Analysis
Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore have made significant advances in economic development and infrastructure, efforts on sustainability and equality targets remain uneven, the United Nations’ ESCAP 2025 SDG (sustainable development goals) Progress Report found. Thailand leads the trio in overall SDG achievement and ranks first in ASEAN, which is comprised of
Analysis
Malaysia is taking a proactive approach to economic growth and trade, balancing its global partnerships while maintaining a non-aligned stance in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. As Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s government pursued new trade agreements, economic growth slowed to 5% in the fourth quarter of 2024, raising
Digital
Singapore’s business environment is set to face multiple challenges in 2025, with small and medium enterprises (SMEs) expecting continued pressure from rising costs and declining productivity. Meanwhile, the Singapore Exchange is undergoing a leadership shake-up as it seeks to revive its struggling equities market. Economic forecasts have been adjusted
Analysis
Singapore’s economic outlook for 2025 presents a mixed picture, with steady growth tempered by uncertainty as the government prepares a crucial budget ahead of the next election. Analysts view the upcoming fiscal plan as a defining test for Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s leadership, with expectations that it will
ASEAN
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has assured that state-owned oil company Petronas will uphold all its contractual obligations with Sarawak’s Petroleum Sarawak Berhad (Petros) in Parliament on 17 February, addressing concerns over the companies’ ongoing negotiations. Petronas will "maintain all existing domestic and international contractual obligations", Anwar
Economy
Thailand’s economy grew 3.2% year-on-year in the fourth quarter of 2024, falling short of projections, as sluggish private investment and slower government spending weighed on growth. Analysts warn that trade tensions and global uncertainties could pose further challenges in 2025, prompting calls for government stimulus measures to sustain
Economy
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has visited the country’s southern provinces, promising new investments and infrastructure projects as part of its levelling-up agenda. The Thai premier met local leaders in Phatthalung and Songkhla to discuss flood management and economic development. She wrote on Facebook that her government is “ready
Corporate
Singaporean delivery app Grab contributed 0.5% to Malaysia’s GDP in 2023, according to a new report by Kuala Lumpur-based advisory firm Econworks. The platform created up to MYR 9.9bn (USD 2.24bn) from 277,237 earning opportunities, generating MYR 3.7bn in household income, the report says,
Economy
Singapore is an increasingly big player in the foodtech industry, ranking second placed globally in a new report by StartupBlink. A branch of food science, foodtech focuses on production, preservation and research and development, ensuring product security, safety and quality standards. The city state’s position behind only the US
Corporate
Amazon Web Services (AWS) has expanded its presence in Singapore with a second corporate office at IOI Central Boulevard, positioning the city-state as its Asia Pacific hub. The new office spans over 33,000 square metres across 8 floors and can accommodate up to 3,000 employees. AWS, a subsidiary
Economy
A new report from Transparency International (TI) sees mixed results for Southeast Asia (SEA) with Singapore maintaining its position as the region’s least corrupt nation, while Malaysia and Thailand grapple with governance challenges. “Asia Pacific is home to a third of the world’s population, has the second largest
Economy
Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), until recently more prominent in Europe and the US, is gaining ground in Southeast Asia (SEA). In Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, ESG assets are expanding rapidly, driven by a shift in investor and consumer preferences, and also regulatory reforms. A boom in sustainable finance products
