AGP Executive Report

Energy & Trade: Kuwait Petroleum Corp. has offered crude directly to Asian refiners for the first time since the 1990-91 Gulf War, a bid to grow market share as exports remain disrupted by the 2026 crisis. Crime & Cybersecurity: The U.S. DOJ says a cross-border crackdown dismantled Southeast Asian scam networks, taking down 1M online accounts and freezing millions in crypto, with dozens arrested. Regional Diplomacy: Marcos Jr. backs stronger ASEAN maritime coordination after leaders adopted a maritime declaration in Cebu, while Bangladesh pushes deeper trade and investment ties with China at Kunming’s expo. Health & Mobility: Vietnam disrupted a suspected transnational online scam hub, and a midwives conference in Portugal reportedly denied visas to key experts from Africa and Asia, risking delays in saving mothers and babies. Business & Innovation: Galatek opens a Penang facility to support Malaysia’s AI manufacturing push, and Total Specific Solutions appoints ex-Trihill executive Alwyn Rusli to build its Asia expansion platform. Culture & Society: Taiwan Film Week brings island stories to Jerusalem, while India’s “Bharat Bhhagya Viddhaata” spotlights nurses’ 26/11 bravery. Markets & Travel: Delta resumes daily nonstop LAX–Hong Kong service, and U.S. stocks surged as oil slid on hopes for Iran de-escalation.

West Asia Energy & Markets: Kuwait Petroleum has offered crude directly to Asian refiners for the first time since the 1990-91 Gulf War, a shift aimed at boosting market share as exports have been disrupted by the conflict. Oil-Price Spillover: Markets cheered hopes of a US-Iran deal after Trump called off a threat to strike Iran, sending oil lower and lifting US stocks to their best day in months. Maritime Security: India lodged a strong protest with the US over “unacceptable” attacks on vessels carrying Indian mariners in the Gulf of Oman, after three Indian deaths. Food & Agriculture: At VICTAM Asia in Bangkok, feed industry players said protein substitution is likely to reshape aquafeed supply over the next year, while energy and raw-material costs are pushing Asian feed mills to upgrade. Aviation & Connectivity: Cambodia Airways took delivery of its first ATR 72-600 to expand regional routes. Education Policy: India’s government told the Supreme Court it is working on a policy for CBSE Class 12 private students in the Gulf whose results were affected by the West Asia conflict. Cybercrime Crackdown: A US-led operation shut down scam networks across Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, arresting 63 people and freezing millions in crypto. Central Asia Economics: The World Bank raised Uzbekistan’s 2026 growth forecast, while EBRD highlighted Tajikistan’s strong investment-led momentum.

Middle East Markets & Energy: Asia rallied as Trump said planned strikes on Iran were cancelled and a deal could be signed soon, pushing oil to two-month lows and easing inflation fears. FX & Equities: The rupee was set to rebound on softer crude, while Asian shares jumped on the same Gulf breakthrough hopes. Singapore Standards: Enterprise Singapore rolled out its Standards and Conformance 2035 roadmap, aiming to help firms compete amid shifting rules and testing needs. Healthcare Access: DKSH struck a distribution partnership with BridgeBio to support regulatory evaluation and potential patient access to an ATTR-CM therapy across Australia, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. Cross-border Crime Crackdown: A US-led operation took down 1 million scam accounts and froze millions in crypto tied to scam compounds in Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar, with dozens arrested. Regional Trade: The China–South Asia Expo opened in Kunming, drawing 2,300+ firms and spotlighting Bangladesh as theme country. Sports & Culture: Malaysia’s Harimau Malaya climbed in FIFA rankings; and Sanam Saeed talked up Pakistan’s Cannes push and tackling online trolling.

Cybercrime Crackdown: The U.S. DOJ says it helped take down 1 million scam-related online accounts and freeze millions in crypto tied to Southeast Asian scam networks, with arrests across Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar and cross-border police cooperation. Regional Security Cooperation: Thailand hosted the OSCE Asia Conference, pushing a broader alliance against digital-age transnational threats and positioning ASEAN as a bridge to OSCE partners. Energy Partnerships: Malaysia is set to sign a long-term hydrocarbons cooperation deal with Turkmenistan on June 19, as it also deepens LNG and energy links with partners including Petronas and JERA. South Asia Diplomacy: Bangladesh’s prime minister is expected to visit China later this month, after a trip to Kuala Lumpur, to boost ties and revive regional cooperation. Tech/Space Industry Pulse: New market outlooks point to fast growth in satellite launch, propulsion, small satellites and space debris services, alongside rising demand for drones and related security gear.

