Economy

The G-7 seemed out of its depth on Trump's trade war.
Opinion

US-Japan trade deal is bright spot at chaotic G-7 summit

World seems no closer to avoiding ugly economic shocks in 2020

26 August 2019
Malaysia recently announced a slew of measures to boost onshore foreign exchange market.
Finance

Malaysia's forex steps may help retain slot in bond index

Analysts warn of hefty outflows from any potential ouster from global index

22 August 2019
People hope that their children's lives will be far better than theirs.
Opinion

Growing Asian economies breed high expectations among citizens

Governments must handle slowdown carefully to avoid rise of populism

22 August 2019
"This is about world trade, and we have to look into trading practices first," Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said in an interview. "If it breaches any international law, of course, we will go to the international court." (FIle photo from June 2018 by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Interview

Exclusive: Mahathir weighs taking EU to court over palm oil ban

Malaysian leader and Indonesia's Widodo 'disappointed' over negative sentiment

19 August 2019
Singapore downgraded its full-year growth forecast to a range of 0% to 1% from the previous 1.5% to 2.5%.
Economy

Southeast Asia set for more headwinds after lackluster 2Q growth

More stimulus expected as trade war bites export-reliant economies

19 August 2019
Desalination plants, such as this one in Singapore's western Tuas district, are part of the city-state's effort to raise its self-sufficiency in water.(Photo by Mayuko Tani)
Economy

Singapore pours $7.2bn into underground sewer superhighway

City-state aims to reduce dependence on neighboring Malaysia

17 August 2019
Demand for palm oil helped Malaysia maintain its distinction as one of Southeast Asia's most vibrant economies in the April-June quarter.
Economy

Malaysia's GDP accelerates to 4.9% growth, bucking Asian trend

Rise led by consumption and factory output uptick, but economists cautious

16 August 2019
Singapore's business district: there will be hardly any help from outside for the city-state.
Opinion

Asian exporters must heed Singapore's recession warning signs

Southeast Asian nations will fall victim to same global troubles

16 August 2019
"Food inflation is expected to stay at high-side " MIDF Amanah Investment Bank wrote in a note to clients.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's July inflation moderates amid cheaper fuel costs

Economists expect inflation to remain 'benign' in near term

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
Cat Lai Port: Vietnam is attracting Chinese manufacturers looking to avoid punitive U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Business trends

Goodbye China: Chinese manufacturers follow multinationals out the door

Companies look to Vietnam and beyond amid protracted trade war and rising costs at home

12 August 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's industrial production grows at slower pace in June

Economists say growth likely peaked in June quarter, flag slowdown amid trade spat

9 August 2019
The yen's rise reduces the odds Japan Inc. will fatten paychecks. (Photo by Kai Fujii)
Opinion

Japan and South Korea will be biggest losers in US-China currency war

ASEAN countries will also be collateral damage as demand falls and exports are hit

8 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
Malaysia's recent data resonates with a slump in Singapore's exports, now in its fourth consecutive month of decline.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia June exports fall 3.1% to 4-month low, trade war woes mount

Economists expect central bank may cut rate again to support growth

2 August 2019
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31 July 2019
An anti-China protest on July 12 in Metro Manila: Duterte is facing popular backlash over his relations with China.
Opinion

China's overreach provokes backlash across Southeast Asia

Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia all show signs of rejecting Beijing's influence

31 July 2019
European Union foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini, seen here in Brussels in May, told the Nikkei Asian Review: "It is the EU as a whole that has decided to enhance its engagement on security issues in and with Asia, and we are intent on delivering on that objective."
Interview

EU keen to strengthen security ties with Asia: foreign policy chief

Korean Peninsula and South China Sea 'matter to all of us,' Federica Mogherini says

30 July 2019
The ECRL is one among the few big ticket infrastructure projects that Mahathir has sought to revive to perk up activities in a trade-reliant economy amid mounting external uncertainties and sluggish domestic demand.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia revives China-backed rail project to spur growth

China Exim Bank agrees to lend 85% of project cost, to soon ink funding pact

25 July 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's June inflation races to 13-month high

Comparison with low base magnifies reading, prices expected to stay steady

24 July 2019
Malaysia has banned import of plastic scrap but the ruling has been poorly enforced and monitored.
Opinion

How to end Asia's plastic waste war

Trade bans in Southeast Asia risk shifting problem to South Asia and Africa

17 July 2019
The latest data suggests economic expansion pace between April and June would be stable although threats to growth lingered over the remaining quarters due to trade tensions between U.S. and China.
Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's May industrial production growth beats view

Lingering Sino-US trade tension, weak commodity prices mar future growth outlook

12 July 2019
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Nikkei Markets

Malaysia's central banks holds rate steady as expected

BNM says current monetary policy stance remains accommodative, growth supportive

9 July 2019
A port in Qingdao, Shandong province, China. Although the U.S. and China have agreed to reopen trade talks, the future direction of their trade relationship remains unclear.
Economy

US-China trade war will hit ASEAN economy harder

JCER quarterly survey records fourth straight downgrade as uncertainty remains

9 July 2019
Cannabis legalization is slowly spreading from Western countries to Asia. Many Thai companies are seeking opportunities to enter related markets.
Asia Insight

Pot of gold? Thailand leads slow push to legalize weed in Asia

Potential $8.5bn market looks tempting but experts advise caution

9 July 2019