Showing 71 - 80 of 91
Services the missing link in new HK-Asean trade pact
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 02/07/2018
» Businesses in the region are looking forward to the new Asean-Hong Kong free trade agreement (FTA), but they say restrictions in the service sector will have to be lifted for all parties to fully realise mutual benefits from the pact.
Asia gets its kicks
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 18/06/2018
» There was no shortage of excitement in the world last week, what with Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un shaking hands and pledging to work toward peace on the Korean Peninsula. But the number of people tuning in to the "summit of the century" was probably eclipsed two days later when the World Cup kicked off in Russia.
Turned off in Asia
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/06/2018
» Uruguay became the first country to legalise marijuana entirely in July last year. Residents over age 18 can smoke cannabis in public and purchase it either from a pharmacy or harvest a crop of up to six plants.
Korea Inc sharpens strategic focus in Asean
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 04/06/2018
» South Korea is shifting its economic focus from mostly developed countries in Asia, North America and Europe to Southeast Asia with its "New Southern Policy", which aims to strengthen economic ties with Asean to diversify its trade links, a Korean minister says.
America the unwelcoming
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 28/05/2018
» If you saw the recent Asia Power Index complied by the Lowy Institute, you may have been surprised to see the United States ranked above China as the pre-eminent power in Asia in 2018. One major factor giving America the edge was "cultural influence".
Quiet tiger
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 21/05/2018
» Mention Asian tiger economies and Bangladesh is probably the last place that comes to mind. But the World Economic Forum (WEF) this year conferred the designation on the South Asian country, alongside the likes of Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan, citing its impressive growth in the past decade.
Clinging to hope
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 21/05/2018
» They have survived many challenges, from a genocide that killed nearly 3 million of their people, the ultimate fight for freedom from Pakistan, a series of coups since independence in 1971, and the assassination of the Father of the Nation, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. But the people of Bangladesh still find it in their hearts to help those even less fortunate than themselves, in this case hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees.
Mahathir recast as Malaysia's saviour
News, Erich Parpart, Published on 11/05/2018
» At the ripe old age of 92, Mahathir Mohamad has come out of retirement and is now set to become the world's oldest elected leader and the seventh prime minister of Malaysia after pulling off a surprise victory over his former apprentice Najib Razak on Wednesday.
Trade dominates Asean+3 concerns
Business, Erich Parpart, Published on 09/05/2018
» Manila: The Asean+3 (China, Japan and South Korea) countries want a commitment in terms of multilateral trade to maintain trading growth among member states.
Online safety for children is everyone's responsibility
Asia focus, Erich Parpart, Published on 07/05/2018
» Shutting children away behind closed doors, away from prying eyes and with no internet, can protect them up to a point. But preventing children from engaging with the world hurts their development in the long run.