Reducing tariffs on banana shipments to Japan could help the Philippines compete with Ecuador for the title of the world’s largest banana exporter, according to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI).
Malaysia’s economic growth is expected to moderate to 4.6% in 2026 from an estimated 4.9% in 2025, even as the ringgit emerged as the strongest-performing regional currency last year, according to the Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro).
Economists say the January figures offer encouraging signs for the Kingdom’s economic outlook in 2026, following years of uncertainty caused by the pandemic and global economic headwinds, besides the border conflict with Thailand in the second half of 2025.
Singapore has raised its forecast for key exports in 2026 in response to an improved global economic outlook, especially for artificial intelligence-related demand.
The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is positioning agriculture as the main driver of Indonesia’s economic engagement with Canada under the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).
Arada Fueangthong, Director-General of the Department of Foreign Trade (DFT), said Thailand’s utilisation of trade preferences under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to expand in January–November 2025.
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) reported that 1,852 containers of Indonesian shrimp were shipped to the United States between October 31, 2025, and February 7, 2026.
Cambodia’s imports from Thailand totalled more than USD 151 million in January 2026, marking a sharp decline of 49.3% compared to USD 297 million recorded in January 2025, according to the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
