Business & Trade

Rising Temperatures Threaten Global Food Security, Poorer Nations Hit Hardest

Food Security Sharya Christiana -
According to a new analysis, the world's food systems are currently facing an increasing crisis as global temperatures continue...

From Office Block to Boutique Hotel: The Assembly Place’s Strategic Bet on 163 Tras Street

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
The Assembly Place Holdings has taken another significant step in Singapore's hotel market after obtaining an interest in 163...
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Is the Commonwealth the Next Global Trade Superpower? Intra-Bloc Trade Set to Pass $1 Trillion

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The Commonwealth of Nations is increasingly positioning itself as one of the most powerful global trade networks. Leaders and...

Strait of Hormuz Disruptions Drive Oil Shock: Is the World Facing Inflation, Not a Supply Chain Collapse?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The escalating conflict in Iran, involving US and Israeli strikes on Iranian facilities, has triggered the largest oil market...

How the U.S.–Iran War, Oil Market Turmoil, and Trump Tariffs Are Reshaping Global Trade

Business Roshan Abayasekara -
Blank Rome (BR)’s monthly digital newsletter highlights international trade, cross-border investments, and geopolitical risk issues that impact businesses domestically...

Iran Crisis Sparks Global Food Price Surge: Experts Warn of Rising Grocery Costs

Food Security Sharya Christiana -
The conflict that is taking place in the Middle East has been hastily increasing and escalating, which has made...

The House Built for an Architect’s Own Dreams — Now One of Brighton’s Most Intriguing Homes for Sale

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
An architect's home can reveal a manifesto of brave, obstinate and very particular ideas that compel attention. That is...

How Will US Tariffs Affect Global Trade, Energy Markets, and Emerging Economies?

Business Roshan Abayasekara -
The global tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump were expected to take effect this week. This is a...

Women Farmers Central to Global Food Security at UN International Women’s Day 2026

Food Security Sharya Christiana -
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), together with the World Food...

Trade & Trade Shifts Reshape Tech

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Global trade dynamics have become a defining factor for companies in technology as they navigate through an increasingly fragmented...

Dubai’s Web3Interactive Brings Immersive VR Sales Revolution to Sri Lanka’s Real Estate Market

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
Dubai PropTech is leading the way for Sri Lanka to organise their rebuilt real estate opportunities as an experimental...

How Are Ownership and Control Rules Being Applied Under the UK’s Russia Sanctions Regime?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
There was a rapid expansion of UK, EU, and U.S. sanctions on Russia and Belarus in recent weeks that...

Gas soars whilst oil jumps, with the Iran war pushing down global stock markets

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
QatarEnergy says it has halted production of liquefied natural gas. This is after attacks on Ras Laffan and Mesaieed...

2040 on the Brink: Why No Nation Is Safe from the Coming Food Security Crisis

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
Projections about future food insecurity have been focusing mainly on regions that have already been struggling with poverty, drought,...

Global Economic Briefing – 26 February 2026

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Nvidia smashed Q4 estimates with USD 68.1 billion in revenue. This was followed by a USD 78 billion Q1...

Logistics Special Report – 8 SCM Software Trends to Monitor in 2026

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Software platforms continue expanding their operational footprints. This is happening while Supply Chain Management (SCM) shapes response speed, execution,...

Trump Threatens Harsher Tariffs Amid Confusion in the UK and the EU

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Markets slid after the EU halted ratification of a U.S. trade deal, as businesses prepared for a new 15%...

Sri Lanka’s exports kick off 2026 with the highest January earnings in a decade

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Sri Lanka’s export sector has kicked off 2026 with the highest January earnings recorded in a decade, generating over...

Germany tests fuel-cell logistics mobility with hydrogen-powered truck

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
A Daimler Truck fuel-cell vehicle — the Mercedes-Benz GenH₂ Truck — was tested in day-and-night regular logistics shifts, spaced...

U.S.–Germany Trade Falls 5% While China Surges: A Turning Point in Global Economic Power?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. This meeting moves with goods worth USD...

From Adland to Waterfront Millions: John Singleton’s Boldest Property Gamble Yet

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
Inspired by his past experiences, John Singleton has created a bold new project, Harrison Bay. It is an apartment...

Are Global Supply Chains Entering a Permanent Era of Volatility? Insights from the World Economic Forum Report

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The report from the World Economic Forum finds that structural disruption is compelling a rethink of investment strategies. This...

Australian Share Market Surges 1.7%: CBA Earnings Shine, CSL CEO Exit Sparks Sell-Off

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The Australian share market has finished strongly after the first bid day of reporting season. This is excellent earnings...

India’s Aerospace Ecosystem Expands as Tata and Airbus Inaugurate Helicopter Assembly Line

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL) inaugurated India’s first private-sector helicopter’s final assembly line for the Airbus H125 at Vemagal,...

Why U.S. Port Volumes Are Shifting in February, According to ITS Logistics

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
ITS Logistics is one of North America's fastest-growing third-party logistics providers. It had released its February forecast in the...

Rolls-Royce Bets Big on India: Why a Bengaluru Hub Signals a Shift from Manufacturing to Global Engineering Leadership

Business Asanga Divulweva -
A major global engineering company's establishment of new operations in India involves more than just the ceremonial ribbon-cutting to...

2026 Supply Chain Trends: Can Higher Rates Offset Declining Freight Shipments?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The Cass Freight Index (CFI) measures overall North American freight volumes and expenditures. CFI reported that shipment counts declined...

Singapore Property Bounce: January Sales Surge Driven by Just Two Projects

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
Singapore’s local housing market has returned from its December slump to show strong January sales; however, this strength does...

Global Organic Market Reaches Record €145 Billion in Sales

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
The global organic food and drink market has reached unprecedented levels, with sales climbing to €145.0 billion in 2024,...

Is 2026 Reshaping Global Supply Chains Through AI, Drones and Capacity Crunches?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Technology policy, fulfilment models, and capacity challenges drove key supply chain developments during January. Qatar and the United Arab Emirates...

Organic Food Market Booms in 2026 as Consumers Prioritize Quality and Sustainability

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
Currently experiencing the strongest growth in the organic food market in about two decades, the United Kingdom has started...

Are Logistics Failures Becoming the Biggest Hidden Risk to Global Business?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Global trade enters a period of volatility that is no longer episodic but embedded. DP World’s latest analysis underscores...

How Project Vault, Lilly’s Expansion, and the U.S.–India Agreement Signal a New Logistics Era

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
During the relevant period being reviewed, the global trade landscape takes center stage as a landmark U.S.–India agreement promises...

The most promising markets for anticipated explosive real estate growth in 2026

Real Estate Roshan Abayasekara -
South Korea is the latest country to join the race to firmly establish itself as one of the most...

India’s Tariff Win Sparks Rally — Why Analysts Say It’s Not a Buy Signal Yet

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The recent U.S.-India trade deal may have dispelled concerns about the undervalued Indian rupee. The deal was probably enough...

A K-Shaped Future for Bengaluru Housing? AI, Dollars and a Market at a Crossroads

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
When Dario Amodei (CEO of Anthropic) brought the idea up to a world audience forum that within months, AI...

Malawi Strengthens Agriculture Trade Capacity Ahead of WTO MC14 Negotiations

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
As one observes, it could be easily identified that agriculture remains as the heart for Malawi's economy as well...

India-U.S. Trade Deal Shock: Trump Says Tariffs Cut After Modi Oil Concession — But What’s Really Agreed?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The U.S. president says that a deal was reached with India after Modi agreed to stop purchasing Russian oil,...

Why Are Global Shipping Rates Surging — And Will Consumers Pay the Price in 2026?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The industry body, the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), warns of "cracks" in the global supply chain...

India’s Crude Import Pattern Shifts in January 2026, Data Indicates

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Russian crude remains part of the mix for India’s crude oil sourcing needs. However, Russian crude volumes have decreased...

South Australia Tests a New Housing Playbook: Can Infrastructure Funding Unlock First-Home Dreams?

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
The Federal Government is trialling a new scheme in South Australia to assist individuals purchasing their first house. This...

