Southeast Asia

Netcore Cloud, a global MarTech company, has rebranded to Netcore.ai, positioning itself as the first 'agentic marketing platform' that shares accountability for customer growth. The rebranding marks a structural shift from a software vendor to an AI-native outcome partner. The platform features seven autonomous AI agents that plan, execute, analyze, and optimize marketing campaigns across the full customer lifecycle. Unlike traditional platforms, Netcore assigns dedicated growth engineers who share responsibility for campaign outcomes and revenue contribution. The unified stack integrates customer engagement, product discovery, personalization, CDP, email marketing, and CPaaS channels. The company also introduces outcome-based pricing, where its success is tied to client KPIs. Founder Rajesh Jain emphasized that the agents run campaigns while human teams remain accountable for results. The platform is available across India, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North America, Europe, and Africa.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 02:00 AM UTC

Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company known for its blind box collectibles, has opened its first international bakery shop in Singapore at Resorts World Sentosa. The bakery features desserts themed around its popular Labubu character, marking a strategic expansion into the food and beverage sector. The company plans to open more such bakery outlets across Southeast Asia as part of its global push to diversify beyond toys and into lifestyle experiences. The move leverages the strong fan base for Labubu and other Pop Mart intellectual property to drive foot traffic and brand engagement in new markets.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 03:30 AM UTC

First Media, a global media and marketing company, has appointed Indixital Media as its exclusive sales, publisher success, and operations partner across India, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East. The partnership aims to build a US$100 million Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) publisher engagement business. It combines First Media's audience engagement and monetization technology, including interactive quizzes and AI-powered products, with Indixital Media's regional publisher relationships and operational capabilities. The partnership is already live with five leading Indian media organizations. Executives from both companies emphasized that this is a strategic growth platform, not just a distribution deal, designed to help publishers reduce dependence on referral traffic, increase audience engagement, collect first-party data, and create new revenue streams. Indixital Media will lead commercial expansion, onboarding, and customer success across the region.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:22 AM UTC

Vietnam is drafting new rules to restrict social media access for children under 16, barring them from posting, commenting, sharing, or reacting on platforms. Accounts for minors must be registered using a parent's or guardian's information, who will supervise content and screen time. Social media companies will be required to identify child users and ensure age-appropriate content exposure. The move stops short of a full ban, unlike Australia's recent law, and aims to protect children from cyberbullying, fraud, and pornography. The draft decree also proposes limiting online gaming for children to 60 minutes per day. Vietnam has large social media user bases, with 89 million Facebook accounts and 80 million TikTok users. The policy follows similar actions in Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meta has noted technical challenges in enforcing passive-only usage, as behavioral signals needed to identify child users would diminish.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 02:42 AM UTC

Vietnam is drafting new rules to restrict social media access for children under 16, barring them from posting, commenting, sharing, or reacting on platforms. Accounts for minors must be registered using a parent's or guardian's information, who will supervise content and screen time. Social media companies will be required to identify child users and ensure age-appropriate content. The move stops short of a full ban, unlike Australia's recent law, and aims to protect children from cyberbullying, fraud, and pornography. The draft decree also proposes limiting online gaming for children to 60 minutes per day. Vietnam has large social media user bases, with 89 million Facebook accounts and 80 million TikTok users. The policy follows similar actions in Australia, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Meta has warned that passive-only use by children could reduce behavioral signals needed to identify and protect them online.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 02:42 AM UTC

OCBC Bank and Thailand's Asset World Corp (AWC) have signed a US$200 million sustainability-linked loan agreement. The loan is designed to support AWC's growth-led strategy across its hospitality, commercial, and lifestyle destination portfolio. The agreement ties the loan's terms to AWC's achievement of predefined sustainability performance targets, aligning financial incentives with environmental and social goals. This partnership reflects the growing trend of integrating sustainability criteria into corporate financing, particularly in the real estate and hospitality sectors in Southeast Asia. The deal was announced on July 24, 2026, and was reported by The Business Times Singapore.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 04:03 AM UTC

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated that Cambodia will intensify efforts to combat evolving scam networks, according to an interview with Bloomberg TV. The announcement comes amid United Nations estimates that up to US$114 billion was lost to scams in East Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and New Zealand in 2025. The article, published by The Business Times on July 24, 2026, highlights the growing regional challenge of sophisticated scam operations and Cambodia's commitment to addressing the issue.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 12:53 AM UTC

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced that Cambodia will intensify efforts to combat the rapidly evolving online scam networks that have turned parts of Southeast Asia into criminal hubs. In an interview with Bloomberg TV, he acknowledged the proliferation of scam centers in Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos, which have become hotspots for transnational organized crime. The statement comes amid growing international concern over the rise of these illicit operations, which often involve forced labor and large-scale financial fraud. Hun Manet's commitment signals a shift towards more aggressive enforcement and regional cooperation to dismantle these networks.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 12:53 AM UTC

