logo
Read More

Thailand: State pact on e-marketplace scheduled

The Digital Economy and Society (DE) Ministry is set to deliver an integrated e-marketplace platform by October as a tool to promote e-commerce activities nationwide.  The move will enable people to easily access a digital marketplace through the government’s national broadband network for villages, or “Net Pracharat” project.  The DE Ministry plans to sign a […]

Read More
screen-shot-2018-10-01-at-07-47-16
Read More

Vietnam PMI drops to 10-month low in September

The Hanoitimes – Operating conditions have now improved in each of the past 34 months. The headline Nikkei Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ index (PMI) dropped to 51.5 in September from 53.7 in August, indicating a further slowdown in growth momentum in the manufacturing sector, according to Nikkei and IHS Markit. A reading below the 50 neutral […]

Read More
logo
Read More

Effectiveness of Indonesian palm oil moratorium disputed

The Indonesian government has placed a temporary ban on the development of its lucrative palm oil industry as it seeks to review existing concessions and sort out land ownership problems.  The three-year moratorium, based on a presidential instruction issued on Sept 19, orders five ministries, the state investment coordinating body BKPM and regional governments to conduct a […]

Read More
phil01
Read More

Philippines: Expansion of firms at risk due to higher rates

MANILA, Philippines — Higher interest rates may address the monster inflation in the country but may soon constrict Philippine companies’ capacity to expand as borrowing costs rise, according to industry players. “Companies will further be saddled by the additional burden of borrowing and overhead costs. It’s a major domino effect. Almost all segments will be […]

Read More
indo01
Read More

Indonesia: Freeport gets another monthly permit extension

The government has issued another temporary permit extension for gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) as the divestment process of shares from Freeport-McMoran (FCX) to state-owned mining holding company PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) is still incomplete. The temporary special mining permit (IUPK) is being issued by the government as the previous temporary […]

Read More
mm01
Read More

Midterm report card: Myanmar’s economy is not working

As the National League for Democracy-led government is half-way through its five-year term, the empty hotel rooms, plight of small businesses and falling investor confidence paint a bleak economic picture. In another 2.5 years’ time, many voters will be asking what the first NLD-led administration has delivered. The current numbers are hardly encouraging. Between April and […]

Read More