Vietnam's Party Congress: To Lam's Vision for 2030

Owen Li

Daily News

Political

Economic

Remarks of Officials

Summary:

Vietnam's ruling party endorsed To Lam, setting an ambitious 2030 economic and strategic course for the nation.

Vietnam's ruling Communist Party has concluded its 14th five-yearly congress, a pivotal event that selects the nation's top leader and charts its strategic course through 2030. The outcomes will shape the political and economic trajectory of one of Asia's most dynamic economies.

Inside the Leadership Selection Process

The party's leadership structure is determined through a multi-layered process. Roughly 1,600 delegates, who represent over 5 million party members, are tasked with appointing about 200 officials to the Central Committee. This body then selects the 17 to 19 members of the Politburo, the party's highest decision-making authority. From this elite group, the general secretary is chosen.

Current party chief To Lam, 68, received a preliminary endorsement from the party in December to continue in his role. However, the final decision was made by the newly elected delegates at the congress. In his brief tenure, Lam has been known for implementing sweeping reforms, tightening national security, and expanding the influence of the police ministry, an institution he led for nearly a decade.

Figure 1: Party chief To Lam, 68, is positioned to extend his leadership after implementing significant reforms and tightening state security.

Following the congress, the Politburo will nominate candidates for president, prime minister, and speaker of the parliament. These appointments must then be confirmed by lawmakers. While parliamentary elections are scheduled for March with a first meeting in April, an extraordinary session could be convened earlier to formalize these key government positions. The role of the party chief has grown increasingly powerful in recent years, making it the most influential post in the country.

Policy Stability: "Bamboo Diplomacy" and Economic Strategy

Vietnam’s leadership operates on a principle of collective decision-making, which has ensured remarkable stability in both economic and foreign policy since the landmark Doi Moi reforms of the late 1980s. These reforms were instrumental in transforming the nation from a war-torn state into a fast-growing economic powerhouse.

On the world stage, Vietnam has long pursued a strategy of "Bamboo Diplomacy," carefully balancing its relationships with major global powers, including China, the United States, and Russia. Although Lam has moved away from using the specific phrase, the underlying pragmatic approach is expected to continue unless major geopolitical shifts occur.

Economically, Lam has shown a preference for cultivating private enterprise through the development of "national champions" that operate under state guidance. While Vietnam aims to reduce its dependence on the foreign investment that fuels its export-driven economy, it remains focused on attracting advanced technology and capital to achieve its ambitious goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

An Ambitious Economic Blueprint for 2030

Economic growth remains the cornerstone of the Communist Party's legitimacy. In a speech to the congress, To Lam pledged to achieve annual economic growth of more than 10% for the remainder of the decade. This target is notably ambitious, especially when compared to the 6.5% to 7% goal for the 2021-2025 period, which was missed.

This bold vision comes as Vietnam navigates a complex global trade environment, including high U.S. tariffs on its goods that could impact revenue from its largest foreign market. To counter these challenges, the party is advancing a new growth model. According to a draft report, this model positions the private economy as the "driving force" while the state maintains a "leading role."

To support this strategy, the government plans to increase public spending on infrastructure and development projects. This will result in a projected budget deficit of approximately 5% of GDP over the next five years, a significant increase from the 3.1% to 3.2% recorded between 2021 and 2025.

A Legacy of Unchallenged Rule

The Communist Party of Vietnam, founded by Ho Chi Minh in 1930, has a long history of governance. It assumed control of northern Vietnam in 1954 following the end of French colonial rule. After the conclusion of the war with the United States and the fall of Saigon in 1975, Vietnam was reunified under the party.

Since then, it has ruled the country unchallenged, permitting no political opposition. This long-standing political structure provides the backdrop for the country's current leadership decisions and long-term strategic planning.

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

You understand and acknowledge that there is a high degree of risk involved in trading. Following any strategies or investment methods may lead to potential losses. The content on the site is provided by our contributors and analysts for information purposes only. You are solely responsible for determining whether any trading assets, securities, strategy, or any other product is suitable for investing based on your own investment objectives and financial situation.

