In early July 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio embarked on a landmark journey to Southeast Asia, choosing Malaysia as his first stop in the Indo‑Pacific region. From July 8 to 12, Rubio took …
ADB unveils $2.3 billion plan to boost green, job-rich growth in Nepal
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday announced its new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for Nepal covering 2025–2029, setting the framework for $2.3 billion in concessional support focused on…
Malaysia set to be ‘biggest beneficiary’ from surge in data centre investment in Apac: Barclays
Emerging markets in Asia, particularly Malaysia and India, are poised to benefit significantly from a surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) in data centres. This growth is driven by increased deman…
Time Energy launches Malaysia’s first community solar project for data centers
The company signed an agreement with AIMS Group, a colocation and Edge data center provider, which will be the first anchor customer, via the Community Renewable Energy Aggregation Mechanism (CREAM). …
Indonesia Offers $34 Billion in US Imports to Secure Tariff Relief
The Indonesian government has proposed boosting imports from the United States by up to $34 billion as part of ongoing negotiations aimed at securing relief from trade tariffs imposed by President Don…
From Hasina to Yunus: Bangladesh’s Reforms, Recovery, and Economic Transition
Since August 2024, Bangladesh has been led by an interim government, with Muhammad Yunus, a Nobel Peace Prize winner and pioneer of microfinance, at its helm. This government was appointed after stude…
Trump’s tariff turbulence is reshaping Vietnam’s trade future
US President Donald Trump’s 46 per cent so-called ‘reciprocal’ tariff on Vietnamese exports, initially intended to be effective from 9 April 2025, has been paused for 90 days. While the pause alleviat…
Nepal begins first power exports to Bangladesh via India’s grid
Nepal has begun exporting 40 megawatts (MW) of electricity to Bangladesh through India’s power grid in its first move into the international energy market and positioning India as a key facilita…
Time of reckoning for Malaysia’s palm oil
A SOBERING reality is quietly taking shape across Malaysia’s oil palm sector – one of the nation’s most vital economic pillars. Once a powerful engine of rural prosperity and national resilience, the …
Indonesia rolls out $1.5bn stimulus as economic fears mount
Indonesia has introduced $1.5bn of stimulus measures to boost consumer spending, hoping to counter slowing growth as falling commodity prices and trade concerns hit south-east Asia’s largest economy. …