On July 22, 2026, Weichai Group held its Global Partners Conference in Hanoi, Vietnam, celebrating 40 years in the Vietnamese market and the company's 80th anniversary. Nearly 400 global partners, CEOs, and media attended. Weichai reported sales of over 160,000 power products in Vietnam, leading in bus and marine power segments. The company unveiled green and intelligent transformation solutions, including new energy commercial vehicles and AsiaStar buses, tailored for Southeast Asian markets. Weichai proposed three cooperation initiatives: collaborative innovation in green tech, win-win local market development with green products, and enhanced service for mutual benefit. The event underscored Weichai's strategic focus on deepening its Southeast Asian presence and advancing global expansion. The article is a press release and not editorial content from The Hindu.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 05:00 PM UTC

Foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued a joint statement expressing 'serious concern' over renewed hostilities between the United States and Iran, calling for an 'immediate cessation' of fighting across all fronts in the Middle East. The statement, released after the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Manila, highlighted the conflict's 'immediate and long-term effects' on Southeast Asia, particularly on energy markets, supply chains, and food security due to disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The ceasefire agreed in April collapsed after mutual accusations of violations, leading to resumed U.S. air attacks and Iranian strikes on shipping. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned ASEAN leaders that Iran's demand to control and collect tolls in the Strait of Hormuz would set a dangerous global precedent. The resumption of the war has undermined perceptions of U.S. reliability in the region, with ASEAN diplomats expressing dismay over Washington's failure to anticipate the economic fallout.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 02:25 AM UTC

DBS, a Singapore-based financial services group, has been named 'World's Best Corporate Bank' by Global Finance in its 2026 Global Bank Awards, making it the first bank in Southeast Asia to win this category since its introduction in 2005. The award recognizes DBS's comprehensive corporate banking platform, including its blockchain-powered programmable payments and AI-driven tools. DBS was also named 'Asia's Best Bank' and 'Singapore's Best Bank' in the same awards. The selection was based on performance, reputation, and management excellence, with input from corporate executives and analysts worldwide. DBS's Group Head of Institutional Banking, Han Kwee Juan, attributed the recognition to client trust and employee dedication. The bank has also received other 2026 accolades from Coalition Greenwich, Global Finance, and Euromoney for corporate banking, transaction banking, and SME banking in Asia.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 23, 02:01 AM UTC

Security experts in Southeast Asia argue that the ongoing crisis in the Strait of Hormuz, where Iran and the US are in military confrontation, is reshaping regional power balances more profoundly than the Ukraine war or Taiwan tensions. The strait, through which a fifth of global oil passes, is critical for energy-dependent Southeast Asian nations like the Philippines, which imports over 90% of its oil from the Middle East. Analysts note that even US treaty ally the Philippines is increasing Russian crude access, while Indonesia and Malaysia may follow. The crisis is blurring the line between economic and national security, weakening Washington's foothold and creating opportunities for China to expand influence without direct action. Russia may also benefit by reorienting its energy exports eastward, undermining Western sanctions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 02:00 PM UTC

This article from Die Welt provides expert guidance on travel vaccinations, emphasizing that standard immunizations (tetanus, measles, polio) should be up-to-date for any trip. Travel-specific vaccines like hepatitis A are recommended generously due to higher risks abroad, especially from contaminated food. The type of vacation matters: hotel complexes reduce exposure to rabies and rare infections but do not prevent foodborne illnesses or mosquito-borne diseases like dengue fever, which is spreading in Southeast Asia (Thailand, Bali, Sri Lanka) and the Maldives. Backpackers face higher risks. For regions like Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar), mosquito-borne threats are significant. Rabies vaccination is advised for travelers visiting monkey parks in Bali or areas with stray dogs. The article stresses early preparation, a stocked travel pharmacy, and informed decision-making based on destination and activities.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 05:19 AM UTC

DBS, a leading financial services group in Asia, has been named the World's Best Corporate Bank at the 2026 Global Bank Awards by Global Finance, making it the first bank in Southeast Asia to win this award since the category was introduced in 2005. The bank was also recognized as Asia's Best Bank and Singapore's Best Bank. Winners were selected based on performance, reputation, and management excellence, with input from corporate financial executives and analysts worldwide. Global Finance praised DBS for its cohesive corporate banking platform, blockchain-powered programmable payments, and AI-driven tools. DBS's Group Head of Institutional Banking, Han Kwee Juan, attributed the recognition to client trust and employee dedication. The bank serves businesses of all sizes across 19 markets and has previously won numerous global banking awards, including World's Best Bank by both Global Finance and Euromoney.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 22, 03:00 AM UTC

