Economy

Massive traffic jams like this are a daily occurrence in Jakarta. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Only bigger public investment can ease Asia's infrastructure shortages

Private funding is too small to close the gap in transport, energy and telecoms

27 March 2018
Public Bank is targeting cost-to-income ratio of between 33% and 34%, maintain gross impaired loans ratio of below 1% this year.
Nikkei Markets

Public Bank aims higher loan growth this year

Industry-leading ROE projection despite a dip, help lift shares to record high

22 March 2018
Stream article image
Economy

Malaysia's February inflation rate eases, lags view

Analysts say muted pricing pressure limits need for interest rate hike

21 March 2018
Hong Leong Financial Group derives most of its profit from the listed commercial banking unit Hong Leong Bank.
Nikkei Markets

Hong Leong Financial hopes at least 10% net profit growth

CEO says return on equity may slip below 11%, commercial banking to drive growth

19 March 2018
Apparel imports from ASEAN are growing, spurred by low labor costs in such countries as Vietnam.
Economy

Japan's import prices for daily goods sink further

Production shifts to Southeast Asia as wages rise in China

18 March 2018
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull takes a selfie with a delegate in Sydney on March 16.
International relations

Australia courts Southeast Asia with unprecedented summit

Leaders to talk trade and security amid doubts about US, concerns about China

16 March 2018
The rules hammered in the TPP-11 free trade agreement signed on March 8 are at risk of not keeping pace with fast-moving developments in worlds of technology and business.
Comment

Pacific trade rules on digital data may already be outdated

TPP-11 principles to contain China could be counterproductive

15 March 2018
The rules hammered in the TPP-11 free trade agreement signed on March 8 are at risk of not keeping pace with fast-moving developments in worlds of technology and business.
Economy

The 'TPP 11' is signed, and ready to welcome more members

Despite America's withdrawal, the trade deal is set to reshape how business is done all over the Pacific

15 March 2018
South Korean finance minister Kim Dong-yeon speaks at press briefing in Sejong on March 13. (Photo courtesy of Finance Ministry of South Korea)
Economy

Seoul to decide on new TPP membership by June

UK, Thailand mull joining Japan-led economic bloc as US protectionism widens

13 March 2018
Malaysia's economic expansion is expected to remain strong in 2018.
Economy

Malaysia's January factory output growth lags view

Manufacturing sector growth slows to 4.8% from December's 5.3%

13 March 2018
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, right, and Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, center, arrive with Southeast Asian leaders at a reception in New Delhi on Jan. 26. India is building partnerships in the region to counter China's influence.
FT Confidential Research

India pivots to Southeast Asia to counter China's growing clout

New Delhi seeks to capitalize on discontent over Beijing's influence: FTCR

13 March 2018
Malaysia's recent data resonates with a slump in Singapore's exports, now in its fourth consecutive month of decline.
Economy

Malaysia aims inking regional trade pact

Moody's expects country to gain most from just-signed Pacific-rim trade deal

9 March 2018
Representatives from the 11 member nations of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership met March 8 in Santiago, Chile, to sign the revised trade and investment pact.
International relations

Eleven countries sign revamped TPP in Chile

Pacific trade deal brought back from the brink after US departure

9 March 2018
A woman shows her finger after voting in national elections in the Philippines. The Southeast Asian nation ranks above the global average in women in parliament.
Politics

Once a world leader, Asia now trails in women lawmakers

Philippines, Laos and China among best in terms of females in parliament

8 March 2018
Higher commodity prices, such as those for industrial base metals and iron ore, were the primary factor behind rising costs for manufacturers.
Economy

Rising costs loom over Asia's upbeat factory activity

Nikkei PMI readings came in strong in February, but manufacturers worry about weak currencies

8 March 2018
Asia's big economies are likely to keep growing strongly in 2018, but slowing chip exports and higher interest rates are risks.
Economy

Asian export rebound is boosting better growth, at least for now

Higher interest rates and weaker smartphone demand are risks for China and the ASEAN4, says JCER

8 March 2018
Higher commodity prices, such as those for industrial base metals and iron ore, were the primary factor behind rising costs for manufacturers.
Economy

Solid demand improves Asia manufacturing in February

US tightening and Chinese economy loom as risk factors

8 March 2018
The ringgit has gained more than 4% against the U.S. dollar so far this year, adding to 2017's 10% gain.
Economy

Malaysia's central bank holds policy interest rate steady

Analysts divided over interest rate outlook amid steady growth, modest inflation

7 March 2018
A container ship in Singapore: The trade-dependent city-state hopes the TPP 11 will provide an economic tailwind.
The Big Story

TPP 11: How Asia took the lead in free trade

The trans-Pacific pact will help business, but hopes remain for a US return

7 March 2018
World's top three palm oil producers, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, have agreed to cooperate in rejecting the EU’s decision to ban the use of palm oil in biofuels.
6 March 2018
Construction workers take a break in Singapore, where migrants make up about a third of the workforce.
Asia Insight

Southeast Asia's vulnerable migrants pose an economic dilemma

Countries struggle to prevent abuse without hindering business

6 March 2018
A container yard at North Port in Port Klang outside Kuala Lumpur
Economy

Electronics shipments help Malaysia's exports swell in January

Shipments to China and Europe rise 17.9% and 13.6% on year, respectively

5 March 2018
Crew members prepare seismic streamers to be loaded onto the Polarcus Naila seismic surveillance ship in Singapore.
Business trends

Shipping volume has recovered but prices lag behind: Mitsui OSK chief

Growth of Southeast Asian economies has shifted the focus of Asian shipping southward

5 March 2018
ScoutAsia news and data sources include more than 20 English-language news media, the world's leading corporate databases and analyst reports.
Economy

Nikkei Inc. and the Financial Times Group announce launch of scoutAsia

New service offers clients access to news and information on 500,000 companies

5 March 2018
Ride-sharing apps Grab and Go-Jek are some of the local businesses that have had to seek technical talent outside Southeast Asia. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Economy

ASEAN to promote cross-border e-commerce with new framework

Digital economy a key theme for the region, but challenges remain

2 March 2018