Showing 1 - 10 of 59
Asia needs to expand care work migration
Asia focus, Helen Dempster, Published on 27/06/2022
» Asia needs millions more long-term care workers to look after its ageing population. A new report, published by the Center for Global Development (CGD), argues that only by expanding migration can this target be met, and outlines how this can be done.
Reviving Sabah
Asia focus, Paritta Wangkiat, Published on 28/02/2022
» The economy of Sabah, a Malaysian state in the northern part of Borneo Island, has fallen into a slumber during the Covid-19 pandemic, with the lowest growth among the country's states.
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.
America eyes Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 06/12/2021
» With a population of over 650 million and a rapidly expanding middle class, Southeast Asia presents significant growth potential for companies operating in the region. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), signed by the 10 Asean countries and five key trading partners including China, will further enhance Asean's potential and attract more investors when the pact takes effect in January.
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.
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.
CLMVT strategy refined
Asia focus, Parista Yuthamanop, Published on 30/08/2021
» With the Covid-19 pandemic expected to leave long-term impacts on global investment patterns and consumer behaviour, the CLMVT countries are counting on closer economic cooperation within Southeast Asia to help them benefit from each other's strengths.
Making Thai gems and jewellery shine again
Asia focus, Thaweelap Rittapirom, Published on 30/08/2021
» Thailand's gems and jewellery industry, like many others, has been battered by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Skills challenge
Asia focus, W Audi Pattarapatumthong, Published on 05/07/2021
» Human capital development has played a vital role in the success of thriving economies. However, when the skills of workers fail to align with the needs of industry, the mismatches and imbalances in the labour market can keep an economy from reaching its potential.
Learning to live with robots
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 17/05/2021
» China's once-in-a-decade census data released last week make clear that the world's most populous country is ageing more rapidly than many developed nations, including the US. People of working age will make up just 60% of China's population in 2050, down from 75% in 2010, the figures show.