Showing 1 - 10 of 10
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.
Connecting with Laos
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 20/09/2021
» Landlocked but rich in natural resources and geographically diverse, Laos has a lot to offer. Significant investments from neighbours including China have helped the country achieve economic growth of 6-7% a year over the past decade. Yet, inadequate infrastructure and the absence of a skilled workforce are among the reasons Laos has yet to fulfil its potential.
Grand old conspiracy theorists
Asia focus, Marc Gallicchio, Published on 14/09/2020
» In the summer of 1945, the Allied policy of demanding unconditional surrender in World War II became the subject of intense debate in the United States. In a way, it has remained so ever since, tracking with Americans' changing attitudes about the Cold War and post-Cold War interventions.
China's civilisational challenge
Asia focus, Chin-Huat Wong, Published on 13/01/2020
» China's "one country, two systems" formula in Hong Kong is failing miserably. After months of large-scale pro-democracy protests – including violent clashes with police -- the city's voters dealt a powerful blow in November to pro-mainland parties, which lost 87% of the seats to pro-democracy rivals in district council elections.
'Privatisation' debate swirls around Indian Railways
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik, Published on 04/11/2019
» Indian Railways, the seventh largest employer in the world, is starting to get the private sector more involved in its operations. But don't call it privatisation, says the country's railways minister.
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.
Bracing for the big smoke
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 26/08/2019
» Indonesia is bracing for the possibility of more regional embarrassment and condemnation as authorities battle to extinguish forest fires in more than a thousand hotspots in Sumatra and Kalimantan.
Clearer skies ahead?
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 08/10/2018
» From a volatile investment climate to a tarnished international reputation and currency depreciation, there has never been a more challenging time for businesses in Myanmar.
A crack in the Great Firewall?
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 02/07/2018
» Whenever China announces policies to open up its economy or facilitate investment from abroad, the news is usually welcomed at home and abroad, but such policies or measures need to be fair. Not welcome are those that create discrimination or lead to greater disparity.
Indian resistance could spell trouble for RCEP
Asia focus, Narendra Kaushik, Published on 08/01/2018
» India is moving closer to rejecting the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), with a top government official declaring that the proposed 16-country agreement does not fit with the government's "Make in India" campaign.