Shipping containers in Selangor's Westports, one of the busiest ports in Malaysia
Economy

Malaysia's Selangor looks to court regional investment

Halal certification training key to promoting regional hub

11 September 2017
ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh walk in front of flags as they attend the opening ceremony of the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Related Meetings in Manila on Sept. 7.
Economy

With RCEP deal unlikely this year, ministers settle for 'realistic' goals

Failing to find common ground, countries look to October round

11 September 2017
Opening ceremony of the 49th Meeting of the ASEAN Economic Ministers and Related Meetings in Manila, Philippines on Thursday Sept. 7, 2017.
Economy

ASEAN to cut non-tariff measures 10% by 2020

Grouping aims to address investors' concerns on trade barriers

8 September 2017
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Economy

Bank Negara Malaysia holds interest rate at 3% as expected

Economists expect BNM to stand pat amid modest inflation, steady growth

7 September 2017
Ships lie at anchor in front of a refinery on Singapore's Bukom Island.
Economy

Southeast Asian ports thirst for more seaborne trade

Lack of adequate transport infrastructure crippling region's competitiveness

7 September 2017
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Economy

Malaysia's July exports rise 30.9% on year

Electronics shipments continue to drive growth amid robust Chinese demand

6 September 2017
The flag of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, on the far right, stands with those of the bloc's 10 members.
Economy

ASEAN economic ministers move to accelerate trade talks

Discussions to focus on RCEP as states struggle to find common ground

6 September 2017
Officials from RCEP members meet in the Japanese city of Kobe on Feb. 27. Negotiations, while ongoing, remain fraught.
Economy

RCEP hits snags on continued discord over tariffs

Members to abandon goal of having rival to TPP this year

6 September 2017
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Economy

Malaysia's retail sales likely to grow 3.7% in 2017

Consultant cuts annual sales growth aim second time on weak consumer sentiment

5 September 2017
A street vendor sells beverages to motorists during rush hours traffic in Jakarta, Indonesia June 14, 2017.
Economy

Informal jobs sector both a blessing and curse in Southeast Asia

Unemployment rates low but income growth slowing

5 September 2017
Some 400,000 people now travel between Singapore and Malaysia each day. (Photo by Keiichiro Asahara)
Economy

Singapore-Malaysia rail links will foster major regional hub

Developers see vast opportunities in lands made accessible by transit

5 September 2017
The chief TPP negotiator for Japan, Kazuyoshi Umemoto, at left, speaks at a meeting Monday in Australia.
Economy

'TPP 11' to freeze drug data protection demanded by US

Remaining members thrashing out details to revive trade pact

31 August 2017
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Economy

AirAsia's 2Q net profit hit by Indonesian tax amnesty

Budget carrier announces share swap to form investment holding company

29 August 2017
A jumble of power cables in Phnom Penh: Cambodia's banking sector is highly fragmented, with 36 commercial banks and 69 microfinance providers.
FT Confidential Research

Banking in Cambodia: the money keeps flowing

Strong growth continues but potential risks loom

29 August 2017
Pedestrians view their smartphones as they walk along a sidewalk in Beijing in August 2017.
Economy

Asia's 'smartphone economy' boosts 2017 growth forecasts

Future looks bright, but risk of war, rising interest rates cloud prospects

29 August 2017
A view of Kuala Lumpur City Centre (KLCC) in Malaysia August 15, 2017.
FT Confidential Research

Malaysians most pessimistic among Asean-5

Sluggish growth and corruption scandal weigh on political and economic sentiment

22 August 2017
Infrastructure projects in the Philippines, such as a subway system to alleviate Manila's notorious congestion, are helping to underpin growth.
Economy

Exports power Southeast Asia's economic growth

Large infrastructure projects also sustain recent upswing

22 August 2017
As wages increase, Malaysian people tend to shop more.
Economy

Malaysia's economy rises 5.8% in April quarter

Full-year growth forecast to be revised upward from 4.8%

18 August 2017
A worker in Kuala Lumpur prepares a car for transport. Minimum wage hikes benefit labor and drive consumption but can scare off foreign employers.
Economy

Southeast Asian workers press for big minimum wage hikes

Malaysia, Myanmar unions seek raises of 50% or more as economies heat up

18 August 2017