Showing 1 - 10 of 16
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.
Trade politics get very messy
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 27/09/2021
» Geopolitics in Asia Pacific have become increasingly complex and drawn growing interest from outsiders since the US, the UK and Australia announced a new alliance known as AUKUS to enable Australia to build nuclear-powered submarines.
Shaping a green future
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 23/11/2020
» Sonika Manandhar remembers riding in her father’s minibus in her hometown of Kathmandu when she was five years old. Thanks to a loan programme from the government, her father was able to buy the bus and earn a living to support his family and send her to school until she earned a computer engineering degree.
Power shift
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/03/2020
» Energy is vital for countries seeking to power and sustain economic growth. But as the world feels the heat of climate change, the energy industry is under pressure to undertake a major transition. Somehow, it must find ways to ensure that consumption can continue without interruption but with far fewer negative consequences for the environment.
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.
Sunny outlook
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/09/2019
» The recent inauguration of a 420-megawatt solar power facility -- the largest of its kind in Southeast Asia -- has underscored Vietnam's renewable energy potential and is attracting more investment from abroad into the sector.
China is committed to multilateralism
Asia focus, Xizhou Zhou in Beijing, Published on 23/09/2019
» In recent years, China's lead role in establishing new multilateral institutions -- including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and the New Development Bank -- has raised fears that the government aims to topple the existing world order. This interpretation misses a crucial point: China has benefited immensely from and continues to participate actively in -- and even ardently defend -- that very order.
Paying for power stability
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 08/07/2019
» The government of Myanmar has substantially increased electricity prices with immediate effect as it seeks to reduce its deficit -- electricity subsidies alone cost US$500 million a year -- and finance new power projects to end chronic blackouts.
Connected across Asean
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 01/07/2019
» Bosch, the Germany-based global supplier of technology and services, is stepping up its focus on providing both hardware and software for connectivity in urban mobility, fourth industrial revolution (4IR) and smart city applications. The effort is paying off in Southeast Asia due to high demand from businesses in the region.
Myanmar powers up
Asia focus, Larry Jagan, Published on 10/06/2019
» Desperate for increased power supplies, Myanmar is speeding up efforts to call international bids to get more electricity flowing into the national grid within 12 months. Authorities are also considering importing power from China and Laos.