Hong Kong has climbed to second place in the global competitiveness ranking, its highest position in seven years, trailing only Singapore. The report by the IMD highlights sustained performance across government efficiency, infrastructure, economic performance, and business efficiency, reinforcing Asia's dominance at the top.
South Korea climbed six spots to 21st in global competitiveness in the 2026 IMD report, driven by gains in business efficiency and infrastructure. The nation also secured second place among major economies for countries with GDP per capita over $30,000.
A An, a high-tech rice company, has listed on the HoSE with a market capitalization of 650 billion VND. The company aims to expand internationally, targeting markets like Japan and Europe, and plans to reach 2.5 million tons of finished rice by 2030.
Russia has successfully completed the first test launch of its new Soyuz-5 rocket from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. The vehicle is designed to increase payload capacity and reduce costs, representing a major modernization effort for the Russian space program.
Samsung Electronics is reportedly considering a significant restructuring of its China operations, potentially exiting segments like home appliances and displays to focus on core businesses such as smartphones and semiconductors, amid growing speculation about its strategic direction.
