Economy

From left, former trade ministers Enggartiasto Lukita and Muhammad Lutfi, incumbent Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan and Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Nikkei montage/Reuters/AP)
Inflation

Jokowi emphasizes inflation battle over global trade in cabinet

Indonesian president appoints sixth trade minister in eight-year term

27 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
Cracked saltpan land scorched by heat waves in Mumbai on May 15: Climate crisis is no longer fixable through government tinkering.
Opinion

Rewire global capitalism to save the planet

Sustainability should be a team effort between market and the state

26 June 2022
Following an export ban on their harvests, palm oil farmers in Indonesia are now threatened by a lack of fertilizer.
Economy

Indonesian palm oil farmers see a bleak future

Russia was large source of fertilizer; now prices are skyrocketing

25 June 2022
Vietnam is the world's second-largest clothing exporter after China.
Trade

Vietnam textile and apparel exports hit record high in first half

Southeast Asian country's trade pacts contribute to 23% on-year increase

24 June 2022
The Philippines' central bank hiked its key rate for the second straight meeting on June 23.
Economy

Philippines hikes key interest rate again as inflation accelerates

Second hike in two months raises benchmark to 2.5%; Indonesia stands pat

23 June 2022
Cars are seen stuck in a traffic jam in Yangon. The Myanmar government stopped issuing car import permits in October last year. 
Myanmar Crisis

Myanmar blocks car, luxury imports amid foreign-currency crunch

Military seeks to balance trade by slashing nonessential purchases

23 June 2022
Workers at a Chinese-backed hydroelectric dam construction site in Bokeo Province, Laos in 2017. The country's foreign debt is estimated at $1.3 billion, which it must settle by 2025.
Economy

Laos faces public backlash as economy teeters toward default

Debt crisis triggers rare anger against communist leaders on social media

23 June 2022
Russian soldiers guard fields of wheat in the southeast Ukrainian region of Zaporizhzhia on June 14: The current economic crisis is not mainly linked to an excess of demand but to insufficiency of supply.
Opinion

Inflation functions as a tax on the weakest

Serious shortages are taking hold of the essential elements of life

22 June 2022
Thai oil refiners are being asked by the government to share their profits.
Energy

Thai oil refiners under heat as Bangkok seeks profit-sharing

Government wants refineries to contribute to consumer subsidies as inflation bites

22 June 2022
Bangkok's Don Mueang International Airport is expected to welcome many more tourists now that Thailand has dropped strict COVID restrictions.
Coronavirus

ASEAN tourism on the road to business as usual

Thailand to relax mask and alcohol rules; Indonesia drops mandatory insurance

21 June 2022
Philippine President-elect Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr., center, raises hands with the Senate president and the House speaker during his proclamation at the House of Representatives, in Quezon City, Metro Manila on May 25.
Politics

Marcos to take Philippine farming portfolio in inflation battle

President-elect, seeing possible food shortages, vows to revamp sector

20 June 2022
Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. during his proclamation on May 25: The new president will most likely forward their business interests through favorable government contracts and policies.
Opinion

The oligarchs likely to benefit most under Bongbong Marcos

Incoming president's initial cabinet appointments give some clues

19 June 2022
The Grand Palace in Bangkok. By relaxing COVID restrictions, the Thai government looks to jump-start the country's sluggish tourism industry.
Coronavirus

Thailand to ease COVID entry rules for foreign visitors in July

Prearrival screening to be lifted, followed by mask policy

17 June 2022
Chinese mobile payment apps WeChat Pay and Alipay are gaining users throughout Southeast Asia, prompting interest in government-issued digital currencies.
Economy

Philippines, Vietnam study digital currencies as Alipay, WeChat Pay spread

More Southeast Asian countries moving in the direction of early issuer Cambodia

17 June 2022
Indomie instant-noodle packets tempt shoppers from the shelf at a supermarket in Jakarta. (Photo by Koya Jibiki)
Food & Beverage

In Indonesia, all eyes on Indomie noodles as inflation benchmark

Wheat supply disruption threatens affordability of a national dish

16 June 2022
Reviving Thailand's tourism industry will involve reduced dependence on the China market, more arrivals from new markets, and maintaining attention on domestic travelers.
Travel & Leisure

Thai hotels court Indian and local tourists to fill China void

Europeans top returnees but cannot match Arab and Chinese spending

15 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
Thailand decriminalized medical marijuana cultivation and possession on June 9, a step toward possible full legalization of the psychotropic. (Source photo by Reuters)
Politics

Thailand's 'marijuana wonderland': 5 things to know

Cannabis can only be grown and consumed for medical purposes or health promotion

14 June 2022
A neon logo of Bitcoin in Buenos Aires on May 5: To use cryptocurrency necessitates intense self-discipline.
Opinion

Bitcoin users should not overlook cryptocurrency's fundamental flaw

Much vaunted blockchain security is more useless than the Maginot Line

14 June 2022
Industry groups, such as those representing Vietnam's mainstay textile sector, had objected to the wage increase.
Economy

Vietnam's minimum wage to rise 6% in July after pandemic freeze

First increase in over 2 years could be followed by another hike in January

13 June 2022
The apparel industry dumps 92 million tons of textiles a year. The European Union hopes new rules will increase recycling, repair and second-hand retail. (Source photos by Ken Kobayashi and AFP/Jiji)
Business Spotlight

From China to India, Asia braces for EU plan to kill fast fashion

Supply chains may have to shift to recyclable, durable clothes -- with uncertain consequences

10 June 2022
A Thai smokes a joint in Bangkok on April 20 during a demonstration promoting the recreational use of marijuana.
Politics

Thailand delists marijuana as narcotic, releases 3,071 inmates

De facto cannabis decriminalization ahead of new law stirs concerns over misuse

9 June 2022
Jose C. Laurel V, the Philippines' ambassador to Japan, makes an unusual request in Tokyo on June 8: He wants Japanese consumers to pay more for bananas. (Photo by Kentaro Iwamoto)
Inflation

Philippines asks Japanese retailers to raise banana prices

Embassy says farmers are suffering amid an 'unrealistic and unfair' situation

8 June 2022
Piti Disyatat, secretary of Thailand's monetary policy committee, says four committee members voted to stand pat "to ensure that the recovery will continue to gain traction." (Photo by Rie Ishii)
Economy

Bank of Thailand keeps rate steady at 0.5% despite inflation fears

Board approves decision in 4-3 vote; 2022 inflation projection raised to 6.2%

8 June 2022