Add to Favorites

Gerik

Economic

Fiscal drag: the hidden tax mechanism

In an environment where global inflation has yet to fully subside, many workers are being caught in a subtle but powerful fiscal trap known as fiscal drag. Even when nominal wages rise to offset higher living costs, unchanged tax thresholds push incomes into higher tax brackets, increasing tax liabilities without any official rise in tax rates.

According to the OECD, fiscal drag occurs when tax thresholds and personal allowances fail to adjust in line with inflation. The result is “bracket creep,” where a pay rise intended to preserve living standards instead triggers higher taxation. As inflation erodes purchasing power, post-tax real disposable income can actually decline, leaving households feeling worse off despite earning more on paper.

The UK case: revenue without a tax hike

The United Kingdom has become one of the clearest examples of fiscal drag in action. Rather than raising headline tax rates a politically sensitive move the government chose to freeze income tax and national insurance thresholds from 2021 through 2028.

Data from the Office for Budget Responsibility show the scale of the impact. By 2028, around four million people are expected to start paying income tax for the first time, while a further three million will move from the basic 20% rate into the higher 40% band purely due to income growth and inflation.

As a result, annual government revenues are projected to rise by roughly £40 billion, or about $50 billion, by the end of the freeze period. The OBR has described this as the largest effective tax rise in a generation a “quiet storm” that boosts public finances without requiring parliamentary approval for explicit tax increases. For middle-income households, however, the cost is a steady erosion of real living standards.

Germany’s contrasting approach

Germany has taken a markedly different route, prioritizing the protection of household purchasing power. Through its Inflation Compensation Act, Berlin adjusts tax thresholds and allowances in line with inflation to prevent unintended tax increases.

In 2024, Germany raised the basic tax-free allowance to €11,604 and increased family-related deductions accordingly. This system acknowledges that inflation-driven wage growth should not automatically translate into higher real tax burdens. By indexing the tax system, Germany aims to preserve fairness while maintaining incentives to work and invest.

A broader international pattern

The UK is far from alone. OECD research confirms that tax burdens on labor income have been rising across many advanced economies, largely due to the absence of automatic inflation adjustment mechanisms. Middle- and lower-income workers are typically the most exposed, as even modest wage increases can push them across key thresholds.

In response, countries such as the United States, Canada and France have adopted indexation systems that link tax thresholds directly to consumer price inflation. This approach removes the randomness of inflation from personal tax liabilities, offering households greater predictability and stability.

Macroeconomic consequences

From a macroeconomic perspective, fiscal drag acts as a natural brake on domestic demand. When real disposable income grows more slowly than prices, household consumption tends to weaken, with knock-on effects for retail and service-sector revenues.

Tax policy also plays a strategic role in global labor competitiveness. In an increasingly mobile workforce, countries that adjust tax systems flexibly are often better positioned to attract and retain skilled workers.

Economists broadly agree that the central challenge for policymakers lies in balancing the need for fiscal consolidation with the imperative to protect living standards. As inflation reshapes income dynamics, how governments manage fiscal drag will be a defining issue for economic policy in the years ahead.

Source: BI

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Blue River

Economic

Forex

The yen stayed under pressure after the Bank of Japan held rates steady on Friday, as expected, while the U.S. dollar headed for its steepest weekly drop since June as geopolitical tensions and abrupt policy shifts around Greenland unsettled investors.

The yen was slightly weaker at 158.54 following the BOJ's rate decision and after it raised its economic and inflation forecasts, highlighting the central bank's readiness to continue hiking still-low borrowing costs.

Last month, the BOJ raised its policy interest rate to a 30-year high but that has not helped the frail yen. Traders are concerned that a break beyond 160 per dollar could prompt Tokyo to step into the currency market to support the yen.

Moh Siong Sim, FX strategist at OCBC, said the market was hoping the yen's weakness might trigger a more forceful BOJ response but the central bank maintained the same rhetoric - an outcome that was pretty neutral for markets.

