The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a new business plan which includes funding arrangements to support development in Laos over the next few years. According to the ADB Country Operations Bu…
SoftBank’s Son eyes further Indonesia investment
SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T) founder and chief executive, Masayoshi Son, said on Friday he wants to expand his tech conglomerate’s investments in Indonesia, in remarks following a meeting with Preside…
The economics of remittance growth
Most economic indicators on the state of the Bangladesh economy during the first half of FY20 are down with one big exception—remittances. After declining from its peak of $15.3 billion in FY15 to $12…
Well Oiled: Indonesia Spares No Time With B40 Biodiesel Mix
Indonesia continues its research and trial on a diesel fuel replacement, aiming for nationwide usage of B40, a mix of 40 percent palm-oil based biofuel and diesel fuel by next year, the Energy and Min…
Asia Rice-drought Threatens Thai Crop, Bangladesh Braces for Cold Wave
Rice export prices in major Asian hubs held steady this week but a multi-month drought drove expectations of a rise in Thai rates, while a cold snap threatened crops in Bangladesh. Thailand’s be…
Malaysia bets on barn owls to control rats in palm plantations
Malaysian palm oil companies should try to boost the numbers of barn-owls living in their plantations to tackle a rat problem rather than using snakes or macaques, the Malaysian Palm Oil Board said on…
A Faint Breeze of Change: Malaysia’s Relations with China
The relationship between Malaysia and China is not without conflict, though an outside observer could be forgiven for not realizing it. That is because Malaysia has long kept its differences with Chin…
What’s the link between palm oil and the Kashmir dispute?
Malaysia’s palm oil industry has become an unexpected casualty of a row with India over disputed Kashmir. Ties have been frosty since late September when Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohama…
Solar power replacing diesel as energy provider in Bangladeshi farms
Diesel consumption for irrigation decreased from 4.3 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.4 million tonnes last year, as the use of electricity-run and solar-powered irrigation pumps is on the rise. According …
5G key for Vietnam in Fourth Industrial Revolution
As part of plans to catch up with developed economies, Vietnam is looking to embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR), with 5G coverage one of the key steps. Party General Secretary and Presiden…