Business

Türkiye raises power and gas prices by up to 25%

ANKARA: Türkiye has raised electricity and natural gas prices for households and several business categories, with the biggest increases reaching 25% and taking effect on April 4. The Energy Market Regulatory Authority said residential electricity tariffs rose 25%, while prices increased 17.5% for public and private services, 5.8% for industrial users and 24.8% for agricultural…

UAE enters global top 10 exporters in WTO rankings

ABU DHABI: The United Arab Emirates entered the world’s top 10 merchandise exporters in 2025 for the first time, ranking ninth globally after its goods exports rose to $707 billion, according to the latest World Trade Organization trade statistics. The WTO’s main merchandise table also showed the UAE ranked 13th in goods imports at $619…

South Korea food exports rise 4% in first quarter

SEJONG: South Korea’s food exports rose 4.0% from a year earlier in the first quarter, supported by strong overseas demand for ramyeon, snacks, beverages and fresh fruit, according to provisional government data released on April 3. Food exports reached $2.5622 billion in the January to March period, up from $2.4639 billion a year earlier.…

Vietnam exports jump 19.1% in first quarter of 2026

HANOI: Vietnam’s exports rose 19.1% from a year earlier in the first quarter of 2026 to $122.93 billion, according to official data released on April 4, extending a strong start to the year for one of Southeast Asia’s most trade-dependent economies. Imports increased at a faster 27% pace to $126.57 billion, leaving the country with…

China expands digital yuan network with 12 new banks

BEIJING: China’s central bank has added 12 banks to the roster of institutions authorized to operate the digital yuan, widening the reach of the e-CNY and lifting the total number of approved operators to 22. The People’s Bank of China said the newly admitted institutions will connect to the central bank’s digital yuan system…

South Korea FX reserves fall in March on stronger dollar

SEOUL: South Korea’s foreign exchange reserves fell in March as a stronger U.S. dollar reduced the converted value of non-dollar assets and authorities used reserves in operations to ease currency-market strain, central bank data showed on Friday. Official reserves stood at $423.66 billion at the end of March, down $3.97 billion from $427.62 billion…