Showing 1 - 10 of 90
Time to tone down Taiwan tensions
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 08/08/2022
» It was a picture-perfect shot, really. That was my thought when I saw US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi standing side by side with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in Taipei last Wednesday. But the one-day visit to the self-ruled island by the 82-year-old American politician has created no end of tension, not only for the US and China but also many of their allies across the Asia Pacific region.
Sri Lanka syndrome: Is Bangladesh out of danger?
Asia focus, Kamal Uddin Mazumder, Published on 08/08/2022
» With global inflation rising and the fear of fuel and food crises looming large, clouds are gathering on the economic horizon of South Asian countries. Sri Lanka in particular remains mired in a crisis driven by a mix of high indebtedness, soaring inflation and poor economic management.
Myanmar's twin crises loom
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 01/08/2022
» While the rest of the world continues to be preoccupied by Covid-19 and fallout from Russia-Ukraine war, the downward spiral of Myanmar continues. A once-promising frontier market risks slipping into a Sri Lanka-like economic crisis, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis created by the cruelty of its military junta.
Food security an urgent priority
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/07/2022
» While an earlier meeting of G-20 delegates in Yogyakarta focused on strengthening the global health system, it is no surprise that the Russia-Ukraine war dominated talks at the summit of the Group of Seven rich nations last week.
When does inflation stop?
Asia focus, Koichi Hamada, Published on 30/05/2022
» Until a few years ago, major economies were struggling to achieve even mild inflation, with policymakers in the United States, the United Kingdom and the euro zone struggling to meet their targets of 2% annual price growth.
Waiting for China
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/05/2022
» Since China began to open up and reform its economy in 1978, growth has averaged almost 10% a year, and more than 800 million people have been lifted out of poverty. There have also been significant improvements in access to health, education and other services, with the mainland now an upper-middle-income country.
Time to move on from Zero Covid
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/05/2022
» It's finally time for Shanghai residents to breathe easier and feel a greater sense of freedom. After nearly two months of lockdown, the commercial hub of 25 million started to allow more people to go out to buy groceries for the first time last Thursday after a fifth straight day of no new Covid-19 infections outside quarantine areas.
Challenges for Asean
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 11/04/2022
» Over two years after the coronavirus emerged, countries across Asia are slowly beginning to recover. In Southeast Asia, economic growth is projected to pick up to 5.1% this year, from 3.2% in 2021. With 400 million people, or 59% of the population, fully vaccinated, many economies are well on the way to reopening.
World mustn't forget Myanmar
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 04/04/2022
» With all eyes focusing on the Russia-Ukraine war, Southeast Asia and the world should not forget about what has been going on in Myanmar. The military shows no signs of stopping its brutal campaign of violence against the people, who continue to fight for the democracy that was stolen from them 14 months ago.
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.