Commentary: Has Grab hit a turning point in its quest to become profitable?

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Grab’s problem has been to shift from emphasis on extreme subsidies toward a model based on healthy growth and administrative efficiency. Taking the reported measures together, they suggest that Grab’s functional changes are beginning to pay off and consumers are responding effectively to its strategy. &nbsp,

A Dynamic SOUTHEAST ASIA LANDSCAPE

Despite its development, Southeast Asia remains a highly competitive market. In freedom, Grab has successfully fended off low-cost companies like InDrive and Maxim, although the dynamic pressure persists.

In the food supply section, Grab leads in all its industry, with industry promote also being more unified among the second-largest players such as ShopeeFood and LineMan. According to a Momentum Works statement released in February, in Indonesia, ShopeeFood slowly achieved an 18 per cent market share in 2024 and is poised to challenge existing officials.

This information underscores that even in areas where Grab now leads, aggressive dynamics are continuously evolving.

Customer incentives remain important for customer acquisition and retention but is weaken margins if not managed properly. This may require careful measurement of special saving while maintaining a product mix that continues to attract and meet a diverse client base.

Its tiered service offering has allowed Grab to extract incremental value from each customer group by charging according to their willingness to pay. The company reported an increase in users opting for” saver” and “priority” deliveries, the least and most costly delivery fee tiers respectively.

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China, South Korea and Japan agree to strengthen free trade

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SEOUL: China, South Korea and Japan agreed on Sunday ( Mar 30 ) to strengthen free trade, according to a joint statement from their top officials meeting in Seoul.

The conference– the first at that stage in five years– comes after US President Donald Trump has thrown international business into turmoil with a raft of punishing tariffs on a huge range of imports, including cars, trucks, and auto parts.

South Korea and Japan are big automobile manufacturers, while China has also been hit hard by fresh US taxes.

The conference was attended by South Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Ahn Duk-geun, his Chinese rival Yoji Muto, and China’s Wang Wentao.

The three states called for their negotiations for a complete joint free-trade contract to be sped away, and agreed to create” a repetitive trade and investment surroundings”, a statement said.

South Korea Ahn’s said the three countries had answer” cooperatively” to shared global issues.

” Today’s economic and trade culture is marked by increasing separation of the world economy”, he said.

Trump has promised taxes tailored to each trading companion from April 2 to redress procedures he deems cruel.

But he also told investigators last month that there would be “flexibility”, and industry appeared to respond with some relief at the end of last week.

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The Tariffs ‘Laffer Curve’ – Asia Times

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The Tariffs ‘” Laffer Curve”

David Goldman contends that President Trump’s subsequent remarks about easing tariffs show a deliberate effort to balance income technology with economic impact as he examines the changing landscape of US price policy, financial markets, and global technology competition.

Trump skimmers supporters in an effort to pacify Russia and Ukraine.

As a result of discussions in Riyadh, which led to a partial restoration of the grain export package, James Davis assesses US-Russia-Ukraine discussions. The difference between Russian and Ukrainian positions continues to be great despite the reopening of political channels.

China, South Korea, and Japan compete against Trump.

Scott Foster views the current multilateral conference between the foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea as a significant turning point in East Asian politics, driven by shared concerns about rising global fragility and US protectionist plans.

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Axiata appoints telecoms and tech advisor Patrick Forth as board member, strengthening board competence

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  • Now working as a top consultant for Boston Consulting Group.
  • brings knowledge of telecommunications, AI change, and electronic disruption.

Axiata Group Berhad has appointed Patrick Forth ( pic ) as an independent non-executive director, effective immediately.

In a statement, the company said Forth, a respected business leader and strategic adviser, brings extensive expertise in digital disruption, AI-driven transformation, and the telecommunications sector. Now working as a top consultant for Boston Consulting Group., he was formerly a member of BCG’s global leadership team, where he led its Technology, Media and Telecommunications practice.

Forth has provided management, plan, emerging technologies, artificial intelligence, modern change, operational excellence, and market growth advice to leading Firm corporations and rapidly expanding destructive technology companies. His background includes working for top regional and global telecommunication firms.

Forth’s session to Axiata’s board of directors may strengthen the company’s expertise in AI, emerging and destructive technology, and the transition from Telco to TechCo. His global perspective and leadership will be very helpful in guiding Axiata toward achieving success as a merged connectivity team.

Chairman of Axiata Shahril Ridza Ridzuan stated:” Forth’s proven leadership in tech and customer-focused businesses aligns completely with our strategic objectives. His breadth of experience in the field will enhance our table and cement our commitment to creating value, functional excellence, and future-proofing Axiata in the constantly evolving digital landscape. We look forward to his significant efforts and are delighted to have him join the board of directors.

Forth’s thorough knowledge of technology, creativity, and operations will be of great help in our transition from Telco to TechCo, according to Vivek Sood, party CEO and managing director. His deep understanding of the telecoms industry, combined with his skills in AI-driven business versions and destructive technologies, will enhance our position as a leader in our footprints markets.

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Pakistan seeks to boost exports to Gulf states amid efforts to stabilise economy

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” We could accomplish it quite simply by offering very, very affordable loans in the first place. Additionally, asks Aziz if they could lower the coverage level from 2013 to 2018, where it was from 2013 to 2018.

The manufacturers of Pakistan face a second issue in terms of the price of rice. &nbsp,

Industry experts claim that Pakistan produces high-quality, scented corn, but that the Gulf region’s lack of competitive pricing is causing the nation billions of dollars. &nbsp,

They warn that entering Gulf industry will be more difficult under these circumstances, especially with India’s fierce competitors.

EXPORTING MORE THAN RICE

In addition to rice, Pakistan wants to boost exports and strengthen trade ties with the Gulf Cooperation Council ( GCC ) in all fields, including agriculture, information technology, textiles, and energy.

Concerns are raised over its producers ‘ exposure to GCC nations, where neighboring India already has a proven track record and is growing in the area.

According to Ali Salman, creator and executive chairman of Muslim economic think container Prime Institute,” we need to research what are the costs and… the features of the products coming from India and into the GCC countries.”

Consumers are searching for better, less expensive, and more effective materials, he told CNA. &nbsp,

” If we can guarantee that from a private sector standpoint, we can definitely increase the business volume,” Salman said.

ADVANTAGE IS AVAILABLE AT GWADAR PORT

Along the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, Pakistan’s deep sea port, Gwadar interface, provides a way for Gulf industry to Central Asia and gives the nation a tactical advantages over India.

In the wake of the conflicts surrounding the Gaza war&nbsp in the area, worries about potential shipping disruptions are raised by the port’s proximity to the small Strait of Hormuz at the lips of the Persian Gulf.

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Bangladesh marks independence anniversary as long-strained ties with Pakistan improve

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This time, China and Bangladesh will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties. &nbsp,

After taking over control of his nation’s federal in August, Bangladesh’s Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus is making his second bilateral visit to China.

His Special Envoy for International Affairs, Lutfey Siddiqi, confirmed to CNA on Wednesday that Yunus would speak at the Boao Forum for Asia 2025, which will begin on Tuesday and continue until Friday in the southeastern area province of Hainan, as well as solve a series of sessions.

A mountain is planned with Chinese President Xi Jinping, business leaders from Bangladesh, numerous actual and potential investors, according to Siddiqi, who spoke on the sidelines of a Hong Kong-based World Economic Forum conference.

It has a very interesting effect, according to economists who study politics.

ECONOMIC RESULTS

Pakistan’s need to re-establish relations with Bangladesh comes as its own economy struggles, according to experts who believe that both nations can serve as lucrative areas for each other.

Some in India speculated that there might be a bright side to New Delhi as well in the longer run.

