Economy

Tsai Ing-wen rejuvenated the New Southbound Policy in 2016 while Beijing launched its measures to bring Taipei back into line.
Opinion

Taiwan's New Southbound Policy is decreasing its reliance on China

Looking to regional neighbors for closer trade relationships is bearing fruit

4 October 2019
Onion prices more than doubled in recent weeks after floods damaged crops across the country. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Economy

India's eye-watering onion prices put extra pressure on Modi

Government bans exports and warns 'unscrupulous' merchants against hoarding

4 October 2019
Grameenphone, the largest mobile phone operator in Bangladesh, was asked earlier this year to pay a total of over $1.5 billion in unpaid taxes and penalties for failing to meet revenue-sharing obligations. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
Economy

Fearing a loss of investment, Bangladesh assuages multinationals

Minister to mediate telcos' tax dispute while secretary to lobby drug giant Sanofi

29 September 2019
Bangladesh plans to create new casino zones to increase foreign tourist arrivals.
Economy

Bangladesh wants in on Asia's crowded casino market

Government weighs tourists-only gambling amid crackdown on illegal dens

27 September 2019
Efforts by Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue have increased the tax roll and chipped away at the country's image of being rife with tax cheats.
Economy

Pakistan registers a million new taxpayers ahead of IMF review

Terms of $6bn loan create headwinds for growth and business confidence

26 September 2019
Workers load garbage into a dump truck at a trash dump teeming with plastic bags in Islamabad. 
Environment

Pakistan moves to ban plastic bags

Urgent tweet prompts government action, but experts warn results may take years

6 September 2019
From left, Naypyidaw, Putrajaya and Astana (source photo from Reuters)
Politics

A short history of relocating capitals in Asia

Indonesia's move has precedents in places such as Myanmar and Malaysia

30 August 2019
Singapore plans to keep water at bay by building giant seawalls.
Opinion

Asia's megacities must learn from Indonesia's capital move

Few others can afford Singapore's pricey climate crisis plan

27 August 2019
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gives his Independence Day speech on Aug. 15, in which he insisted that scrapping the special status of Jammu and Kashmir was necessary for the region's development.
International relations

Kashmir looms over Modi's trip to France and Middle East

Indian PM makes countermove as Pakistan vows to take dispute to Hague

22 August 2019
Large swaths of the Kashmir region have remained in a communications blackout since Aug. 5.
International relations

India's stature helps mute responses to Kashmir power grab

Pakistan seeks Security Council meeting but Russia has already backed the move

14 August 2019
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi enjoyed a landslide electoral victory in May, but building economic gloom is already casting a shadow over his government's second term. (Photo by Kosaku Mimura)
The Big Story

Modi seeks reforms to India's stuttering economy

Landslide victory gives reelected prime minister a second chance at 'Modinomics'

14 August 2019
Top Glove denied the forced labor claims, but admitted that overtime had exceeded national regulations.
Opinion

Asia Pacific companies need to face up to migrant labor problems

Investors and advocacy groups step up calls for transparency

14 August 2019
Narendra Modi visits Sri Lanka in June 2019: if connectivity initiatives have to succeed, "we must also build bridges of trust," said Modi.
Opinion

India responds to Belt and Road Initiative with infrastructure push

New Delhi does not want China to dominate its backyard so has started spending

13 August 2019
Solar panels could provide an efficient option in tropical nations requiring significant new generating capacity.
Opinion

Asia is the right place for a US 'Green New Deal'

Funding environmentally friendly projects would curb emissions and provide BRI alternative

7 August 2019
Workers at a garment factory in Bangladesh. South Korean companies, whose transfer of technical know-how helped Bangladesh become the world’s second-largest textiles exporter, are looking at the potential of other emerging sectors. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Bangladesh aims to leap beyond textiles with help from South Korea

Garment export leader expands into tech, energy and other emerging industries

31 July 2019
The government of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan cannot appeal the decision by the International Court for Settlement of Investment Disputes, but it can ask the court to review the amount of the fine.
International relations

China rescue option emerges as Pakistan slapped with $5.9bn fine

Gold and copper mine dispute brings another headache after IMF bailout deal

19 July 2019
A shopping district in Dhaka. Private consumption comprises about 75% of Bangladesh’s more than $300 billion economy. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Bangladesh enjoys foreign investment tailwind for economic boom

Japan and China lead surge as consumption-dependent growth takes step forward

12 July 2019
The decision to raise the gas price has sparked an outcry from businesses, consumer rights groups and opposition parties.
Economy

Record gas price spike puts squeeze on Bangladesh garment makers

Factory owners fret about growth stalling if they lose competitive edge

5 July 2019
A fashion store in Islamabad: Pakistan's government hopes its drive to stamp out the Taliban and restore safety will help to rebuild the economy. 
Economy

Pakistan hopes security lures business along with British royals

Prince William and Kate's planned tour shows anti-terror success is getting noticed

3 July 2019
Rickshaws ply a street in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The new VAT has caught the country largely unprepared as regards compliance. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Economy

Bangladesh's VAT rollout confuses consumers and businesses

Government hopes new tax will raise one-third of $38.5bn revenue goal for 2020

2 July 2019
Opposition parties have attacked the Pakistani government over rising prices for consumer goods as the rupee has depreciated.
Economy

Pakistan central bank's ability to stabilize rupee questioned

Currency expected to slide further with IMF rescue

21 June 2019
Cuts to annual budgets for China-linked infrastructure projects in Pakistan come as Beijing seeks to encourage a more sustainable approach.
Belt and Road

Pakistan slashes annual funding for Belt and Road projects

Government struggles to balance finances under IMF bailout program

17 June 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan's party won last year's election on a pledge to eliminate corruption.
Economy

Khan avoids talk of economy after Pakistan unveils tax targets

Prime minister focuses on tackling corruption as foundation for IMF loan

13 June 2019
"As the budget unfolds and the cost of living in Pakistan rises, there will be resentment on the streets," one economist predicted.
Economy

Pakistan's Khan stuck between IMF and public with crisis budget due

Analysts warn of backlash if PM attempts 'most difficult' reforms yet

5 June 2019
Sri Lankan Army soldiers secure the area around St. Anthony's Shrine after a blast in Colombo on April 21.
Opinion

After Sri Lanka, Asia should brace itself for more IS terrorist attacks

States must counter youth radicalization with educational, social and economic plans

5 June 2019