Economy — 1,043 insights
Fiscal policy response to Iran war risks worsening inflation: BIS chief
Economy

Fiscal policy response to Iran war risks worsening inflation: BIS chief

Central banks must be 'ready to act if needed,' Pablo Hernandez de Cos says BIS General Manager Pablo Hernandez de Cos says the Middle East conflict is expected to "drive inflation upwards and growth downwards." (Photo by Akikazu Ishii) TOKYO -- Central banks worldwide must be "ready to act" against inflationary effects of the Iran war, which risk being aggravated by an excessive fiscal policy response, said Pablo Hernandez de Cos, general manager of the Bank for International Settlements.

May 11, 2026
China’s EcoFlow to sell solar panels in British supermarkets soon
Economy

China’s EcoFlow to sell solar panels in British supermarkets soon

Named as UK partner, Shenzhen manufacturer hopes to replicate success in Europe EcoFlow exhibited its products over April 29 and 30 at the Solar and Storage Live expo in London. (Carla Messinger) LONDON -- Chinese solar panel maker EcoFlow is expecting to sell its plug-in products in British supermarkets within months, hoping to raise brand awareness as it aims to reach commercial clients, the company's European head said.

May 11, 2026
Exiting OPEC, UAE seeks greater flexibility and growth led by its own oil
Economy

Exiting OPEC, UAE seeks greater flexibility and growth led by its own oil

Abu Dhabi ups crude output to increase investment capability, attract foreign funds OPEC's logo is visible outside its headquarters in Vienna, on May 28, 2024. The decision by the United Arab Emirates to exit the organization of oil producing countries has raised questions about its sustainability. © Reuters Vandana Hari is the founder of Vanda Insights, a Singapore-based global energy market intelligence provider.

May 11, 2026
Natural rubber prices soar on Iran tensions, boosting Asian suppliers
Economy

Natural rubber prices soar on Iran tensions, boosting Asian suppliers

Natural rubber is made from latex, a milky white substance collected from rubber trees. Sri Trang Agro-Industry's Chief Executive Officer Veerasith Sinchareonkul says the Thai rubber group sees steady demand from tire makers. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Lauren DeCicca and Getty Images) Thailand's top group sees firm demand as customers build inventories BANGKOK -- Natural rubber prices are hitting their highest levels in nine years as demand rises due to a shift away from oil-derived synthetic rubber during the U.S. war with Iran.

May 11, 2026
Japan’s Fukuoka blossoms into tech hub for foreign startups, local IT firms
Economy

Japan’s Fukuoka blossoms into tech hub for foreign startups, local IT firms

Midsize city attracts companies with comfortable offices, low labor competition Fukuoka has been promoting the creation of state-of-the-art offices as part of a redevelopment plan. (Photo by Toshiki Sasazu) FUKUOKA, Japan -- The southern Japanese city of Fukuoka is evolving into an information technology hub, with players including a Vietnamese startup and a Toyota Motor supplier expanding their presence to secure talent and boost business with companies in the region.

May 11, 2026
North Korea reaps huge economic boost from Ukraine war
Economy

North Korea reaps huge economic boost from Ukraine war

Cash and energy from Russia over 3 years seen near Pyongyang's annual GDP North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects a weapons factory. (KCNA) SEOUL -- North Korea is enjoying an unprecedented windfall by providing military support to Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, having received foreign currency and energy supplies in exchange for weapons and troops.

May 11, 2026
Vietnam’s workers power Japan Inc but face AI risks at home
Economy

Vietnam’s workers power Japan Inc but face AI risks at home

Vietnamese have edge in Japanese skills but consultant also warns of visa hurdles, rising costs A Vietnamese technical trainee, left, works with a Japanese colleague at a manufacturing plant in Tobishima, Japan. October 2025. © Kyodo HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnam has become indispensable to Japan's economy but faces long-term threats from artificial intelligence, rising costs and policy bottlenecks, according to Japanese consulting firm ABeam Consulting.

May 11, 2026
Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra released from prison after 8 months
Economy

Thailand’s Thaksin Shinawatra released from prison after 8 months

Former prime minister granted parole, will serve remainder of sentence at home Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, right, greets his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra following his release from a Bangkok prison on May 11. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) BANGKOK -- Former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra was released from prison on Monday after being granted parole last month and will serve the remaining months of his one-year sentence at home.

May 11, 2026
China confirms Trump visit to Beijing, setting up high-stakes summit
Economy

China confirms Trump visit to Beijing, setting up high-stakes summit

US president to arrive on Wednesday evening, stay until Friday U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping at their last meeting in Busan, South Korea, on Oct. 30. They are set to meet again in Beijing this week. © Reuters SHANGHAI/NEW YORK -- China on Monday announced that U.S. President Donald Trump will visit the country from Wednesday to Friday, marking the first such trip by an American leader since he went in 2017 during his first term in office.

May 11, 2026
Croatia aims to be part of India-Europe corridor, prime minister says
Economy

Croatia aims to be part of India-Europe corridor, prime minister says

Plenkovic warns Europe can't go back to Russian fuel despite energy crisis Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said that "transatlantic ties are the backbone of the modern world." (Photo by Natsuki Kaneko) DUBROVNIK, Croatia -- Croatia "wants to be part" of the India-Middle East-Europe economic corridor, with its ports serving as the European Union's entry points for goods coming from the Pacific, Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic told Nikkei Asia during a recent interview.

May 8, 2026
China solar panel maker Jinko to sell majority stake in US unit for $191m
Economy

China solar panel maker Jinko to sell majority stake in US unit for $191m

Private equity firm FH Capital to control 2GW of production capacity at Florida plant Chinese solar and battery companies poured huge sums into setting up American factories to claim Biden-era tax credits. © Reuters NEW YORK -- Major Chinese solar panel manufacturer JinkoSolar Holding has agreed to sell a 75.1% stake in subsidiary Jinko Solar (U.S.) Industries to American private equity firm FH Capital under plans announced Friday.

May 8, 2026
Oil crisis sparks Japanese dash for corporate credit lines
Economy

Oil crisis sparks Japanese dash for corporate credit lines

Bankruptcy risk rises for small businesses hit by supply shock Small and midsize Japanese manufacturers face a grim earnings outlook. (Photo by Kotaro Igarashi) TOKYO -- Japanese companies are securing credit lines at a record pace to avoid bankruptcy as the Iran war drives up prices and disrupts supply chains.

May 8, 2026