India could really benefit from improved relationships, according to Sanjay Kathuria, a visiting senior fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress, a public policy think reservoir in New Delhi.” There could be transport trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh or even shipping,” Kathuria said.

It produces success. It promotes more industry. You may build stronger price chains between the three nations, he continued.

Observers predicted that as Bangladesh and Pakistan attempt to bolster their new agreement, with business, diplomacy, and security cooperation all poised to influence the region’s future.

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Why are India’s private firms not investing despite record profits?

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last 4 days
Nikhil Inamdar

Mumbai, BBC News

Getty A female worker makes a circuit board of Electric extension board at plastic product manufacturers factory in New DelhiGetty

What will it acquire for private companies in India to start investing in building new businesses and businesses?

It has confounded legislators for years. Personal investment in India has decreased since the global financial crisis of 2007, even though the country’s economy experienced world-beating development costs. As a share of GDP, private investment has decreased since the global financial crisis of 2007.

After a protracted hiatus, the purchase rate increased slightly in 2022 and 2023, but most recent data from a reputable rating company indicates that private sector consumption as part of the overall opportunities in India’s business dropped to a decadal low of 33 % this financial year.

According to an analysis from Icra of 4, 500 listed firms and 8, 000 unregistered firms, while the rate of purchases made by listed people slowed, those made by unlisted firms really contracted.

Numerous economists have over the centuries raised similar worries about a decline in personal assets.

Banking tycoon Uday Kotak is among many who’ve raised concerns recently about India’s fading “animal spirits”, urging young business owners who had inherited companies to build new businesses rather than sitting tight and managing their existing wealth.

American non-financial companies were able to generate income of 11 % of their total assets, which supports the idea that corporations aren’t investing as much to make new ones.

So why do American corporate houses decide to do that?

One of the factors that “restricted the potential growth plans of Indian corporate houses” was the poor private consumption in urban areas, a weak trade desire, and a rise in cheap Chinese imports in some sectors, according to Icra’s Chief Rating Officer K Ravichandran in a statement.

According to India’s economic survey earlier this year, “global uncertainties and overcapacity” have kept the secret investment impulse small despite the more instant reasons.

Getty Images A stallholder wearing a skull cap drinking chai in a shop selling prayer mats at Muslim Meena Bazar, in Old Delhi, India. Getty Images

Slowing secret assets have a strong impact on India’s prospects for growth.

Investments by businesses in goods like businesses, machinery, or construction, also known as net set capital formation, account for about 30 % of GDP and are its second-largest contributor after private consumption.

India’s full-year GDP is anticipated to close at 6.5 %, which is significantly lower than the previous year’s 9.2 %. Consumption has slowed down rise, which has caused it to decline.

Kick-starting private funding will be essential for India to reach its long-term growth target, according to authorities, as exports are all the key drivers of growth are slowing down and US President Donald Trump’s tariffs are exacerbating world uncertainties.

In order to achieve its high-income status ambitions by 2047, India will need to increase by 7.8 % on average over the next 22 years, according to the most recent World Bank projections.

The bank recommends increasing private and public investment to at least 40 % of GDP from the current 33 % level. The key to this would be to increase this.

The government’s spending has significantly increased, particularly in the area of infrastructure. Additionally, it reduced corporate tax rates from 30 % to 22 %, and provided manufacturers with billions of dollars in production-linked subsidies over the years. Bank credit is no longer a constraint, and regulation has decreased, with regulations shrinking from 2003 to 2020.

Getty The image shows two men wearing protective head gear in an underground under-construction tunnel of the Mumbai Metro Line 3 near the Siddhivinayak station, Mumbai. Getty

None of this has, however, encouraged corporate India to increase spending.

According to Sajjid Chinoy, JP Morgan India’s Chief Economist, the big problem is the lack of demand in the economy to justify putting up additional capacities.

