Showing posts from March, 2024

Water: Solutions and opportunities in a thirsty world

  WATER covers over two-thirds of the earth’s surface, but only a tiny fraction of fresh water is readily available for use. Recent reports ...

Americans invested billions in Chinese companies. Now their money is stuck

WHEN  investors talk about “zombie” companies, they’re usually referring to distressed startups that are hobbling along, unable to grow and ...

ByteDance investors could win in TikTok sale, Republican lawmaker says

INVESTORS in TikTok’s Chinese parent company stand to benefit if it sold the app because divestment would remove a source of uncertainty, a ...

Strong US dollar hits Thai baht, Malaysian ringgit hardest among Asean currencies

STORM clouds are gathering for South-east Asian currencies as the US dollar fires up in a robust start to the dragon year, fuelled by stubbo...

Wealth in Vietnam growing fast, but low productivity tests high-income goal

[HO CHI MINH CITY] Vietnam is expected to experience one of the sharpest surges in wealth in the next 10 years, as the South-east Asian nati...

Thailand delays 500 billion baht handout scheme to fourth quarter

  THAILAND’S government expects to launch a signature handout scheme worth 500 billion baht (S$18.5 billion) by the fourth quarter of this y...

Thailand to benefit from semiconductor production rejig, says US commerce secretary

THAILAND  stands to gain from a move by the United States to diversify semiconductor production, US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on...

Thai contractor faces 108 billion baht debt crunch as some overseas projects fail

  A CASH crunch at Thailand’s largest construction company is fuelling concern among investors, regulators and rating agencies already unner...

Thailand again considers legalising casinos, up to now a losing bet

  THAILAND is again considering legalising casinos to draw investment and tourism, a study submitted to the House of Representative on Frida...

Thailand forges ahead with ‘digital wallet’ handout scheme, official says

THAILAND is forging ahead with a controversial 500 billion baht (S$18.6 billion) handout scheme and may still need to borrow to finance it, ...

Thai tycoons heat up virtual bank bids as applications open

  CHAROEN Pokmhand Group and Gulf Energy Development, among Thailand’s largest business groups, are vying for the country’s new virtual bank...

Thai king’s second son says will return to kingdom

  THAI King Maha Vajiralongkorn’s second son has said he wants to return to the kingdom permanently after living abroad for more than two de...

Malaysia’s capital market grows 5.6% in 2023 despite lower fundraising: Securities Commission

  [KUALA LUMPUR] Malaysia’s capital market grew 5.6 per cent in 2023 to RM3.8 trillion (S$1.08 trillion), largely driven by growth in the lo...

Declining Indonesian palm oil exports may affect domestic supply, officials say

  INDONESIA’S palm oil product exports slipped in January and February, raising concerns less of the edible oil will be available domestical...

S$15.5 million St Regis penthouse sale in Singapore flops after three auctions

  IN THE past, a luxury penthouse for sale in Singapore would be one of the hottest properties in town. Not anymore, after a condo with an a...

Chinese EV makers take centre stage at Bangkok motor show, to unveil new models

  BOOSTED by strong electric vehicle sales, Chinese car makers will be in the spotlight at the Bangkok International Motor Show this week, u...

From bankers to technocrats, all eyes on Indonesia president-elect Prabowo’s Cabinet line-up

  [JAKARTA] A week after Indonesia’s election commission declared Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto the winner of of last month’s presidenti...

Thailand starts aid deliveries to Myanmar under plan aimed at managing conflict

  THAILAND started the delivery of aid to military-ruled Myanmar on Monday (Mar 25), in a humanitarian initiative that seeks to pave the way...