Showing 11 - 20 of 30
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.
Asean must walk the climate talk
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 24/07/2017
» Next month, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is going to have the big party it deserves. The golden jubilee celebration will pay tribute to the remarkable journey of a small regional association founded by five foreign ministers from backward countries in a war-torn region.
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.
Asean and the new cold war
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 07/08/2017
» Tomorrow will mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean). There will be celebrations to mark the golden jubilee, with plenty of dignitaries on hand as the event coincides with ministerial meetings that started last Wednesday and conclude tomorrow.
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.
Pride of Place
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 12/06/2017
» At first glance, exotic names such as Champagne, Roquefort cheese or pricey Cambodian Kampot pepper may seem like little more than catchy branding to attract epicures who associate fine dining with products that have unique origins.
Our weapons against terror
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 19/06/2017
» Once in a while, Singapore appears on the world's radar but most of the time, no news is good news for the tightly run city-state. The buzz last week was all about an unseemly feud involving Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his two siblings over their late father's house.
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.
Certification showdown
Asia focus, Anchalee Kongrut, Published on 08/05/2017
» Efforts by Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore to "green" the palm oil supply chain have gathered momentum despite some hiccups. The question is whether the outcome will be in time to make a difference for the world.
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.