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B2B Asia News
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This is a B2B Asia News Daily Update for 3 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. Asian stocks rose at the end of another volatile week with a report leading to some optimism that more traffic may be allowed through the Strait of Hormuz.
- MSCI’s benchmark Asia Pacific Index gained 0.7% with South Korea’s Kospi rising 2.8%, and Japan’s Nikkei 225 Stock Average climbing 1.3%.
- China’s CSI 300 Index reversed an earlier advance to drop 0.5%.
- Zooming in on Cambodia’s market—the Cambodia Securities Exchange Index was down 0.98 points or 0.23% to 431.51.
- Total trade volume was down with 87,477 shares changing hands at a total value of 454.7 million riel, or over $114,000 US dollars.
- On the main board, two stocks were up, led by Royal Group Phnom Penh SEZ, while three stocks were down, with CAMGSM as the biggest loser of the day.
- Over on the growth board, Picasso City Garden was up while DBD Engineering and JS Land stayed flat.
- Shifting to the exchange rate, the Khmer riel to USD weakened slightly to 4,000 riel per US Dollar, while the US Dollar index hovered around 99.98.
- Turning to global commodities, oil prices continued to surge on worries of a prolonged Iran war. Benchmark U.S. crude rose 11.4% to $111.54 US dollars a barrel. The price of Brent crude, the international standard, jumped 7.8% to $109.03 US dollars per barrel. (0847 GMT)
- No precious metals report this Friday, as most markets were closed for the Good Friday holiday.
- Looking at the crypto market, Bitcoin traded choppily around $66,600 US dollars, facing volatility due to low liquidity over the Good Friday holiday. The price is under pressure, hovering near $65,000 US dollars support, with miners selling to cover operational costs.
- Moving on now to other business-related news:
- The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) hosted its first "Public-Private Business Sector Breakfast Briefing” on April 2, marking a significant step in enhancing direct communication between the Cambodian government and the international private sector, with the aim of fostering a more transparent and inclusive investment environment by facilitating an open, in-depth dialogue between state institutions and global business leaders. The forum was presided over by H.E. Sun Chanthol, Deputy Prime Minister and First Vice President of the CDC.
- EuroCham Cambodia held its 2026 HR Forum, at the Novotel Phnom Penh BKK1 on April 3. Discussions at the forum focused on reimagining HR practices in the age of AI, specifically regarding the adoption of AI in Human Resource functions and the new challenges of identifying genuine talent. During the morning session, H.E. Heng Sour, Minister of Labour and Vocational Training, stressed that practical work experience must complement theoretical foundations provided by academics, the government and TVET institutions.
- Key products from Cambodia were showcased at the International Food & Drink Event from March 30 to April 1 at the ExCeL London Exhibition Centre. The International Food & Drink Event (IFE) is one of the leading trade fairs for the food and beverage industry in the United Kingdom. This year, three high-potential Cambodian enterprises, including Amru Rice (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., MISOTA, and Handcrafted Cashew Nuts Stung Treng (HCST), showcased their products at the multi-country pavilion.
Watch the 3 April 2026 Daily Update in Khmer below: