Showing 1 - 10 of 14
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.
Transformation on two fronts
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 15/11/2021
» As the two-week COP26 climate conference in Glasgow drew to a close last week, hopes were high that countries could stay on track in efforts to avert a global warming catastrophe. One key will be redoubling efforts to get carbon emissions to net zero by 2030.
The case for carbon action
Asia focus, Published on 21/12/2020
» Businesses have significant opportunities to invest in natural climate solutions (NCS) in Southeast Asia to help address long-term negative impacts of global warning on natural and human systems, according to a new report.
Waste not
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 17/08/2020
» Dishes are put in front of you every day at breakfast, lunch and dinner. While you enjoy the taste of fresh ingredients, have you ever wondered who grew your rice? Where did the strawberries in your dessert come from? And where do all those scraps end up after you finish your meal?
Standing up to hate speech
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 06/07/2020
» As a regular social media user, I find it annoying whenever I scroll through my Facebook account to find many ads that aren't relevant to my interests. My main purpose for using social media is just that: social. I like to hear from people I don't see regularly or long-lost friends from my school days.
Choose safety over selfies
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 21/10/2019
» During my most recent visit to Ho Chi Minh City, I was captivated by the sight of an old apartment building that had been converted into a fantastic collection of restaurants, coffee shops, co-working spaces and a bookshop.
Cambodia at the crossroads
Asia focus, Monileak Ean, Published on 30/09/2019
» Cambodia is just five months away from learning whether its US$8-billion garment and footwear industry will continue to enjoy preferential trade status in the European Union (EU), the country's second largest trading partner and largest export market.
Scholars and dollars
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 08/04/2019
» When the international school market specialist ISC Research looked into its crystal ball in 2012, it predicted that the world would have 11,000 international schools serving 6.2 million students by 2022.
India's fintech revolution
Asia focus, Tanyatorn Tongwaranan, Published on 05/11/2018
» The financial sector in India has been transformed as the national digital infrastructure evolves, leading to the rapid rise of financial technology (fintech) businesses.
One party to rule them all
Asia focus, Mao Theany & Meng Sokhouy, Published on 03/09/2018
» As Cambodia prepares to join the growing club of one-party states in Asean when its new parliament convenes on Wednesday, Prime Minister Hun Sen has been taking steps to get back into the good books of the international community. It might not be easy, given how he secured his new five-year term as the country's undisputed leader.