Economy

A worker collects palm oil fruit at a palm oil factory in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur.
Economy

Migrant crackdowns hit ASEAN's labor flow

Moves by Malaysia and Thailand leave short-staffed companies facing higher costs

1 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 to fuel faster economic growth in 2018

Higher interest rates and weaker smartphone demand are downside risks: JCER

28 February 2018
Noble Group currently has a market capitalization of around 238 million Singapore dollars, a fraction of the more than $10 billion valuation it commanded at its peak.
Economy

Shareholder Goldilocks steps up criticism of Noble Group

The debt-laden company's restructuring plan, steep loss forecast questioned

27 February 2018
A general view of factories in the industrial district of Jurong in western Singapore.
26 February 2018
A woman rides a bicycle past a logo of Vietcombank, in front of the State Bank building in central Hanoi.
Asia300

Vietcombank prepares to sell 10% stake to foreign investors

State lender says GIC, Mizuho among potential buyers

23 February 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.
International relations

TPP's remaining members ease path for trade deal

Approval by countries with majority of GDP no longer required to take effect

23 February 2018
Changi Airport's Terminal Two in Singapore. Changi Airport is widely recognized as one of the best in the world.
Philippines

Singapore eyes 30% stake in Manila airport expansion

Changi Airport keen to join Philippine consortium in backing the project

22 February 2018
Private banks continue to seek experienced relationship managers as well as investment specialists who can design and manage discretionary portfolios.
Finance

Private banks in Asia see another year of strong growth

Discretionary portfolio management draws more investors

22 February 2018
Patients wait to be seen by a doctor at a clinic in Singapore.
Economy

Singapore plans a tax hike to cover rise in health care costs

Government cites needs of an aging population, but critics say move is premature

22 February 2018
Labor costs in most ASEAN countries are lower than those in China.
Economy

Digital tech to help ASEAN unlock up to $627bn in productivity

McKinsey report highlights countries' potential as 'factories to the world'

21 February 2018
Sheraton Grande Tokyo Bay Hotel, located near Tokyo Disney Resort, was recently acquired by the Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC and a Japanese partner.
Business deals

Singapore's GIC says Japan must improve corporate governance

Sovereign wealth fund sees opportunities in technology, chemicals

21 February 2018
Southeast Asia's export values grew by double digits on a monthly basis for every month in 2017 except June.
Economy

Southeast Asia faces speed bumps to export-driven growth

After banner 2017, worrying signs for production and consumption appear

21 February 2018
Online marketplace Tokopedia last year overtook Lazada Indonesia as the country's most popular internet shop. (Photo by Erwida maulia)
FT Confidential Research

Alibaba-backed Tokopedia takes online shopping throne

Indonesia gained 11 million online shoppers in 2017, FTCR survey shows

20 February 2018
A worker collects palm oil fruit at a palm oil factory in Sepang, outside Kuala Lumpur.
Politics

ASEAN labor flows hit a wall with growing migrant crackdown

Malaysia and Thailand left short-handed as foreigners leave en masse

18 February 2018
The Singapore skyline from Merlion Park at sunrise (Getty Images)
Economy

Singapore seen hiking GST for first time in over a decade

Government says it needs revenue boost to pay for ageing population

17 February 2018
Singapore's exports of electronics fell 3.9% in January from a year ago, the second consecutive monthly decline.
Economy

Singapore's exports rise but electronic items continue slide

Motors, petrochemicals power shipments in January

15 February 2018
Customers using ATMs in Singapore. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Asia300

Singapore banks still wary over oil and gas sector

Lenders boost provisions despite optimistic economic outlook

14 February 2018
Singapore’s GDP grew 3.6% in the fourth quarter from a year ago, higher than the advance estimate of 3.1% released in January.
Economy

Singapore warns of slower growth after manufacturing-led boom

Strong performance, labor market recovery could result in adjustment to monetary policy

14 February 2018
The Center skyscraper fetched a record price for a Hong Kong office building in late 2017.
Property

China-fueled property boom distorts markets in Asia-Oceania

Authorities move to stop overheating as soaring prices cause concern

14 February 2018
People walk past an electronic board showing Japanese stocks in Tokyo on Feb. 6. (Photo by Akira Kodaka)
Equities

So who were the winners after tumultuous week?

Philippine's Bloomberry Resorts, Indian pharmaceuticals shine in troubled market

9 February 2018
Honda has secured its largest-ever order of HondaJet aircraft. (Photo courtesy of Honda)
Economy

Honda wins order for 16 jets from air taxi operator Wijet

Japanese jet maker expands into Europe while eyeing growth in Asia

9 February 2018
Orchard Road introduced a Shibuya-style scramble crossing in December 2017.
Economy

Singapore's Orchard Road gets its own Shibuya-style crossing

The temporary pedestrian scramble is just one of many experiments to bring shoppers back

8 February 2018
Garment workers sew clothes at a Pro Sports factory in Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam.
Economy

Asia's manufacturers start the year off strong

January's Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index perks up, a bit

8 February 2018
TSMC factory
Nikkei PMI

Asian manufacturers make strong start to 2018

Pick-up in global trade has boosted activity, Nikkei PMI survey shows

7 February 2018
A screen shows the Nikkei index in Tokyo on Feb. 7. (Photo by Keiichiro Sato)
Economy

Asian stocks rally after Wall Street rebound

Hong Kong, Taiwan and Tokyo log morning gains but Shanghai slips

7 February 2018