The Raja Ampat islands, a diver's paradise in West Papua province, is one of the "10 new Balis" that Indonesia is preparing to boost its tourism sector. (Photo by Erwida Maulia)
Economy

Bali eruptions fail to shake Indonesia tourism growth

President Widodo's backing for sector spurs 22% jump in foreign arrivals

1 February 2018
A woman uses a funnel to fill the tank of a man's motorbike at a gas station in Gujarat, India. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Oil price rally puts Asian governments in a tight spot

Burden on consumers increases pressure for action on fuel prices

1 February 2018
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands in Beijing last May, when China hosted the Belt and Road Forum.
International relations

China becomes Indonesia's No. 2 investor with infrastructure drive

Japan slips to third place as Belt and Road money begins to flow

1 February 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, leads ASEAN heads of state and others to a reception following the Republic Day parade in New Delhi on Jan. 26.
Economy

Modi fetes ASEAN leaders at India's Republic Day celebration

China fears have the prime minister angling for closer ties with Southeast Asia

1 February 2018
Cambodian workers now earn a minimum monthly wage of $170, up 11% from last year.
Economy

Hungry leaders push Southeast Asia's minimum wages higher

Politicians are building support, but companies worry about bottom lines

1 February 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump delivers the State of the Union address in the chamber of the U.S. House of Representatives on Jan. 30. (Getty Images)
International relations

Trump's State of Union addresses 'reciprocity' and 'unfair trade'

China a 'rival' but other Asian nations have also put up barriers

31 January 2018
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The Big Story

Inside Asia's bitcoin economy

Crypto startups scramble amid regulatory pressure

31 January 2018
Stream article image
The Big Story

Don't understand cryptocurrencies? You're not alone

From bitcoin to blockchain, our glossary helps decode this high-tech trend

31 January 2018
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen chats with a garment worker during a visit to the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone last August.
Asia Insight

Minimum wage politicking stings employers in Southeast Asia

Rush to woo voters raises the risk of layoffs and factory relocations

30 January 2018
Indonesian repairmen work on air conditioners at a shopping complex in Jakarta. The country has the highest air conditioning demand in Southeast Asia.
Economy

Air conditioning sends ASEAN electricity demand soaring

Rising wealth in region risks doubling electricity demand by 2040

29 January 2018
Policewomen take part in India's Republic Day parade in Srinagar on Jan. 26, 2018.
International relations

Modi showcases links with ASEAN at New Delhi parade

India steps up maritime cooperation amid growing concerns over China

26 January 2018
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders arrive for the group photo session at the summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11. (Photo courtesy of APEC Secretariat)
Economy

Host problems cloud the outlook for this year's APEC

Beset by domestic issues, Papua New Guinea may struggle to put on the event

25 January 2018
SCG President and CEO Roongrote Rangsiyopash speaks during a news conference in Bangkok on Jan. 24. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Asia300

Siam Cement looks to go solo in Vietnam petrochemical complex

Thai industrial group proposes buyout in long-delayed $5.4bn project

25 January 2018
Sales staff accept payment by credit card at a department store in Bangkok, Thailand.
FT Confidential Research

Mobile payments sideswipe credit cards in Southeast Asia

Platforms such as GrabPay and Go-Pay gain enthusiastic users, FTCR survey finds

23 January 2018
With the right policies, India has a chance of racing ahead of China.
Economy

India could overtake China -- one day

With the right policies, the subcontinent might reach higher per head incomes than the Middle Kingdom

19 January 2018
A worker is seen at a Jakarta MRT construction site in the Indonesian capital in February.
Economy

Jakarta railway projects spark bedroom suburb buildup

Commuters won't have to fear the capital's mind-numbing traffic

18 January 2018
Rising wages could leave Indian workers with more money to burn.
Economy

Better paydays are in store for Asia

The region is predicted to lead global wage growth in 2018

18 January 2018
U.S. Federal Reserve Board Chair Janet Yellen, left, and People's Bank of China Gov. Zhou Xiaochuan in Washington in April 2016
Economy

William Pesek: New heads at central banks in Asia-Pacific could shake up 2018

It's not just the Fed that will see new leadership, but its policies could test the rest

18 January 2018
Kim Jong Un's North Korean regime continues to take an aggressive stance towards the U.S., despite his recently conciliatory attitude toward South Korea.
Economy

Moody's warns of ongoing risks on Korean Peninsula despite dialogue

Ratings company says crisis could spark capital outflows from Asia, yen spike

17 January 2018
Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump, Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang and and Chinese President Xi Jinping arrive for the group photo session at the APEC Summit in Danang, Vietnam on Nov. 11, 2017. (Photo courtesy of APEC Secretariat)
International relations

APEC summit outlook clouded by new host's problems

Caught between China and the bloc, PNG's domestic issues dominate

17 January 2018
Workers examine the wreckage of a balcony that collapsed in the lobby of the Jakarta Stock Exchange tower in Jakarta on Jan. 15.
Capital Markets

More than 70 injured in Jakarta stock exchange balcony collapse

Bourse quickly resumes trading after hundreds evacuated

16 January 2018
Asia's philanthropists have not yet reached their potentials at all.
Economy

Asian philanthropists can potentially give twice as much as US

Charitable donations can top $500 billion with proper tax incentives, regulatory reforms

16 January 2018
Indonesian authorities warn that the pseudonymous nature of trading in bitcoin facilitates criminal activity.
Capital Markets

Bank Indonesia steps up warnings against cryptocurrency trade

Practice is 'susceptible to money laundering, terrorism funding'

15 January 2018
From left: CT Corp. Founder and Chairman Chairul Tanjung, Salim Group Chairman and CEO Anthoni Salim and Lippo Group Chairman Mochtar Riady
Asia Insight

Indonesian tycoons wager with confidence in Widodo's economy

Armed with higher net worth, billionaires are making bolder investments

15 January 2018