2026.08.19 Bank Indonesia Holds 2026 GDP Growth Target at 4.9%-5.7%

Bank Indonesia Holds 2026 GDP Growth Target at 4.9%-5.7%

Bank Indonesia confirmed in its August 19 economic outlook that the 2026 GDP growth forecast remains unchanged at 4.9%-5.7%, with the newly appointed acting governor noting current conditions support a mid-to-upper range outcome, driven by rebounding private consumption and investment. Q2 data showed household consumption up 5.06% year-on-year, government spending surging 15.97% on free meal programs, investment rising 6.87%, and exports growing 4.13%. For cross-border sellers, resilient domestic demand underscores sustained purchasing power in Indonesia, Shopee's largest market. The central bank reaffirmed policy coordination with the government to support growth, signaling a stable consumption environment heading into the peak shopping season.

Singapore Orders WhatsApp, Telegram to Restrict Stranger Contact

Singapore is tightening anti-scam regulations, requiring WhatsApp, Telegram, and five other communication services deemed high fraud risk to adopt proactive protective measures. Under the new rules, platforms must obtain user consent before strangers add users to chat groups or channels, display risk warnings for messages and calls from unknown or suspicious accounts, and offer options to mute, filter, or block non-contact users. Police data shows WhatsApp and Telegram were involved in about 23% of scams in 2025, with investment fraud a key risk. For e-commerce sellers, this affects customer outreach via messaging apps—sellers should build consent-based communication lists and fully leverage official Shopee chat channels to ensure message deliverability.

Thailand Q2 GDP Grows Only 1.9%, Electronics Exports Alone Shine

Thailand's Q2 2026 GDP grew just 1.9% year-on-year and contracted 0.2% quarter-on-quarter, ranking last among ASEAN-6. Private consumption slowed to 1.9%, consumer confidence fell to a 14-quarter low of 50.3, government consumption stagnated, and public investment swung to decline. However, private investment surged 13.4%, the highest since 2012, while merchandise exports jumped 17.6%, with telecom equipment soaring 129% and computer components up 65.5%. For cross-border sellers, Thailand's weak domestic demand signals caution in inventory planning and promotional spending, but the booming electronics export sector highlights opportunities in tech accessories and B2B supporting products within the regional supply chain.

Chile Q2 Current Account Deficit Narrows Sharply to $441 Million

Chile's central bank reported a Q2 2026 current account deficit of $441 million, equivalent to -0.4% of GDP, a sharp narrowing from the $1.98 billion deficit recorded a year earlier. The merchandise trade surplus reached $8.866 billion, supported by mining export growth, with total exports up 19.2% to $31.512 billion and import prices rising 21.7%. The services trade deficit widened to $2.703 billion due to increased transport and business service imports. While Chile sits outside Southeast Asia, its improving external position and rising import prices suggest expanding demand for imported consumer goods, presenting a potential diversification opportunity for cross-border sellers eyeing Latin American market expansion.