Showing 1 - 10 of 10
Hong Kong connects
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 16/10/2017
» Two decades after its return to the "motherland", some people lament that Hong Kong is not the place it used to be. Political protest, symbolised by the "Umbrella Movement" of 2014, has tarnished the island's image of stability and Western-style open society. The tightening grip of Beijing has worn down the territory's mojo, to the dismay of the creative classes, artists and publishers who helped make Hong Kong a bastion of freedom of expression in Asia.
Fresh optimism in KL
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 11/09/2017
» Anyone who visits Kuala Lumpur these days will feel the vibe of optimism, in the form of construction that is humming along across the capital city. The Malaysian government is injecting massive sums to develop transport infrastructure -- an element the country lacks in comparison with close neighbours Singapore or even Thailand.
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.
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.
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.
Greening the palm oil supply chain
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 08/05/2017
» 2016 will be remembered as the year of clear blue skies and clean air in the southern peninsula of Southeast Asia. For the first time in nearly two decades, choking haze from fires set to clear land for oil palm plantations was reduced significantly, in keeping with a promise made by Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
Myanmar deserves our patience
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 17/04/2017
» What a difference a year makes. In the same hot summer last year, Myanmar was the rosy-cheeked debutante of the democratic world after the National League for Democracy (NLD) won a landslide victory in the 2015 election, paving the way for the first civilian-led government in 54 years. Foreign investors were rushing in, lured by economic growth that hit 8.5% in 2014, an emerging market of more than 50 million consumers in a resource-rich land with seemingly endless potential.
The case for more female leaders
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 10/04/2017
» During a school swimming class, an East German girl with pale blonde hair stood at the edge of the high diving board, staring down at the pool below for 45 minutes. Just before the class bell rang, she finally jumped. Angela Merkel was determined to overcome her fears, no matter how long it took.
Citizenship for sale
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 13/03/2017
» Having multiple passports and citizenship that bears no relation to where you were born is something most people associates with James Bond or Jason Bourne. But these days it is no longer simply the stuff of spy stories.
Beyond the numbers
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 06/03/2017
» Anyone who meets Frank Lutz, the chief financial officer (CFO) of Covestro AG, the Germany-based polymer producer, will find it hard not to notice his wristwatch. Anyone expecting to see an extravagant chronometer or bespoke timepiece favoured by corporate executives and jet-setters will have a major letdown.