Economy

"The potential growth of SOEs is massive," Indonesian Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir said in an interview. (Photo by Dimas Ardian) 
Interview

Three Indonesia state company IPOs could raise $3bn total: minister

But Pertamina's upstream unit and Pupuk Kaltim still assessing market conditions

7 July 2023
The history of horse racing in Singapore, which has endured for over a century, will come to an end with the Turf Club's last race in October next year.
Business Spotlight

Land development spells the end of horse racing in Singapore

Property squeeze in city-state shutters Turf Club after a century of operations

7 July 2023
A woman leaves the trading floor of RHB Bank in Kuala Lumpur on July 4. Investors pushed Malaysian stocks 7% lower in the first half of this year. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Markets

Malaysian stocks under pressure after 7% first-half decline

Rising interest rates, weak currency, state elections cast shadows

5 July 2023
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, left, speaks as Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese listens during a joint statement in Sydney on July 4.
International relations

Australia extends business visas for Indonesians

Leaders Albanese and Widodo promote economic ties at Sydney meeting

4 July 2023
Commuters crowd onto a railway station platform in Mumbai, India. Economists are concerned about generative AI's impact on employment in the nation of 1.4 billion people.
Economy

Economists fear generative AI's impact on India, Indonesia

Survey shows experts worried about fallout in countries with big young populations

3 July 2023
Indonesian leader Joko Widodo's tenure has seen improved diplomatic and economic ties with neighbor Australia. (Source photos  by AP, Reuters and Getty)
International relations

Indonesia's Jokowi eyes EV lithium deals on Australia visit

Boosting trade in focus at meeting with PM Anthony Albanese

3 July 2023
Container terminals in Singapore. The city-state's economy is highly sensitive to external economic conditions. 
Economy

Singapore, Indonesia outlook downgraded on weak China: JCER

Political instability emerges as top concern in Thailand post-election

2 July 2023
Scooters zip through Hanoi's busy streets. Vietnam has been one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Economy

Vietnam Q2 growth picks up to 4.14% but remains lackluster

Minister says achieving 6.5% annual target a 'big challenge'

29 June 2023
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Most read in 2023

Singapore senior minister's presidential bid signals shift in ruling party

Tharman's candidacy leaves 'huge hole' in PM Lee's cabinet, says expert

29 June 2023
Customers enjoy cold beers at a restaurant in Bangkok on June 28. Thailand’s overall beverage market was worth $20 billion in 2020, with alcoholic tipples accounting for 64% of that. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Food & Beverage

Thailand braces for liquor industry disruption under Move Forward

Craft brewers and distillers call for easing of production curbs

28 June 2023
Vietnam's National Assembly building in Hanoi. The VAT cut was among the major issues discussed by the country's main legislative body over the past two months. (Photo by Yuji Nitta)
Economy

Vietnam lowers VAT to 8% again amid economic headwinds

Tax cut to run from July to December to boost stimulus measures

27 June 2023
The military's takeover of Myanmar in February 2021, and the ensuing policy distortions and violence, have put a deep dent in the economy. (Source photos by Reuters and AP) 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar's crisis will 'permanently' scar economy, World Bank warns

Wages are falling as unemployment rises under military regime

27 June 2023
Stacks of Myanmar kyat sit on a counter at a bank in Yangon.
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar interventions threaten to create 3 forex rates

Military government cracks down on black-market trades to stem weakening of kyat

27 June 2023
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim gives the keynote address as party president during the People's Justice Party national congress in March 2023. (Photo by Norman Goh)
Politics

Malaysia PM Anwar faces first test in state elections

Ruling camp fights for votes as opposition plays up ethnic, religious identity

26 June 2023
Foreign ministers of BRICS nations with Global South representatives in Cape Town on June 2. Countries such as Iran and Bangladesh are looking to join the bloc. (Handout via Reuters)
Opinion

ASEAN wants economic cooperation more than military links

Prioritization of development drives stampede to join BRICS

25 June 2023
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his Vietnamese counterpart, Vo Van Thuong, greet each other in Hanoi on June 23. Their countries have close economic ties.
International relations

South Korea and Vietnam to bolster minerals, energy partnerships

Yoon brings Samsung Chairman Lee, other business chiefs on state visit

23 June 2023
Weakness in the Malaysian ringgit has become a headache for Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his government. (Source photos by Reuters)
Currencies

Malaysian ringgit wobbles in face of political uncertainty, China woes

Currency struggles for traction amid expected state elections, falling exports

23 June 2023
Scorching conditions from the El Nino weather pattern are expected to crimp production at palm oil plantations like this one in Indonesia's East Kalimantan province. 
Economy

From Indonesia to Vietnam, El Nino fans fears of fires and drought

Returning climate pattern set to hit key crops as well as industrial sector

23 June 2023
Indonesia's massive supplies of nickel -- a key component in batteries -- are helping meet increasing global demand for electric vehicles. (Source photo by Reuters) 
Market Spotlight

Nickel surplus seen widening in 2023 as Indonesian output soars

EV batteries to lead demand growth; prices under pressure but still historically high

16 June 2023
Kuala Lumpur's skyline. Malaysia is keen to attract digital tech talent from overseas.
Work

Malaysia revamps visa process to draw skilled workers

Processing time for core sector professionals shortened to five days

16 June 2023
The Bangkok skyline. Thailand is 52nd on the startup ecosystem scale, according to one ranking.
Startups

Thailand aims to duplicate Singapore model for startups

Capital gains tax breaks begin to attract investor funds to nascent industry

15 June 2023
A Chinese electric vehicle at the Bangkok International Motor show in March 2022. EVs are one of the areas Thailand is promoting for investment.
Economy

Thailand hosts giant China business convention to lure FDI

Country to promote EVs and other sectors to 4,000 attending in Bangkok

14 June 2023
Textile and apparel companies display goods at a trade show in Ho Chi Minh City: Manufacturers are grappling with weaker foreign demand and domestic turmoil. (Photo by Lien Hoang)
Economy

Vietnam grapples with shrinking exports, power crunch

Economists downgrade forecasts, saying country 'not out of woods yet'

14 June 2023
Staffers of the World Food Programme distribute food in cyclone-affected areas in Rakhine, Myanmar, in mid-May. (Photo coutesy of WFP)
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar suspends U.N. access to cyclone-hit Rakhine region

Halt of aid seen bringing more suffering to people, including Rohingya

14 June 2023
Bangkok's annual Pride parade took place on June 4, drawing thousands of participants from around the world. (Photo by Ken Kobayashi)
Economy

'Open minded' Thailand banks on LGBT tourists, 'boys love' exports

Bangkok Pride events draw long-haul tourists who stay for days after the parade

11 June 2023