Malaysia’s southernmost state Johor became the country’s top investment destination in the first half of 2025, with officials attributing the success to its special economic zone with neighbour Singap…
Malaysia flexes rare earth muscle as mineral-hungry US seeks non-Chinese sources
Malaysia’s ban on exports of unprocessed rare earth metals this week signals that the Southeast Asian country has a realistic shot – on its own terms – at feeding the mineral-hungry United States amid…
Indonesia aims to launch B50 biodiesel in 2026, but unlikely in January
Indonesia reaffirmed a plan to raise the mandatory palm oil content in its biodiesel to 50% starting from next year, but the programme known as B50 is unlikely to start in January, senior energy minis…
Asia must double down on regional trade liberalisation to overcome the cost of Trump’s trade chaos
US President Donald Trump’s unpredictable tariff policies have unsettled Asian trade, pushing many countries into side deals that risk fragmenting regional integration while offering little certainty.…
Four key challenges facing Nepal’s economy
We all have a general sense of the country’s economic condition. Today, I want to speak more broadly about the economy rather than focus strictly on monetary policy. Let’s talk about the problems we’r…
Malaysia Records RM13.29 Bln Approved Investments In AI For January-June
Malaysia has successfully drawn approved investments totalling RM13.29 billion for the artificial intelligence (AI) sector under the Digital Malaysia initiative for the period from January to June thi…
Decarbonisation: Can Malaysia power its utilities sustainably?
The world is undergoing its most significant energy transition since the Industrial Revolution, and Malaysia has no intention of being left behind. As part of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (N…
Laos forecasts steady economic growth driven by tourism, investment
Laos’ Ministry of Finance expected a positive economic outlook for the third quarter of 2025, highlighting strong potential in the tourism sector and booming investment, especially in electricit…
In Malaysia’s palm oil heartland, smallholders are redefining what it means to grow responsibly
As the palm oil industry evolves, Malaysia’s smallholders are helping shape a more sustainable future, grounded in collaboration and community. On Carey Island, Malaysia, the sun shines down on rows o…
Laos Diversifies Into Nuclear Energy With Russian Support
Laos is looking to Russian nuclear energy technology to boost its domestic power sector – a vital source of revenue for the landlocked nation. The two governments agreed to sign a roadmap to dev…