Showing 1 - 7 of 7
Food price solutions a priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 02/05/2022
» Food prices are on the rise everywhere in the world. In Thailand, prices of limes have been at historical highs for months, now as much as 10 baht each in wet markets. Instant noodle makers want to hike their prices by up to 20% as raw material costs have surged, but Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit insists they can't.
Making palm oil more sustainable
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 11/01/2021
» Palm oil has long been a major economic backbone of Southeast Asian economies, notably Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. But the undeniable environmental impact of extensive deforestation, haze and forest fires caused by oil palm plantations has given the industry a bad reputation that has been hard to shake.
Palm oil diplomacy
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 23/12/2019
» Indonesia is stepping up its economic diplomacy in 2020 as trade disputes with the European Union (EU) are poised to escalate. The two sides have traded complaints at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over Indonesia's two main commodities, palm oil and nickel ore, even as they continue talks for a free trade agreement.
Green deal for Asean
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 16/12/2019
» In a move that could be seen as a reflection of the Green New Deal policy that it launched last week, the European Union (EU) is committing €24 million to support groups working to combat transboundary haze pollution and peatland fires in Southeast Asia.
Palm oil backlash
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 30/09/2019
» With its palm oil diplomacy in Europe in tatters amid raging forest fires -- many of them set to clear land for palm planting -- Indonesia is working harder to shore up sales in markets such as China and India, while boosting the proportion of palm used in biodiesel at home.
Climate change urgency grows
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 01/07/2019
» Climate change is global in nature but it is having an especially severe impact on Asia. Chennai, one of India's largest cities, has run out of water as the summer heat intensifies. With monsoon rains below average, four lakes in the city of 4.7 million have dried up. Residents don't have enough water to drink, bathe or wash clothes, malls have closed their washrooms and restaurants are not open for customers.
Palm oil perseverance
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 04/03/2019
» Palm oil producers in Indonesia are undeterred by the growing consumer backlash closer to home in Asia against the commodity, which has long had a negative image in Europe where it is seen as a major cause of environmental destruction and deforestation.