Economy · July 2026

Thailand on July 12 outlined plans to boost its artificial intelligence and semiconductor industries, following recognition from the International Monetary Fund for its export performance. The country also retained its World Bank upper-middle-income classification, while a separate analysis highlighted Southeast Asia's next growth cycle being driven by a 'Fabulous Five' economies. New Circle Line MRT stations opened in Singapore. Singapore proposed mandatory notification for companies using personal data for AI training. A nuclear debut in Bangladesh tests the developing world's shift toward atomic energy. Four headwinds threaten Malaysia's market recovery in the second half of the year, while a Malaysia-based, Nasdaq-listed company made an unexpected move from hotpot to a $50 million data center deal.