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This Week in Asia /

Economics

King Frederik X of Denmark (right) and Vietnam’s President To Lam (second right) look at offshore wind turbines as they attend a boat trip in Copenhagen on Wednesday. Photo: AFP
Vietnam

Vietnam partners with Denmark to propel its wind energy ambition

Both sides will develop an offshore wind project in line with Vietnam’s goal to boost renewable electricity generation.

Indonesia

Can ‘Buy Indonesia’ economic nationalism restore investor trust?

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Asean

Asean wants a single digital economy. Will different state laws hobble its goal?

The Philippines

How remote virtual assistant work is transforming the Philippine economy

Prized in English-speaking countries, Filipinos make up about 38 per cent of the global virtual assistant market, a placement agency says.

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A Filipino virtual assistant conducts an online training for her work at her home in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, on August 24, 2024. Photo: AFP
A Filipino virtual assistant conducts an online training for her work at her home in San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, on August 24, 2024. Photo: AFP
India

India’s record US$108b Jio IPO tests market faith as Musk rivalry heats up

India’s largest initial public offering will test international investors’ confidence amid shifting global capital and rising energy costs.

Indonesia

As Indonesia faces MSCI downgrade threat, officials vow reforms to ease fears

Officials met MSCI on their planned reforms of Indonesia’s stock market after the global index provider’s announcement triggered a selloff.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s Anwar promises ‘full disclosure’ as ‘corporate mafia’ scandal grows

The government will publicly release findings on alleged corruption and coerced takeovers involving senior officials within three months.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the funeral of Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad, in Kuala Lumpur in September. Photo: AFP
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim attends the funeral of Siti Hasmah Mohamad Ali, wife of former Malaysian PM Mahathir Mohamad, in Kuala Lumpur in September. Photo: AFP
The Philippines

Dire straits: why Filipino sailors continue to brave troubled Middle East waters

Financial concerns and blacklist worries outweigh safety fears for some of the Philippines’ over 468,000 sailors around the world.

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Singapore

Singapore vs Hong Kong: who’s likely to win race for stablecoin dominance?

Singapore is boosting infrastructure while Hong Kong is betting on banks – but ultimately, practicality will decide the winner, experts say.

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India

Calls grow for India to lure tech talent home as US tightens job curbs

Washington has suspended a programme allowing foreign professionals to work in the US and potentially obtain permanent residency.

Visitors arrive at one of the venues for the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi in February. Photo: Reuters
The Philippines

Is Philippines’ laws on underwater cables lagging behind its digital hub goal?

A leading telco executive says bureaucracy is slowing cable repairs carried out by specialised vessels in Philippine waters.

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An illustration of an underwater communication cable on the seabed. Photo: Shutterstock
An illustration of an underwater communication cable on the seabed. Photo: Shutterstock
Chinese overseas

Southeast Asia’s ethnic Chinese traders feel the China squeeze

From Indonesia to the Philippines, small traders say the factories supplying them have become their toughest competitors.

Asean

Trump’s second Asean summit presence comes at a price for region

On the president’s list are supply-chain security, critical minerals, technology cooperation, AI and investment in the US, experts say.

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Malaysia

Malaysia’s shoppers love Chinese e-commerce. But is the bargain worth it?

Pinduoduo’s arrival has thrilled bargain hunters, even as direct e-commerce shipments price out local firms and waste chokes landfills.

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Illustration: Dennis Yip
Indonesia

Indonesia’s central bank insists it is independent. Investors want proof

Huge bond purchases, the president’s nephew on board and a shifting legal role leave investors asking who really controls Bank Indonesia.

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Indonesia’s central bank governor Destry Damayanti links little fingers with Indonesia’s Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara during a press conference at Bank Indonesia’s headquarters in Jakarta last month. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia’s central bank governor Destry Damayanti links little fingers with Indonesia’s Finance Minister Suahasil Nazara during a press conference at Bank Indonesia’s headquarters in Jakarta last month. Photo: Reuters
Crime

Laos private jet bust reveals how Mekong meth slips past borders

Drug experts say narcotics production infrastructure extends across Southeast Asia, and transport routes are fluid and move with enforcement.

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Bangladesh

Energy shock tests Bangladesh’s US$1 trillion economy ambitions

Surging inflation and rising prices are straining government finances as the new leadership battles to reform the country.

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Japan

AI-armed hackers tear through corporate Japan’s neglected defences

For years, the Japanese language was a defence against hacking in and of itself, observers say. But no more.

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A man types on a computer keyboard. More than 500 breaches of Japanese corporate systems have been reported so far this year. Photo: Reuters
A man types on a computer keyboard. More than 500 breaches of Japanese corporate systems have been reported so far this year. Photo: Reuters
Indonesia

Indonesia’s Bali hit by fuel crisis as huge queues form at petrol stations

Bali’s governor insists supplies are ample and points the finger at panic buying, even as fuel deliveries fail to keep pace with demand.

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India

India to gain? Trump’s Russian diesel deal offers New Delhi leverage

Washington’s climbdown on Russian fuel undermines US sanctions pressure and clears a path for India’s Ukraine diplomacy, analysts say.

Singapore

Australia tax rises ‘nail in coffin’ for tech sector as founders eye Singapore

Singapore’s start-up ecosystem, commitment to innovation and proximity to Australia are among pull factors, industry players note.

The central business district in Singapore in September. Photo: Reuters
Thailand

AI fuelling growth while putting Asia’s young workers at risk, IMF meeting hears

AI investment is propping up global growth amid energy shocks, but leaders at the IMF summit warn of a job tsunami threatening Asia’s youth.

A delegate attends the 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. Photo: EPA
A delegate attends the 2026 IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand, on Monday. Photo: EPA
Malaysia

17 key takeaways from Malaysia’s 2027 budget - ‘live with dignity’

The government is projecting slower economic growth and higher inflation in 2027 as it seeks to narrow the deficit.

Malaysia

Malaysia budget: healthcare boost, Malay businesses to get more public projects

The US$112.6 billion budget will see higher spending in education, healthcare, welfare, subsidies, SME support and others.

Australia

Data centre opposition is growing in Australia. Is there a middle ground?

At least three data centre plans have been shelved recently amid fears over water and power supply, noise levels and environmental damage.

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A man walking a dog passes a sign that says “No Goodman Data Centre” outside a home in Sydney, Australia, on August 14. Photo: Reuters
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