Asia Pacific

Taiwan faces a shortage of outdoor space in urban areas, due to high population density, limited land availability and the predominance of apartments. This means that many consumers turn to indoor plants as a way of bringing greenery to their homes.…

Flexible plastic continued to account for the vast majority of the packaging unit volumes used in the home care industry in the Philippines in 2022. Flexible plastic also saw strong growth in 2022 as the country experienced a rise in inflation in…

Prior to the pandemic, volume sales of home care products in Malaysia had been growing due to rapid urbanisation and an increased awareness of the need to maintain a hygienic living environment. The pandemic accelerated growth in the category in 2020…

The continued share gains being made by plastic pouches in home care packaging in Japan can be attributed to this pack type being lightweight and easy to handle, making them a popular choice for home care products such as laundry detergents and…

The retail packaging unit volumes of floor cleaners recorded positive growth in 2022. This can be attributed not only to the fact that Indonesians are prioritising cleanliness and maintaining a tidy living environment, but also to the increased time…

Global consumers are struggling with the cost of living crisis, as inflation remains high while household income growth lags. Consumers are adopting recessionary habits, such as trading down and being more selective in their spending. Rather than…

One of the top brands in surface care – Cif by Unilever – with a value share of around 20% in this category in 2022, has been using innovative packaging and formulations to attract consumers. For example, it launched spray bottles that are refillable…

In 2022, plastic pouches used for packaging liquid detergents dominated the market in terms of retail unit volume sales. This was due to their cost-effectiveness compared to traditional rigid packaging like bottles, which helped manufacturers save on…

In spite of the slight growth spikes seen in home care packaging in 2020 and 2021 as a result of home seclusion and heightened health awareness due to the COVID-19 virus, this industry’s unit volumes continued to grow in 2022. Growth was slightly…

In 2022, Vietnam's business environment enjoyed a large working-age population and political stability. Vietnam is emerging as a tech and electronics export hub, with machinery and electronics accounting for a significant portion of its GDP. However,…

Singapore continues to lead in terms of economic freedoms globally, offering major opportunities for businesses. Its favourable regulations, investment incentives, high innovation capacity, skilled workforce and high productivity offer a solid base…

In 2022, the Philippines struggled with monetary freedom and judicial effectiveness, and has seen a decline in its tax burden ranking. However, the country’s flexible business regulations, convenient location and financial sector improvements have…

Japan stands among leading economies globally, offering friendly business environment, stable and transparent judicial system, advanced mobility and logistics infrastructure, highly skilled labour and strong innovative capabilities. Financial…

Myanmar struggles with lack of political and economic stability, weak financial sector and widespread corruption, limiting its business environment. The country also face increasing issues with its vast informal labour market, poor financial system,…

Pakistan’s business environment is limited by an unstable macroeconomic environment and prevalent corruption. Moreover, a difficult financing landscape and relatively weak labour market, with complex regulations and a significant gender gap, limit…

Thailand still holds appeal as a desirable location for less value-added industries, such as agriculture and manufacturing, due to its advantageous labour costs and supportive FDI policies. In addition, Thailand is increasing investments into its…

This report assesses the business environment in Uzbekistan, focusing on the regulatory environment, stability of the financial system, FDI intake, labour market flexibility and skillset, trade openness, mobility infrastructure, ICT adoption and…

Taiwan secured a place among the top 10 countries globally in the 2021 Index of Economic Freedom Ranking, riding on its major strengths of a highly skilled workforce, a robust financial system, sound investment incentives, and a well-established…

South Korea’s business environment remains attractive to foreign investors, due to its efficient government regulation and world-class infrastructure, as well as its high capacity for innovation and ICT adoption, which continues to improve on the…

Malaysia offers a favourable environment for business operations, ranking among the top third in the Economic Freedom ranking. The country’s businesses benefit from robust economic expansion, numerous free trade agreements, strategic location and…