1、Competition and ComplexityBusiness Trends in the Year of the Fire HorseFebruary 2026Table of ContentsCEOs foreword 3Top opportunities 4AI,digital growth,consumer demand,green transitionTop challenges 11Competition,geopolitics and trade barriers,slowing economic growth Key markets 17 China,Japan,Indi
2、a,Singapore,Indonesia Endnotes 22CEOs forewordCatherine MudfordActing CEO|Asialink Business2026 marks a defining year for Australian businesses as they navigate a more competitive,complex and fast-moving Asia.The Year of the Fire Horse symbolises speed,strength and independence,qualities that will b
3、e essential as firms confront intensifying rivalry,geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological change across the region.Asia remains the worlds primary engine of growth,but the operating environment is becoming tougher.Competition from highly capable local and global peers is intensifying,regul
4、atory and compliance demands are rising,and geopolitical risks continue to shape market access and supply chains.At the same time,powerful opportunities are emerging across key Asian markets,from favourable demographics and digital uptake to artificial intelligence and the green energy transition.Bu
5、sinesses now understand that market and supplier diversification is a key imperative for growth and competitiveness in an increasingly uncertain world.To better understand how Australian organisations view these dynamics,Asialink Business surveyed 370 businesses.The findings reveal an important dive
6、rgence:organisations operating internationally report a more nuanced appreciation of regulatory complexity and competitive pressures,while Australia-only businesses tend to overestimate growth constraints and underestimate the practical challenges of operating in Asian markets.This gap underscores t