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…
Economy
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…
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…
Agricultural Technology: Food Systems in Vietnam
Food systems in Vietnam have seen massive change in recent history. The country has witnessed significant agricultural growth over the last 30 years, which has undoubtedly alleviated the nation’s soci…
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…
Geopolitical Turbulence in Southeast Asia: Navigating the Thailand-Cambodia Conflict’s Impact on Trade, Tourism, and Energy Investments
The Thailand-Cambodia border conflict of 2025 has become a flashpoint for regional instability, reshaping economic dynamics and exposing vulnerabilities in Southeast Asia’s interconnected system…
The Cambodia-Thailand truce: What Malaysia, China and the US got right
In late July 2025, as Cambodian and Thai forces exchanged artillery fire near the long-disputed Preah Vihear temple, Southeast Asia seemed on the verge of a major border war. Yet within days, the guns…
Malaysia’s successful tariff negotiation seen as strategic step forward
Malaysia’s successful negotiation to reduce the reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States (US) on its exports to 19 per cent from 25 per cent is seen as a strategic step forward, placing th…
The Vietnamese economic miracle: What lessons does it offer for others?
From post-war poverty to a $500 billion economy, five decades after the end of the Vietnam War, the country stands as a lesson in post-conflict development After the devastating war that lasted for ar…