ITU estimates 2.2 billion people remained offline in 2025
Connectivity expanded worldwide, but access gaps remained concentrated in lower-income countries and rural communities.
DBC TIMES / THE ARCHIVE
2025 archive
Explore earlier economic decisions, business investments and social-impact initiatives across World & South Asia. Each historical briefing shows its verified original source date.
13 stories
Asia’s small-business challenge reaches beyond access to loans
ADB’s 2025 enterprise monitor connects finance with innovation, manufacturing and the resilience of everyday businesses.
UN report puts developing countries’ climate adaptation bill in the hundreds of billions
UNEP estimates annual adaptation needs could reach $310 billion by 2035 under modelled costs, far above current public finance flows.
Australia’s economy gained 0.6% in the final quarter of 2024
The March 2025 ABS release showed public and private spending supporting growth.
Australia’s February 2025 rate cut followed progress on inflation
The RBA lowered its cash rate target to 4.10%, while remaining cautious about further easing.
China’s new-energy vehicle sales rose 29.4% in January 2025
Electrified vehicles gained share even as the overall automobile market slipped slightly from a year earlier.
Malaysia’s 2024 expansion reached 5.1% as investment strengthened
The February 2025 release showed construction and capital spending supporting a stronger annual result.
Indonesia recorded 5.03% growth in 2024
The February 2025 statistics release showed stable expansion and a large economic contribution from Java.
China’s initial 2024 GDP estimate showed 5% growth
The January 2025 release showed stronger fourth-quarter growth alongside continuing property-sector weakness.
India’s UPI processed 16.73 billion payments in December 2024
Government figures documented rapid payment-system growth, with annual UPI volume reaching about 172 billion transactions.
Singapore’s port handled a record 41.12 million containers in 2024
A January 2025 maritime review recorded rising cargo volumes, fuel sales and maritime business spending.
India counted more than 159,000 recognised startups in January 2025
The government’s nine-year review highlighted jobs, women directors and the spread of entrepreneurship beyond major cities.
Japan recorded 36.87 million visitor arrivals in 2024
January 2025 tourism estimates showed arrivals above both 2023 and the pre-pandemic 2019 benchmark.
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Dates on archive cards belong to the linked original sources. DBC Times summary publication and modification dates appear separately on each article.