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B2B Asia News
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This is a B2B Asia News Daily Update for 1 July 2026, reviewing regional and global markets, and covering the daily business news you shouldn’t miss.
Watch the video in English above.
- We start with a quick look at regional markets. Asian shares were mixed on Wednesday as uncertainty persisted over conflict in the Middle East and access to the crucial Strait of Hormuz despite an initial deal to end the U.S.-Iran war.
- Japan's benchmark Nikkei 225 added 0.6%. South Korea's Kospi dropped 2.0%.
- The Shanghai Composite edged up 0.4%. Trading was closed in Hong Kong.
- Zooming in on Cambodia’s market—the Cambodia Securities Exchange Index was down 1.64 points or 0.36% to 454.16.
- Total trade volume was down with 168,300 shares changing hands at a total value of 905.1 million riel or over 225,000 US dollars.
- On the main board, two stocks were up, led by Sihanoukville Autonomous Port, while two stocks were down with CAMGSM as the biggest loser of the day. Over on the growth board, all three stocks remained flat.
- Shifting to the exchange rate, the Khmer riel to USD weakened slightly to 4,027 riel per US Dollar, while the US Dollar index hovered around 101.34.
- Looking at global commodities, oil prices ticked higher on Wednesday on concerns a breakdown in talks between Iran and the U.S. for a final agreement to end their war may extend supply disruptions in the key Middle East producing region.
- Brent futures rose 0.19% to $73.09 US dollars a barrel, while U.S.
- West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude was up 0.16% to $69.61 US dollars a barrel. (0644 GMT)
- Gold fell 1%, hovering near a seven-month low hit in the previous session, pressured by higher Treasury yields, while fading prospects of a permanent U.S.-Iran peace deal kept concerns over inflation and U.S.
- Federal Reserve rate hikes elevated. Spot gold was down 1% at $3,969.03 US dollars per ounce.
- U.S. gold futures for August delivery lost 1.4% to $3,982.90 US dollars. (0747 GMT)
Looking at the crypto market, Bitcoin fell to a fresh 21-month low as the prospect of higher interest rates and concerns about the largest corporate buyer of the token weakened sentiment. Bitcoin dropped as much as 1.5% to $57,742 US dollars in Asia trading, its lowest level since September 17, 2024. It later pared some of its losses and was trading at around $58,860 US dollars in early morning in New York.
- Moving on now to other business-related news,
- Cambodia has cancelled the annual water festival in the capital Phnom Penh for the second consecutive year, according to a directive publicised on July 1. The reasons cited for the cancellation of festivities, originally scheduled for November 23 to 25, included the need to prioritise the ongoing border dispute with Thailand and assist the many citizens who remain displaced. The directive, signed by the Prime Minister, added that provincial celebrations may proceed and the three-day public holiday remains unchanged, however, main events in the capital city, Phnom Penh, are called off.
- The Asian Development Bank and the SME Bank of Cambodia officially launched the Energy Efficiency Revolving Fund (EERF) on July 1, a new financing initiative designed to unlock investments in energy-saving technologies for businesses, particularly SMEs. The fund has an initial capitalisation of $20 million US dollars, including $12 million dollars financed under the United Kingdom Window of the ASEAN Catalytic Green Finance Facility. The fund will be implemented by the SME Bank of Cambodia, with the Credit Guarantee Corporation of Cambodia (CGCC) providing partial credit guarantees to reduce lending risks and encourage financial institutions to participate. CIMB PLC Bank and the Foreign Trade Bank of Cambodia (FTB) are the first participating financial institutions under this initiative and will play a key role in channeling funds to eligible enterprises and projects, with a focus on women-owned and women-led SMEs.
- On July 1, the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications (MPTC) announced the launch of the Equipment Identity Registration System (EIRS) in order to help reduce and prevent the illegal import of mobile phones or SIM-enabled telecommunications equipment. In the first phase of the launch, the EIRS system will allow the public to use the “International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI) Status Check” function for free, which 1) can check whether mobile phones or SIM devices on the market are of standard and quality before deciding to buy and 2) can check the status of the mobile phone or SIM device they are using.
Watch the 1 July 2026 Daily Update in Khmer below: