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B2B Asia News
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This is a B2B Asia News Daily Update for 20 October 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 stocks retreated broadly on Tuesday while oil prices rose as geopolitical risks rattled sentiment ahead of key results from AI bellwether companies.
- The MSCI Asia ex-Japan index fell 1.14%, while Japan's Nikkei 225 dropped 0.98%. South Korea’s KOSPI tumbled 3.92%.
- Zooming in on Cambodia’s market—the Cambodia Securities Exchange Index was up 2.96 points or 0.48% to 617.4.
- Total trade volume was down with 265,079 shares changing hands at a total value of 1.38 billion riel or over $340,000 US dollars.
- On the main board, five stocks were up, led by ACLEDA Bank, 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 weakened slightly to 4,070 riel per US Dollar, while the US Dollar index hovered around 101.87.
- Looking at global commodities, oil prices advanced on Tuesday, with Brent hovering around a five-month high as traders priced in a geopolitical risk premium from Houthi attacks on Saudi infrastructure and reports of vessel attacks in the Gulf.
- Brent crude futures climbed 0.47% to $110.07 US dollars a barrel, after rising as high as $110.70 US dollars a barrel in the previous session to their highest since May 20. The US West Texas Intermediate crude (WTI) contract for November delivery, set to expire on Tuesday, was up 0.36% to $104.03 US dollars. The more-active December contract rose 0.26% to $98.80 US dollars. (0628 GMT)
- Gold eased as firmer oil prices heightened inflation concerns, while investors awaited next week's U.S. Federal Reserve policy meeting for signals on the US interest rate outlook.
- Spot gold fell 0.4% to $4,123.94 US dollars per ounce, while US gold futures for December delivery dropped by 0.4% to $4,142.70 US dollars. (0800 GMT)
- Looking at the crypto market, Bitcoin’s price dropped 1.2% to around $81,730 US dollars due to weak institutional demand, especially from U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs which saw $228.6 million US dollars in weekly outflows. Inflation worries and uncertainty over the U.S. Federal Reserve's upcoming interest rate decision have dampened investor sentiment, preventing Bitcoin from sustaining levels above $82,000 US dollars.
- Moving on now to other related news,
- The Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with relevant ministries and private sector stakeholders, showcased a range of potential agricultural products at the "Cambodia Pavilion" of the SIAL PARIS 2026 International Food Exhibition in France. H.E. Samheng Bora, Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce, presided over the official opening ceremony of the "Cambodia Pavilion" in Paris on October 17. The Cambodia Pavilion was organised by the Ministry of Commerce with joint support from the European Union and the Federal Government of Germany. The initiative aims to promote exports and enhance Cambodia’s competitive edge as a reliable supply partner in international markets.
- Techo International Airport is hosting the Francophonie Exhibition from October 17 to November 30 to celebrate the longstanding historical ties between Cambodia and the French-speaking world ahead of the 20th Francophonie Summit. Co-organised by Cambodia Airports and Cambodia Airport Investment Co., Ltd. (CAIC), the exhibition showcases the development of Cambodian civil aviation and highlights decades of cooperation, technical expertise and shared cultural heritage between Cambodia and the Francophone community. According to a statement from Cambodia Airports, the exhibition features photographs, images and articles illustrating the history and founding of the Francophone community, its principles, Khmer culture and civilisation, Angkorian temples, traditional Khmer cuisine, and Cambodia’s geographical location and development. It also highlights the distinctive features of Techo International Airport, Cambodia’s new-generation 4F-class aviation hub.
- H.E. Cham Nimul, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Cambodia, held a bilateral meeting with H.E. Nicolas Forissier, Minister Delegate for Foreign Trade and Economic Attractiveness of the French Republic, on October 19 in Paris, reaffirming both countries’ commitment to deepening their bilateral economic ties and strengthening trade cooperation. In the meeting held at the Cambodia National Pavilion, H.E. Cham Nimul highly valued the excellent relations between the two countries. She informed that this is the first time the Ministry of Commerce has organised the Cambodia National Pavilion and facilitated the participation of approximately 30 Cambodian enterprises to showcase products and seeking new business partnership in addition to the Cambodia Rice Federation Pavilion in which 12 rice export companies attending SIAL Paris 2026. H.E. Minister confirmed Cambodia's position to continue participating in the SIAL Paris event in the coming years in order to bring even more Cambodia's potential products to showcase and promote on the international stage.
Watch the 20 October 2026 Daily Update in Khmer below: