Japan's exports grew for a third straight month in February demand improved in the U.S., China and the European Union, offering some hope for policymakers seeking to revive growth after weak performance last year.
The dollar fell broadly on Thursday after the U.S. Federal Reserve maintained its interest rate cut projections for the year in the face of upside surprises on inflation, and did not strike a more hawkish tone as some investors had feared.
Malaysia's central bank on Wednesday called for an acceleration of structural reforms to ensure long-term strength, with economic growth set to benefit from a recovery in exports and robust domestic spending this year.
Indonesia's government has proposed to top up investment in state companies by US$3.7 billion (RM17.51 billion) in 2024 and 2025, including for construction companies to finish infrastructure projects, a cabinet minister said on Tuesday.
Asian shares were hesitant on Wednesday on concerns the Federal Reserve could signal a slower path of rate cuts this year, while the yen plumbed a fresh four-month low on expectations that policy in Japan will remain accommodative for a while longer.
The Bank of Japan has made "the appropriate policy decision at the appropriate time", the head of Japan's biggest business lobby said, welcoming Governor Kazuo Ueda's move to hike interest rates for the first time in 17 years.