Showing 1 - 10 of 19
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.
Investment and innovation in Thai renewable energy
Asia focus, Published on 15/03/2021
» Renewable energy capacity will increase by two terawatts in the Asia Pacific region over the next decade, driven by population growth, strong economic performance, and significant market potential. Southeast Asia will play an important role in this growth, with the region's electricity demand expected to double by 2040, twice the global average rate.
Time to deliver
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 25/11/2019
» The Myanmar government knows it needs to improve the country's economic performance and extend the benefits of development more evenly across society. With elections only a year away, the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD) needs some big wins to prove to the country's entrepreneurs and the urban middle class that it is pro-business.
Sinking Cities
Asia focus, Published on 02/09/2019
» One of the most pressing challenges the world is facing as a result of climate change is rising sea levels. Scientists predict that oceans will rise by between 0.3 and 2.5 metres by 2100. This will put many coastal areas at risk, with potentially catastrophic consequences for large cities.
Casualties of the trade war
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/07/2018
» It seems the US-China trade war is going to affect more people in the two countries than first thought, in addition to the potentially devastating implications for the global economy.
Seeding green growth
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 18/06/2018
» Sustainability and planning for climate change have become mainstream components of economic planning globally as the world has witnessed the adverse impacts of irresponsible growth pathways.
Getting fatter faster
Asia focus, Published on 23/10/2017
» Most people tend to associate obesity with "being rich" -- as incomes rise, so too do opportunities to consume more. However, the causes of this growing public health problem are more complex, while finding solutions is a growing challenge.
Oil price rout dims equity sentiment in Asia
Business, Published on 26/06/2017
» Recap: Asian stock markets were subdued last week, weighed down by oil prices that have fallen close to a one-year low as Opec-led efforts to reduce a worldwide glut have stalled. The Thai stock market remained rangebound but investors bought energy stocks on Friday, betting that the oil price fall would be limited.
China and Japan data, fed worries depress stocks
Business, Published on 14/09/2015
» Recap: Global stock markets sagged last week on concerns about the economies of China and Japan after their disappointing economic data. Investors also unloaded equities ahead of the US Federal Reserve's much-awaited meeting this week, even though expectations of an interest-rate rate increase appear to have receded for now.
China worries depress stocks as set drifts down
Business, Published on 30/03/2015
» Recap: Asean stocks retreated last week, weighed down by worries over China's economic health after the world's second largest economy reported disappointing manufacturing data. The Thai market succumbed to selling pressure as new data showed the export slump deepening, pushing the main index below 1,500.