は、「日本市場に真に溶け込みたいと望むグローバルブランドは、日本化を図らなければならない。それ以外に道はない」と述べている。 日 …

The theatre of uncertainty in West Asia

For months now, the world has been subjected to a spectacle that would be amusing were it not so dangerous. Every few days, Donald Trump emerges to declare that peace is at hand, that a settlement with Iran is within reach, that a breakthrough is imminent …

Central Asia Roundup: May 2026

Kazakhstan  With its new constitution set to take effect July 1, Kazakhstan spent May managing the diplomatic and domestic implications of its most consequential political transition in three decades. The charter – approved by referendum March 15 with …

Asia, an ancient and intricate compendium

World Bank cuts global growth forecast to 2.5% as West Asia conflict triggers energy shock

The World Bank has lowered its global growth forecast for 2026 to 2.5 per cent, warning that the conflict in the Middle East has triggered a fresh shock to the global economy by disrupting energy markets, fuelling inflation and weakening growth prospects …