"After all, yen indirectly fits into the economic projections if the weakness is sustained," he said.

The spotlight will now be on comments from Governor Kazuo Ueda to gauge when the next hike will come and whether there is any hawkish tilt to support the yen. Ueda will hold a news conference to explain the decision at 0630 GMT.

"Governor Ueda in his remarks will likely lean into a more hawkish direction, which may keep the next meetings 'live' for a further policy rate hike," said Fred Neumann, chief Asia economist at HSBC.

"The Board appears to be leaning more hawkish as well, with one dissenter at today's meeting indicating that further policy rate hikes are on the table."

The yen has been under relentless pressure since Sanae Takaichi took over as Japan's prime minister in October, dropping more than 4% on fiscal concerns and hovering near levels that have spurred verbal warnings and intervention fears.

A bond market rout this week underscored investor nerves about Japan's fiscal position as Takaichi called a snap election for February and promised tax cuts, sending Japanese government bond yields to record highs. They have recovered somewhat since then but investors remain skittish.

Carol Lye, portfolio manager at Brandywine Global, said the authorities have to come up with a more concrete plan to calm the markets. "If there's no action, then it's just words. It's not going to anchor the market down."

"And until they do, I think there's still room for the JGBs across the entire curve to continue being volatile. The rate hikes are also not coming in quickly enough."

DOLLAR SELLING MOMENTUM

The shifting geopolitical landscape has weighed on sentiment this week as Trump said he had secured U.S. access to Greenland in a deal with NATO that came as he backed off tariff threats against Europe and ruled out taking the autonomous territory of Denmark by force.

The dollar has borne the brunt of investor angst in the currency markets as U.S. assets were pummelled at the start of the week amid the intensifying geopolitical tensions.

The dollar index , which measures the U.S. currency against six units, was at 98.366 after dropping 0.58% in the previous session, on course for a 1% slide, its worst weekly performance since June 2025.

The euro was steady at $1.1746, hovering near the three-week high it touched earlier this week, while sterling fetched $1.3496, near a two-week high hit in the previous session.

The Australian dollar was steady at $0.6841, while the New Zealand dollar was 0.3% weaker at $0.59105.

Thierry Wizman, global FX & rates strategist at Macquarie Group, said while a Greenland deal solves the immediate problem of tariffs and invasion, it doesn't solve the core issue of the seeming alienation of allies from one another.

"And that's not a good place to be if you want to preserve the USD's reserve-currency status."

Source: Reuters

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

King Ten

Remarks of Officials

Commodity

Bond

Political

Economic

Washington's control over Venezuelan oil exports has sparked a new showdown with China, directly threatening the oil-for-debt deals that Beijing had relied on for repayment. This move further complicates Venezuela's path out of default and sets the stage for a financial clash between the two global superpowers.

China's Stake in Venezuelan Oil

Venezuela is saddled with a foreign debt of approximately $150 billion, and a significant portion of that—an estimated 10%—is owed to China. Until recently, the OPEC nation was servicing these loans by shipping oil directly to China.

This arrangement, however, was upended when the U.S. moved to control revenue from Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro's government. According to debt experts, the dispute over these oil cargoes could make it much harder for Venezuela to restructure its debt following its 2017 default. It also jeopardizes Beijing's future cooperation in debt restructuring for other developing nations.

"Even under the best circumstances, this was going to be very messy—trying to disentangle where all these creditors stand in the credit hierarchy," said Christopher Hodge, chief economist with Natixis and a former U.S. Treasury official. He noted that while Washington only controls oil sale proceeds, this represents Venezuela's main source of revenue.

"The fact that now America is controlling all the finances into and out of the country... this seems to be unprecedented to me," Hodge added.

The Oil-for-Debt Mechanics

Documents from the state-run oil company PDVSA confirm that for the last five years, three supertankers have been transporting oil between Venezuela and China to cover interest payments under a 2019 deal. These shipments represent only a part of Venezuela's total crude exports to China.

