The future of Vietnam's steel industry remains uncertain as it confronts increasing competition from Chinese imports and a rise in global protectionism.

The recent announcement of a RM200 monthly increase in the minimum wage to RM1,700, effective February 1, 2025, is expected to have significant implications for labour-intensive sectors such as plantation, construction, manufacturing, and rubber gloves. 

Vietnam's National Assembly Standing Committee has reviewed a draft law proposing significant amendments to multiple legal frameworks, including taxation, e-commerce, securities, and public asset management. 

Indonesia's plan to increase its value-added tax from 11% to 12% on January 1, 2024, has triggered widespread backlash from consumers, businesses, and analysts. 

The Thai Commerce Ministry has unveiled a comprehensive plan to combat the rising influx of substandard foreign goods, particularly those sold through e-commerce platforms like Temu and Lazada.