Asia-Pacific exports to rise up to 3.5pc
Merchandise exports in the Asia-Pacific region are expected to grow by up to 3.5percent in 2025 despite a slower recovery in major economies and potential trade tensions, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) reported.
“Significant uncertainties, including slower-than-expected recovery in major economies and potential trade tensions, dampen growth prospects in 2025 compared to 2024 levels,” ESCAP said on Monday.
“Given these risks, ESCAP projects real merchandise exports in the region to grow between 2.7percent and 3.5percent in 2025, with developing economies experiencing more modest growth than developed economies,” it added.
In 2024, real exports in the Asia-Pacific region grew 3.4percent in 2025, outperforming the global export growth rate of 1.8percent.
Meanwhile, the region’s real imports also grew 3.6percent, outpacing the 2.2percent global growth rate.
“Asia and the Pacific outperformed global trade averages in 2024, revealing the region’s resilience and leadership in global trade and investment amidst significant economic uncertainties,” it said.
According to ESCAP, the stronger trade growth in the region could be attributed to regional economic recovery and less subdued consumer spending.
In 2024, intra-regional trade accounted for 60percent of the region’s total exports, which ESCAP said reflects the adjustments of the regional supply chain to geopolitics and structural changes.
Meanwhile, ESCAP projects commercial services exports and imports in the region to grow 8percent and 10.9percent this year, respectively, amid expansion in the travel and digital sectors.
UKBCCI trade mission to Bangladesh aims to strengthen economic contracts
The UK Bangladesh Catalysts of Commerce and Industry (UKBCCI), a prominent organisation representing British-Bangladeshi entrepreneurs, is conducting its trade mission to Bangladesh from 4 to 9 January.
During this period, the delegation is set to engage with leading trade bodies and hold discussions with key advisors to Bangladesh’s interim government, reads a press release.
The mission seeks to enhance trade and investment opportunities in the garment and manufacturing sectors, while promoting innovation and business growth.
UKBCCI has been pivotal in advancing bilateral trade between the UK and Bangladesh and has broadened its scope to include business leaders from other nations.
The 2025 mission focuses on strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new collaborations to reinforce economic ties.
China’s millionaires eye the exit
Five years ago, Jane Meng travelled from her home in Shanghai to Hong Kong to get herself something special for her birthday.
The 31-year-old wealthy owner of an import-export company was not looking for a watch or a designer handbag.
Instead, she came for critical illness insurance.
“I didn’t have faith in the Chinese healthcare system and insurance market being able to provide the care and insurance that I might need later in life,” Meng, who asked not to be referred to by her real name, told Al Jazeera.
“So, I decided to go and open up a bank account in Hong Kong and get the insurance there instead.”
Since then, as Meng’s wealth has grown, she has only expanded her financial dealings outside mainland China.
Asia-Pacific agrivoltaics market analysis
The Asia-Pacific agrivoltaics market is projected to reach $6.00 billion by 2033 from $654.8 million in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 24.80percent during the forecast period 2023-2033. Companies in the APAC agrivoltaics sector can capitalize on this growing opportunity by implementing innovative technologies, forming strategic alliances with farmers and solar energy providers, and leveraging government incentives and renewable energy policies. To capitalize on the growing market, research and development expenditures as well as the construction of a strong production infrastructure are essential.
Businesses can position themselves as leaders in agriculturally specific sustainable energy solutions by putting these strategies into practice. In addition to advancing the region’s renewable energy objectives, this strategy takes into account the changing needs of APAC’s farmers and energy users. Businesses can significantly influence the direction of agrivoltaics while generating economic and environmental advantages for the area by collaborating and innovating.
The market for agrivoltaics in Asia Pacific is expanding significantly due to the need to meet the demands for renewable energy sources and increase agricultural productivity. The integration of solar panels with agricultural practices, or agrivoltaics, offers a creative way to address the region’s land-use issues. This strategy helps APAC nations strike a balance between their commitments to renewable energy and food security by fusing farming and energy generation.
Growing demand for population health tools in Asia-Pacific
The global Population Health Management (PHM) market is poised for extraordinary growth, with its valuation projected to rise from approximately USD 40.0 billion in 2023 to USD 89.3 billion by 2030, at a robust compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.1percent. Among the key drivers of this expansion is the Asia-Pacific region, which is expected to account for 33percent of global PHM market growth by 2030, signaling an unprecedented opportunity for healthcare providers and public health agencies across the region.
Asia-Pacific nations are rapidly embracing digital healthcare transformation to address challenges such as aging populations, the rise of chronic diseases, and disparities in care access driven by urbanization. Governments across the region are actively implementing supportive policies and funding models to accelerate the adoption of PHM tools, paving the way for innovative solutions to optimize care delivery and improve outcomes.
