An auto plant in Vietnam's Vinh Phuc Province: The abolition of tariffs has brought the industry to a critical juncture.
Economy

Sink-or-swim time for ASEAN latecomers as tariffs come down

Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam enter free-trade deep end with mixed feelings

1 January 2018
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un inspects artillery launchers ahead of a military drill on April 25, 2017.
Politics

Politics will again steal the Asian limelight in 2018

World awaits resolution to thorny issues that plagued the region throughout last year

31 December 2017
A portion of Japan's wartime "death railway," now operated by the State Railway of Thailand (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Thai-Myanmar link lays road to prosperity over dark history

Southern Economic Corridor will tie Southeast Asian markets to Indian Ocean

30 December 2017
The border crossing between northeastern India and Myanmar is being opened up at Moreh as part of a trilateral highway project to connect India with ASEAN. REUTERS/Rupak De Chowdhuri
International relations

Modi backs India-Myanmar-Thailand highway's Indochina extension

Connectivity with Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam seen as response to China's Belt and Road

29 December 2017
The Bank of Korea has joined the U.S. Federal Reserve in reversing the unconventional easy-credit policy once led by the Fed and other central banks.
Looking ahead 2018

QE unwinding is more dangerous than it appears

Asia's emerging markets remain dependent on central bank liquidity

26 December 2017
A ship in Yangon port, which is close to capacity and not easily expandable. Development of Thilawa port in the suburbs of Yangon will help the country handle its growing trade.
Economy

Growing trade pushes Myanmar to expand Thilawa port

Integrating cargo facilities with nearby industrial park expected to create export hub

22 December 2017
Nikkei illustration
Economy

China has India surrounded in their new Great Game

One after another, Beijing is pulling South Asian governments into its orbit

21 December 2017
The Jin Bei Casino hotel, which opened earlier this year, is one of Sihanoukville's newest properties targeting Chinese expats and tourists. (Photo by George Styllis)
Economy

Chinese cash fuels a gambling boom in a Cambodian backwater

Frenzied development threatens Sihanoukville's future as a resort spot

14 December 2017
Customers check out an iPhone X at an Apple Store in Singapore on Nov. 3.
Economy

Global trade uptick boosts Asian manufacturing

November PMI hits yearl-to-date high in five economies

14 December 2017
Electronics cable is made at a factory in Poipet run by Sumitronics Manufacturing (Cambodia).
Economy

The Cambodian city that went from war zone to manufacturing hub

The border city of Poipet is leveraging its cheap labor and strategic location

14 December 2017
Dignitaries view the resolution adopted Tuesday at the third Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Yangon, Myanmar.
Economy

Asia-Pacific leaders vow a doubling of water security investment

Summit commits to 'safe and affordable' water, sanitation for all by 2025

13 December 2017
Cryptocurrencies are seen on a website that tracks the value of initial coin offerings (ICO)
FT Confidential Research

Southeast Asia ready to embrace blockchain

Central banks are wary of cryptocurrencies but keen on the underlying technology

12 December 2017
Myanmar's State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi delivers opening remarks at the third Asia-Pacific Water Summit in Yangon. (Photo by Yuichi Nitta)
Economy

Water demand, sanitation top agenda at Myanmar summit

Infrastructure lags behind in Asia-Pacific region's fast-growing cities

12 December 2017
Sumitronics' production facility at Poipet's industrial park. (Photo by Yukako Ono)
Economy

Former Cambodian war zone transformed into industrial hub

Factory campus on western border highlights region's shifting labor landscape

10 December 2017
Cambodian garment workers in the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone, on the outskirts of the capital
Business

Tomorrow's game: Offshore production with robots

Execs must factor in shifting costs and tech when choosing Asia's next factory site

7 December 2017
A construction site in Ahmedabad, India: The country's GDP is likely to top $6 trillion by 2028.
Economy

India's economy to be world's No.3 by 2028: forecast

Philippines and Vietnam look like standout performers in coming years

7 December 2017
The Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington: The U.S. money-creating spree has flooded the world with dollars.
The Big Story

Asia braces for the end of easy money

Higher foreign exchange reserves should help avoid a 'taper tantrum' but other risks remain

6 December 2017
China's President Xi Jinping is shown on a screen during the fourth World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, Zhejiang province, China on Dec. 4.
Politics

China toughens web censorship, encourages others to follow

Beijing sees internet controls as a 'question of sovereignty'

5 December 2017
Talk of abolishing large-denomination bank notes largely centers on preventing criminals from hoarding cash.
Economy

The case for getting rid of high-denomination bank notes

Softer cashless route would hinder criminals, crack interest rate constraints

4 December 2017
Sun Chanthol
Economy

Cambodia sets up task force for PPP infrastructure projects

Senior minister seeks funds from Japan, AIIB

30 November 2017
The Doha skyline
Economy

Qatar looks beyond its neighbors as embargo goes on

Deals in the works with Southeast Asia over gas and food

30 November 2017
The Doha skyline
Economy

Qatar looks to build Asia ties as Gulf isolation drags on

World's top LNG producer wants to import more food and sell more gas

25 November 2017