sin01
Read More

Singapore e-wallet, WeChat in talks for cross-border payments

Singapore electronic payments provider Nets is in talks with Tencent Holdings’ WeChat Pay to allow users of its NetsPaydigital wallet to make mobile payments in mainland China, according to people familiar with the discussions. The partnership will allow NetsPay users to scan QR codes in stores accepting WeChatPay on the mainland and settle purchases in Singapore dollars, said the people, who declined […]

Read More
phil01
Read More

Philippines: LTFRB greenlights bus fare hike

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine transport regulators have approved an across-the-board increase in bus fares, adding to budget woes of Filipinos who are in retreat as rising prices squeeze households. The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, or LTFRB, granted Thursday morning a provisional P1 hike in bus fares for the first five kilometres. Bus commuters […]

Read More
th01
Read More

Thailand: Some tourist fees waived

The government plans to exempt visitors from visa-on-arrival fees during November and December as it strives to salvage falling tourist numbers, especially from China.  The initiative floated by Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak aims to reassure Chinese tourists, whose numbers have declined since the Phuket boat tragedy in July.  Yuthasak Supasorn, governor of the Tourism […]

Read More
indo01
Read More

Indonesia’s competitiveness improves, but still well below Singapore, Malaysia

Indonesia’s economic competitiveness has stepped up, according to the recently released Global Competitiveness Report by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Under the newly introduced Global Competitiveness Index 4.0, Indonesia has a score of 64.9 points and is ranked at 45th, up two places compared to the previous index. Neighboring countries Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, however, place higher […]

Read More