The Brief: Asia's economy, 21 October 2026
What moved across Asia overnight: 13 stories on economies, markets, banking and industry, read in five minutes.
Economies
India's EPFO Offers ₹15,000 Incentive for First-Time Workers: The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) aims to formalise employment, offering up to ₹15,000 to eligible new entrants to the Employees’ Provident Fund system.
Markets
Indian Stocks Gain: Choice Broking Sees Nifty, Bank Nifty Bias Improve: India's key equity indices, the Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex, posted their second consecutive weekly rise, with Choice Broking's Sumeet Bagadia noting an improved market bias and buying interest at lower levels.
Singapore drives Southeast Asia fintech funding, trebles to US$2.3bn: Singapore captured 83 per cent of the capital in 9M 2026, while the number of funding rounds fell sharply, Tracxn reported.
US Futures Rise on Chipmaker Gains; China Signals Rate Shift: US stock futures advanced in early Tuesday trading, extending a rebound led by chipmakers that helped the Nasdaq 100 recover from its worst week since April 2025.
Banking & Fintech
KPay secures MAS Major Payment Institution licence: KPay Merchant Service (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. received a Major Payment Institution licence from MAS, allowing it to offer merchant acquisition and money transfers for over 10,000 local businesses.
Industries
Vietnam FDI registered capital hits record $50.36 billion: Disbursed foreign direct investment also reached a five-year high of $21.07 billion in the first nine months of 2026, with full-year registered capital projected to exceed $60 billion.
China Q3 GDP lifts AI hardware exporters; Shengyi, Foxconn in focus: China's 4.5% Q3 economic expansion boosts export demand for industrial equipment and AI hardware, highlighting key manufacturers like ASMPT and Foxconn Industrial Internet.
Vietnam semiconductor exports surge, boosting logistics demand: A FedEx and Frost & Sullivan report reveals Vietnam's semiconductor exports grew 31.8% annually from 2006–2025, reaching US$32.4 billion in 2023, driven by AI and EV demand.
EQT acquires Cleanaway Waste Management for A$9.3 billion: Global private equity firm EQT will purchase all shares in the ASX-listed waste management company, offering A$3.095 cash per share for the Australian firm.
Thailand's $4.4bn Luxury Market Shifts to Trendsetter Role: The country's luxury retail sector, valued at US$4.4 billion, is projected to expand by around 5% annually through 2028, with Bangkok emerging as a global trendsetter.
Keppel REIT acquires 51% of Keppel South Central for $626.2m: The acquisition from sponsor Keppel Limited includes a five-year income support arrangement, contributing to an initial property yield of 4.3%.
Daniel Wu launches Arox furniture, expands China business interests: The US-born Hong Kong actor and filmmaker, 52, has diversified his ventures in China, including an English language course and a coffee brand.
Singapore Office Rents Climb 2% in Q3 as AI Demand Tightens Vacancy: Core Central Business District Grade A vacancy fell to 2.6% in the third quarter, with full-year rental growth forecast to exceed 5%.
Each item above was reported and checked separately; this brief collects the overnight session in one place. Follow any headline through for the figures and the source they came from. The Week Ahead maps the week's data and central-bank dates every Sunday.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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