The remaining members of the Trans-Pacific Partnership are entering the home stretch to reach a replacement deal without the U.S.
International relations

Canada is the great unknown as TPP 11 talks near goal

Cultural and auto issues remain obstacles to reviving Pacific trade pact

18 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
Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak, back left, and Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, back right, witness the signing of an agreement between the two countries on the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link during the Singapore-Malaysia Leaders' Retreat at the Istana or presidential palace in Singapore on Jan. 16.
International relations

Malaysia, Singapore sign bilateral transport pact

Move advances initiative to strengthen connectivity between two neighbors

16 January 2018
Alipay and WeChat Pay cater mainly to Chinese users, but their parent companies are now eying the masses in Southeast Asia with plans to unveil local currency-supported apps.
Business trends

Tencent, Alibaba take e-wallet wars to Southeast Asia

WeChat Pay to launch Malaysian currency service, Alipay partners local brands

16 January 2018
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announce the transit link in the city-state on Jan. 16.
Economy

Deepening Singapore-Malaysia ties spawn transit link

Lee and Najib now have two rail projects to show for their good rapport

16 January 2018
Express Rail Link is backed by state-run Muslim pilgrims fund board Lembaga Tabung Haji and SIPP Rail.
Asia300

YTL associate keen to run trains between Malaysia, Singapore

Express Rail Link to bid for right to operate trains in hi-speed rail project

15 January 2018
The Japanese government is supporting a consortium in a proposal to win a high-speed rail project that will link Kuala Lumpur with Singapore in 90 minutes.
Economy

Semipublic fund to back Japan bid for Malaysia-Singapore rail line

Consortium of 10 companies chasing project worth up to $9bn

15 January 2018
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Economy

Malaysia's November industrial production growth beats view

Analysts said latest data suggests economic growth slowed in October-December

11 January 2018
In Muslim-majority Malaysia, deregulation is spurring growth in Islamic finance, including the insurance sector.
Economy

Malaysia's Islamic insurance outpacing conventional counterpart: Fitch

Further liberalization could spur growth, consolidation after success in 2017

11 January 2018
The facade of a building in Jalan Kuching, Kuala Lumpur, is plastered with banners advertising vacant space in December. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Economy

Asia's brisk growth masks a trio of risks for 2018

Beware of real estate distortions, high debt and sluggish spending

11 January 2018
Aluminum ingots in Malaysia; higher raw material costs have chilled ASEAN economies.
Economy

Nikkei manufacturers index for ASEAN gives rise to concerns

It's a mixed bag as prospects look good for 2018, despite December dips

11 January 2018
AirAsia Group CEO Tony Fernandes speaks at a news conference at the AirAsia headquarters in Sepang, Malaysia.
Asia300

AirAsia to float Indian unit

Budget carrier accelerates associates listing after gaining approval for holdco

10 January 2018
Aluminum ingots in Malaysia -- higher raw material costs have chilled ASEAN economies.
Nikkei PMI

ASEAN manufacturing stagnant in December, despite ongoing strength

Dull year-end fails to dampen Southeast Asia's optimism for 2018

10 January 2018
This new commercial building in Kepong -- not far from the heart of Kuala Lumpur -- has attracted few tenants due to high rents. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Asia Insight

Brisk growth conceals 3 risks for Asia in 2018

Beware of real estate distortions, high debt and sluggish spending

9 January 2018
Consumers at a Jakarta mall. Nomura says the Indonesian economy will be bolstered by higher investment spending and reforms in business climate.
Economy

Nomura: Indonesia and Philippines to lead regional growth

Malaysia will brace for interest rate hike in January on strong economic growth prints

9 January 2018
Pranom Chartyothin, a 72-year-old bus conductor, sells and collects tickets in downtown Bangkok.
FT Confidential Research

ASEAN economies ill-prepared for old age

Demographic clock ticking for aging Southeast Asia, FTCR survey shows

9 January 2018
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, center, and Wan Azizah Ismail, wife of former Deputy Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, appear at a political opposition alliance meeting in Selangor state on Jan.7.
Politics

Malaysia's Mahathir faces critics after being named prime minister candidate

Opposition alliance struggles to form a united front ahead of general election

8 January 2018
One of Spaces' offices. The Amsterdam-based operator is to launch its first site in Thailand in February 2018. (Courtesy of Spaces)
7 January 2018
Visitors walk outside the venue of the China Import and Export Fair in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, on Oct. 15, 2017.
Economy

China sidelining US in Asia with growing economic clout

'Chinafication' in trade may let Beijing counter American geopolitical influence

6 January 2018
Thailand International Motor Expo is in full swing in Bangkok in November 2017.
Economy

New car sales in SE Asia climb 5% in November, up for 2nd month

Thailand, Philippines buoy market, but Indonesia key to sustainable growth

5 January 2018
Container yard at North Port in Port Klang outside Kuala Lumpur
Economy

Malaysia November exports rise on strong electronics shipments

Growth pace slows from previous month, economists expect rate hike this year

5 January 2018
Malaysia's Second Finance Minister Johari Abdul Ghani, left, with Nazir Razak, Chairman of CIMB Group Holdings on Thursday
Economy

Malaysia cites property bubble, geopolitics as risks to 2018 growth

Pro-business policies to continue even after winning election, says minister

4 January 2018
People walk at the financial district of Pudong in Shanghai.
Economy

Asia seen leading global wage growth in 2018

Raises solid in India, Vietnam, China, but meager in Japan, US, Europe -- survey

4 January 2018
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Economy

Malaysia's infrastructure push to keep sukuk issues steady

Data show Islamic finance made up 60% of $31 billion raised via debt last year

3 January 2018