Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Forest loss slowing in Indonesia and Malaysia
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 03/05/2021
» The pandemic prevented major countries and corporations from achieving environmental goals last year as they diverted resources toward economic recovery. Global rainforest conservation took one of its largest hits in almost two decades, with primary forest loss increasing by 12% from 2019, according to satellite data from Global Forest Watch.
What's next for Asian aviation?
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 08/03/2021
» The recent resurgence of Covid-19 infections across the region has snuffed out hopes that demand for travel will returning to pre-pandemic levels anytime soon. Last month, seat occupancy on Thai carriers fell to 13% of pre-virus levels, after an initial bump up to 46% in late December.
Indonesia steps up creative economy drive
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 01/02/2021
» The United Nations has declared this year the International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development. Indonesia, having sponsored the proposal and proposed the theme of "Inclusively Creative: A Global Recovery", will lead the initiative to promote the creative economy, which is expected to become a new driver or prosperity.
Covid a chance to realign tourism industry
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 18/01/2021
» Tourism is probably the industry hit hardest by the pandemic, which is bad news for countries like Thailand. Prior to the outbreak, the tourism industry accounted for as much as one-fifth of the economy, but it has since dropped precipitously.
What the RCEP will mean
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 23/11/2020
» The long-awaited Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) was finally signed on Nov 15 during a virtual meeting between leaders of the 10 Asean member states and five dialogue partners — China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
China tackles food security fears
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 16/11/2020
» The Covid-19 crisis is adding to China's food security risks as importers have been told to avoid frozen food imports from countries suffering severe outbreaks after positive tests on packaging of some imported seafoods.
China's economic recovery
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 12/10/2020
» China's economic recovery continues to accelerate, with retail sales growing in August for the first time this year. Investment and property activity also gathered speed and there was a sharp spike in manufacturing production with the steepest rate of growth in new orders since the start of 2011. The Purchasing Managers Index, which includes services, also rose, while unemployment in urban areas dropped, with the 5.6% jobless rate the lowest since January.
China's economy pulls back from the brink
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 03/08/2020
» Despite more sanctions piling on from the US, China still had reason to celebrate this month with two important achievements. First, it became the world's first major economy to return to economic growth as the world battles with the Covid-19 pandemic.
China's street stall revival
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 22/06/2020
» Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has been calling for the revival of the "street-stall economy", emphasising the role street vendors play in providing employment opportunities and as a source of affordable goods, especially food, for many people, while giving the country's economy a welcome shot in the arm as it starts to recover from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
A new direction for biopharma in China
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 04/05/2020
» While many industries will be in recovery mode for some time to come, one sector that can expect strong growth in China is the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries.