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☆ Malaysia's economy finishes 2023 on softer footing amid weak global demand
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-16 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The headquarters of Bank Negara Malaysia, the nation's central bank, stand in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Thursday, March 4, 2010. Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) said the 3% year-on-year growth in gross domestic product during the October-December period was driven by improving labor market conditions and easing cost pressures. "Growth in 2024 will be driven by resilient domestic expenditure and improvement in external demand," the central bank said in a statement. The fourth quarter reading was below advanced estimates released on Jan. 19 by the Statistics Department and analysts' forecast in a Reuters poll of a 3.4% expansion. On a quarter-on-quarter seasonally-adjusted basis, Malaysia's economy contracted 2.1%, compared to a 2.6% rise in the third quarter.

Organizations: Bank Negara Malaysia, Statistics Department Locations: Bank, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A woman picks a gold earring at a jewellery shop in the old quarters of Delhi, India, May 24, 2023. While India's gold demand has been solid so far in 2023, matching strength in the domestic economy, it appears that some momentum may be coming out of the market. The high price of gold for consumers in China may further crimp demand in the fourth quarter, after the World Gold Council reported a decline in third. The recent price rally is likely to trim demand growth in India in the current quarter. But countering the positive drivers are signs that high prices are undermining demand growth in the key markets of China and India.

Persons: Anushree, they're, Hong Kong, Sonali Paul Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S . Federal Reserve, Hong, Hong Kong Census, Statistics Department, Gold, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Delhi, India, Rights LAUNCESTON, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Hong, Central

☆ Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk isn't just Europe's second-most valuable company. It is also singlehandedly boosting Denmark's economy.
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Ozempic-maker Novo Nordisk is Europe's second-largest company by market capitalization. It's also boosting Denmark's economy all on its own. AdvertisementAdvertisementNot only that, Novo Nordisk has also been propping up Denmark's economy all on its own. Jonas Petersen, an analyst at Denmark's statistics department, further told the AFP that the trend is "changing the picture of the economy." Denmark's statistics department and Danske Bank's Olsen did not immediately respond to requests from Insider for comment sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: It's, would've, LVMH Moët Hennessy Louis Vuitton, Elon Musk, Amy Schumer, they've, Las Olsen, Jonas Petersen, Bank's Olsen Organizations: Novo Nordisk, pharma, Service, Novo Nordisk's, Novo, Danske Bank, AFP, Nordisk Locations: Wall, Silicon, Europe

☆ Meet the typical Hong Kong millennial: They're supporting their parents, can't afford to buy homes, and have zero interest in moving to mainland China
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Faye Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +19 min

He earns 1.5 million Hong Kong dollars a year, or $191,000, including the base salary and three months' bonus — well above the average annual salary in Hong Kong. A protester on June 12, 2019 in Hong Kong when crowds gathered in central Hong Kong as the city braced for another mass rally. Anthony Kwan/Getty ImagesThe Hong Kong protests took place between 2019 and 2020, with many students and adults taking to the streets to fight back against the government's decision to introduce an extradition bill between Hong Kong and China. University of Hong Kong was ranked 31st and Chinese University of Hong Kong was 45, on the World University Rankings in 2023. Hong Kong millennials struggle to prioritize well-being, according to a survey run by British health insurance company Bupa.

Persons: Hong Kong's, Ken Ho, Hong Kongers, Ho, Kongers, —, hasn't, Summer Ng, Tau Kok, Ng, Hong, Kong's, Getty, Hong Kong millennials, it's, Aniqah Bhatnagar, Bhatnagar, Wilson Ho, Wilson Ho Wilson, Kai Tak, Anthony Kwan, Xu Huang, Huang, millennials, Gen Zs, Morgan McKinley, Zurine Lau, I'm, Yuen Long, Lau, Nick Shin Nick Shin, Tai Koo, They're Organizations: Service, University College London, Imperial College London, Fidelity Investments, Hong, HK, BBC, Property Management, Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Deloitte Global, Statistics Department, University of Hong Kong, University of Hong, World, Family Planning Association, millennials, Hong Kong Free Press, CNN Locations: Hong Kong, Wall, Silicon, Kennedy Town, Kowloon Bay, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong's, United Kingdom, People's Republic of China, British, Asia, Hong, millennials, India, Kowloon, Kai, China, Singapore, Sydney, South America, ymgerman, South Korea, Hong Kong . Hong Kong, University of Hong Kong, New Territories, Tai

