13 April 2026 - Daily Update - B2B Asia News

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13 April 2026 - Daily Update - B2B Asia News
B2B Asia News Daily Update – 13 April 2026

This is a B2B Asia News Daily Update for 13 April 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. Asia-Pacific markets traded lower Monday, as investors weigh a U.S. naval blockade on Iran’s ports after talks between Washington and Tehran failed to produce an agreement to end the conflict in the Middle East. 
  • Japan’s Nikkei 225 ended Monday’s session 0.74% lower. 
  • South Korea’s Kospi closed the session at 0.86% lower. 
  • Mainland China’s CSI300 index ended the session on Monday 0.21% higher, while Hong Kong’s Hang Seng index was 1.01% lower in afternoon trade.
     
  • Zooming in on Cambodia’s market—the Cambodia Securities Exchange Index was up 0.35 points or 0.08% to 434.11. 
  • Total trade volume was up with 147,422 shares changing hands at a total value of 938.5 million riel, or over $234,000 US dollars.
  • On the main board, four stocks were up, led by Royal Group Phnom Penh SEZ and MJQ Education, while two stocks were down, with Pestech Cambodia as the biggest loser of the day. 
  • Over on the growth board, JS Land and Picasso City Garden were down, while DBD Engineering stayed flat. 
     
  • Shifting to the exchange rate, the Khmer riel to USD stayed flat at 4,000 riel per US Dollar, while the US Dollar index hovered around 98.90.
     
  • Turning to global commodities, Oil prices climbed above $100 dollars a barrel on Monday as the U.S. Navy prepared to block ships ‌to and from Iran via the Strait of Hormuz, a move that could restrict Iranian oil exports, after Washington and Tehran failed to reach a deal to end the war.
  • Brent crude futures rose 7.0% to $101.87 US dollars a barrel after settling 0.75% lower on Friday. 
  • U.S. West Texas Intermediate was up 7.5% at $103.83 US dollars a barrel following a 1.33% loss in the previous session. (0630 GMT)
     
  • Gold hit a near one-week low as a stronger dollar and ‌oil's surge above $100 dollars, prompting traders to scale back expectations for Federal Reserve rate cuts this year. 
  • Spot gold was down 0.4% at $4,730.75 US dollars ​per ounce, after hitting its lowest since April 7 ​earlier in the day. 
  • U.S. gold futures for June delivery ⁠fell 0.7% to $4,753.30 US dollars. (0735 GMT)
     
  • Looking at the crypto market, Bitcoin has once again seen heavy profit-taking above $70,000 US dollars, with over $20 million dollars in BTC sold per hour, capping the upside. Bitcoin is struggling to build momentum above $70,000 dollars. Prices briefly touched nearly $74,000 dollars on Saturday before slipping back below $71,000, as the breakdown in peace talks between the U.S. and Iran pushed oil higher and weighed on U.S. stock futures.
     
  • Moving on now to other business-related news:
    • The Royal Government of Cambodia has unveiled a comprehensive package of fiscal interventions and social support measures to alleviate the rising cost of living as the nation begins its traditional New Year celebrations amid global economic volatility. Royal Government spokesperson, H.E. Pen Bona, on April 13 detailed a strategy centred on aggressive fuel subsidies and tax waivers designed to shield households from the dual impact of regional border tensions and a global energy crisis triggered by Middle East instability.
    • As the Khmer New Year approaches, thousands of citizens have gathered at designated public bus stations in Phnom Penh to take advantage of free bus services to their hometowns. The atmosphere at these locations has been bustling and full of excitement since April 12, with long lines of factory workers and students waiting to board buses for their journeys home to celebrate the 2026 Khmer Traditional New Year. The Phnom Penh Capital Administration has deployed a total of 600 buses to serve the public over a six-day period, from April 12 to 17.
    • Phnom Penh’s former international airport (Pochentong) has been transformed into a public recreational space, welcoming thousands of visitors on its first day of a nine-day trial opening during the Khmer New Year holiday. The site has been decorated and temporarily opened to the public from April 11 to 19. On the opening day alone, approximately 15,000 people visited the area to explore, relax, take photos, exercise, and enjoy various outdoor activities.