Showing 1 - 10 of 14
Frontier markets fret
Asia focus, W Audi Pattarapatumthong, Published on 20/06/2022
» 2022 has been another challenging year for Asian frontier markets against the backdrop of a recovery from the protracted coronavirus pandemic. The challenges have been magnified by the impact of the Ukraine-Russia conflict, and high commodity prices that are exacerbating inflationary pressures, even as global demand for manufactured goods remains weak.
Malaysia's digital challenges
Asia focus, W Audi Pattarapatumthong, Published on 04/04/2022
» The digitisation of the global economy has been helping many businesses to thrive in ways not possible just a decade ago. At a time of fragile economic recovery, digital technologies such as e-commerce platforms can play an important role in promoting trade expansion, notably cross-border trade, as well as productivity gains.
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.
Time to rein in tutoring firms
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 02/08/2021
» I have always been puzzled about why so many Thai parents send their children to private tutors after school. Even my 9-year-old niece has to study on weekends when she could be enjoying time with her parents or playing with two lovely cats at home.
Time for a 'better normal'
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 21/12/2020
» The continuing spread Covid-19 has reversed the decades-long record of strong economic growth in the Asia Pacific region. As governments continue their struggles to contain the pandemic, the labour market has been affected adversely, with businesses, workers of all ages, and the incomes of women and men throughout the region all feeling the pinch.
High price of progress
Asia focus, Nithi Kaveevivitchai, Published on 23/03/2020
» Over the past two decades, Asia's growth story has caught the world's attention as the region has become bigger, richer and more connected. But this remarkable development has come with some unwelcome by-products for many people.
Missing the big picture on poverty reduction
Asia focus, Yuen Yuen Ang, Published on 02/12/2019
» This year's Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to Abhijit Banerjee, Esther Duflo and Michael Kremer for their experimental approach to poverty reduction. The Nobel Committee said their use of randomised controlled trials (RCTs), a method adapted from medical research, to test whether specific interventions work has "considerably improved our ability to fight global poverty".
Funding sustainable development
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 06/05/2019
» The ideal world is one where poverty and hunger no longer exist. People of all ages are in good health and everyone has access to quality education, clean water, sanitation and affordable and clean energy.
Asia braces for baby bust
Asia focus, Nikkei Asian Review reporters, Published on 26/11/2018
» For Eva Zeng, a 33-year-old public communications specialist at a property company in Beijing, marriage is not a must.
Property pressure
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 01/10/2018
» Last year, the New Zealand government banned foreigners from buying existing homes to make property more affordable for its citizens. In June this year, it softened its stance to allow non-residents to own up to 60% of large, new apartment buildings.