Showing 21 - 30 of 44
Recovery on thin ice with Trump presidency
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 23/11/2016
» Donald Trump's win may derail the long journey of global recovery. This seismic shift in the political landscape stems from an internal economic root cause and likely extends into dire economic consequences globally, especially for emerging markets like Thailand. After much inconsistency in Mr Trump's presidential campaign, his team that will be unveiled over the next few weeks will be critical for the global outlook next year. It seems we will be "kept in suspense" into Christmas.
National sovereignty concerns in cyberspace
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 19/10/2016
» Recently, I was called upon to write a short memo for a policy-letter collection to the would-be 45th president of the United States; the piece would be framed as a policy suggestion in response to shifts in the strategic outlook and value of Asia's rising generation. Clouded in the harsh political rhetoric of personal characterisation and domestic focus during year-long presidential campaigning, one issue with immense global impact in the age of connectivity has yet to receive sufficient spotlight: cyber-security.
Strong side effects of ultra-low interest rates
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 17/08/2016
» Worldwide growth numbers in the past few years have been disappointing. As more uncertainties arise in the global economy, central bankers are taking ever more drastic measures in desperation to save growth. In July, one month after the Brexit result, the Bank of England cut its interest rates to a historic low to stave off potential impacts from the fallout. Central banks around the world too have taken their policy rates to unprecedentedly low levels.
Who's afraid of automation and robots?
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 20/07/2016
» The recent Toyota Motor Thailand's layoff of 800 employees has caused quite a stir. Luckily, this incident turned out to be an isolated case, and not a prelude to mass unemployment. Yet, a real threat is imminent as the world's economies, advanced and emerging alike, are entering a brave new world of automation.
Thailand must prepare for challenges ahead
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 18/05/2016
» In February, I discussed, with cautious optimism, the reality of our transport megaprojects and the sizeable impact on businesses. In particular, the service sector would subsequently flourish. As urbanisation accelerates from better connectivity, property and retail developments will quickly follow. Tourism businesses will expand to these new urban cities. Relatively new service businesses, such as transport maintenance, would be established in key junctions and pit-stops, as trains, planes and ships multiply.
All that glitters in CLMV markets is not gold
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 22/06/2016
» At the annual SCB EIC Conference held earlier this month, I mentioned the exuberant growth of our neighbours: Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) as a catalyst for service businesses in Thailand. Recently, our government has also initiated a business council among CLMV and Thailand to facilitate information sharing and troubleshoot trade and investment challenges facing private investors. This is a good effort to find a new source of growth to revitalise the Thai economy.
A hopeful tale for China's old and new economies
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 16/03/2016
» Optimism was in the air for the Chinese economy at the IIF-G20 conference in Shanghai late last month. The annual forum set the stage for leaders in the financial community to share their economic perspectives and voice their concerns prior to the G20 meeting. This year, in particular, at the height of global fears of its crash landing, the crowd was listening closely for insights on how China's economic transition would unfold.
Mega-investment is no longer a choice
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 27/01/2016
» As the year of the monkey kicks off, anxiety abounds. For the first time in nearly half a century, no single economic power enjoys bullish prospects. In the 1980s, Japan was at the height of its "miracle" with record salaries and employment. In the 1990s, the United States rode the success of rapid technological change that created waves of new jobs as well as the dot com bubble. At the turn of the millennium, the European Union was exuberant with the promise of growth driven by a streamlined internal market and single currency. Then China's accession to the World Trade Organisation helped it re-emerge as one of the world's great economic powers, marching briskly forward even during the global financial crisis of 2008. Today, there is no comparable big winner.
Megaprojects provide stimulus and long-term gains
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 17/02/2016
» The volatility in global financial markets has recently picked up again on the back of a series of mediocre economic data across the globe. Poor results for Thai exports in 2015 could very well extend further, putting a spotlight on the need for public investment more than ever. Without a doubt, the cabinet will be called upon to churn out the public infrastructure projects as promised.
Thai women need to break the glass ceiling
News, Sutapa Amornvivat, Published on 17/06/2015
» As Thailand seeks to bridge the human resources gap expected to widen in the years ahead, we should keep women in mind. The question is whether the nation is fully tapping into the much-needed talents of female workers and managers.