Research from AidData, a lab at the U.S. university William & Mary, shows that cash proceeds from some oil sales to China were deposited into an account controlled by Beijing to service the debt. This allowed China to receive payments even as sanctions and Venezuela's default blocked other creditors.

US Intervention Changes the Game

The Trump administration declared that proceeds from Venezuelan oil sales will now be funneled into a Qatar-based account controlled by Washington. This move gives the U.S. president substantial leverage to decide which creditors get paid and when.

In response, China’s foreign ministry stated that Beijing "has repeatedly stated its position." During a January 7 news conference, Beijing condemned the redirection of the oil exports, insisting that the "legitimate rights and interests of China and other countries in Venezuela must be protected."

A White House spokeswoman, Taylor Rogers, told Reuters that Trump had brokered an oil deal that "will benefit the American and Venezuelan people." A U.S. official later clarified that the administration is allowing China to buy Venezuelan oil, but not at the "unfair, undercut" prices previously offered. Instead, these are now considered private market transactions, not debt payments.

"The people of Venezuela will collect a fair price for their oil from China and other nations," the official said. The Venezuelan communications ministry did not respond to a request for comment.

A Disrupted Creditor Hierarchy

Restructuring advisors warn that the U.S. takeover of Venezuela's oil revenue could upend the established order of creditors. Some $60 billion of Venezuela's bonds went into default in 2017, and a restructuring agreement is critical for the country to borrow again and attract investment.

"All of these things will have the practical effect of subordinating the claims of legacy debtholders," said global sovereign debt expert Lee Buchheit, who questioned whether Trump had the legal authority to determine who gets paid first.

Typically, bilateral lenders negotiate losses together through forums like the Paris Club of creditor nations. This sets a standard for the losses private lenders must also accept.

"Comparability of treatment will be a real challenge, particularly if the U.S. controls the use of oil revenues," noted Mark Walker, a sovereign debt advisor who has worked on potential Venezuelan restructurings.

Broader Risks for Global Debt Deals

If the U.S. pressures China to accept major writedowns on its Venezuelan debt and Beijing refuses, the stalemate could drag out a restructuring and cripple Venezuela's economic recovery.

Jean-Charles Sambor, head of emerging market debt at TT International, which holds Venezuelan bonds, warned this could keep Venezuela "in very dire straits during the foreseeable future." A prolonged crisis would, in turn, limit the amount the country can ultimately repay to any of its creditors.

While China has little immediate leverage—countries rarely take legal action against each other over sovereign loans—it holds a powerful long-term card. Beijing is the world's largest bilateral lender to developing nations, and its cooperation through platforms like the Common Framework has been crucial in recent debt talks for countries like Ghana, Zambia, and Ethiopia.

"China's obvious leverage is to refuse to cooperate in future Common Framework sovereign debt workouts until it feels that it has been treated fairly in Venezuela," Buchheit concluded. "And that threat would have some force."

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Gerik

Economic

Growth accelerates, powered by consumption

Revised figures released on January 22 paint a strikingly strong picture of US output growth. The world’s largest economy expanded at an annualized rate of 4.4% in the third quarter of 2025, slightly above the initial estimate of 4.3% and well ahead of the 3.8% recorded in the previous quarter. This marks the fastest pace of expansion since the third quarter of 2023.

Household consumption remained the dominant engine of growth. Consumer spending, which accounts for roughly 70% of US GDP, grew at a robust 3.5%, underscoring the continued willingness of households to spend despite elevated prices and borrowing costs. External trade also contributed positively, as exports increased while imports declined, providing an additional boost to headline GDP.

Signs of a “K-shaped” recovery deepen

Despite the impressive growth figures, analysts increasingly warn that the US economy is evolving into a “K-shaped” pattern. On one side, higher-income households continue to benefit from rising equity markets and asset prices, reinforcing strong discretionary spending. On the other, lower-income households face stagnant wage growth and persistently high living costs, fueling dissatisfaction that is not fully captured by aggregate GDP data.