☆ Taiwan proposes extra $3 bln spending on new weapons next year
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

A view shows a loitering munition UAV on display as Taiwan's Defence Ministry showcases its domestically developed drones to the media, in Taichung, Taiwan March 14, 2023. REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan will spend an extra T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) to buy weapons next year including fighter jets, the government said on Thursday as the island bolsters its defences in the face of rising threats from China. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen already announced on Monday that overall proposed defence spending for 2024 would be set at T$606.8 billion, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. Defence spending for next year will amount to 2.5% of Taiwan's GDP. ($1 = 31.7490 Taiwan dollars)Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Faith Hung; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Christopher Cushing, Miral Organizations: Taiwan's Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive Party, Defence, U.S . State Department, Pentagon, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taipei

REUTERS/Ann Wang/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsTAIPEI, Aug 24 (Reuters) - Taiwan will spend an extra T$94.3 billion ($2.97 billion) to buy weapons next year including fighter jets to bolster its defences against China, the government said on Thursday, and will get a further boost from new F-16 fighter jet tracking systems. Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen already announced on Monday that overall proposed defence spending for 2024 would be set at T$606.8 billion, a 3.5% increase from the previous year. The United States on Wednesday approved a possible $500 million sale to Taiwan of infrared search and track systems for F-16 fighter jets, as well as other equipment. China, which routinely denounces any foreign arms sales to Taiwan, urged the United States to immediately cancel the planned sale, its foreign ministry said. Tsai has overseen a military modernisation programme to make the armed forces better able to face China, including upgrading a fleet of F-16 fighter jets and developing submarines.

Persons: Ann Wang, Tsai Ing, Po, huei, Tsai, Ben Blanchard, Faith Hung, Andrew Hayley, Christopher Cushing, Miral Organizations: Taiwan's Defence Ministry, REUTERS, Rights, United States, Democratic Progressive Party, Thomson Locations: Taichung, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Taipei, United States, United, Beijing

☆ Sri Lanka's economy shrinks 11.5% in first quarter as financial crisis continues
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-15 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, June 15 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's economy (LKGDP=ECI) shrank 11.5% in the first three months of 2023, official data showed on Thursday, as the country remained in the grip of its worst financial crisis in decades. Sri Lanka's central bank projects that GDP will shrink by 2% this year while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates a contraction of 3%. "A pickup in private sector credit will be a growth positive and credit growth will increase over the next six to nine months," Cooray added. Sri Lanka's economy contracted by a record 7.8% last year after its foreign exchange reserves hit record lows, plunging the island into the worst financial crisis since it gained Independence from the British in 1948. But Sri Lanka still needs to complete debt restructuring talks by September in time for the first IMF review.

Persons: ”, Shehan Cooray, Cooray, Uditha, John Stonestreet, Susan Fenton Organizations: Statistics Department, Sri, International Monetary Fund, Thomson Locations: COLOMBO, Sri Lanka's, Sri, Sri Lanka

☆ Hong Kong: One of the world's most expensive cities raises minimum wage by 32 cents
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Jessie Yeung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

So when the Hong Kong government raised the minimum wage by a measly 32 cents on Monday, activists and community workers were scathing in their response. “It cannot cover basic needs in Hong Kong.”The new minimum wage now stands at 40 Hong Kong dollars ($5.1) per hour, up from the previous 37.5 Hong Kong dollars ($4.78) per hour. But Wong said this new increase will make little difference in Hong Kong, consistently ranked one of the world’s most expensive cities. The city’s median hourly wage last year was 77.4 Hong Kong dollars ($9.86), according to the Census and Statistics Department. A demonstration from the Hong Kong Women Workers Association in front of the Central Government Office on May 1, 2023.

