Economy

Workers at online retailer Lazada's warehouse in Indonesia.
Business trends

Alibaba counters Amazon's expansion in Southeast Asia

Injection of $2bn into Lazada will boost logistics network

19 March 2018
A worker checks a wafer chip in the clean room at the UTAC plant in Singapore.
Economy

Global trade surpasses economic growth for first time in 6 years

Semiconductors drove the expansion, but falling smartphone sales and protectionism raise concerns

17 March 2018
Non-oil domestic exports declined by 2.6% to 14.7 billion Singapore dollars compared to a month ago after seasonal adjustments.
Economy

Singapore economy shows fresh sign of weakness

Electronics exports decline for third consecutive month

16 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Pacific trade rules on digital data may already be outdated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
Trump pointed to output of Chinese-made steel in his remarks on the decline of America's steel industry.
Economy

Trump's steel and aluminum tariffs stir worries, and some hope

Beijing condemns move while Tokyo and Seoul seek exemptions

15 March 2018
An aging population is among the changing economic environments forcing a change in Singapore's reputed low tax rates.
Economy

William Pesek: Singapore is about to raise taxes, and good for them

City-state's brave move shows leadership and a new model for Asia

15 March 2018
Slower-than-expected growth of Singapore's manufacturing sector this year would be partly compensated by an acceleration in finance and insurance activity as well as in the wholesale and retail trade sector.
Economy

Singapore survey shows heightened fears about protectionism

Economists forecast growth of 3.2% for this year

14 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
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
Trump pointed to output of Chinese-made steel in his remarks on the decline of America's steel industry.
International relations

Beijing condemns US tariffs as Tokyo and Seoul seek exemptions

Philippines expects benefit to infrastructure drive from steel price fall

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
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

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
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
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
U.S. President Donald Trump holds up the executive order pulling his country out of the TPP in January 2017.
International relations

Trump's about-face on the TPP keeps the world guessing

But as US president sends mixed signals on trade, governments move ahead with deals

7 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
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
Stream article image
International relations

RCEP a step closer to finalization

Ministerial meeting makes headway on patching up differences

4 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
Bank Mandiri was established in 1999 by a merger of four troubled Indonesian lenders hit by the Asian financial crisis. (Photo by Shinya Sawai)
Company in focus

Indonesia's biggest state bank embraces digital disruption

After tackling bad debt, Bank Mandiri seeks growth in changing industry

2 March 2018
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's government plans a GST hike for 2021-2025.
Politics

Opposition and activists up in arms over Singapore's plan to hike GST

Ruling party says tax rise should not be an election issue

1 March 2018