Showing 1 - 10 of 60
Funding the future
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 18/07/2022
» Makhtar Diop is energetic, always eager to learn new things, and a humble leader. Since becoming managing director of the International Finance Corp (IFC) in March last year, the Senegalese economist has been actively exploring potential areas where the World Bank affiliate could expand as a financial backer, including the health sector, with a focus on Africa.
'My coconut farm looks like a forest'
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 06/06/2022
» Environmental issues such as climate change, plastic pollution, and now the Russia-Ukraine war, have shed light on the importance of food sustainability across the world. Thailand is no exception.
Holiday mood
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 09/05/2022
» Returning to Phuket for the first time in three years, Henri Giscard d'Estaing is busy visiting government officials and business partners on the southern island world-renowned for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, historical old town and delicious food.
Bloc-to-bloc bridges
Asia focus, Ismira Lutfia Tisnadibrata, Published on 14/02/2022
» Amid the new challenges brought about by the disruptive changes wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic, European countries are seeing potential to expand cooperation with their counterparts in Asia, particularly on digitisation and climate change.
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.
Thai at heart
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 15/11/2021
» Born and bred in the city-state, Raymond Han is 100% Singaporean. But his bond to Thailand goes deep, spanning almost two decades. It has led him to where he is now as a top executive of Patra Porcelain, which has been making some of the country's best-known products since 1982.
Crystal clear
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 27/09/2021
» Brands and people are Lars Schmidt's passion.
Brewing engagement
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 12/04/2021
» Born and brought up in Kenya, Priti Halai is emphatic when she says, "I've never thought of myself as an Indian. Exactly the way I consider myself is Kenyan. "But if you give me Indian music, Indian food, then I'll sing and I dance," the business executive officer of Nespresso Thailand adds with enthusiasm.
Helping Nature help itself
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 21/12/2020
» Decades of rapid economic growth and urbanisation have been marked by excessive exploitation of natural resources, particularly fossil fuels and forests, across the planet. The environmental and social consequences of such development are more evident than ever, especially in Asia.
In the driver's seat
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 14/12/2020
» Ramesh Narasimhan has loved cars since he was young. The holder of an MBA from Australia's Monash University has turned his passion for cars into a successful career, and two decades on he still finds it fun to come to work every day.