"Most luxury retailers don't think Hong Kong will return to the dizzy levels of 2014 when the market here peaked," said Simon Smith, Savills' senior director of research and consultancy in Hong Kong. Morgan Stanley (MS.N) forecast Hong Kong visitor numbers this year will reach just 70% of 2018 arrivals. It estimates retail sales will grow 15%, holding at around 80% of retail trade from the pre-COVID year. That outstripped total Hong Kong retail sales from a peak hit in 2013 at HK$494.5 billion ($63.0 billion), according to the city's statistics department. ($1 = 6.8510 yuan)($1 = 7.8498 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Farah Master, Jessie Pang, Anne Marie Roantree, Angel Woo and Donny Kwok in Hong Kong, Sophie Yu in Beijing, and Mimosa Spencer in Paris; Writing by Miyoung Kim; Editing by Tom HogueOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Sri Lanka's national consumer price inflation eases to 65% in Nov
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Dec 21 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's National Consumer Price Index (NCPI) (LKNCPI=ECI) eased year-on-year to 65% in November after a 70.6% jump in October, the statistics department said on Wednesday. Central Bank of Sri Lanka Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe predicted that if the current trend of monetary policy was followed, inflation could drop to 4%-5% by the end of next year. read moreThe NCPI captures broad retail price inflation across the island nation and is released with a lag of 21 days every month. The Colombo Consumer Price Index (CCPI) (LKCCPI=ECI), released at the end of each month, is more closely monitored. It acts as a lead indicator for broader national prices and shows how inflation is evolving in the biggest city of Colombo.

☆ Sri Lanka's economy shrinks 11.8% in second-worst quarterly performance
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-15 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

COLOMBO, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Sri Lanka's economy shrank 11.8% in the July-September quarter from a year ago, government data showed on Thursday, the second-worst quarterly contraction ever for the country going through a severe financial crisis. Economic mismanagement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic have left Sri Lanka short of dollars for essential imports including food, fuel, fertilisers and medicine. "This is the second-worst contraction Sri Lanka has experienced in a quarter after a 16.4% contraction in the second quarter of 2020," said Dimantha Mathew, head of research at First Capital. Sri Lanka's central bank estimates the economy will contract by about 8% in 2022. The economy had contracted 8.4% year-on-year in the second quarter, one of the worst performances in the island of 22 million people.

☆ Sri Lanka consumer inflation hits record 73.7% in September
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-21 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Annual food price inflation picked up to 85.8% from 84.6% in August, while prices of non-food items rose 62.8%. Sri Lanka's Central Bank Governor Nandalal Weerasinghe predicted earlier on Thursday that inflation in the island nation is peaking, with price rises likely to ease this month. read moreThe NCPI captures broader retail price inflation and isreleased with a lag of 21 days every month. The more closely monitored Colombo Consumer Price Index(CCPI) (LKCCPI=ECI), released at the end of each month, rose69.8% in August. It acts as a leading indicator for nationalprices and shows how inflation is evolving in Sri Lanka'sbiggest city.

☆ Hong Kong's leader vows to roll out special visas for graduates from top universities and people who make more than $300,000 a year
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-19 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong is rolling out new measures to attract talented workers to the city, following a mass expat exodus. He said Hong Kong will launch a new visa scheme for people who earn more than 2.5 million Hong Kong dollars, or $318,500, a year. "Hong Kong is one of the most competitive economies in the world," Lee said. Hong Kong, like mainland China, maintained a zero-COVID policy since the early days of the pandemic. Such international arrivals will now have to monitor their own health for three days after entering Hong Kong.

☆ Sri Lanka inflation rate surges to 70.2% in August
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Uditha Jayasinghe | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterSri Lankan rupees are seen in a bowl at a vegetable vendor's shop amid the rampant food inflation, amid Sri Lanka's economic crisis, in Colombo, Sri Lanka, July 29 , 2022. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-HoonSept 21 (Reuters) - Consumer inflation in Sri Lanka accelerated to 70.2% in August,the statistics department said on Wednesday, as the island nation reels under its worst economic crisis in decades. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterThe Central Bank of Sri Lanka (CBSL) said in August that the inflation rate would moderate after peaking at about 70% as the country's economy slowed. It acts as a leading indicator for national prices and shows how inflation is evolving in Sri Lanka's biggest city. An acute dollar shortage, caused by economic mismanagement and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, has left Sri Lanka struggling to pay for essential imports including food, fuel, fertiliser and medicine.

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