India’s Digital Growth Surge: How Hornbill Capital Is Targeting High-Conviction Alpha

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The asset management landscape in India is evolving, becoming more segmented and sophisticated. Investors are increasingly building core exposure...

Flooding in Mozambique Further Deepens Food Insecurity and Humanitarian Crisis

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
Mozambique is, at present, facing a very deep humanitarian crisis, as heavy rains and continued flooding across the country...

From Support Function to Growth Engine: How AI, Infrastructure and New Markets Are Redefining Logistics

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The Global Trade Observatory Annual Outlook Report 2026 highlights a shift in thinking among 3,500 supply chain and logistics...

Will Duty-Free Access to Australia Transform India’s Export Strategy?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
India’s exports to Australia grew by 8% during the 2024-’25 period. This helped improve India’s overall trade balance with...

Can the India–EU Trade Pact Reshape Global Supply Chains Amid Rising Tariffs?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The US administration's tariff offensive spurred the conclusion of a long-discussed pact to open markets. On Tuesday, India and the...

Why Goldman Sachs Expects Gold at $5,400 in 2026 Despite $5,000 Resistance

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Gold surged 65% during the last year of 2025 while recording 12% during the first three weeks of 2026....

Britain’s Retail Revival: Why Investors Are Looking Past the Headlines

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
Previously, the retail property sector was considered a crucial indicator of the retail industry's future trends. The outlook for...

India’s USD 1.3 Trillion Export Ambition Tests a New Manufacturing Strategy After Past Failures

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
India prioritises 15 sectors, including semiconductors and labour-intensive ones. Nearly USD 1 billion will be invested in manufacturing hubs to...

Will Policy Uncertainty, Tariffs and Rising Costs Reshape Global Logistics in 2026?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
More than half of supply chain executives expect policy uncertainty to remain high during 2026. This is mainly due...

UK–India Trade Deal Promises Record Growth for UK Firms—MPs Call for Strong Delivery Plan

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Intended 40% cuts to UK export support staff may risk undermining the delivery of the UK-India trade deal. The Business...

$24.6bn Gas Industrial Park Puts Nigeria at Centre of China’s Belt and Road Energy Push in Africa

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
During 2025, Nigeria emerged as the largest single beneficiary of China’s Belt & Road Initiative (BRI). The Ogidigben Gas...

India’s Economy in 2026: Strong Domestic Demand to Power Growth Despite Global Uncertainty

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
2026 will be the year of resilience for India. This is expected to be mainly in domestic demand. In...

2026 Global Supply Chain Shake-Up: Key Trade Agreements and Policy Changes Businesses Must Know

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The start of 2026 brings a series of significant legal and policy developments that are reshaping global supply chains...

Singapore Property Awakens: A January Rally That Has Investors Looking Twice

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
After years of dormancy, the property market of Singapore has become very popular among investors. This January, Singapore's real...

Gold Smashes Records as Investors Flee Uncertainty – $5,000 an Ounce Possible

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
Gold prices started 2026 on a strong note, as one could see. Gold, reaching record highs, gave the possibility...

Dalal Street Records Worst Start to 2026 in a Decade, But Long-Term Outlook Remains Positive

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
New Delhi, January 14, 2026 — India's stock markets began the year with trepidation, registering one of the weakest...

India Automobile Sales 2025: SUVs, Commercial Vehicles and Tractors Lead Robust Year-End Surge

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The calendar year 2025 witnessed the Indian automobile industry's performance wrapping up on a strong footing. Most major manufacturers...

No More Recovery Windows: How India’s Logistics System Is Being Reengineered for 2026

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The next phase of logistics network design is not merely about handling occasional surges. It is more about sustained...

Indian Shares Edge Higher as Investor Confidence Slowly Returns

Business & Trade Sharya Christiana -
Mumbai—Indian equity markets showed unconfirmed signs of stabilization on January 12, 2026, as benchmark indices stopped falling after a...

March 31 Is a Date, not a Deadline: Why Smart Home-Loan Borrowers Pause, Calculate, and Keep Their Cash

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
With the end of the fiscal year approaching, Indian homeowners inevitably face the question: Is it in your best...

