Japan's exports rose for the first time in five months in September due to a boost from a weak yen, although US shipments continued to fall despite lower US tariffs on Japanese autos that took effect in the month.

India and the US are nearing a trade deal that could lower tariffs on Indian exports to 15%–16% from about 50%, the Mint newspaper reported, citing three unidentified people aware of the matter.

Oil prices pushed higher for a second day on Wednesday by more than 1%, buoyed by sanctions-related supply risk and hope of a US-China trade deal, while investors also digested news of the US seeking oil for delivery to its strategic reserves.

DBS Group Research on Wednesday said it expects Singapore's gross domestic product (GDP) to double by 2040, with the state's benchmark Straits Times Index nearing 10,000 and the Singapore dollar reaching parity with the US dollar.

Waiting times for commodity vessels queued off China’s ports increased to the lengthiest this year, as geopolitical sparring between Beijing and Washington disrupts global trade.

Malaysia’s September inflation picked up, coming in a tad above expectations, driven by bigger increases in retail prices of personal care and food, official data out on Wednesday showed.