ASEAN Express News on July 6, 2026

ASEAN Economic Special Report (300 articles total)

Embrace the New Southbound Policy and look towards ASEAN economic trends. CNA's "Southeast Asia Economic Information Network" selects multiple financial headlines from Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and other countries daily. Whether it's new government policies, industry trends, or investment opportunities, we provide you with timely key information to gain market insights and seize business opportunities.

Vietnam: Economic Growth of 8.18% in the First Half of 2026

(CNA Taipei, July 6) Vietnam's economy showed strong performance in the first six months of 2026, with most industries experiencing positive growth; Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the first half of the year grew by 8.18% compared to the same period last year.

According to VNA, Vietnam's GDP growth in the first half of this year was higher than 7.63% in the same period of 2025 and 6.64% in the same period of 2024.

Laos: 9.3 km New Embankment on Mekong River Inaugurated, Vientiane Adds 13 Parks

(CNA Taipei, July 6) With the completion of Phase 2 of the Mekong River Integrated Management Project, Vientiane officially inaugurated a new 9.3-kilometer embankment along the Mekong River on the 1st. This section integrates parks, pedestrian walkways, bicycle paths, sports facilities, and flood control infrastructure.

The new embankment extends from Wat Nak village in Sisattanak District to Hatdokkeo village in Hadsayfong District, serving 19 villages along its route. It also includes 13 new public parks, a riverside promenade, boat docking facilities, street lighting, sidewalks, and a drainage system.

Singapore: 40% of Singaporeans Believe Wealth Equates to Success

(CNA Taipei, July 6) According to The Straits Times, a recent survey found that as many as 40% of Singaporean respondents equate wealth with success.

The survey, part of AIA's "Rethink Healthy" regional study, found that 40% of Singaporeans believe that being wealthy is a prerequisite for being considered "successful."

Philippines: BusinessWorld Survey Shows Inflation to Cool for Second Consecutive Month in June

(CNA Taipei, July 6) Analysts say that due to falling oil and rice prices offsetting the impact of rising electricity costs, inflation in the Philippines may slow for the second consecutive month in June, reaching a three-month low.

A survey by BusinessWorld of 18 analysts shows that the median inflation forecast for June is 6.6%, down from 6.8% in May, but up from 1.4% in the same period last year.

Myanmar: First Quarter Rice Exports Exceed 520,000 Tonnes, Earning $167 Million in FY2026-27

(CNA Taipei, July 6) According to the Myanmar Rice Federation (MRF), in the first quarter of the 2026-2027 fiscal year, which began on April 1, 2026, Myanmar exported 529,000 tonnes of rice and broken rice by sea, generating $167 million. Exports in April were 169,000 tonnes, May 136,000 tonnes, and June 224,000 tonnes, with export values of $51 million, $42 million, and $74 million, respectively.

MRF data shows that Myanmar's rice and broken rice exports exceeded 2.7 million tonnes in the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with a total export value of $861 million. In the previous fiscal year, exports were 2.48 million tonnes, earning $1.129 billion. To achieve its export targets, the Myanmar Ministry of Commerce is collaborating with rice, garment, rubber, fisheries, and business associations to promote export growth.

Malaysia: IC Design Strength Gains Japanese Favor, Jointly Targeting Edge AI Chip Opportunities

(CNA Taipei, July 6) Japanese AI startup TAI (Tokyo Artisan Intelligence) announced a collaboration with Malaysian listed IC design giant Oppstar, successfully completing an evaluation of an edge AI test chip. They plan to commence mass production in the second half of 2027, utilizing UMC's 40nm process.

Nikkei Asia reports that the two companies are targeting low-power, low-latency application markets such as factories and railways. Analysis suggests that Japan is rebuilding its semiconductor industry and facing a talent shortage, while Malaysia is actively promoting the chip industry towards high-value-added areas like IC design. This collaboration is expected to be mutually beneficial.

Thailand: Thai Shrimp Exports to Malaysia Expected to Resume Within 30 Days

(CNA Taipei, July 6) According to the Thai Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Thailand and Malaysia are working to expedite sanitary and food safety inspections for five types of Thai shrimp, with exports expected to resume within 30 days.

This comes after Malaysia previously imposed a temporary import ban on five types of shrimp from Thailand. Thai Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Suriya Juangroongruangkit expressed confidence, stating that with accelerated negotiations between the two countries, the verification process will be finalized within 30 days, after which bilateral trade will return to normal.

Cambodia: Inflation Surges to 5.8% in April, World Bank Warns of 3 Major Challenges Harming Consumption

(CNA Taipei, July 6) According to a World Bank report, Cambodia is facing significant challenges from soaring oil prices, a sharp decline in remittances from migrant workers, and weak domestic credit, severely impacting domestic purchasing power and vulnerable populations. Cambodia's Consumer Price Index (CPI) in April rose by 5.8% compared to the same period last year, with oil prices remaining high.

The report indicates that increased food and transportation costs are the main drivers of inflation. Food prices rose by 5.7% in March, and transportation costs surged by 12.9%. Additionally, due to border tensions, a million migrant workers returned from Thailand, reducing remittance income to 3.6% of GDP, and domestic credit has significantly slowed.

Indonesia: Policies Lead to Layoff Wave, Reflecting Structural Weaknesses in the Labor Market

(CNA Taipei, July 6) Indonesian labor economist Tajuddin from Gadjah Mada University stated that despite strong economic growth in Indonesia, a series of government policies have led to a continuous wave of layoffs, highlighting deeper structural weaknesses in Indonesia's labor market.

The Jakarta Globe reports that Professor Tajuddin Noer Effendi of Gadjah Mada University said that although Indonesia's economy grew by 5.61% in the first quarter of 2026, this has not translated into stronger job growth, as businesses face challenges from automation, technological change, and ongoing economic uncertainty.

"The current wave of layoffs reflects structural problems in the economy," Tajuddin said. He added that without significant investment in labor-intensive industries, economic growth alone cannot create jobs.

*For more information, please contact Section Chief Chang Li-chuan at (02) 2505-1180 ext. 792 or EMAIL: [email protected]

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