Economy

The China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning, China: Southeast Asian traders brought durian and teak, while Chinese companies showed off heavy machinery and electric vehicles. (Photo provided by the China-ASEAN Expo) 
Trade

China vows to boost Southeast Asia imports as growth slows

ASEAN countries seek to boost trade ties as Sino-U.S. tensions rise

18 September 2023
People line up to buy oil in Yangon in August. Food oil at one point was selling for more than double the reference price set by the government.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's fight to tame inflation sows turmoil over cooking oil

Shortages, tainted products spring up under military's price controls

16 September 2023
JKN Global Group, owner of the Miss Universe Organization, failed to repay a corporate bond worth $12 million that was due on Sept. 1.
Bonds

Thailand hit by rising bond defaults as interest rates climb

Miss Universe organizer and a developer are among the latest to miss payments

15 September 2023
Although Vietnam's role in electronics supply chains is ballooning, a current slowdown is pushing many factory hands to take on gig work. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Supply Chain

Vietnam's factory doldrums show limits of shift out of China

Export contraction continues into eighth month, but Biden deals bring hope

15 September 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim speaks at the Unity Government Convention in Kuala Lumpur in May. Anwar now must worry about a growing conservative bent among voters. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia PM Anwar seeks economic boost as headwinds strengthen

Experts say rising conservatism could end up denting investor confidence

15 September 2023
Forestias, a large development in Samut Prakan just outside Bangkok, will offer retail, residential and hotel space. (Image courtesy of Foster + Partners)
Property

Bangkok set for $14bn redevelopment spree led by top conglomerates

TCC, Central Group back projects to make Thai capital a bigger destination

15 September 2023
Tourists visit the Grand Palace, one of the top tourist spots in Bangkok, in January.
Economy

Thailand to waive tourist visas for Chinese to boost economy

New government pins hopes on visitors during year-end high season

13 September 2023
Two Vietnamese airlines have confirmed major orders for Boeing 737 MAX aircraft during U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Hanoi. (NIKKEI montage/Source photos by AP and Getty)
Supply Chain

Jet and chip deals agreed during Biden's Hanoi trip

Vietnam gains from U.S. supply chain diversification; critics frown on arms trade

11 September 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim addressed parliament on Sept. 11 on optimization of rare earth resources. (Photo courtesy of Prime Minister's Office of Malaysia)
Trade

Malaysia plans to ban exports of rare earth minerals

Anwar wants 'maximum returns' from critical resources for high-tech sector

11 September 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin speaks on policy in the legislature in Bangkok on Sept. 11.
Politics

Thailand PM Srettha commits to $280 handout to kick-start economy

Policy address identifies quick wins but stays vague on structural problems

11 September 2023
F&N has produced and sold ThaiBev's Chang beer in Myanmar since 2019. (Photo by Nikkei)
Myanmar Crisis

In Myanmar, Chinese and Thai companies fill economic vacuum

As Western businesses exit country, investments come from friendly nations

10 September 2023
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, seated at center, and the cabinet of his new government pose in dress uniform. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Politics

Thailand's coalition cabinet stresses national unity in first meeting

New PM Srettha Thavisin pledges to focus on economic policies

7 September 2023
ASEAN leaders listen to a presentation during the inaugural ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum in Jakarta on Sept. 5. (Photo courtesy of Indonesia’s presidential office)
International relations

ASEAN pitches 93 projects worth $38bn at summit-related forum

Aluminum smelter, port development among offerings in 'flagship' initiative

5 September 2023
A woman carries a bag of rice from a store in Quezon City in the Philippines on Aug. 14. Rising food costs have hit many in the country hard.
Inflation

Philippines considers lower rice tariffs as inflation quickens

Market volatility has already pushed government to cap prices for staple grain

5 September 2023
Singapore's tourism sector is rebounding from the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Fumika Sato)
Work

Singapore opens door wider to foreign workers at hotels, restaurants

Work permit eligibility expanded to those from India, Philippines and 4 other nations

5 September 2023
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet delivered a keynote address at a business forum in Jakarta on Sept. 4. (Photo by Tsubasa Suruga)
Cambodia's new leadership

Cambodia's Hun Manet shares 'high-income' goal in diplomatic debut

New prime minister also vows commitment to rule-based order at ASEAN event

4 September 2023
The Monetary Authority of Singapore's headquarters: The city-state's central bank has appointed a new chief for the first time in more than a decade.
Economy

Singapore central bank names first new chief in over a decade

Managing Director Ravi Menon to retire, making way for civil servant Chia Der Jiun

4 September 2023
Tourists at the popular Phu Chi Fa viewpoint in Chiang Rai, Thailand in 2020: Domestic tourists took advantage of government tourism promotions during the pandemic. 
Opinion

Domestic travel can power Southeast Asia's tourism rebound

Investments in infrastructure, training and marketing spread economic benefits

2 September 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, center in light blue, unveils the National Industrialization Master Plan 2030 in Kuala Lumpur on Sept. 1. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Economy

Malaysia unveils $20bn master plan to transform industry by 2030

Anwar government to foot 10% of bill to enhance supply chains and jobs

1 September 2023
A person checks rice at a store in Quezon City, Philippines on  Aug. 14.
Economy

Philippines' Marcos announces cap on rice prices

Official limit on price of staple item meant to ease costs for households

1 September 2023
Samsung Electronics has made Vietnam a major part of its global strategy for smartphone production.
Business Spotlight

Samsung smartphone slump casts shadow over Vietnam

South Korean tech titan reluctant to meet Hanoi request for chip plant

1 September 2023
From left: Singapore presidential candidates Tan Kin Lian, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Ng Kok Song (Photos by Tsubasa Suruga)
Politics

Singapore presidential election in final stretch: 5 things to know

Candidates for largely ceremonial post are all former finance gurus

31 August 2023
New Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin's Pheu Thai Party carried much of the fertile northeast in this year's election, but Move Forward's inroads raise the pressure to follow through on lofty economic promises. (Nikkei montage/Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and Getty Images)
Asia Insight

Thai PM Srettha faces pivotal test over pledges to party heartland

Pheu Thai promised northeasterners hefty handouts and better days; can it deliver?

29 August 2023
An open air market in Ahmedabad, India: Food represents 27% of the overall Asian consumer price index, with its national contribution ranging from 14% in South Korea to 46% in India.
Opinion

Rising food prices are clouding Asian rate cut outlook

Governments should review available policy tools to boost supplies

29 August 2023
Nigel Huddleston, the UK's Minister of State for International Trade, said the U.K. joined the CPTPP to boost commerce and "help shape" trade rules in areas it is "passionate about," like the digital economy. (Reuters)
Interview

U.K. trade minister rejects doubt over CPTPP gains for country

With China keen to join, Huddleston says states must play by rules

27 August 2023