The Asia Foundation's Go Digital ASEAN initiative has successfully completed its second phase, equipping 215,892 micro, small, and medium-sized companies (MSMEs) throughout Southeast Asia with critical digital skills. In Thailand, approximately 44,000 individuals and small businesses received free training, with 69% reporting increased revenue. The ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs has endorsed the program, which is being executed by The Asia Foundation with support from Google.org, Google's philanthropic arm. Thailand's digital economy was valued at USD 21 billion in 2020 and is antic
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and philanthropist, to discuss a variety of themes, including technology, innovation, and sustainability. The discussion focused on India's vision for the future, accomplishments in critical industries, and the country's commitment to advancing progress. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Modi took to social media platform X to express his opinions, calling the discussion "excellent." He emphasised the significance of teamwork in ensuring a better future for upcoming generations. “As always, an exc
London has presented the 'Growth Plan,' an ambitious economic effort to raise £27 billion in additional tax revenue and revive productivity growth. The strategy, launched by Mayor Sadiq Khan and London & Partners, names India as the city's top FDI source. The strategy anticipates a 2% yearly productivity increase over the next decade, which could boost London's GDP by £107 billion by 2035. Since 2022-23, India has surpassed US as London's largest FDI provider, and this trend is expected to continue in 2023-24. Laura Citron, CEO of London & Partners, emphasised India's growing
According to Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh, India's space economy is expected to grow by over five times to reach USD 44 billion in future. Speaking at the 'Space-Tech for Good Governance' Conclave, organised by the Indian Institute of Democratic Leadership, he emphasised the country's remarkable progress in space technology. According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, organisations such as NSIL and In-SPACe have encouraged collaboration between the government and the business sector, propelling India's space economy to its present USD 8 billion valuation. Dr. Singh emphasi
India is strengthening its economic and diplomatic ties with the United Kingdom, with fresh initiatives aimed at expanding their £41 billion trading agreement. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is in the UK to advance negotiations on trade, investment, and strategic relations. His visit is anticipated to speed up ongoing negotiations and create new prospects for collaboration. As part of this increasing connection, India will establish two new consulates in Belfast and Manchester. This action is intended to boost regional economic involvement, increase investment relations, and prov
In 2024, non-oil trade between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India reached over US$65 billion, a 20.5% rise from US$54 billion in 2023. This increase is due to the ongoing success of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which is now in its third year. India remained the UAE's leading destination for non-oil exports, accounting for 13.5% of total exports. The volume of these exports increased by a startling 75.2% compared to 2023, demonstrating the two countries' growing economic relations. Experts credit CEPA with eliminating trade barriers and lowering tariffs, re
The UAE-based Aqua Bridge Group would spend ₹4,000 crore in Uttar Pradesh's fisheries sector, transforming the industry significantly. This is one of the largest foreign investments in India's aquaculture industry. The initiative's goal is to build an advanced fish farming ecosystem through cutting-edge technology, research, and structured market networks. The UP Industrial Development Authority (UPIDA) will oversee the project, which will be centred in Unnao's Saraiya village and span six districts: Sitapur, Hardoi, Unnao, Ayodhya, Barabanki, and Rae Bareli. Unnao's fish farming cluster
On February 18, Singapore's Minister for Development, Desmond Lee, officially opened the Gemilang Kampong Gelam Festival and Ramadan Bazaar. The occasion demonstrates the government's dedication to both tourism and cultural preservation. The government has taken steps to aid these efforts, such as creating an inter-agency task force and a limited liability business with a guarantee. These actions are intended to preserve Kampong Gelam's cultural heritage while increasing its economy. Kampong Gelam is one of Singapore's oldest districts and has a rich cultural past. It continues to be a
Asia's FinTech business is expanding at an unprecedented rate, with total transaction volumes expected to reach $18.9 trillion by the end of 2025. According to UnaFinancial's most recent data, there has been a 12.6% increase year-on-year, strengthening Asia's supremacy in the global FinTech market. In 2024, the region had FinTech transactions of $16.8 trillion, up $2.1 trillion from the previous year. Asia accounted for 48.2% of the worldwide FinTech sector, worth $34.8 trillion. Digital payments and transfers continued to drive the expansion, accounting for $834 billion of total growth. D
Thailand's tourism potential is being actively promoted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) at the South Asia Travel and Tourism Exchange (SATTE) 2025. The Yashobhoomi-India International Convention and Expo Centre will host the event from February 19–21. It is an important opportunity for Thailand to interact with Indian tourists. TAT celebrates its 16th year of involvement, taking advantage of the chance to highlight Thailand's diverse travel options and rich cultural legacy. Over 35,000 people are anticipated to attend SATTE 2025, India's largest travel and tourism show, includ