Asia4

How business actually works across Asia

Asia is not one market but dozens, each with its own rules, rhythms and opportunities. We explain the forces that matter — clearly, specifically and without hype.

All articles Meeting planner
  • Where startups, factories and capital are concentrating — and why
  • How payments and e-commerce now cross borders
  • What differs in regulation, data and employment law
  • A free planner for meetings across Asian time zones

Latest articles

All articles
Working in Asia Business Meeting Etiquette Across Asia: What Changes From Country to CountryBusiness cards, hierarchy, punctuality, how decisions get made and how to say no — practical meeting etiquette for Japan, China, South Korea, India and South-East Asia. 3 min read Working in Asia Working Across Asian Time Zones: Hours, Weekends and HolidaysA practical guide for teams spread across Asia: how time zones line up, the half-hour offsets that catch people out, working weeks that differ, and the holidays that close whole markets. 3 min read Payments Linked QR Payments: How Asia's Payment Systems Are Connecting Across BordersHow national instant-payment and QR systems in Asia — PromptPay, PayNow, UPI, QRIS, DuitNow and others — are being linked so travellers and businesses can pay across borders with local apps. 3 min read Markets Asia's Startup Ecosystems: Where Innovation Is Concentrated — and WhyWhy startup activity in Asia clusters in a handful of cities, what distinguishes Singapore, Bengaluru, Shenzhen, Jakarta, Seoul and Tokyo, and how founders can read a hub's real strengths. 3 min read Markets How Manufacturing in Asia Is Adapting to AutomationWhy rising wages and supply-chain diversification are pushing Asian factories toward automation, how production is redistributing across the region, and what it means for workers and buyers. 3 min read Markets Cross-Border E-Commerce in Asia: What Changed and Who Can CompeteHow logistics, payments and marketplace platforms made cross-border online selling practical across Asia, what still trips sellers up, and a checklist for smaller retailers. 3 min read Markets Asia's Renewable Energy Push: What's Driving ItWhy renewable investment across Asia has accelerated — falling costs, energy security and national targets — and the bottlenecks that still slow it: grids, storage, land and financing. 3 min read Regulation Understanding Asia's Diverse Regulatory Environments for BusinessWhy Asia functions as dozens of separate regulatory systems: foreign ownership limits, data protection and localisation laws, employment rules and licensing — with a practical market-entry checklist. 3 min read

Asia meeting time-zone planner

Pick a city and a time to see what time it is across 14 business hubs — and who's still in office hours.

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Questions readers ask

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Is Asia one market for business purposes?

No. Ownership rules, data law, consumer habits and employment practices differ country by country. Treat each market separately.

Which cities are Asia's biggest startup hubs?

Commonly cited hubs include Singapore, Bengaluru, Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Seoul, Tokyo and Jakarta, each with a different mix of capital, talent and policy support. See our startup ecosystems explainer.

Do I need local legal advice to enter an Asian market?

In practice, yes. Foreign ownership caps, licensing and data localisation rules are sector-specific and change. Our articles explain the landscape, not your obligations.

What time zone is India in?

India Standard Time is UTC+5:30 nationwide, with no daylight saving. Try the meeting planner to compare with other hubs.

Useful official resources