Economy

Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin is heading to Thailand's neighbors to tout his country as a destination for investment. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi) 
International relations

Thai PM Srettha visits ASEAN neighbors to lure investment

New leader wants this week's tour to tighten trade ties with key regional economies

9 October 2023
The surging rice prices were triggered by India, the world's largest rice exporter, which banned export of its crop amid increasing demand for rice as an alternative to wheat.
Economy

On topic: How do rising rice prices affect Asia?

A collection of stories to catch up on a recent hot topic

8 October 2023
The Malaysian Health Minister will table an amendment to the Tobacco Act, which is part of the Generational End Game policy, aiming to restrict tobacco products to people born after 2007.
Your Week in Asia

Malaysian tobacco ban bill, Singapore GDP, New Zealand election

Your weekly lineup of Asia's biggest business and political events

8 October 2023
Dole, which exports bananas from the Philippines, faces a huge tax hit without a VAT rebate.
Politics

Philippines risks losing foreign investment over delayed tax rebates

Multinational companies criticize byzantine tax code, slow VAT refunds

6 October 2023
Shipping containers at Tien Sa Port in Da Nang: As Vietnam continues to integrate its production with China's, its growing export sector will make it more susceptible to external shocks. 
Opinion

Vietnam is pointing the way for ASEAN to upgrade its exports

Region's economies should seek alignment with emerging Chinese sectors

5 October 2023
Food stores in Manila have been losing money, with prices increasing rapidly since Sept. 1.
Economy

Marcos lifts Philippines' cap on rice prices after one month

President says Manila still taking 'other measures' to curb food inflation

4 October 2023
Thai farmers harvest rice. Yields are projected to drop due to drought.
Environment

Drought-hit Thailand turns to cloud seeding to offset El Nino

Rice production under threat with 3% decline expected for current season

4 October 2023
Bags of white rice in a hypermarket in Malaysia. Some customers have been shocked to find local rice sold out in shops recently. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia PM Anwar warns rice hoarders amid price surge

Government will track down offenders and take legal action, he says

3 October 2023
The Monetary Authority of Singapore will look into whether further measures are necessary to ensure Singapore's approach to single family offices remains rigorous.
Crime

Singapore focuses on money laundering laws, denies China pressure

Case involving Chinese suspects with $2bn illicit gains spurs regulatory review

3 October 2023
Trains on Indonesia's first high-speed railway have eight cars and a capacity of 601 passengers.
Transportation

Indonesia's first high-speed rail opens: 5 things to know

China-backed WHOOSH train brings economic benefits, but some are skeptical

3 October 2023
Sea's e-commerce platform, Shopee, has become the biggest online shopping site in Southeast Asia.
Markets

Thai, Singapore tech firms surge in market value

Delta and Sea worth more since pandemic while conglomerates falter

3 October 2023
Unfinished residential buildings in Shaanxi province. Problems in the property market are dragging on the Chinese economy.
Economy

World Bank cuts China's 2024 growth amid property crisis

'Growth shock' from Asia's largest economy affects rest of region: report

2 October 2023
A port along the Chao Phraya River in Bangkok: Lackluster exports are dragging down Thailand's economic forecast.
Economy

Malaysia and Thailand GDP outlooks cut as China slows: JCER

Economists also warn that El Nino's swelter will impact India and Indonesia

29 September 2023
Tourists walk along a street in the ancient town of Hoi An. Recovery in the tourism industry helped boost Vietnam's economy in the July-September quarter. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Economy

Vietnam's Q3 GDP growth accelerates to 5.33%

Tourism recovers, but growth still below pre-COVID levels

29 September 2023
Chula Sukmanop, head of Thailand's Eastern Economic Corridor Office, has high hopes for the special economic zone. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Kenya Akama and Takaki Kashiwabara)
Supply Chain

Thailand investment chiefs look to enter new phase under Srettha

Steering agencies aim to boost EVs, electronics supply chain

29 September 2023
A customer considers her options as she looks at bags of imported white rice at a supermarket in Malaysia. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia grapples with rice shortage amid global price surge

Government rolls out programs to increase local production

28 September 2023
The Bank of Thailand raised its key policy rate to 2.5% on Sept. 27. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

Thailand central bank surprises by raising key rate to 2.5%

2023 GDP downgraded to 2.8% due to 'delayed recovery' in exports

27 September 2023
ASEAN Business Advisory Council Chairman Arsjad Rasjid: "What is important to see is that we are now looking at other nontraditional markets." (Photo by Bobby Nugroho).
Business trends

ASEAN courts Africa amid China slowdown: business council chief

Companies examine investment opportunities in 'nontraditional' markets

26 September 2023
Thailand's Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks to reporters at the Government House in Bangkok on Sept. 5. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
25 September 2023
An atmosphere of caution has made its presence felt among property equities in Asia as a state of depression sinks in. (Nikkei montage/Source photo by Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

China property crisis holds Singapore, Hong Kong REITs back

Asia's real estate shares suffer doldrums as investors tread cautiously

25 September 2023
A recently erected ChinaAid sign stands in front of Laos' national monument in Vientiane. (Photo by Alastair McCready)
Economy

Laos debt at 'critical level' with China payments still opaque

Economists say ASEAN nation obscuring true scale of crisis

22 September 2023
State-owned companies are building the basic infrastructure for Nusantara, Indonesia's new capital, including for the Core Government Area, above, where the presidential palace will be. (Photo by Ismi Damayanti)
Property

Indonesian consortium launches $1.3bn project at new capital site

Local conglomerates join first Nusantara development by private sector

21 September 2023
China's investments into ASEAN rebounded last year despite slowing domestic growth. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by AP)
Belt and Road

ASEAN to stay priority for China's BRI investment despite slowdown

Beijing views Southeast Asia as geopolitically important to counter U.S. influence

21 September 2023
A construction site of Chinese developer Country Garden, in Tianjin, China. Weakness in China's property sector is weighing on regional growth prospects.
Economy

ADB trims developing Asia growth outlook on China risk

ASEAN economies also hit by softening demand for exports

20 September 2023
A worker unloads palm oil fruit bunches at a factory in Tanjung Karang, Malaysia. Profits at Malaysian palm oil companies have been plummeting.
Trade

Malaysia to double palm oil exports to China, dodge EU restrictions

The two Asian nations sign infrastructure investment deals worth $4.2bn

18 September 2023