Economy

The Bank of Thailand began tightening in August 2022 after keeping the interest rate at a record low of 0.5% as COVID hit the economy.
Economy

Bank of Thailand raises key rate to 2.25%, a 9-year high

Central bank wary of political headwinds after election

2 August 2023
A new presidential palace is going up in Nusantara: Some government functions will be transferred from Jakarta to the new capital in 2024. (Photo by Nana Shibata)
Economy

Indonesia's new capital aims to be 'economic growth center'

Nusantara construction 'on schedule'; 60,000 people expected in 2024: officials

2 August 2023
Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing inspects troops during an Armed Forces Day parade in Naypyitaw on March 27.  (Photo obtained by Nikkei)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar military tightens grip on power but vexed by public backlash

Government again delays general election by extending state of emergency

2 August 2023
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi seeks to turn India into a global semiconductor production hub. 
Markets

Global investors pivot from flagging China to India, Vietnam

China dethroned as top emerging Asian market due to economic, geopolitical risks

1 August 2023
Malaysia’s Economy Minister Rafizi Ramli, center, and others pose for a photo at a launch event of the National Energy Transition Roadmap in Kuala Lumpur on July 27. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Environment

Malaysia wants to be 'regional renewable powerhouse'

Experts say 'complementary regulations' needed to accelerate energy shift

31 July 2023
Blackpink -- from left: Lisa, Jisoo, Rosé and Jennie -- headlines the Coachella festival on April 22 in Indio, California.
International relations

Blackpink takes Vietnam by storm, riding Korean economic wave

Superstars' concert is just one way South Korean influence has engulfed country

29 July 2023
GIC's Chief Investment Officer Jeffrey Jaensubhakij noted the U.S.-China rivalry has extended beyond trade and technologies issues to capital flows, prompting businesses and investors to rethink their strategy. (Photo courtesy of GIC)
Finance

Singapore's GIC eyes India, Indonesia, Vietnam amid China pivot

Sovereign fund expects 'some time' before deals return in second-largest economy

26 July 2023
 India remains the world's fastest growing big economy with a 6.1% expansion this year.
Economy

IMF upgrades India economic outlook, while China's recovery loses steam

'Too early to celebrate' about world economy despite resilient start to 2023

26 July 2023
Vietnam accounts for 70% of offshoring by Japanese companies. (Photo courtesy of Sun Asterisk)
Work

Vietnam's IT workers will be tough for Japan to attract

Higher wages push Asian graduates to U.S., European companies

25 July 2023
Shipping containers in Bangkok: Southeast Asia now accounts for 8% of global exports and has surpassed the European Union as China's largest trading partner.
Opinion

Southeast Asia's economic outlook is only brightening

Supply chain moves, digitalization and net zero shift drive region's momentum

25 July 2023
Car sales saw pronounced effects from the persistent debt crunch, with auto loans seeing the fastest rise in delinquent payments.
Finance

Consumer debt clouds outlook for Thai car sales, tourism

Bank earnings flag economic headwinds for next government

24 July 2023
U.S. semiconductor subsidies aren't just for domestic factories: Washington will pay foreign friends to invest in chips, something Asia should exploit, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in Vietnam. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Semiconductors

Yellen urges Asia to tap CHIPS Act funds for semiconductors

U.S. Treasury Secretary also says Amkor plans mega chip plant in Vietnam

21 July 2023
A woman works on a rice farm in Thailand: Agricultural technology companies are supporting small-scale farmers to better access finance in the country.
Opinion

'Nexus thinking' is key to resetting development in Asia

Stronger partnerships needed to safeguard food, energy and financial systems

19 July 2023
A man walks in Beijing's Central Business District on July 12.
Economy

ADB trims 2024 growth outlook for Asia on rate hike effects

Development bank maintains projection for this year

19 July 2023
Malaysia should seek to attract Japanese retirees with engineering or technical expertise as many played key roles in their country's postwar economic miracle.
Opinion

Japanese retirees can boost Malaysia's industrial advance

Build Look East 2.0 on country's 'soft' advantages over Southeast Asian rivals

19 July 2023
Megmilk Snow Brand will add Thailand to the list of Asian markets where its long-life milk products are sold. 
Food & Beverage

Japan dairy companies bet on Asia exports as demand slows at home

Megmilk targets Thailand while Yotsuba Milk seeks higher Singapore sales

18 July 2023
Shoppers in Ahmedabad, India: Consumption helped lead the initial phase of the country's economic recovery.
Opinion

Asia's growth outperformance has just started to come back

China to regain momentum with further policy easing

17 July 2023
Demand for structural steel in Vietnam has plummeted as the struggling economy has left some buildings unfinished.
Economy

Vietnam's glowing economic statistics raise eyebrows at home

Businesses question GDP figures as Hanoi buildings sit half finished

15 July 2023
Move Forward leader Pita Limjaroenrat meets journalists after conservative forces sunk his bid to become prime minister on July 13. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Thai election

Thailand shifts focus to Pheu Thai after Pita fails in PM bid

Country's latest bout of political uncertainty weighs on its biggest businesses

14 July 2023
Singapore has narrowly avoided a technical recession, with its economy growing 0.7% in the second quarter.
Economy

Singapore's Q2 GDP up 0.7% as expansion remains tepid

City-state avoids technical recession amid weak external demand

14 July 2023
Vietnam's first imports of liquefied natural gas reached PetroVietnam Gas' Thi Vai terminal this month. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Energy

Vietnam, Philippines heat up LNG demand in Southeast Asia

With renewables lagging, countries seek more accessible alternative to coal

14 July 2023
Renaldi Perdana Kesuma, founder and CEO of Tenue de Attire, a trendy Jakarta-based menswear company. The ASEAN region is home to an estimated 71 million micro, small and midsized enterprises. (Handout photo)
Economy

ASEAN rate hikes squeeze margins for millions of small companies

Business chief Arsjad Rasjid warns central bank hikes put MSMEs at risk of bankruptcy

12 July 2023
A nickel mine in Indonesia. The Southeast Asian country is a leading producer of nickel, a key component in electric vehicle batteries.
Supply Chain

Japan and ASEAN plan new talks on bolstering supply chains

Two sides aim to upgrade partnership with eye on China

12 July 2023
The Asian financial flu of 1997, Japan's three decades with virtually no inflation and stronger capital markets in the region's emerging economies are helping Asian central banks break away from peers in the West.
Economy

Asia's central banks go easy as West ramps up inflation fight

Weak China demand triggers what some call a 'decoupling' in Asia monetary policy

10 July 2023
Thailand's household debt has swelled to 90% of its gross domestic product. 
Economy

Thailand's household debt swells amid policy stagnation concerns

Expert says next government must address long-standing problem

9 July 2023