Economy

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
When government officials abruptly revealed  that the drilling project had been abandoned after its failure to find any gas or oil reserves, Khan and his government faced rapidly mounting criticism.
Politics

Imran Khan under fire after Pakistan fails to find offshore oil

Critics say prime minister trying to deflect attention from massive IMF loan

3 June 2019
From left: Malaysia's Mahathir Mohamad, Bangladesh's Sheikh Hasina and Cambodia's Hun Sen speak at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 30.
The Future of Asia 2019

Cambodia's Hun Sen quashes Chinese 'debt trap' fears

Political and business luminaries discuss Asia's future at Nikkei forum

30 May 2019
Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaks at the Future of Asia conference on May 30. (Photo by Yuki Nakao)
The Future of Asia 2019

Bangladesh grows beyond garments to technology, PM Hasina says

Digital technology is 'reducing inequality' and 'creating opportunities'

30 May 2019
Pakistan is one of the world’s worst performers when it comes to income tax collection. Less than 1% of its population of more than 210 million pays an income tax.
Economy

Pakistan’s tax amnesty leaves doubt as wealthy keep evasive methods

Low-income workers discover bank accounts opened in their names by the rich

22 May 2019
Shopping for groceries at a store in Peshawar. Pakistan's rupee has become Asia's weakest currency in recent months.
Economy

Pakistan hikes interest rates to 5-year high after IMF deal

Inflation-fighting move takes borrowing rate to more than 12%

21 May 2019
Port of Colombo is an important strategic spot for both China and Japan. (Photo by Yuji Kuronuma)
International relations

Japan and India to develop Colombo port, countering Belt and Road

With Sri Lanka, partners take on China's expanding Indian Ocean presence

20 May 2019
A Pakistani money changer counts US dollar bills in Islamabad. Pakistan's IMF loan deal is likely to further devalue the nation's currency.
Economy

Pakistan's currency in line for further hits after IMF loan

Famously stubborn tax evaders in focus as opposition rejects deal's provisions

14 May 2019
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has made three changes in his economic team in less than a month, suggesting he has yet to set the stage for the country’s economic direction.
Economy

Pakistan appoints IMF official for new central bank governor

PM Khan's changes to economic team come amid new loan discussions

6 May 2019
Security personnel keep watch at Galle Fort, one of Sri Lanka's most popular tourist destinations, on April 24. (Photo by Amila Gamage)
Economy

Sri Lanka's tourism industry defiant after deadly attacks

Minister and merchants expect rebound, despite risk to economy and jobs

26 April 2019
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi speaks with the Nikkei Asian Review in Tokyo. (Photo by Arisa Moriyama)
Interview

Pakistan ready for peace talks after Indian vote, minister says

New IMF bailout and Chinese investment also on horizon as economic ills persist

23 April 2019
The discussions with the IMF have run into resistance from the U.S. over Pakistan's Chinese debt.
Belt and Road

Pakistan's PM Khan eager for closer economic ties with China

Beijing visit for Belt and Road summit to highlight plans for economic corridor

23 April 2019
Crime-scene officials inspect the explosion area at the Shangri-La Hotel in Colombo after deadly blasts April 21.
Economy

Sri Lanka bombings hurt island's tourist destination ambitions

Death toll rises to 290 after Easter Sunday attacks on churches and hotels

22 April 2019
Pakistani Finance Minister Asad Umar holds a news conference in Islamabad in November.
Economy

Pakistan finance minister resigns ahead of visit by IMF

Sudden departure comes after provisional deal on aid worth over $6bn

19 April 2019
The practice of Chinese men paying to marry young Pakistani women has continued for the past couple of years, according to sources.
Belt and Road

Chinese illegal marriage operators exploit young Pakistani women

Belt and Road hype leaves human trafficking of underprivileged unchecked

18 April 2019
The tax amnesty plan is being promoted by Prime Minister Imran Khan as a necessary step to help reform Pakistan.
Economy

Pakistan to unveil new tax amnesty to ease debt burden

PM Khan hopes one-time charge on hidden wealth will relieve cash-strapped economy

15 April 2019
Indonesian fishermen work near pipes flushing sewage into the Porong River in the province of East Java.
Environment

Southeast Asia looks for outside help to flush sewage problems

Water treatment projects lure foreign expertise to deal with rising raw effluent

12 April 2019
Home to one-quarter of the world's population, South Asia is seen as a potential gold mine for 5G equipment makers such as Huawei. 
5G networks

Huawei takes 5G fight to India and Pakistan

Region primed for $1.2tn tech bonanza over next five years

8 April 2019
Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, right, with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing last November. Officials in Pakistan’s Balochistan province say it is failing to reap the full benefits of major infrastructure projects in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
Belt and Road

Khan tries to ease concerns over China's Belt and Road

Pakistani province demands fair share of $62bn development project

2 April 2019
China is left with just one real ally -- Pakistan. 
Opinion

Pakistan, China and terrorism

Beijing's support protects Islamabad from global pressure to suppress militants

18 March 2019