Economy

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Feeding Asia

Asia's new food frontier: The rise of edible tech

Lab-grown meat to 3D-printed food: inflation, climate, animal welfare shape future menus

22 July 2022
Singapore's central bank on July 19 reported a loss of 4.7 billion Singapore dollars ($3.37 billion) as the strong dollar undermined the value of other currencies in its portfolio.
Cryptocurrencies

Singapore set to get tougher on crypto companies

Monetary Authority puts industry on notice about tightening rules

19 July 2022
Singapore's economy is recovering from COVID-19 but faces other pressures, including the impact of the war in Ukraine.
Economy

Singapore tightens monetary policy to cool inflation; Q2 GDP up 4.8%

Annual growth projection kept at 3% to 5% amid Ukraine headwinds

14 July 2022
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Feeding Asia

Hunger in Asia on the rise

Inflation, COVID-19, climate, conflict drive food insecurity

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
Rescuers work at the site of a Ukrainian mall in the Poltava region on June 28 after the shopping center was hit by a Russian missile strike.
Ukraine war

U.S. accuses 5 firms in China of supporting Russia's military

Washington also adds companies from Singapore, Vietnam to trade blacklist

29 June 2022
As of June 22, MSCI AC Asia ex-Japan index -- a gauge of the region's most-tracked stocks outside of Japan -- had dropped around 18% this year compared to the last six months of 2021 -- the biggest half-year decline since late 2011.
Market Spotlight

Inflation, supply chain disruptions dampen Asian stocks

Interest hikes in emerging markets create uncertainties this year

27 June 2022
An electronic board displays Japan's Nikkei index outside a brokerage in Tokyo on June 14. (Photo by Yo Inoue)
Markets

Asian markets slide as investors fear U.S. interest rate hike

Soaring inflation forces benchmark indexes across the region to retreat

14 June 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
The logo of Terra on a smartphone screen: The borderless nature of cryptocurrency markets is likely to challenge regulators.
Opinion

Regulators are slowly waking up to blockchain's unfulfilled promise

Revolutionary potential remains unrealized despite three boom and bust cycles

29 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
Singapore is feeling the impact of inflation, with its main price gauge rising at the fastest pace in a decade.
Economy

Singapore lifts Q1 GDP growth to 3.7% as inflation concerns mount

Trade officials warn 2022 result likely to be in 'lower half' of 3-5% range

25 May 2022
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is cautious about framing the Russia-Ukraine conflict as a battle between autocracies and democracies. (Photo by Takashi Nakano)
Interview

Q&A with Singapore's Lee: Nations 'big and small' must play by rules

City-state's leader discusses Ukraine, China and the value of global institutions

23 May 2022
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaks with Nikkei in an exclusive interview on May 20. (Photo by Takashi Nakano)
Interview

Singapore to join Biden Indo-Pacific pact, back China's CPTPP entry: Lee

Prime minister stresses need to 'maintain a balance' in exclusive interview

23 May 2022
Like the Trump administration before it, the Biden administration takes the position that unfettered trade liberalization hurts American workers. (Source photo by Reuters) 
Biden's Asia policy

Indo-Pacific Economic Framework is not an FTA: 5 things to know

Tailored pact seeks to counter China's clout while protecting U.S. workers

19 May 2022
Beh Swan Gin, chairman of Singapore's Economic Development Board, is seeking the understanding of Japanese and other companies as the city-state cuts back on foreign workers who are not highly skilled. (Photo by Toru Takahashi)
Interview

Singapore investment inflow remains intact despite weaker demand

City needs 'right balance' of foreign workers, chair of development board says

30 April 2022
The rush for tech M&As in Asia has slowed to a crawl in China and South Korea. (Source photos by Reuters)
26 April 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