Showing 1 - 10 of 91
More green space, please
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 08/01/2018
» Hong Kong covers an area of 2,800 square kilometres with a population of 7.3 million. It has one of the highest population densities in the world at about 6,400 people per square kilometre and rents are the highest in Asia. However, it has still managed to build more than 70 parks for its citizens to find refuge from urban stress.
Protein power
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 15/01/2018
» New Zealand-based Fonterra, the world's largest exporter of dairy products, expects healthy growth in the protein markets of South and East Asia in the next five years, thanks to healthier lifestyles and the growing interest in fitness.
Green but greying
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/01/2018
» Visit a rice farm anywhere in Asia these days and you will see a life that has hardly changed in decades. Transplanting paddy sprouts into muddy soil, swatting itch-inducing stalks with a sharp sickle and lifting heavy rice sacks into a rickety truck are all part of the backbreaking routine.
Double the fun
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/01/2018
» Sailing on the equivalent of a floating Macau, viewing spectacular shows and enjoying all-day indoor and outdoor entertainment are par for the course on the new generation of cruises serving the growing Asian leisure travel market.
Back from the dead
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 29/01/2018
» Once considered dead after US President Donald Trump pulled his country out of the deal signed by his predecessor, the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has come back to life with its 11 remaining members agreeing to move on with the giant free-trade agreement.
Makro explores new wholesale frontier in India
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 19/02/2018
» Bangkok-based Siam Makro, part of US$50-billion Charoen Pokphand (CP) Group, has entered the cash-and-carry wholesale business in India with the launch of LOTS Wholesale Solutions, believing that this huge new market will one day surpass its business at home.
Russian mission calls on EEC
Business, Erich Parpart, Published on 22/02/2018
» As part of President Vladimir Putin's plan to take leadership of Eurasia's economic expansion, Alexey Gruzdev, Russia's deputy minister of economic development, along with the largest Russian business delegation to Thailand in modern history, have embarked on a three-day trip here, with the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) the main attraction.
Emerging opportunity
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 26/02/2018
» Equities in Asia's emerging markets rode a wave of global growth last year, with shares that make up the MSCI Emerging Markets Index delivering a 37% return, but will the big gains continue this year?
Adjusting to the new China
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 12/03/2018
» The National People's Congress of China opened its annual legislative gathering last Monday with Prime Minister Li Keqiang announcing a conservative 2018 economic growth target of around 6.5%, and the biggest rise in military spending in three years. The budget for the People's Liberation Army is rising 8.1% to 1.1 trillion yuan or US$175 billion.
Showing our age
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 12/03/2018
» The Asia-Pacific region is "ageing at an unprecedented pace", with developing facing bigger ageing challenges than developed ones, the United Nations has warned. Given their limited healthcare and pension budgets, developing countries in particular need to look for more innovative ways to improve the quality of life of their senior citizens. Tapping new technology could be part of the solution.