Showing 11 - 20 of 30
Is Asean ready to adapt?
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 21/08/2017
» Southeast Asian countries could face intense impacts from climate change that would limit the potential of the Asean Economic Community (AEC), where agriculture still accounts for more than 10% of gross domestic product.
Open economy evangelist
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 14/08/2017
» New Zealand has long been known for kiwi fruit, lamb and the invincible All Blacks, the fearsome national rugby team. But in the global economic sphere, the country is also known as a champion of open economies and free trade. Last year, the country was rated the world's second-best place to do business by Forbes magazine. That helps confirm its reputation in the field of trade -- and explains why the British government chose a New Zealander to head its post-Brexit trade negotiating team.
Asean and the new cold war
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 07/08/2017
» Tomorrow will mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). There will be celebrations to mark the golden jubilee, with plenty of dignitaries on hand as the event coincides with ministerial meetings that started last Wednesday and conclude tomorrow.
Tough-talking Najib defends economic record, assails rivals
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 31/07/2017
» Buoyed by his country's strong economic performance, embattled Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak is sounding these days like a man vindicated. He is going on the offensive to sell the Malaysian growth story to investors worldwide, and to persuade domestic voters that his governing coalition deserves another term to keep the momentum going.
Asean must walk the climate talk
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 24/07/2017
» Next month, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is going to have the big party it deserves. The golden jubilee celebration will pay tribute to the remarkable journey of a small regional association founded by five foreign ministers from backward countries in a war-torn region.
World on the move
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 26/06/2017
» It is not an overstatement to say that the world is no longer a safe and peaceful place. News of terrorist attacks has become a sad fact of daily life, most recently in London and Paris again this month.
Our weapons against terror
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 19/06/2017
» Once in a while, Singapore appears on the world's radar but most of the time, no news is good news for the tightly run city-state. The buzz last week was all about an unseemly feud involving Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his two siblings over their late father's house.
Pride of Place
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 12/06/2017
» At first glance, exotic names such as Champagne, Roquefort cheese or pricey Cambodian Kampot pepper may seem like little more than catchy branding to attract epicures who associate fine dining with products that have unique origins.
Silk Road to sustainability?
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 22/05/2017
» 'OBOR", which stands for "One Belt, One Road", has become the acronym of the moment in the glossary of foreign policy and investment. It sums up the enthusiasm that followed the successful Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, held in Beijing on May 14 and 15.
Certification showdown
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 08/05/2017
» Efforts by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to "green" the palm oil supply chain have gathered momentum despite some hiccups. The question is whether the outcome will be in time to make a difference for the world.