Economy

Rising exports and effective control of the coronavirus have kept Vietnam's economy growing despite the pandemic.
Economy

Vietnam emerges as sole economic winner in Southeast Asia

GDP to surge past virus-hit Singapore and Malaysia on China manufacturing exodus

19 November 2020
"For many businesses forced to close their doors during lockdowns, Facebook and Instagram have been a lifeline," writes Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg. (Photo courtesy of Facebook)
Opinion

How an open internet can power Asia-Pacific's economic recovery

Everyone should have the opportunity to be part of the digital future

19 November 2020
Malaysia's economy is gradually coming back to life after a strict coronavirus lockdown earlier this year, but a recent wave of infections poses a threat.
Economy

Malaysia's Q3 GDP fall slows to 2.7% under persistent COVID cloud

'Not all is gloom and doom,' central banker says amid virus resurgence

13 November 2020
Malaysia's Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin, left, and Finance Minister Zafrul Aziz pose before submitting the 2021 budget to parliament on Nov. 6.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia's Muhyiddin pushes largest budget ever to fight COVID

Growth forecast to rebound to 7.5% in 2021; Anwar voices skepticism

6 November 2020
A worker sprays disinfectant outside a shop in Kuala Lumpur as Malaysia grapples with a new wave of coronavirus infections in late October.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysia budget heads for parliament with Muhyiddin's job on line

COVID recovery plan hinges on lawmakers heeding king's call to cooperate

5 November 2020
Malaysia's Sultan Abdullah recently also rejected Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin's request to declare a state of emergency over the rising cases of COVID-19.
Malaysia in transition

Malaysian king wades into politics again in break with norms

Sultan Abdullah seeks to ease impasse over 2021 budget addressing pandemic

30 October 2020
Police officers enforce a movement control order at a roadblock on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur on Oct. 14.
Economy

Southeast Asia teeters on deeper GDP downturn as lockdowns return

Malaysia and Myanmar restrict travel, while Thailand finds containment doesn't revive growth

16 October 2020
Construction workers build Beijing's new National Speed Skating Oval on Sept. 23 -- one of many infrastructure projects now underway in China.
Economy

China and India infrastructure construction paves way out of crisis

Governments look to buoy COVID-hit economies, setting builders on recovery path

12 October 2020
Singapore's Merlion Park, a major tourist spot: The city-state aims to revive general travel, either by unilaterally allowing visitors from certain countries or through reciprocal "bubbles."
Coronavirus

Singapore speeds up travel restart as COVID keeps Malaysia gripped

Neighbors' contrasting circumstances underscore health-economy dilemma

12 October 2020
Stacks of containers are seen at Tanjung Priok port amid the coronavirus outbreak in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug. 3.
Economy

India and ASEAN set to return to growth in early 2021: JCER

Survey shows curbing COVID and income support keys to economic recovery

6 October 2020
Trading boards at a private stock market gallery in Kuala Lumpur: governments must recognize that regulated and transparent short-selling supports efficient markets.
Opinion

Asia must rethink bans on short-selling

Being able to sell high and buy low a vital way of maintaining efficient markets

24 September 2020
Precision or personalized medicine based on analysis of patients' genomes is beginning to catch on in Southeast Asia. (Nikkei illustration)
Asia Insight

Cracking ASEAN's code: Inside the push for genomic medicine

Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand doctors seek funds as COVID adds new hurdle

15 September 2020
Malaysian Tourism Minister Nancy Shukri assumed her role just a week before the government imposed a lockdown. (Photo by Wong Ying Xian)
Most read in 2020

Malaysia likely to remain closed to tourists into 2021: minister

Nancy Shukri says COVID surges in hitherto 'safe' countries have forced rethink

26 August 2020
The view overlooking Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia's gross domestic product plummeted 17.1% on the year in the April-June period.
Economy

Malaysian GDP plunge fuels talk of post-COVID economic remodeling

Experts call for investor-friendly regulations without political 'flip-flops'

22 August 2020
A medical personnel uses a bag-mask valve at an isolation facility in Metro Manila on May 1: few problems are insurmountable when collaborative science rise to the occasion.
Opinion

Reimagining Asia's response to COVID-19

Purpose-driven leadership, digital transformation and collective effort are critical

19 August 2020
Workers who crossed into Singapore from Malaysia on Aug. 17 board a bus prepared by their employer to take them to quarantine locations. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Coronavirus

Singapore-Malaysia border reopening restores economic lifeline

Crossing quota filled as workers and employers rush to undo COVID damage

17 August 2020
Malaysia's central bank still expects the full-year GDP to fall between 0.5% growth and a 2% contraction.
Economy

Malaysia GDP plunges record 17.1% in Q2 under pandemic pressure

Worse-than-expected contraction reflects lengthy coronavirus lockdown

14 August 2020
A view of the land link between Singapore and Malaysia under lockdown: The governments are preparing to restart business travel.
Coronavirus

Malaysia and Singapore aim to open travel 'green lane' on Aug. 10

Plan will enable essential business and let workers in for 3-month stints

14 July 2020
Muhyiddin Yassin is not opening the government's wallet sufficiently.
Opinion

Malaysia's economy has a serious political problem

Squabbling current and former prime ministers prevent meaningful reforms

9 July 2020
Malaysia's central bank has been cutting rates to support the ailing economy.
Economy

Malaysia central bank cuts rate to record low to offset COVID pain

Policy board takes action at fourth straight meeting, dropping rate to 1.75%

7 July 2020
The coronavirus pandemic has hit Asian economies hard. Conditions in the ASEAN5 countries and India are still deteriorating, with trade and movement of people restricted in an attempt to control the spread of the virus. 
Economy

ASEAN and India sink into deep minus growth: JCER survey

Acceleration of digitization expected due to COVID-19 pandemic

7 July 2020
A wooden boat carries suspected Rohingya migrants detained in Malaysian territorial waters off the island of Langkawi on Apr. 5: their ordeal has lasted months and shows no sign of ending.
Opinion

COVID-19 is no excuse for rejecting Rohingya migrants

Asia must use the Bali Process to treat those fleeing on boats humanely

20 June 2020
Workers at a dhaba during lockdown in Chandigarh, pictured on May 15: brisk streetside commerce has all but disappeared.
Opinion

Workers in Asia's informal economy need protecting now

Coronavirus shock should compel governments to bring them into formal sector

15 June 2020
Travelers wearing face masks are seen at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Thailand wants to create "travel corridors" or "travel bubbles" with certain countries, including China, Japan, South Korea and Vietnam. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Thailand fights to revive reputation as top tourist destination

COVID-19 tracing measures and troubled Thai Airways' cloud tourism revival

15 June 2020
Thailand's coronavirus lockdown left central Bangkok deserted. The pandemic has rubbed salt in the wound left by falling Chinese real estate investment. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Economy

Thailand's condo market sinks as Chinese investment ebbs

Coronavirus travel bans speed drop sparked by stronger baht and trade war

10 June 2020