Japan plans to expand infrastructure investment in Asia
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe unveiled a plan to expand Japan’s financing for infrastructure projects in Asia by 30%, suggesting Tokyo’s intent to counter China’s push to spearhead a new regional investment bank. (Wall Street Journal)
Australia: Abbott can’t hit pensions and ‘ignore’ super tax breaks, say National Seniors
Seniors groups have warned the Abbott government that hitting pensioners while ignoring super tax breaks ‘simply isn’t realistic’. (Financial Review)
NZ economy growing but tax slips
New Zealand’s economic growth will slow over the next four years but the unemployment rate is expected to drop below five per cent for the first time since the global financial crisis. (Sky News Australia)
Indonesia economy lacks momentum
Indonesia posted a trade surplus for the fifth straight month in April, but that stemmed from imports tumbling more quickly from a year earlier than exports did, showing that the economy remained sluggish at the start of the second quarter. (The Star)
ADB TF support for Nepal ‘available immediately’
The Asian Development Bank has extended an additional $40m in trade finance to Nepal to assist the disaster relief efforts, following the recent earthquakes. (Global Trade Review)