700 million Women Remain Unbanked Globally Despite Gains in Financial Inclusion, World Bank Finds

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Account ownership among women in both low- & middle-income economies (LMICs) increased to 73% in 2024, up 7 percentage...

Debanking: More Financial Exclusion?

Business & Trade Dr. Anshul Gupta (Director- Realis Finance) -
Debanking is the practice whereby banks close accounts or refuse to provide financial services to individuals or businesses, often...

Mirvac’s Silent Rerate: The Subtle Shift Repricing Australia’s Property Future

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
A change in the property market in Australia is seen by the categorisation of Mirvac, which has always been...

Can Smart Meters and Canadian Funding Make Belize’s Power Grid Climate-Resilient?

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB), with the Canadian Government, marked a key historical achievement in Belize. This coincided with...

Historic Aid Reduction Ahead: UK Set to Cut Billions from Overseas Spending in 2026

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
British overseas spending is set to fall to the lowest level this century.   The UK’s overseas aid spending is forecast...

Retail After 2025: Fewer Stores, Harder Choices

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
By the end of 2025, it had become clear that something fundamental had shifted in retail. Familiar names that...

Digital Banking in Commonwealth Union

Business & Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Digital banking provides banking services using the internet and mobile technology. These banking services include management of accounts, fund...

Suspected Somali pirates board tanker in renewed escalation since 2024

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Maritime security sources said that a Malta-flagged products tanker, moving off the Somalian coastline, was boarded by pirates on...

Insider Buying Lifts Nike as Markets Read Between the Lines

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Nike's stock price was given quite a fillip towards the end of the year as a result of an...

Beyond Cost Arbitrage: The Forces Quietly Turning Hyderabad into a Global Property Magnet

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
Hyderabad is moving beyond its previous status as a low-cost provider of IT services and is opening up new...

Port congestion concerns shippers

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Analysts are focusing on small increases in congestion at key regional ports around the globe, with concerned interest as...

Markets Close in on Christmas with Futures Under Mild Pressure

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
The world’s financial markets closed the Christmas Eve trading sessions in a familiar pattern of merriment and cautious positioning,...

India and New Zealand finalise a free trade agreement, eyeing growth as global uncertainties continue

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
India & New Zealand announced on Monday, 22 December 2025, that they have reached a free trade agreement between...

From Scale to Staying Power: Why India Is Emerging as Asia-Pacific’s Most Resilient Real-Estate Bet

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
As other areas of Asia and the Asia-Pacific region struggle with their economies and markets, India's real estate is...

Why IMEA Trade Remains Resilient in 2025 Despite Geopolitical and Regulatory Pressures

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The trade momentum that developed across India, the Middle East, and Africa (IMEA) continued to build during December 2025....

NRIs Eye India: Currency Surge Makes Real Estate More Affordable Than Ever

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
The Indian rupee's value is currently hovering around ₹90 to the dollar, and this trend is good news for...

Starlink to Stock Market: SpaceX Eyes One of History’s Biggest Listings

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Elon Musk's SpaceX is arguably one of the most-watched private companies in the world, and it seems to be...

Is the Mediterranean Entering a New Port Era? Piraeus’s Resilience and Cyprus’s Rapid Shipping Growth

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Greece’s Piraeus ranks itself as the 5th largest container port, holding that position despite the severe disruptions caused by...

Could the Resumption of Suez Transits Signal a Broader Shift in Global Shipping Routes?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
French liner CMA CGM announced that they intend to resume journeys through the shorter Red Sea after Yemeni Houthi...

The EU & G7 weigh a ban on maritime services for Russian oil exports

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The Group of 7 countries and the European Union are currently in talks to replace a price cap on...

How Will IndiGo’s Pilot Rest Exemption Shape the Future of Aviation Safety in India?

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Global pilot unions have raised serious safety concerns after India's aviation regulator granted a one-time exemption to IndiGo, the...

Netflix Just Bought a Century of Dreams—What Happens Next?

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
The acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery's studios and streaming assets by Netflix for close to $82.7 billion signals a...

Could Ukraine’s Expanding Drone Attacks Push War Risk Insurance Beyond the Black Sea?