Middle East Shockwaves: Iran–US escalation is driving a surge in Asia-to-US shipping costs, with container freight rates from Shanghai to Los Angeles nearly doubling since the Iran war began, raising inflation worries across the region. Markets: Asian equities opened lower as KOSPI slid 2.2%, Hang Seng fell 1.47% and Nikkei dropped 1.46%, with investors bracing for West Asia-linked earnings and macro risks. Energy Transition: A regional forum argued renewables can shield Asia from oil shocks, noting Asia’s clean-tech manufacturing edge and the scale of solar and wind potential. Security & Defence: Vietnam is reportedly moving to buy Indian BrahMos cruise missiles, reflecting persistent concerns about China’s military buildup despite warmer ties. Tech & Business: Meta’s Business Agent brings AI sales inside WhatsApp/Messenger/Instagram, with Southeast Asia seen as the key testing ground for chat-commerce. Health & Pharma: Everest Medicines secured an exclusive Asia-Pacific license for Sumecigrel, expanding cardiovascular options across the region. Innovation & Talent: NUS and Applied Materials are deepening AI in semiconductor R&D and launching a new postgraduate specialization. Regional Outlook: ADB President Masato Kanda urged institutions to “anchor” the international order amid geopolitical uncertainty and AI disruption. Scam Crackdown: A US-led operation took down 1M+ scam accounts and froze crypto tied to Southeast Asian scam networks, arresting dozens across Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.

AI Investment Pulse: Fidelity says nearly 1 in 5 MSCI Europe firms already earn AI-linked revenue, warning a valuation gap may not last as AI moves from pilots to income. Regional Security & Public Mood: A Pew poll finds Israel’s image worsening sharply across 32 of 36 countries, with the Iran war and Gaza destruction driving anger. Cross-border Crime Crackdown: The US DOJ says it dismantled Southeast Asian scam networks, taking down 1m online accounts and freezing crypto tied to fraud, with arrests across Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Tourism Resilience: Thailand’s TTM+ 2026 in Pattaya draws 429 international buyers and thousands of appointments, led by ASEAN participation. Central Asia Connectivity: Xinjiang’s Altai cooperation platform expands with Kyrgyz and Turkmen participation, while the US holds C5+1 critical minerals talks in Kazakhstan. Business & Infrastructure: Sri Lanka launches WEAIR to boost cargo capacity; Changan hits 20,000th Thailand-built vehicle; Bombardier plans a bigger Seletar MRO footprint. Labour & Skills: ILO and Singapore renew an ASEAN programme focused on AI, platform work and ageing workers. Sports: Nepal women’s cricket is knocked out of ACC T20 Asia Cup qualifying by Thailand.

West Asia Shockwaves: Asian markets slid as Iran–US tensions flared again, pushing oil higher and reviving inflation worries. Regional Security & Diplomacy: Vietnam urged ASEAN to shape new norms at the ASEAN Future Forum, while China–North Korea ties were framed by Beijing as entering a “new historical stage.” Tech & AI Investment: SK Telecom, NTT and Chunghwa Telecom set up a ~$500m AI fund to back startups across the AI stack, and Singapore’s SingPost unveiled a S$30m automated sortation hub plus islandwide “SingPost@MyBlock.” Business & Jobs: Singapore employers expect softer hiring in Q3 2026, and Australia’s Woolworths began consultations that could shift corporate roles offshore. Trade & Industry: Thailand accelerated talks for an EU free-trade deal to cut reliance on the US, while Midea launched a go-global factory support program for overseas manufacturing. Sports & Culture: South Korea kickstarts its World Cup campaign vs Czechia, and Incheon airport beefed up immigration ahead of a BTS concert in Busan.

West Asia Diplomacy: PM Modi spoke with Kuwait’s Amir, urging de-escalation and dialogue as tensions in the region threaten security and energy supplies, while stressing India’s condemnation of attacks on Kuwait’s sovereignty. Cross-border Crime Crackdown: A U.S.-led operation dismantled Southeast Asian scam networks, taking down over 1 million online accounts and freezing millions in crypto; 63 people were arrested across Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar. Education & Wellbeing: Qatar’s University of Doha for Science and Technology won a MENASA NASPA Silver Award for its Student Mental Health Ambassadors program, pairing peer support with counselling services. Business Appointments: Compass Group Canada named Gaétan de L’Hermite CEO for its Canada & ESS North America unit, setting up a leadership transition in the fall. Aviation & Security Markets: New reports project continued growth across aviation maintenance software, air defense systems, and commercial drone demand, with Asia-Pacific flagged as a key growth region. Creative Industry: New York Festivals Advertising Awards announced its 2026 shortlist, led by the U.S. followed by Germany and South Korea.

