A collection of 13 posts
As Indonesia asserts control over its vast nickel reserves, a new supply route is forming between Southeast Asia (SEA) and Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). France and Hungary are emerging as key European partners in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, linking mineral extraction in Indonesia to battery production in
French President Emmanuel Macron called France “a power that respects its partners” during his 25-29 May tour of Vietnam, Indonesia and Singapore, when he promoted his country as a strategic partner for Southeast Asia (SEA) amid growing US-China rivalry. The trip focused on trade, defence and clean energy cooperation, as
The landscape of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) reporting is shifting in 2025 as regulatory mandates grow more stringent globally, even while political pushback intensifies in parts of the world, and most notably the US. The regulatory trend is clear. Governments and oversight bodies are moving to standardise and enforce
Thailand’s Entertainment Complex (EC) bill, which includes provisions to legalise casinos, has been delayed as Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra deemed it unready for cabinet review. Speaking to reporters outside Government House on Tuesday, she said the government must consider all stakeholders’ views before the bill moves forward. A
US President Donald Trump has nominated entrepreneur Anji Sinha as his pick for the next US ambassador to Singapore, one of its key diplomatic postings in Asia, following his return to the White House in January. Little is publicly known about Dr Sinha, who has no discernible online presence or
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Thailand is positioning itself as a key beneficiary of the US-China trade war escalated by US President Donald Trump’s return to office, offering fresh incentives to attract global companies seeking alternatives to China. Thai Commerce Minister Pichai Naripthaphan said Thailand is an appealing and safe manufacturing hub with a