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.
China's loss can be Southeast Asia's gain
Asia focus, Keun Lee, Published on 25/10/2021
» Covid-19 has exposed the myriad weaknesses of cross-border value chains. Once the backbone of globalisation, now they are associated with vulnerability to disruption. Thanks to the pandemic, value chains are being reconfigured with a focus on resilience.
How banks can finance a sustainable future
Asia focus, Eric Lim, Published on 20/09/2021
» The battle against Covid-19 has been difficult. It has cost lives and livelihoods and stalled economies. Lockdowns have taken a toll on people's mental and physical health and on family relationships. Amid the lockdowns and reduced economic and social activities, however, global carbon dioxide emissions fell more than 6% last year to their lowest since 2006, based on research from the Global Carbon Project.
Riding the dragon
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 19/04/2021
» The growing economic and political influence of China has challenged the powerful nations of the West, particularly the United States, to respond in new ways.
Formula for success
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 02/11/2020
» As the Group CEO of Indorama Ventures Plc (IVL), the Bangkok-based chemical company whose business spans 33 countries around the globe, Aloke Lohia travels frequently every year to visit 120 operating sites, with pleasure trips tacked on when he has time. While the protracted Covid-19 pandemic has brought that routine to a complete stop, the Indian-born business veteran says it doesn't bother him.
Seeds of resilience
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 03/08/2020
» Khing Khing Soe has been growing rice, groundnuts, pigeon peas, sesame, chickpeas and onions for over two decades on her farm at Ba Lon village in Myingyan district of Myanmar. But in the past three years declining rainfall as a result of climate change has reduced her crop yields by about 30%.
China's new aviation logistics hub
Asia focus, Suwatchai Songwanich, Published on 13/07/2020
» China is one of many countries seeking to strengthen the security of its supply chain in the wake of severe disruptions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. The country is improving its international express services and investing in a global aviation logistics hub as part of this move.
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.
High-speed rail needs help to make an impact
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 07/01/2019
» For all the hype surrounding Thailand's planned high-speed railway lines, their economic impact will be minimal without better planning to improve urban amenities and productivity in the services sector, say Japanese researchers.
RCEP matters more than ever
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 03/09/2018
» Last week's meeting of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in Singapore came at a critical juncture, not only for the future prosperity of the 16 countries involved but also the sake of the rules-based free and fair trading system globally.