Indo-Pacific Diplomacy: PM Modi is set for a three-nation Indo-Pacific tour in July, with stops in Indonesia, New Zealand and Australia, aiming to deepen trade, maritime security, energy and defence ties and to reach out to the Indian diaspora. Pacific Development: The East-West Center named Jaimee Neel as Deputy Director of its Pacific Islands Development Program, boosting support for Pacific-led priorities ahead of major regional meetings. Markets & Tech Mood: Asian stocks staged a cautious rebound on June 9 after an AI-driven sell-off, with KOSPI leading gains as oil eased and dip-buying returned. Banking & ESG: UBS cut its Asia ESG staff by about half in a global restructuring, shrinking its sustainability team in the region. Defence Exports: India signed a deal worth about $620m to sell BrahMos missiles to Vietnam, adding to growing Southeast Asian interest in the system. Energy in the Pacific: Pacific leaders are accelerating solar training and deployment as fuel costs and power reliability pressures mount. Public Health: Samoa’s main hospital is rationing key medicines, with Fiji-based shipments only partially covering needs. Environment & Compliance: Guam authorities are investigating banned coral-harming sunscreen imports and plan enforcement actions.

West Asia Energy Shock: Oil and gas disruption tied to the Iran-Israel conflict is again rattling Asia’s markets and household budgets, with analysts pointing to higher crude and knock-on effects for airlines and consumers. Energy Supply Diversification: Amid Hormuz risk, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as an alternative supplier, with Japan receiving its first Azerbaijani cargo since the war began—more symbolic than structural, but strategically important. Data Centres & AI Infrastructure: Digital Realty is launching in Malaysia with plans for about 32 MW of capacity in Cyberjaya, including a 15 MW AI/HPC site, as regional demand for digital infrastructure keeps climbing. Trade & Food Exports: India secured continued EU access for seafood, honey, eggs and animal casings under updated AMR-linked rules beyond September 2026, protecting about $1.59bn in fisheries exports. Jobs & Skills: An ADB study finds digital skills demand is spreading beyond tech roles across Asia-Pacific, with South Korea highest and the Philippines lowest. Business Tech Scaling: A new enterprise survey warns AI investment is stuck on “legacy tech debt,” with many firms unable to scale AI workloads. Education & Community: Fiji’s first all-female solar installation team brought 24/7 power to a remote primary school, aiming to boost women’s pathways into technical trades.

West Asia Escalation: Israel launched multi-city operations against Iran, with Iranian state media reporting blasts in Tehran, Tabriz and Isfahan after Tehran’s fresh barrage toward Israel, as officials warned of possible follow-on incoming fire. Earthquake & Tsunami Risk: A powerful 7.8 quake hit the southern Philippines near Mindanao, triggering tsunami warnings across parts of Asia; videos showed buildings collapsing and residents fleeing, with at least one death reported. Markets & AI Sell-off: Asian stocks slid as US jobs data boosted rate-hike odds; semiconductor and AI-linked shares led losses, with South Korea’s KOSPI dropping sharply and Singapore’s STI falling. Cybersecurity Push (PH): PhilSec returns to Manila on June 30–July 1 with strong government and law-enforcement backing to strengthen cyber resilience across sectors. APAC Business & Tech: Naver and Nvidia plan a gigawatt-scale global AI “factory” project; Omni HR launched Mino, an AI agent for unified HR and payroll data across Asia. Wealth Watch (India): Forbes put Gautam Adani back as Asia’s richest at $89.2bn as Adani Group shares rallied. Sports Safety & Sport: Nine were injured in a shooting near England’s FIFA World Cup base camp in Kansas City; in golf, Nelly Korda won the US Women’s Open for a second straight major.

Indo-Pacific Diplomacy: India and Indonesia held the 8th India-Indonesia Joint Commission Meeting, with Jaishankar and Sugiono reviewing political, defence and security, maritime and shipping links, plus fintech, pharma, fertilisers, critical minerals, tourism and education—signalling deeper Indo-Pacific convergence. Digital Payments: Nepal and India moved closer to making cross-border QR payments work for Nepalis in India after completing internal steps for a mutual legal assistance pact and related financial cooperation. Aviation Outlook: IATA cut its 2026 airline profit forecast to about $23bn, blaming West Asia war disruptions and higher fuel costs, while noting other regions should still post profits. Energy Costs: India’s tyre makers head into FY27 with strong demand but face sharp input cost shocks tied to West Asia-linked crude volatility, rupee weakness and logistics. Business & Wealth: Gautam Adani reclaimed Asia’s richest spot as Adani Group shares rallied, lifting his net worth to about $89.2bn. Culture & Heritage: Hong Kong plans a major Uzbekistan artefacts exhibition by end-2028, while Qatar Foundation’s Lawh Wa Qalam: M.F. Husain Museum earned a TIME “World’s Greatest Places 2026” nod. Sports: Neeraj Chopra’s rivals are rising—World Athletics VP urged “no unnecessary pressure” on him after Rumesh Pathirage’s 92.62m Diamond League win.

