Economy
Thailand’s automotive industry, the nation’s fourth-largest sector, contributes around 11% to the nation’s GDP and employs over 750,000 workers. However, recent government policies and agreements with China aimed at boosting EV production have led to issues including factory closures and EV price wars due to oversupply.
Economy
Malaysia and Thailand became partner countries of the BRICS group on 1 January and will participate in BRICS mechanisms along with Belarus, Bolivia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Uganda and Uzbekistan, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov announced. With the addition of these nine partner nations, BRICS now encompasses approximately half of the
Energy
Thai electricity authorities will increase renewables in the energy mix in the national grid while securing new domestic energy sources, reducing reliance on imports and bolstering energy independence, according to the Thailand government’s strategic policy for 2025. The three key electricity authorities – the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT)
Economy
Amid heightened US-China tensions, Singapore reaffirmed its neutral stance at the ASEAN summit in October 2024, with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasising economic stability and strategic balance. Singapore continues to maintain strong trade ties with both superpowers, even as the US and Beijing intensify pressure on regional allies to
ASEAN
Amid heightened US-China tensions, Singapore reaffirmed its neutral stance at the ASEAN summit, with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasizing economic stability and strategic balance. The city-state continues to maintain strong trade ties with both superpowers, even as the US and China intensify pressure on their South East Asia (SEA) allies
Corporate
Singaporean Trade and Industry Minister Alvin Tan said companies can use the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ) as a manufacturing and processing base while keeping their headquarters and research operations in Singapore, in Parliament on 5 February. Singapore and Malaysia agreed to establish the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (SEZ) last
Malaysia
Reports that US President Donald Trump administration’s Department of Justice (DOJ) shut down its elite anti-corruption unit have raised concerns about the future of global financial crime enforcement, particularly in cases like Malaysia’s 1MDB scandal. The unit played a key role in investigating the multibn-dollar fraud, which implicated
Politics
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday commended Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her government’s “strong measures” against scam centres targeting Chinese nationals, a growing issue fueling safety concerns among potential tourists. Gangs at border threaten Thai tourism numbers A multi-billion-dollar industry has grown along the Thai-Myanmar border, as
ASEAN
As the incoming administration of US President Donald Trump prepares to announce tariffs, Malaysia is seeking greater alignment with Singapore, and stability and economic resilience at the start of an uncertain era for South East Asia (SEA) and the planet. As global trading networks become less stable, Malaysia has turned
Economy
Thailand confirmed its adoption of the global minimum corporate tax rate of 15% on January 1, 2025, aligning with the Paris-based Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) global tax reform framework. The new regulation is expected to impact multinational corporations operating in Thailand, particularly in the manufacturing and finance
Digital
The digital sectors of Thailand, Malaysia, and Singapore contributed to a 24% regional increase in profits in 2024, reaching USD 11bn, according to a new report. Thailand and Malaysia strategic cost measures in e-commerce and digital finance, optimising take rates and reducing customer subsidies to improve margins. In Thailand, e-commerce
Analysis
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim underlined his country’s plans to build trade relationships with China, Russia, and Brazil, at a parliamentary session on February 4. Anwar’s emphasis on diversifying trade partnerships reflects a strategic move to shield Malaysia’s economy from potential external shocks due to shifting US