India’s post-pandemic recovery has been uneven, with the consumer class not expanding quickly enough. Demand for goods and services has thus been hit, with spending capacity further curtailed by a fall in wages, even though corporate profitability has soared to a 15-year high this year.

Financial stability does not automatically mean that businesses will invest, according to the statement. Companies will only make investments if they anticipate profitable outcomes, according to Chinoy at a conference in Mumbai earlier this year.

Rathin Roy, a former Economic Advisory Council ( PMEAC ) member, points to other more fundamental structural issues that are stifling investment appetite.

” Entrepreneurs have been lacked the drive to produce goods that could create new demand.” Construction is a classic illustration of this, according to Roy, who noted that there is unreachable inventory in urban areas but that builders are unable to enter tier two and tier three towns and access newer markets.

He added that he concurred with Mr. Kotak’s opinions regarding the growing trend of business heirs becoming wealth managers rather than starting new businesses.

” Business houses discovered during Covid-19 that they don’t need to conduct business to earn money. They can simply invest and grow it without creating anything new, according to Roy. And these investments don’t just occur on the domestic stock market. He continued,” A lot of money is just flowing out of India and chasing returns elsewhere.”

However, Icra believes that things may be turning around.

According to the report, the federal budget’s proposed interest rate cuts and a$ 12 billion income tax relief for individuals “augurs well for supporting domestic consumption demand.”

More private companies have indicated an intention to invest this year than last year, according to India’s central bank, but how much of that intention actually manifests in the amount of money being expended remains to be seen.

Icra believes any anticipated increase in investment could be delayed by the uncertainties posed by global trade tariffs.

Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook.

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Japan breaks with Trump in a South African embrace – Asia Times

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Last year, South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile met with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi, and various government and private sector officials in Tokyo.

Their discussions were intended to promote bilateral trade, expense, and cooperation, strengthening a relationship that does help Japan offset some of US President Donald Trump’s tariffs and give South Africa some breathing room following Trump’s most recent decision to halt financial aid to the nation.

Minister of Trade, Industry, and Competition Parks Tau, Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen, Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Thandi Moraka, Deputy Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovation Nomalungelo Gina, Minister of Higher Education Nobuhle Nkabane, and Minister of Game, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie were all present in Mashatile’s group.

Members of the South African delegation met with representatives from the Association of the African Economy and Development in Japan Committee ( AFRECO ), the Japan Business Federation ( Keidanren ), the Japan External Trade Organization ( JETRO ), the Japan International Cooperation Agency ( JICA ), and the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security ( JOGMEC ).

Japan is one of South Africa’s larger trading and investment colleagues, and it ranks sixth on the list of countries where West African products can trade. Additionally, Tokyo provides the African nation with significant amounts of overseas development assistance ( ODA ) and foreign direct investment ( FDI).

According to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, South Africa’s exports to Japan totaled 790.9 billion yen ($ 5.3 billion ), while its imports totaled 288.5 billion yen ($ 1.9 billion ). Japan accounted for 5.2 % of South Africa’s total exports, followed by China ( including Hong Kong ) for 13.8 % and the US for 8.3 %.

In 2024, 31 % of South Africa’s exports went to other African nations, 25 % to Europe, 9 % to North America, and 2 % to other regions, for reference.

Source: worldstopexports .com

South Africa imports technology, electric, visual, medical equipment, medicine, iron and steel, gold, silver, various metals, ores, and agricultural products from Japan, as well as other metals and ores.

With 273 businesses operating in the country, Japan is a major investment in the South African economy, according to Deputy President Mashatile in his presentation speech at United Nations University in Tokyo on March 18. This provides over 200, 000 local job opportunities for some South Africans.

Toyota, Toyota’s party trading partner Toyota Tsusho, Sumitomo Corporation, Fujitsu, NEC and Fujitsu, machine manufacturer Fanuc, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Fujifilm, a company that specializes in digital cameras, visual artists, and medical imaging, are just a few examples.

