Data show: Malaysia’s imports increased by 2.9% in December, Malaysia’s exports fell by 10.0% in December, and Malaysia’s trade surplus in December was 11.8 billion ringgit.

Data shows that Malaysia’s fourth-quarter GDP grew by 3.4% year-on-year, while market estimates were for 4.1%.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha: Digital wallets may be delayed from May.

Malaysia’s Trade Minister: The automotive industry is expected to contribute 104 billion ringgit to GDP by 2030.

The National Disaster Reduction Council of the Philippines released a report on the 19th stating that as of 8 a.m. that day, the recent continuous rainfall in the south caused floods and landslides, resulting in at least 7 deaths and 2 injuries in the Caraga and Davao regions of Mindanao. The number of people affected by the disaster exceeded 270,000. The fatalities were reported from landslides in Kindavao province. A landslide occurred in a local mining area on the 18th, resulting in 7 deaths, 2 injuries, and several missing people. Local officials said that on the morning of the 19th, search and rescue operations had continued, and four people were still missing.

Philippine central bank official: The transmission effect of the interest rate increase is quite significant and the transmission mechanism is intact.

Bitcoin hit $41,000 per coin, down 0.16% on the day.

According to Nikkei: Amazon said it will invest approximately 2.3 trillion yen in Japan from 2023 to 2027 for data center business expansion.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: I hope the Bank of Japan will appropriately guide policies and work closely with the government to sustainably achieve the 2% inflation target.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: He will not comment in advance on the government’s expectations for the Bank of Japan.

Market news: Silicon Valley Bank (Cayman Islands) filed for Chapter 15 bankruptcy protection.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Hayashimasa Hayashi: We respect Kishida’s decision to consider disbanding the Kishida faction of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: It is important that foreign exchange stably reflects fundamentals.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: The government pays close attention to developments in the foreign exchange market.

Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki: Foreign exchange fluctuations are driven by a variety of factors.

According to Reuters, on January 18, local time, the US department store chain Macy’s said it would lay off 2,350 employees and close 5 stores starting on January 26 to streamline operating costs. It is reported that the layoffs account for 3.5% of Macy’s total employees. According to reports, Macy’s new CEO Tony Spring is working to cut promotional expenses and increase profits to help the company recover from excess inventory in 2022.

The MSCI Asia Pacific Index rose 1% to 163.70 points.

German President Steinmeier will visit Vietnam from January 23 to 24.