IN 2025 five things to watch in data governance in the Asia-Pacific
2025 will be a year of rapid changes, to which many will have to adjust. Technologically, experts can expect the capabilities and applications of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including generative AI, to continue to rapidly expand into commerce and society.
They also see heightened tensions over technology transfers, industrial policy, and export controls from the United States in the realm of advanced technologies such as semiconductor manufacturing and access to cloud-enabled advanced computing capabilities from sanctioned markets.
Experts will also observe the aftermath of historic elections in 2024, including in India, Indonesia, Japan, and the United States; the impact of the political crisis and Presidential impeachment in South Korea; and national elections in Australia. Two major areas of interest will be the impact of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reduced mandate in the Indian legislature, and the policies of a second Trump administration on trading partners throughout the region.
From a policy perspective, countries will continue to make efforts to address concerns around privacy and consumer protection while grappling with the resilience of their societies — especially their critical infrastructure and government systems — against potential state-backed cyber-attacks. Experts can expect growing calls for industrial policy to promote self-sufficiency and digital sovereignty, but the reality is that countries that engage in a responsible global supply chain will benefit the most.
Companies and organizations, including governments, increasingly will seek the best, most secure, and most cost-effective software-enabled solutions from wherever they are developed or deployed. The need for access to leading foreign-provided services, seamless cross-border data exchange, and the global nature of cloud computing will remain in tension with the protectionist predilections of many countries.
Considering these factors and more, based on my experience engaging with policy makers throughout the Asia-Pacific on data policy for the last 10 years, these are five important regional developments to watch for in digital policy in 2025.
Artificial intelligence will affect Asia’s economies?
Asia-Pacific’s economies are likely to experience labor market shifts because of artificial intelligence, with advanced economies being affected more. About half of all jobs in the region’s advanced economies are exposed to AI, compared to only about a quarter in emerging market and developing economies.
However, as experts show in our latest Asia-Pacific Regional Economic Outlook, there are also more jobs in the region’s advanced economies that can be complemented by AI, meaning that the technology will likely enhance productivity rather than replace these roles altogether.
The concentration of such jobs in Asia’s advanced economies could worsen inequality between countries over time. While about 40 percent of jobs in Singapore are rated as highly complementary to AI, the share is just 3 percent in Laos.
AI could also increase inequality within countries. Most workers at risk of displacement in the Asia-Pacific region work in service, sales, and clerical support roles. Meanwhile, workers who are more likely to benefit from AI typically work in managerial, professional, and technician roles that already tend to be among the better paid professions.
First, effective social safety nets combined with reskilling programs for affected workers will be critical to achieve an inclusive AI transition.
Second, education and training to help the workforce leverage what AI makes possible will be especially relevant in Asia’s emerging economies, given that they have relatively few jobs in which AI could make workers more productive. It will also help displaced workers transition to new roles and support research and development that enhances innovation.
In addition, governments should set regulations that promote ethical AI use and data protection. Doing so can mitigate the risks of AI-induced disruptions and better capitalize on the opportunities for economic growth and improved productivity.
Asia-Pacific trade and investment
Asia and the Pacific outperformed global trade averages in 2024, revealing the region’s resilience and leadership in global trade and investment amidst significant economic uncertainties. The United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) released its Asia-Pacific Trade and Investment Briefs 2024/25 highlighting key trends and forecasts in merchandise and services trade, preferential trade agreements and foreign direct investment.
Real exports and imports in the region grew by 3.4 percent and 3.6 percent, respectively, compared to global growth rates of 1.8 percent and 2.2 percent. The region’s share of global nominal exports and imports rose slightly in 2024 to 38.9 percent and 36.7 percent, reflecting stronger trade growth. Most subregions also saw real-term trade expansion, with South-East Asia (5.8 percent) leading the way. Conversely, the Pacific subregion experienced a slight decline in exports. Intra-regional trade remains significant, comprising nearly 60 percent of the region’s total exports. The ongoing trade reconfiguration reflects regional supply chain adjustments to geopolitics and structural changes. However, significant uncertainties, including slower-than-expected recovery in major economies and potential trade tensions, dampen growth prospects in 2025 compared to 2024 levels. Given these risks, ESCAP projects real merchandise exports in the region to grow between 2.7 percent and 3.5 percent in 2025, with developing economies experiencing a more modest growth than developed economies.
The region’s commercial services trade continued its recovery in 2024, with exports and imports rising by 8.6 percent and 6.2 percent, respectively, outpacing global averages. This was primarily driven by the recovery of travel services, accounting for 20.5 percent of the region’s exports, alongside significant growth in construction, goods-related services and digitally deliverable services.