Showing 1 - 10 of 29
We may have already passed 'peak petrol'
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 05/04/2021
» Last year saw an 11% drop in global petrol consumption, marking the beginning of a historical shift after more than a century of continuous growth in demand. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is now predicting that we will probably never see pre-Covid levels of petrol use again.
Teaming up for the future of digital currency
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 15/03/2021
» China recently joined the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong and the Bank of Thailand in a joint project that aims to get more Asian central banks to explore the potential of distributed ledger technology, also known as blockchain, to enhance the digital financial infrastructure for cross-border payments.
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.
Supply chain bottlenecks in Vietnam
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 01/03/2021
» Vietnam's economy has fared better than that of almost any other country except China during the Covid-19 crisis. It grew by 2.9% last year while most other countries fell into recession.
Vietnam's clever rice strategy
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 25/01/2021
» Vietnam, the world's second largest rice exporter, this month made a surprising move by starting to import the grain from India. It is importing the cheaper Indian rice to meet domestic demand while saving its own output, which is currently selling at a multi-year high, for the export market.
Big ideas will define a post-Covid world
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 04/01/2021
» The rollout of Covid-19 vaccinations in a number of countries provides light at the end of the coronavirus tunnel, even if it doesn't spell the end of the crisis. When we finally make the transition from the current state to the next normal, we may not be sure what the world will look like, but we do know there are a few big ideas in play that could shape the near future.
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 rebalancing with 'dual circulation'
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 19/10/2020
» Ever since Chinese President Xi Jinping set markets abuzz in May by raising the idea of a "dual circulation" economy, observers have been exploring the potential of this new economic model for China which has knock-on effects for the rest of the world.
Questions surround cutting-edge tech
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 07/09/2020
» As 5G technology continues to roll out around the world and digital storage becomes cheaper and more efficient, the profound impact this will have on the business world is becoming clearer than ever.