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B2B Asia News
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This is a B2B Asia News Daily Update for 21 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. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan was up 1.1 per cent, as South Korea's Kospi rose 2.7 per cent to hit a fresh record high for the first time since the Iran war began.
- Japan's Nikkei tacked on 0.9 per cent.
- The Hang Seng in Hong Kong gained 0.4%, and the Shanghai Composite index lost 0.1%.
- Zooming in on Cambodia’s market—the Cambodia Securities Exchange Index was down 0.69 points or 0.16% to 435.14.
- Total trade volume was up with 191,169 shares changing hands at a total value of 1.12 billion riel, or over $282,000 US dollars.
- On the main board, six stocks were down, with Grand Twins International as the biggest loser of the day, and the rest of the main board stayed flat.
- Over on the growth board, DBD Engineering was up while JS Land and Picasso City Garden were down.
- Shifting to the exchange rate, the Khmer riel to USD weakened slightly to 3,998 riel per US Dollar, while the US Dollar index hovered around 98.16.
- Turning to global commodities, oil prices fell over $1 dollar on Tuesday, reversing gains in the previous session, on expectations peace talks between the U.S. and Iran will take place this week and lead to more supply to flow from the key Middle East producing region. Brent crude futures declined 1.1% to $94.44 US dollars a barrel.
- U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) for May fell 1.9% to $87.95 US dollars a barrel. (0600 GMT)
- Gold prices fell as wary investors watched developments around the possible U.S.-Iran peace talks, while a firmer dollar added to the pressure. Spot gold was down 0.7% at $4,785.99 US dollars per ounce, extending its fall from Monday when it hit its lowest level since April 13.
- U.S. gold futures for June delivery fell 0.5% to $4,805 US dollars. (0745 GMT)
- Looking at the crypto market, Bitcoin climbed back above $75,000 US dollars as markets bet on progress in cease-fire talks between Iran and Pakistan, even as the current two-week truce nears its Wednesday deadline. Despite the rebound, Bitcoin continues to lag a broad global equity rally, with negative funding rates in perpetual futures signaling persistent bearish positioning even as spot bitcoin and ether ETFs see strong inflows.
- Moving on now to other business-related news:
- According to an announcement made by the Ministry of Mines and Energy on April 21, Cambodia and Singapore are committed to strengthening their cooperation in the energy, oil, and gas sectors. This joint commitment was made during a working meeting between the Cambodian Minister of Mines and Energy, and newly appointed Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to the Kingdom of Cambodia, held at the Ministry of Mines and Energy.
- The Ministry of Commerce has called on businessmen, entrepreneurs, investors, and members of the public interested in showcasing their products and services, to take part in the 9th China International Import Expo (CIIE), which is to be held from November 5-10, 2026, in Shanghai. The China International Import Expo is a major business event and important business platform for international trade cooperation, investment, and business partnership between participating countries. The expo will feature country pavilions, including a Cambodia Pavilion, which will once again be designed and constructed by the Cambodian Ministry of Commerce.
- On April 20, the Cambodian Ministry of Labour and KOICA launched a $9.5 million dollar partnership to modernise technical education. The initiative will upgrade infrastructure at the NPIC, ITI, and PPI training hubs with state-of-the-art equipment while fostering "Brain Gain" by linking students and returning migrant workers to high-quality local and international employment opportunities through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
Watch the 21 April 2026 Daily Update in Khmer below: