The developer of an energy project linked to Malaysia’s king, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, says it could attract 144 billion ringgit ($35 billion) worth of investment from global investors in the long ter…
Economy
ADB Funds $50 Million Program to Boost Cambodia’s Financial Stability and Digital Infrastructure
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $50 million policy-based loan to strengthen Cambodia’s financial sector. Under a programmatic approach, the investment will support both banking and non…
The Vietnamese economy overtakes the Philippines: From economic strategies to governance and flood control
BEYOND TRADE, structural differences in demographics and education shape both countries’ long-term trajectories. Vietnam is aging rapidly. Its median age of 33.3 in 2024 is projected to reach nearly 4…
Malaysia’s palm oil giants pivot to AI data centres, solar projects to meet US$34 billion investment boom
Malaysia’s palm oil giants, long criticised for deforestation, haze and threats to wildlife, are repositioning themselves as unlikely players in the country’s booming AI data centre market, according …
AI for equality at work in Indonesia: Harnessing technology to create fair, inclusive and decent workplaces
Technological progress, particularly in artificial intelligence (AI), is transforming the workplace more rapidly and significantly than ever before across demographic groups. While AI can provide fast…
An economy on the move
LITERACY rates in Cambodia are around 88 per cent. Female labour force participation rates are around 74pc — one of the highest in the region. Contrast this with Pakistan. Our literacy rate is less th…
“Was the revolution worth it?”: After Hasina, Bangladesh stands at a crossroads
It has now been more than a year since the rule of Sheikh Hasina, Asia’s longest-serving autocrat, came to an end amid deadly student-led protests, and many people in Bangladesh are impatient for a go…
Sri Lanka’s Economic Recovery: From Meltdown to Rebound
In 2022, Sri Lanka became the first Indo-Pacific country in decades to default on its external debt, triggering an economic collapse that pushed millions below the poverty line. Inflation surged past …
IMF Flags Sharp Slowdown in Bangladesh Economy After Hasina’s Ouster
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ASEAN’s Digital Economy Surges Toward $300 billion as the AI Era Begins
Southeast Asia’s digital economy is on the verge of a historic breakthrough, with Gross Merchandise Value (GMV) projected to surpass $300 billion by 2025, according to the 10th annual e-Conomy SEA rep…