A United Nations report reveals that Southeast Asian criminal networks are leveraging advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, deepfakes, and cryptocurrency to build a global illicit economy. The report estimates that scams caused between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion in losses last year. These criminal groups are increasingly using sophisticated digital tools to expand their operations beyond traditional boundaries, creating a transnational threat. The findings highlight the growing challenge for law enforcement and international cooperation in combating tech-enabled organized crime.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 09:19 PM UTC

Augustus, a fintech startup building a federally chartered clearing bank designed for stablecoins and programmable money, announced a $180 million Series B funding round led by Tiger Global, valuing the company at $1 billion. The round included participation from Hummingbird, QED, and founders of Nubank, Ramp, Circle, and Deel, as well as crypto figures like Circle co-founder Sean Neville and former Coinbase CTO Balaji Srinivasan. Augustus has raised $210 million to date. The company is developing an API-first platform that supports operating and FBO accounts, settling via Swift, ACH, SEPA, and stablecoins on a proprietary core banking system called Marble. It received conditional approval for a U.S. national bank charter from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency in May 2026, making it the eighth bank to do so since 2010. Augustus plans to use the capital to expand in Latin America, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, positioning its infrastructure as a geopolitical counter to China's digital yuan and Russia's BRICS Pay.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 06:13 PM UTC

This analysis from The Business Times Singapore examines whether Singapore businesses can rely on Indonesia as a significant growth driver. The article argues that a thriving Indonesia will benefit Singapore's economy and companies, given the close economic ties between the two neighboring countries. It explores the potential opportunities for Singaporean businesses in Indonesia's growing market, including sectors such as trade, investment, and services. The piece considers Indonesia's economic trajectory and its implications for Singapore's corporate sector, suggesting that Indonesia's development could serve as a major catalyst for Singaporean business expansion. The analysis is written by Leslie Yee and published on July 21, 2026, reflecting a forward-looking perspective on bilateral economic relations.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 07:59 AM UTC

According to a Tracxn report, fintech funding in Southeast Asia declined to US$682 million in the first half of 2026. Singapore-based companies secured the majority of this financing, followed by firms from the Philippines and Malaysia. The report highlights a downturn in investment activity across the region's fintech sector during this period.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:46 AM UTC

According to a Tracxn report, fintech funding in Southeast Asia declined to US$682 million in the first half of 2026, representing a 4% drop from US$711 million in the same period of 2025. The report highlights a continued slowdown in the region's fintech investment landscape, with Singapore-based startups likely playing a significant role in the funding figures. The article, published by The Business Times Singapore on July 21, 2026, and written by Benjamin Cher, provides a snapshot of the regional fintech funding environment, indicating a cautious investor sentiment amid broader economic conditions.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:46 AM UTC

This opinion piece from The Business Times, published on July 21, 2026, argues that Singapore should deepen its economic and strategic engagement with Indonesia's Riau Islands, mainland Riau, and Sumatra. The author presents this southern corridor as a vital test bed for bilateral cooperation, moving beyond traditional ties with Jakarta. The article notes that despite persistent concerns over regulatory predictability and Indonesia's economic outlook, Singaporean capital has consistently been attracted to the region, particularly Batam. The piece advocates for a new vision of partnership that leverages geographic proximity and existing economic flows to create a more integrated and resilient cross-border economic zone.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 21, 04:00 AM UTC

The article analyzes the growing strategic importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as major world powers, including the US and China, compete for influence in the region. It highlights that ASEAN's foreign ministers are meeting to discuss how the bloc can leverage this increased attention. The key challenge identified is maintaining a unified front among member states, which have diverse interests and relationships with external powers. The piece suggests that ASEAN's ability to act cohesively will determine whether it can capitalize on its newfound strategic relevance or risk being divided by great power rivalries. The meeting is seen as a critical test of the bloc's unity and diplomatic effectiveness.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 11:00 PM UTC

The article analyzes how major world powers including the US, China, India, and Russia are actively courting ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) as a strategic partner. It focuses on the upcoming ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting, where presenting a unified front is deemed critical for the bloc to effectively capitalize on this heightened geopolitical interest. The piece examines whether ASEAN can leverage its collective position to maximize benefits from great power competition while maintaining its central role in regional affairs. The analysis highlights the strategic importance of ASEAN's unity in negotiations with external partners and the challenges the bloc faces in maintaining cohesion amid competing interests from major powers.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 11:00 PM UTC

Top diplomats from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are convening for a summit, with the ongoing US-Iran war and the protracted Myanmar conflict expected to be key discussion topics. The meeting, reported by The Business Times Singapore on July 21, 2026, highlights the regional bloc's efforts to address major geopolitical crises affecting Southeast Asia. The summit's agenda reflects the dual pressures of external military conflict and internal political instability, as ASEAN seeks to maintain unity and relevance in a volatile international environment.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 10:36 PM UTC

