Showing 1 - 10 of 124
Funding the future
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/07/2022
» Makhtar Diop is energetic, always eager to learn new things, and a humble leader. Since becoming managing director of the International Finance Corp (IFC) in March last year, the Senegalese economist has been actively exploring potential areas where the World Bank affiliate could expand as a financial backer, including the health sector, with a focus on Africa.
'My coconut farm looks like a forest'
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 06/06/2022
» Environmental issues such as climate change, plastic pollution, and now the Russia-Ukraine war, have shed light on the importance of food sustainability across the world. Thailand is no exception.
Holiday mood
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/05/2022
» Returning to Phuket for the first time in three years, Henri Giscard d'Estaing is busy visiting government officials and business partners on the southern island world-renowned for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, historical old town and delicious food.
Don't leave small businesses behind
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/04/2022
» The time has finally come again for the tourism industry. As many countries start learning to live with Covid-19, travel restrictions are being eased and people are hitting the road after staying put for more than two years.
More young people in Myanmar taking up arms
Asia focus, Than Lwin Aye, Published on 28/02/2022
» Young people in Mon State who not long ago were actively engaged in campaigning for elections in Myanmar have shifted from protesting in the streets against the military to taking up arms to defend their rights and freedoms.
Bloc-to-bloc bridges
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 14/02/2022
» Amid the new challenges brought about by the disruptive changes wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, European countries are seeing potential to expand cooperation with their counterparts in Asia, particularly on digitisation and climate change.
More potential for Thailand-Bangladesh cooperation
Asia focus, Pathik Hasan, Published on 14/02/2022
» Bangladesh views Thailand is a reliable and credible partner and friend, based on strong bilateral relations ever since independence a half-century ago. The two countries also share a common regional platform in Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation).
Myanmar soldiers collecting bills at gunpoint
Asia focus, By Richard C Paddock of the New York Times, Published on 31/01/2022
» The schoolteacher had just got out of bed when four Myanmar army soldiers pounded on her door. Her electricity payment was overdue, they said, and ordered her to pay it immediately at the government power company office.
'Out with man haters', cry Korean anti-feminists
Asia focus, Choe Sang-Hun of the New York Times, Published on 17/01/2022
» SEOUL: They have shown up whenever women rallied against sexual violence and gender bias in South Korea. Dozens of young men, mostly dressed in black, taunted the protesters, squealing and chanting, "Thud! Thud!" to imitate the noise they said the "ugly feminist pigs" made when they walked.
Year of Turbulence
Asia focus, Asia Focus Team, 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.