Showing 1 - 10 of 91
Why Bangladesh won't face a Sri Lanka-style crisis
Asia focus, John Rozario, Published on 01/08/2022
» The economic and political disaster in Sri Lanka has been a hot topic in recent months, with commentators looking around for signs of similar trouble in other emerging market economies.
Digital dividend
Asia focus, W Audi Pattarapatumthong, Published on 25/07/2022
» The digital economy is playing an ever-increasing role in business, trade and human capital development. As countries emerge from the pandemic and steer through new economic headwinds, digitisation is taking on even greater importance.
Pride Month is for everyone
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/06/2022
» June marks LGBTQI Pride Month, celebrating people who are "lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex". I think most of us agree with US President Joe Biden's declaration that LGBTQI people are loved and cherished, and they deserve "dignity, respect and support".
Will China hit its growth target?
Asia focus, Shang-Jin Wei, Published on 09/05/2022
» In early March, Premier Li Keqiang announced that China was targeting GDP growth of "about 5.5%" this year. That would be ambitious even without Russia's war against Ukraine and the attendant increases in global energy and food prices.
Challenges for Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/04/2022
» Over two years after the coronavirus emerged, countries across Asia are slowly beginning to recover. In Southeast Asia, economic growth is projected to pick up to 5.1% this year, from 3.2% in 2021. With 400 million people, or 59% of the population, fully vaccinated, many economies are well on the way to reopening.
Stumbling but hopeful
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 07/03/2022
» Domestic travellers have been the lifeline for tourism-reliant countries, especially in Southeast Asia, for the past two pandemic-battered years. But even as countries start scrapping restrictions to welcome international visitors back, some pandemic uncertainties persist and now a crisis in Ukraine threatens the global economic recovery as a whole.
Born to ride
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 20/12/2021
» One side of the room where I met Vimal Sumbly offered floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Bangkok's skyline, but it was what was on the opposite side that perfectly captured the adventurous spirit of the man who heads the Asia-Pacific business of the India-based motorcycle manufacturer Royal Enfield.
On the right road
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 13/12/2021
» Isao Sekiguchi loves travelling. Having been based in Thailand since April, the regional executive of Japan's Nissan Motor is now starting to explore the Land of Smiles during the high tourism season.
Coming to grips with Omicron
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 06/12/2021
» The world was shaken again last week as the latest coronavirus variant emerged. First detected in South Africa a week earlier, Omicron is now a "variant of concern" -- the most serious category used by the World Health Organization, which said it poses a "very high" risk to public health.
Value of border closures is falling as costs rise
Asia focus, Jayant Menon, Published on 25/10/2021
» The only countries in Southeast Asia that have started opening their international borders to non-essential travel in a significant way are Singapore and Thailand, although Cambodia may soon do so too. Singapore has opened up to more than 10 countries with low coronavirus infection and high vaccination rates, most of which have reciprocated. But the share of the population that is fully vaccinated in Singapore and Cambodia is around 80%, while Thailand's rate is just above one-third.