This divergence between strong spending data and fragile consumer sentiment highlights a growing imbalance beneath the surface of the expansion, raising questions about its durability if financial conditions tighten further or asset markets lose momentum.

Labor market momentum continues to fade

In contrast to the GDP surge, labor market indicators suggest a clear slowdown. Initial jobless claims rose slightly to 200,000 in the week ending January 17, up 1,000 from the previous week. While still below consensus expectations and historically low, the trend reinforces the view that hiring momentum has weakened.

US employers appear increasingly cautious, adopting a stance of “less hiring, fewer layoffs.” In December 2025, the economy added just 50,000 jobs, little changed from November’s downwardly revised figure. Since March 2025, average monthly job creation has fallen to just 28,000, a dramatic slowdown from the roughly 400,000 jobs per month seen during the post-pandemic boom of 2021–2023.

Job openings have also declined, slipping from 7.4 million in October to 7.1 million by the end of November. Even so, the unemployment rate remains relatively low at 4.4%, masking the loss of underlying dynamism in hiring.

A policy dilemma for the Federal Reserve

This uneven economic backdrop presents a difficult challenge for the Federal Reserve ahead of its policy meeting next week. Most economists expect the central bank to keep its benchmark interest rate unchanged after three consecutive rate cuts, as policymakers weigh strong growth against weakening labor indicators.

Fed Chair Jerome Powell has recently cautioned that labor market conditions may be weaker than headline figures suggest. He noted that recent employment data could be revised down by as much as 60,000 positions, implying that employers may have been cutting an average of around 25,000 jobs per month since spring 2025. This period coincides with the introduction of broad import tariffs under the Trump administration, adding another layer of uncertainty to the outlook.

Corporate signals point to further strain

Adding to concerns, several major US corporations including UPS, General Motors, Amazon and Verizon have announced workforce reductions. These moves suggest that corporate confidence is softening and that labor market pressures could intensify in the coming months, even as overall economic growth remains strong.

Taken together, the latest data reveal an economy moving at two different speeds. Output and spending remain resilient, but the labor market is steadily losing momentum. For policymakers, this contrast increases the risk of a policy misstep, as decisions made on the basis of strong growth alone may overlook mounting weaknesses beneath the surface.

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Gerik

Political

A peace body with an unusually broad mandate

The so-called “Peace Council” was initially framed as an institution to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction, but its founding charter makes clear that its scope is far wider. According to documents cited by AFP, the council defines itself as an international body aimed at restoring stability, rebuilding legitimate governance and securing long-term peace in regions affected or threatened by conflict, without limiting its remit to Palestine or the Middle East.

At the center of the structure sits Donald Trump, who would serve simultaneously as council chair and the United States’ representative. The charter grants the chair sweeping authority, including the unilateral power to create, amend or dissolve subsidiary bodies deemed necessary to fulfill the council’s mission. In effect, the institution is designed less like a multilateral organization and more like a centralized executive platform.

Governance concentrated in one office

Under the proposed rules, Trump would also appoint the council’s executive leadership, described as “global-scale leaders,” serving two-year terms and removable at the chair’s discretion. The chair themselves can only be replaced through voluntary resignation or incapacity. A US official has confirmed that Trump could remain chair even after leaving the White House, unless he chooses to step down, underscoring how closely the institution is tied to his personal authority rather than to the US presidency as an office.

The executive board would include figures closely associated with Trump’s foreign-policy circle, among them US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, former UK prime minister Tony Blair, Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, and financier Marc Rowan. Decisions would be taken by majority vote, with the chair casting the deciding ballot in the event of a tie.

Membership by invitation and by cheque

Perhaps the most controversial element is the financial dimension. Membership is by invitation from Trump and limited to heads of state or government. While the charter states that contributions are formally voluntary, it introduces a crucial exception: countries that contribute more than $1 billion in cash during the council’s first year are exempt from the standard three-year membership limit and effectively gain a permanent seat.