A Reddit user shares his story of retiring at age 39 with $700,000 in savings, despite never earning a six-figure salary (his best year was $75K). Over 11 years, he saved roughly 70% of his income by prioritizing freedom over spending. Ten years into retirement, his portfolio has grown to between $1.2 million and $1.5 million. He and his wife live on less than $30,000 annually, spending about five months traveling in Southeast Asia and the rest in Indiana. His withdrawal rate is around 2.5%, well below the traditional 4% rule. The article highlights that low expenses are as important as high savings for early retirement, and includes promotional content for the personal finance app Albert.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 04:30 PM UTC

Emergent, an AI software creation platform, announced a $130 million Series C funding round led by Creaegis, with participation from MNI Ventures - Claypond Capital, Sentinel Global, Khosla Ventures, SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Lightspeed, and Y Combinator. The round values the company at $1.5 billion, a fivefold increase in four months, making it a unicorn within a year of its public launch. Users have built over 12 million applications on the platform, with 70% of users having no prior coding experience. The platform targets non-technical entrepreneurs and small business owners, enabling them to build full-stack, production-ready web and mobile applications using autonomous AI agents. Strong adoption is reported in the US, Europe, and expanding into Southeast Asia, the Middle East, Australia, and South America. Total funding now stands at $230 million.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 12:43 PM UTC

The Hoover Institution's Global Policy and Strategy Initiative announces a virtual webinar on Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Cooperation from a Southeast Asian perspective, scheduled for July 21, 2026. The event aims to explore the strategic preferences and concerns of Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam regarding deepening maritime security cooperation among Australia, India, Japan, and the United States. Despite rhetoric about 'ASEAN centrality,' regional perspectives are rarely analyzed in depth. The panel features Dr Le Hong Hiep (ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute), Muhammad Waffaa Kharisma (CSIS Jakarta), and Sarah Teo (RSIS Singapore), moderated by Arzan Tarapore. The discussion will examine variables governing regional views on military cooperation between the Quad countries.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 20, 12:00 AM UTC

Grab Holdings Limited CFO Peter Oey sold 50,000 Class A Ordinary Shares on July 15, 2026, at a weighted average price of $3.83 per share, according to an SEC Form 4 filing. The transaction was conducted under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan, which the article notes should not be interpreted negatively as it avoids any implication of trading on non-public information. CEO Anthony Tan and CPO Philipp Kandal also sold shares earlier in July under similar plans. The article highlights that Grab's stock has significantly underperformed the market, losing 33.2% over the past year compared to a 22.9% gain for the Nasdaq Composite and 19.9% for the S&P 500. Grab operates a super-app platform across eight Southeast Asian countries, offering ride-hailing, food delivery, package delivery, and financial services.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 02:55 PM UTC

Grab Holdings Limited (NASDAQ:GRAB) CFO Peter Oey sold 50,000 Class A Ordinary Shares on July 15, 2026, at a weighted average price of $3.83 per share, according to an SEC Form 4 filing. The transaction was conducted under a pre-arranged 10b5-1 trading plan, which the article notes should not be interpreted negatively as such plans are designed to avoid insider trading concerns. CEO Anthony Tan and CPO Philipp Kandal also sold shares under similar plans in July. The article highlights that Grab's stock has underperformed significantly, losing 33.2% over the past year compared to the Nasdaq Composite's 22.9% gain and the S&P 500's 19.9% return. Grab operates a super-app platform across eight Southeast Asian countries, offering ride-hailing, food delivery, package delivery, and fintech services.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 02:55 PM UTC

The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) is considering easing involuntary delisting rules for non-compliant firms as a growing number of companies exit the bourse, either voluntarily due to undervalued shares or through forced delistings. The move aims to prevent further erosion of listed companies and revive investor participation. However, analysts warn that the core problem is a systemic lack of liquidity, which is causing Manila to lose ground to more dominant Southeast Asian markets. The PSE is also rolling out broader market reforms to address these challenges.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 19, 08:33 AM UTC

The article analyzes HTMS Chakri Naruebet, the world's smallest aircraft carrier, commissioned by Thailand in 1997 for $285 million. It has not operated fixed-wing aircraft since 2006 due to budget constraints following the 1997 Asian financial crisis. The ship, which includes royal apartments, now serves primarily as a helicopter carrier and disaster relief vessel, notably deploying for the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and 2025 typhoon relief. The analysis uses the carrier as a case study in naval power economics, arguing that a carrier's effectiveness depends on its entire operational ecosystem—aircraft, pilots, logistics, and sustainment—rather than the hull alone. The article notes that Thailand remains Southeast Asia's only carrier operator, though the ship is often mocked domestically as a 'white elephant.'

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 17, 04:20 PM UTC