Economy

Fitch Ratings said in a report last month that Singapore banks are poised to benefit from the rise in global interest rates as economic recovery continues across the lenders' key markets.
Finance

DBS, other ASEAN banks ride U.S. rate hikes to stronger earnings

Southeast Asia's largest banks expect higher returns from lending

5 August 2022
Malaysia's liquefied natural gas exports more than doubled by value in June.
Trade

Malaysia, Indonesia exports surge as energy and food prices soar

China slowdown and U.S. rate hikes loom over robust ASEAN trade

28 July 2022
Stream article image
Feeding Asia

India's poorest scald as cooking oil prices soar

War in Ukraine, limits on palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia, add fuel to fire

7 July 2022
Malaysia's central bank governor told the media in May that the bank needed to start recalibrating interest rates.
Currencies

Malaysia raises key rate again to 2.25% amid COVID recovery

Central bank keeps rate hike at 25 basis points despite inflation

6 July 2022
A woman shops at a supermarket in Singapore. Food prices have surged in Southeast Asia. (Photo by Takashi Nakano)
Inflation

Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia unleash cash to ease inflation bite

Governments attempt to balance political pressures with fiscal discipline

6 July 2022
The economies of ASEAN's five biggest members will grow 5.0% in 2022, according to the latest survey by JCER and Nikkei in June, thanks to the reopening of borders.
Economy

ASEAN economy to slow down in 2nd half of 2022: JCER/Nikkei survey

Economists see inflation, U.S. rate hikes weighing on region despite COVID easing

4 July 2022
The Thai baht's plunge on July 2, 1997, touched off the Asian financial crisis. Twenty-five years later, the region's resilience is being put to the test.
Economy

COVID, inflation stress-test Asia 25 years after financial crisis

Risks simmer in smaller economies as debt burden swells

2 July 2022
A seller prepares freshly butchered chickens at the Kampung Baru wet market in Kuala Lumpur on May 31, the day before Malaysia stopped exports to protect its domestic supplies.
Economy

'Food nationalism' worries rise after India, Malaysia export bans

Policies stoke fears of further inflation, weaponization of supplies

3 June 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob speaks with Nikkei about the election outlook. (Photo by Kosuke Imamura) 
Interview

Malaysia's Ismail Sabri resists rush to election as inflation bites

PM wants to 'wait for right time' to call polls, eyes GST to ease fiscal strain

31 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo addresses Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 27. (Photo by Tomoki Mera)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi urges quick rollout of China-backed trade bloc

At Nikkei forum, Hun Sen defends succession plan and denies China 'debt trap'

27 May 2022
Indonesian President Joko Widodo says that "Indonesia wants to make sure that the G-20 will serve as a catalyst for global economic recovery." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi)
The Future of Asia 2022

Indonesia's Jokowi aims to host successful G-20 despite Russia issue

President urges 'immediate' implementation of China-backed trade bloc

27 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says the U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiative is "solid proof of how important and relevant Asia is today." (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thailand's Prayuth: Open, rules-based Asia key to post-COVID growth

Singapore's Lee warns of arms race, Malaysia PM highlights supply risks at Nikkei forum

26 May 2022
Yi Xiaozhun, China's former vice minister of commerce, warns the Ukraine war could trigger economic problems comparable to the 2008 financial crisis. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

China ex-official warns of Ukraine war's impact on Asian trade

Economic setback may be similar to 2008 financial crisis, says former WTO envoy

26 May 2022
Yun Duk-min, chair-professor at Hankook University of Foreign Studies, is expected to become South Korea's ambassador to Japan. (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

South Korea to restore Japan ties 'as soon as possible,' next envoy says

On North Korea, Yun Duk-min says U.N. is 'paralyzed' due to Ukraine issue

26 May 2022
Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha says Asia must revive growth by "keeping the market open and inclusive." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Thai PM Prayuth says states 'must support' multilateral trading systems

Digitalization, clean energy will be 'key drivers' for economic growth

26 May 2022
Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh says Asia "should strengthen its sense of responsibility in creating and maintaining a peaceful environment." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Vietnam Deputy PM urges world to 'put aside' disagreements

Asia needs stronger 'sense of responsibility' to maintain peace, pursue prosperity

26 May 2022
Malaysian Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob says Southeast Asia is "one of the most vulnerable regions to the effects of climate change." (Photo by Suzu Takahashi) 
26 May 2022
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks at Nikkei's Future of Asia conference on May 26. (Photo by Tomoki Mera) 
The Future of Asia 2022

Singapore PM Lee warns of nuclear 'arms race' amid Ukraine war

U.S.-China tensions risk splitting supply chains or 'worse unintended consequences'

26 May 2022
Malaysia is emerging from a COVID-induced economic slump.
Economy

Malaysia economy grows 5% in Q1 2022

Recovery from COVID pandemic on track

13 May 2022
Malaysia's central bank raised its benchmark interest rate for the first time in nearly two years on May 11, citing the global economic recovery and improving labor market conditions at home.
Economy

Malaysian central bank raises policy rate to 2.00%

First rate hike since July 2020 surprises markets

11 May 2022
Politicians up for election say that raising the earnings of workers at the bottom of the pay scale could kickstart a multiplier effect that reverberates across economies, but the chiefs of Southeast Asian industries are not so sure.
Asia Insight

Malaysia's 35% minimum wage hike stirs recovery concerns

Critics say politicians are promising happier paydays as an election ploy

26 April 2022
Muslims break their fast during Ramadan at a bazaar in Kuala Lumpur in May 2021. Malaysia has topped every Global Islamic Economy Indicator ranking.
Economy

Malaysia ranks as top Islamic economy for 9th straight year

Global Muslim spending projected to hit $2.8tn in 2025: report

9 April 2022
Travelers await check-in at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on April 1.
Economy

Malaysia reopens border fully to foreign tourists after 2 years

Unvaccinated air travelers can enter, but all arrivals need negative PCR test

1 April 2022
Bank Negara Malaysia Gov. Nor Shamsiah Mohd Yunus: The bank sees risks "tilted to the downside."
Economy

Malaysia central bank trims GDP forecast, sees supply disruption

New range of 5.3-6.3% reflects expected Ukraine impact

30 March 2022
A supermarket in Singapore. Rising food and energy prices are expected to weigh heavily on Southeast Asian households.
Economy

Faster Southeast Asian inflation puts rate hike outlook in focus

Central banks feel pressure to contain surging prices

30 March 2022