Showing 1 - 5 of 5
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Published on 27/12/2021
» Pandemic drags on recovery: In the early stages of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, many Asian countries had enviable success, avoiding large-scale outbreaks and mass deaths. But the arrival of the more transmissible Delta variant this year and sluggish vaccine rollouts compounded by low availability sent cases surging. Combined with poor monitoring and easy movement among countries, often unofficially, Southeast Asia became a virus hotspot. The ballooning health crisis collided with churning political discontent in the case of Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia. Economically, the new wave of infections, and attendant restrictions imposed to curb the spread, stalled recoveries. After nearly two years of strict border controls, many countries started to loosen up and live with Covid. But the rise of the Omicron variant now threatens to scuttle those tentative reopening plans and usher in a third year of economic anxiety.
Delivering success
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/12/2017
» Asia's first driverless trucks began operating in October at the ExxonMobil plant on Jurong Island in Singapore, while fleets of autonomous delivery vehicles are expected to get rolling on Great Britain's motorways next year. These are just some of the headline-making developments in the brave new world of transport being promoted by the likes of Google, Tesla, Uber and major vehicle manufacturers.
Regional rail contender
Asia focus, Prangthong Jitcharoenkul, Published on 10/10/2016
» The rail technology leader Bombardier is seeking a stronger presence in Asia through its headquarters in Bangkok, says the company's vice-president for Asia Pacific.
Growing global growth worries put stocks in red
Business, Published on 13/10/2014
» Recap: The International Monetary Fund's reduction of its forecast for world economic growth jolted global stock markets early last week and also sent oil prices plunging. A dovish tone in US Federal Reserve minutes helped ease worries briefly before markets sank again on Friday. Thai shares were hit by foreign investor selling and profit-taking by local investors.
Global events set tone for choppy trading week
Business, Published on 11/08/2014
» Recap: Asian stock markets last week were jolted by renewed concerns over China's economic health and escalating tension in Ukraine. The Thai stock market was in a tug of war between profit-taking and buying on dips.