Showing 1 - 10 of 40
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.
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.
Stumbling but hopeful
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 07/03/2022
» Domestic travellers have been the lifeline for tourism-reliant countries, especially in Southeast Asia, for the past two pandemic-battered years. But even as countries start scrapping restrictions to welcome international visitors back, some pandemic uncertainties persist and now a crisis in Ukraine threatens the global economic recovery as a whole.
Asia's emissions-reduction plan for the world
Asia focus, Masatsugu Asakawa, Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Carlos Dominguez, Published on 07/02/2022
» World leaders came together in Glasgow last November to map out a path to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. But while the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) was undoubtedly a historic moment, most countries are just beginning their work to meet new goals to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions.
Where To Next?
Asia focus, Pattama Kuentak, Published on 10/01/2022
» The world has entered its third year of living with a global pandemic. We have witnessed almost 300 million Covid-19 cases with 5.47 million lives lost, yet the toll might have been much worse but for an almost superhuman global effort to develop effective vaccines in record time.
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.
Don't leave migrant workers behind
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 26/07/2021
» In many regions, migrant workers make up a significant share of the labour force, making vital contributions to the societies and economies of their destination countries.
China's three-child policy won't help
Asia focus, Nancy Qian, Published on 21/06/2021
» In an effort to address rapid population ageing, China recently announced that it would allow all families to have up to three children. The decision comes on the heels of widely publicised new data showing that the Chinese fertility rate in 2020 was only 1.3 per woman, similar to that of Japan (1.36 in 2019) and notably lower than that of the United States (1.7).
Rise of the Robots
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 17/05/2021
» The world is witnessing the rapid advancement of technologies and automation in almost every aspect of work today. Businesses are adopting automation and robotics to revolutionise their workplaces, partly to help save costs but also to boost productivity and growth, and for safety reasons.
Covid's unequal impact
Asia focus, Apiradee Treerutkuarkul, Published on 26/04/2021
» As the Covid-19 crisis continues, the devastating economic effects have intensified for people in many walks of life globally. As well, the unequal impacts of the pandemic have become even more apparent, experts say.