This structure blurs the line between voluntary funding and paid influence. While US officials stress that there is no mandatory fee, the implication is clear: financial commitment buys longevity and, by extension, greater sway in shaping the council’s agenda.

Who joins and who stays away

Invitations have reportedly gone out to dozens of countries, spanning close US allies and geopolitical rivals alike. China has been invited, as have Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky, despite the ongoing war between their countries.

Some governments moved quickly to signal participation. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, one of Trump’s strongest supporters within the European Union, has agreed to join, as have the United Arab Emirates. Canada has also indicated it will participate, while explicitly ruling out any $1 billion payment for permanent status.

Others have drawn a firm line. France has said it will not join, a decision that prompted Trump to threaten punitive tariffs on French wine. Ukrainian officials have expressed discomfort at the prospect of sitting on the same council as Russia, while the United Kingdom has voiced concerns about Putin’s inclusion.

A transactional vision of global governance

Seen in context, the “Peace Council” reflects a broader pattern in Trump’s approach to international relations. It prioritizes deal-making over institutions, personal authority over procedural constraint, and financial leverage over consensus-based legitimacy. The offer of permanent membership in exchange for a billion-dollar contribution is not merely a funding mechanism; it reframes diplomacy as a transaction in which influence is explicitly priced.

Supporters may argue that such a structure could cut through bureaucratic inertia and mobilize resources quickly in crisis zones. Critics counter that it undermines international law norms, marginalizes existing multilateral bodies and risks turning peacebuilding into a marketplace dominated by wealth and political loyalty.

Ultimately, the proposed council says less about conflict resolution mechanics and more about how Trump envisions global order: centralized, personalized and unapologetically transactional. Whether it becomes an operational institution or remains a provocative concept, it highlights a growing tension between traditional multilateralism and a new, power-driven model of diplomacy.

Source: AFP

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Gerik

Economic

From fandom to economic force

India’s live entertainment sector is undergoing a structural shift, driven primarily by young, urban and increasingly affluent consumers who prioritize experiences over material consumption. What was once a niche cultural activity has evolved into a mass-market phenomenon, with concerts, festivals and comedy shows becoming recurring lifestyle spending rather than occasional splurges. This change reflects a broader transformation in consumption patterns, where social experiences, visibility and identity play a central role in how discretionary income is allocated.

The demographic backdrop is critical. India is set to add more than 100 million people to its working-age population between 2024 and 2030, the largest increase globally. At the same time, income per capita is projected to grow faster than in other major emerging markets. Together, these trends are expanding the pool of consumers who can afford premium entertainment and are willing to spend on live experiences multiple times a year.

Scale, frequency and premiumization

The growth is no longer limited to headline-grabbing international acts. In 2025 alone, India hosted more than 34,000 live events across concerts, theater and comedy, marking a 17% expansion in the sector. Attendance is heavily skewed toward younger audiences, with roughly 70% of attendees under 35 and more than half under 30. This age profile reinforces repeat attendance, as live entertainment becomes embedded into regular social life rather than a once-a-year event.

A notable feature of this expansion is premiumization. Demand for VIP sections, hospitality upgrades and exclusive viewing experiences has doubled, indicating that consumers are not just attending more events but are also willing to pay more for comfort, status and convenience. This mirrors patterns previously seen in mature markets, suggesting India’s live entertainment economy is moving up the value chain rather than relying solely on volume growth.

Beyond metros: the rise of regional hubs

One of the most economically significant shifts is the spread of live entertainment beyond traditional metropolitan centers. Smaller cities and regional hubs are seeing sharp increases in attendance, driven by digital platforms that flatten access to global artists and enable fandom to travel easily across geographies. Cities such as Shillong, Guwahati and Nashik recorded triple-digit growth in live event footfall in 2025, challenging the long-held assumption that large-scale concerts are viable only in top-tier metros.

This geographic diversification matters because it broadens the economic impact. When concerts move into smaller cities, spending on hotels, transport, food and retail follows, creating localized economic boosts that are more evenly distributed across the country.