Macroeconomy: India’s FY27 GDP growth is seen moderating to around 6.5% as El Nino-linked monsoon risk, higher input costs and West Asia geopolitical costs weigh on exports and consumer prices, even as private consumption and capex keep growth above 6%. Energy & cost of living: India raised LPG cylinder prices by ₹29 (14.2-kg) to ₹942 in Delhi, with fuel retailers still absorbing losses amid crude-linked volatility. AI & digital cooperation: India and Nepal signed a BHASHINI-Kathmandu University pact to advance multilingual AI and language tech within inclusive digital public infrastructure. Public health: Rajasthan reported an Ebola-like case from a Ugandan tourist after tests came back negative; authorities also flagged another isolated fever case from Hyderabad pending lab results. AI regulation watch: A South-east Asia explainer breaks down what’s mandatory vs voluntary in AI governance, including where fines can apply. Sports & culture: Pope Leo XIV said he’ll support the US at the FIFA World Cup; meanwhile, India’s U18 hockey teams won gold (men) and bronze (women) at the Asia Cup.

Education Diplomacy: Bangladesh is pushing an “education diplomacy” push via its foreign ministry to expand scholarships, research links and tech partnerships worldwide. Youth Sports: India’s U-18 hockey teams made headlines in Japan—Ashish Tani Purti’s hat-trick powered the men to a 4-1 Asia Cup title over hosts Japan, while the women secured bronze with a 3-0 win over Korea; PM Modi congratulated both squads. Energy & Industry: Oil India says it has found natural gas in the Andaman Offshore Basin after testing the Sri Vijayapuram-3 well, while India’s consumer affairs ministry moves to standardise edible oil pack sizes to make price comparisons easier. Mobility & Logistics: DHL is testing driverless electric autonomous vehicles with Zelostech in Singapore to automate repetitive internal movements, and Uber launched in Nepal as its 11th Asia-Pacific market. Health Systems: New Zealand rolled out a national rheumatic fever care coordination register to improve follow-up and continuity of treatment.

Ride-hailing Expansion: Uber officially launched in Nepal, its 11th Asia-Pacific market, partnering with Taximandu and rolling out Uber Go/Comfort for four-wheelers plus Uber Bike, with plans to set up a local presence by year-end and test different driver-fee models. Media Freedom: Reporters Without Borders accused Israel’s army and Shin Bet of repeatedly mistreating Palestinian journalists from Gaza, alleging targeted arrests, torture-linked interrogations, and systematic persecution. Health Infrastructure: Iran inaugurated West Asia’s largest cancer treatment center, the new Iran Cancer Institute with 610+ beds and advanced imaging/radiotherapy/chemotherapy facilities. Policy & Inclusion: Cambodia’s Future Forum, with Australia and The Asia Foundation, graduated 28 fellows from its Inclusive Policy Fellowship and launched a capstone on youth-led proposals for governance and equity. Food Trade: THAIFEX–Anuga Asia 2026 in Bangkok drew 94,685 trade visitors from 148 regions, showcasing 9 specialized food and beverage shows and thousands of exhibitors. Finance & Markets: Bitcoin slid near $62,000 as an AI-driven risk trade unwound, while Asia equities and currencies tilted risk-off.

Philippines Health Access Gap: A CEOWorld Magazine Health Care Index analysis says the Philippines has capacity but uneven access, ranking 87th of 110 with a score of 32.55; the study flags weak medicine availability and patchy government readiness across regions. U.S. Pacific Warfare Training: The U.S. Army is integrating 30mm Strykers, mortars and one-way attack drones into battalion-level live-fire drills, underscoring a push for faster target engagement across Indo-Pacific missions. India Growth Push: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman backed the “Reform Express” after FY2025-26 GDP grew 7.7%, with broad-based gains cited in GDP and GVA. Singapore World Cup Watch Parties: Singapore’s People’s Association and SportSG plan free nationwide screenings across 50+ community clubs and sport centres starting June 12, with major matches at The Kallang. AI for Operations: Market Logic Network launched AI Workflow Audits to help firms spot disconnected tools and automation gaps before investing further. Sports & Culture: India’s wrestlers won gold at the Ulaanbaatar Open; Morocco’s Fez Festival opened with a tribute to living artisan crafts.