SINGAPORE: Mobile messaging apps Line and Kakao Talk are busy trying to conquer overseas markets such as Southeast Asia and India. But they may do well to keep a close eye on their home turf of Japan and South Korea as China's WeChat amasses more users.
Among six messaging apps, WeChat saw the biggest upptick in usage in Japan and South Korea last month versus a year earlier, boosted by its gaming, e-commerce and multimedia capabilities, according to data on Android smartphones tracked by Mobidia. An analysis by the mobile analytics firm compared the amount of time users spent on Tencent's WeChat, Naver's Line, Daum Kakao's Kakao Talk, Blackberry Messenger and Facebook's WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger.
WeChat's inroads in Japan and South Korea could help ease some investor anxiety over Tencent's overseas expansion after the Chinese company said it had not gained as large a footprint in Western markets as in other countries. Competition is rife, particularly in tech-savvy Asia, as messaging apps fight to stand out by combining messaging functions with other offerings ranging from cartoon stickers to online shopping. Line said this month it is launching its "Cheap Sure Sure" online grocery delivery service in Thailand, its No.2 market after Japan.
The biggest battlegrounds in the Asia-Pacific are China, Australia and Indonesia, though India is garnering more attention as the local cost of smartphones falls, middle class wealth increases and wireless infrastructure improves. India is the fastest-growing market in the region, the Mobidia data shows, led by WhatsApp, and with Kakao Talk not too far behind at No.2.
And there will be casualties. Last month, Facebook Messenger usage plummeted in nine out of 10 Asia-Pacific countries, the Mobidia data shows. Samsung Electronics, which once held lofty ambitions for ChatON, said it will discontinue the app in all markets on March 31.
China's WeChat sends a message to Line and Kakao in their home turf
China's WeChat sends a message to Line and Kakao in their home turf
Bahrain to roll out fiscal reforms to bolster public finances
RIYADH: Bahrain’s government has unveiled a comprehensive package of fiscal reforms aimed at curbing public expenditure, generating new revenue streams, and safeguarding essential subsidies for citizens.
According to a report by the Bahrain News Agency, the measures include increases in fuel prices, higher electricity and water tariffs for certain categories, and greater dividend contributions from state-owned enterprises.
The Cabinet emphasized that electricity and water prices will remain unchanged for the first and second tariff bands for citizens’ primary residences, including homes accommodating extended families.
These reforms are aligned with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, which seeks to reinforce fiscal discipline, diversify revenue sources beyond crude oil, and ensure long-term fiscal sustainability.
“The Cabinet confirmed that electricity and water tariffs for the first and second tariff bands for citizens’ primary residences will remain unchanged, taking into account extended families residing in a single household,” BNA reported.
The Cabinet also agreed to defer any changes to the subsidy mechanisms for electricity and water used in citizens’ primary residences until further studies are completed. At the same time, it approved amendments to electricity and water consumption tariffs for other categories, with implementation scheduled to begin in January 2026.
Under the proposed reforms, a 10 percent corporate income tax will be levied on companies with revenues exceeding 1 million Bahraini dinars ($2.6 million) or annual net profits above 200,000 dinars.
The new corporate tax framework is expected to come into force in 2027, subject to the completion of necessary legislative and regulatory approvals.
In addition, Bahrain plans to increase natural gas prices for businesses and reduce administrative government spending by 20 percent as part of broader cost-cutting efforts.
The government also aims to improve the utilization of undeveloped investment land that already has infrastructure in place by introducing a monthly fee of 100 fils per square meter, with implementation anticipated in January 2027.
The Cabinet further tasked the ministers of labor, legal affairs, and health with reviewing fees related to worker permits and health care services.
According to the report, revised fees will be phased in gradually over a four-year period starting in January 2026, with domestic workers exempt from the changes.
Authorities stressed that the reforms are designed to streamline government procedures that support investment, attract foreign capital, and strengthen the role of the private sector in driving economic growth.
