Southeast Asia Growth Watch: GDP growth slowed across several major economies in the April-June quarter, with Singapore at 5.9%, Indonesia 5.2%, the Philippines 2.3% and Thailand 1.9%, as Iran-linked disruptions weighed on consumption and production, while Vietnam (8.3%) and Malaysia (6%) held up better on strong consumer spending and AI/semiconductor-driven manufacturing. Malaysia FX & External Balance: Kenanga IB kept its ringgit forecast at RM3.95 per US dollar by year-end, citing resilient growth, a sustained current account surplus and record foreign-currency deposits, while also expecting Malaysia’s 2026 current account to stay in surplus at about 2.1% of GDP. Malaysia Economy Outlook: PublicInvest lifted its 2026 GDP growth forecast to 5.4% after a stronger 2Q print, pointing to resilient domestic demand and continued tech activity. Trade & Shipping Risk: India was urged to treat maritime insecurity as a persistent trade risk after the Red Sea disruption hit 1,000 days, raising freight, insurance and working-capital costs for exporters. Supply Chain & Payments: EBANX expanded senior leadership as it pushes deeper into emerging-market merchant services, while Sri Lanka was flagged in a White House report as a “microhub” in shifting global trade flows. Energy & Industry: Wilmar’s H1 profit rose on better soybean crushing in China and improved tropical oil refining margins. Tech & Policy: Trump’s tariff tweaks and drone tariff moves keep US-China tech decoupling in focus, while Singapore’s AI funding surge and new broadband subscriber growth in South and East Asia underline the region’s momentum. Business Deals: Madison Air Solutions agreed to buy Germany’s ebm-papst for $5.4 billion, expanding ventilation and air-quality capabilities into Europe and Asia.