In Durban, Toyota South Africa Motors builds rider and truck vehicles. From its bases in Durban and Pretoria, Toyota Tsusho Africa provides logistics, material processing, parts assembly, and materials and parts purchasing to the South American auto industry.

Mashatile remarked to the audience that” the two nations improved their relationships in 2010 to a strategic cooperation partnership,” with particular strong relationships “in the areas of trade and investment, science and technology, and support for education and skills creation.”

The total amount of Japan’s ODA loans, grants, and technical assistance to South Africa is estimated to be worth 47 billion yen ($ 350 million at the time ). This is according to data from the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s 2022 ( the most recent available ).

Global Trade Portal also has data for 2022, which places Japan 9th in total FDI to South Africa at$ 3 billion, far behind former colonial powers the Netherlands and the UK ($ 63.7 billion ), which account for about a quarter of the investments made by Belgium and the US ($ 11.8 billion ), and about half the amount for China ($ 5.9 billion ). However, Japanese investment in South Africa has increased significantly since then: according to Statista and JETRO data, it is currently worth about$ 5 billion.

The Trump government’s proposed steel and aluminum taxes would have an impact on both South Africa and Japan. According to Busisiwe Mavuso, CEO of the business organization Business Leadership SA ( BLSA ),” steel and aluminum account for about 8.5 % of what we export to the US, &nbsp, so the 25 % tariff will put pressure on those volumes.”

In response to what his administration says are human rights violations against the majority light Afrikaners and their allies in its foreign policy stance regarding Israel, the Palestinians, and Iran, Trump has also cancelled US financial support to South Africa. The US has even expressed its disapproval of South Africa’s close ties with Russia and China.

Four Republican lawmakers wrote to Trump in February pleading for more severe action, saying:” We urge you to withdraw South Africa’s taste benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act [AGOA]; we also advise that you think about suspending diplomatic relationships unless that state is willing to engage constructively with our own.”

In this context, Mavuso of BLSA points out that” The deal balance favors SA and supports many jobs, particularly through great value-added manufactured products.” Our respected private sectors have close ties to over 600 American businesses operating in this country. However, we must also maintain our wider global relations in perception, which include many of our rapidly expanding industry, which offer opportunities for our businesses.

Deputy President Mashatile stated at the Foreign Correspondents ‘ Club of Japan on March 19 that” we are focusing on stabilizing our relationship with the United States of America,” but that the state is even working to expand its imports, mentioning Japan, China, Russia, Europe, and the Africa Free Trade Area in this regard. Mashatile questioned how tiny nations could handle the US, citing self-reliance.

According to him, the removal of US economic assistance results in an 8 billion rand ($ 437 million ) shortfall in the budget for TB and HIV healthcare programs, which have a particularly severe impact on the rural poor. That is reasonable, yet. The expenditure is being revised, and other nations are also offering help. For more than 20 times, JICA has been making a difference in Africa through the identification, prevention, and treatment of HIV and TB.

Akihiko Tanaka and Mashatile discussed a range of topics at their two-day meeting, including participation in science and technology research, and solar power. Tanaka expressed his hope that South Africa would take its traditional leadership position during the upcoming August 9th Tokyo International Conference on African Development ( TICAD ).

Since 1993, the Asian government has been organizing the TICAD meeting that is hosted by the UN, the World Bank, and the African Union Commission.

Mashatile concluded by saying that” this trip for us was really successful” and that frank discussions of issues affecting West African buyers, such as the security and stability of the power source, were on hand. Given the criticisms made against South Africa in the US, he said it was good to be able to speak directly.

According to Mashatile,” South Africa and Africa have a trusted and reputable ally in Japan,” the company plans to have a “huge impact” in the coming years as more Chinese companies come to South Africa to produce goods, improve the energy grid, and employ and train native workers.

He added that “protectionism is not going to help anybody,” and that tariffs must be reasonable and not in the way of sustainable development.

Follow this writer on&nbsp, X: @ScottFo83517667

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