Spillover effects across the economy

The spillover effects from live entertainment are increasingly measurable. Large-scale concerts now function as temporary economic catalysts, driving tourism inflows and lifting revenues across multiple sectors. For example, Coldplay’s concerts in Ahmedabad generated billions of rupees in economic value, benefiting hotels, airlines, local transport operators and retailers. These effects highlight that live entertainment is no longer just a cultural product, but part of a broader experience economy with multiplier effects.

Recognizing this potential, India has set an explicit ambition to rank among the world’s top five live entertainment destinations by 2030. If achieved, this would position concerts and festivals alongside manufacturing, technology and tourism as contributors to economic growth.

Infrastructure as the binding constraint

Despite rapid demand growth, infrastructure remains the sector’s main bottleneck. India has fewer than ten purpose-built venues capable of hosting crowds above 10,000 in major cities, and almost none in smaller urban centers. As audience expectations rise, shortcomings in crowd management, transport access, safety and venue quality become more visible, risking friction that could slow growth if not addressed.

To sustain momentum, investment will need to extend beyond artist bookings and marketing into physical venues, logistics, security systems and digital ticketing integration. The success of recent large-scale concerts has demonstrated feasibility, but scaling nationally will require coordinated public and private investment.

A consumer economy inflection point

India’s live entertainment boom reflects a deeper shift in the consumer economy. As basic consumption stabilizes for a growing middle and upper-middle class, spending is rotating toward experiences that offer emotional value, social capital and memorability. Live music and events sit squarely at this intersection.

If infrastructure gaps are addressed and regional expansion continues, live entertainment could become a durable pillar of India’s domestic demand story. Rather than a passing youth-driven trend, concerts are increasingly shaping urban economies, travel patterns and leisure spending, signaling that India’s experience economy is approaching a decisive breakout phase.

Source: CNBC

To stay updated on all economic events of today, please check out our Economic calendar

Risk Warnings and Disclaimers

Add to Favorites

Recent Searches

Top Searches

Markets

News

Analysis

User

24/7

Economic Calendar

Education

Data

Vietnam's Party Congress: To Lam's Vision for 2030

Inside the Leadership Selection Process

Figure 1: Party chief To Lam, 68, is positioned to extend his leadership after implementing significant reforms and tightening state security.

Policy Stability: "Bamboo Diplomacy" and Economic Strategy

An Ambitious Economic Blueprint for 2030

A Legacy of Unchallenged Rule

The UK’s $50 Billion “Silent Tax”: Why People Feel Poorer Despite Higher Pay

Fiscal drag: the hidden tax mechanism

The UK case: revenue without a tax hike

Germany’s contrasting approach

A broader international pattern

Macroeconomic consequences

Source: BI

Yen Pressured As BOJ Holds Rates, Dollar Set For Steep Weekly Drop

DOLLAR SELLING MOMENTUM

Source: Reuters

Venezuela Oil Seizure Sparks US-China Debt Standoff

China's Stake in Venezuelan Oil

The Oil-for-Debt Mechanics

US Intervention Changes the Game

A Disrupted Creditor Hierarchy

Broader Risks for Global Debt Deals

A Two-Speed US Economy: Strong Growth Masks a Cooling Labor Market

Growth accelerates, powered by consumption

Signs of a “K-shaped” recovery deepen

Labor market momentum continues to fade

A policy dilemma for the Federal Reserve

Corporate signals point to further strain

What Trump’s “Peace Council” Reveals: Power, Payment and a New Diplomatic Model

A peace body with an unusually broad mandate

Governance concentrated in one office

Membership by invitation and by cheque

Who joins and who stays away

A transactional vision of global governance

Source: AFP

India’s Live Music Boom Is Becoming a Real Economy, Not Just a Trend

From fandom to economic force

Scale, frequency and premiumization

Beyond metros: the rise of regional hubs

Spillover effects across the economy

Infrastructure as the binding constraint

A consumer economy inflection point

Source: CNBC

Risk Disclosure