Maritime and Trade Asanga Divulweva -
The cost of war risk insurance for ships sailing through the Black Sea has reflected an increase from about...

From Hinterland to Hotspot: How Nagpur’s Quiet Infrastructure Boom Is Rewriting India’s Real-Estate Map

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
The growth in property markets within Nagpur is not simply due to one "blockbuster" project; rather, it is the...

Can Crypto Still Catch a Santa Rally?

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
With December in full swing, the "Santa Claus rally" has again been bandied about in cryptocurrency markets, but the...

Climate Change Isn’t Tomorrow’s Problem — It’s Today’s Financial Crisis

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Global warming is no longer just an environmental concern; it is fast becoming a financial one. A report released...

Real Estate and Airlines Embrace Digital Assets

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Recent moves by Dubai in collaboration with Crypto.com and other partners have shown just how seriously the emirate is...

Is the Shipping World Ready for the Market Shock Coming With a 2026 Return to the Red Sea?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Major shipping companies are expected to return to Red Sea sailings from 2026. A key issue to watch in container...

Will AI Investment Trigger Inflationary Pressures?

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
The global rush to build artificial-intelligence infrastructure is now triggering a serious constriction in supply chains, this time around...

Investors Look Past Volatility, Turning Back to Blockchain

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
As global markets stabilise following recent turbulence, recovery brings renewed interest in alternative assets, including blockchain-based instruments and cryptocurrencies,...

6,000 Jobs on the Line as HP Accelerates Its AI Overhaul

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Is this what the future of work looks like? HP Inc. has announced it intends to lay off 4,000...

How Do the UK, US, and EU’s Latest Measures Tighten Pressure on Russia’s Energy Networks?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
On 15 October 2025, the UK introduced new designations targeting the Russian energy sector. Among the designated organisations are...

Inside India’s Billion-Dollar Branding Boom: The Race to Build the Country’s Next Iconic Luxury Address

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
India quietly joined the global luxury market for branded residences at the end of 2021 and is now among...

Is Global Shipping Entering Its Most Dangerous Era Yet?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
In Inchcape’s Global Shipping Report, Daniel Mueller, Senior Analyst at global risk management company Ambrey, outlines the enduring maritime...

The International Maritime Organization’s Pricing Mechanism as a Carbon Tax on Shipping

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialised U.N. agency responsible for maritime safety and preventing marine pollution from...

A Nation Built on Property Faces a Harsh Market Reality

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
New Zealand's once-trusted housing market has entered a sustained slump, raising fundamental doubts over its role as a dependable...

Private Blockchains Surge as Institutions Seek Security and Compliance

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
The blockchain is slowly shifting away from public networks like Ethereum and is being taken over by the private...

Can Nvidia’s AI Dominance Last, or Will Macro Pressures Turn Today’s Boom into Tomorrow’s Bust?

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
Markets have been shaken by Nvidia's latest quarterly results, which have reignited discussions about whether the current AI boom...

How Is Yemen’s Conflict Disrupting Red Sea Shipping—and What Comes Next for Global Trade?

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
The conflict that has been raging between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and the Saudi coalition that backs Yemen’s internationally recognised...

Hybrid Work Wave Lifts Zoom’s Revenue Expectations

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
In a clear sign of how swiftly enterprise technology is adapting to hybrid working models, Zoom Video Communications has...

Salary Sacrifice Under Pressure as UK Eyes Pension Tax Revenue

Business & Trade Dana de Silva -
The recent announcement that the Rachel Reeves‑led UK government plans to raise between £3 billion and £4 billion from changes to...

Small Numbers, Big Impact: The Surprising Supply Wave Reshaping Singapore’s Private Housing

Real Estate Asanga Divulweva -
In the third quarter of 2025, Singapore's private housing pipeline sprang back to life—and the numbers tell a story...

Ports Accelerate Automation and Expansion Amid Labour Disruptions and Trade Pressures

Maritime and Trade Roshan Abayasekara -
Maritime trade & port operations advanced rapidly throughout October 2025. Strategic expansions, automation projects, and key regulatory rulings drove...