The new coronavirus is straining economies to the breaking point, but China says its Belt and Road Initiative will proceed intact. Analysts are not so sure. Some think a weakened China will have littl…
Economy
How a gulf prince charmed Indonesia’s Jokowi and poured money into the country
During a visit last summer where he strolled through the tropical gardens next to Indonesia’s summer Presidential Palace, Abu Dhabi’s crown prince offered to build a grand mosque for his host, Joko “J…
The Philippines’ big-ticket plan for growth
The 2020 budget has reaffirmed the Philippines’ commitment to infrastructure development as a major economic growth driver. The 4.1 trillion pesos (US$80.3 billion) budget, which was approved in Janua…
Improved sentiment, lower oil prices to boost peso
THE PESO could find support from better market sentiment this week, as governments around the world announced more measures to help cushion the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandem…
Doing office at home, digitally
As part of a new development in response to the impact of corona virus, a number of large global and private offices in the capital have recently asked its officials to work at home, and send their fi…
Panic buying, lockdowns may drive world food inflation: FAO, analysts
Lockdowns and panic food buying due to the coronavirus pandemic could ignite world food inflation even though there are ample supplies of staple grains and oilseeds in key exporting nations, a senior …
Malaysia central bank has more room to flex monetary muscle
Malaysia’s central bank has the firepower to inject more cash into the banking system to boost lending and support growth, with another policy rate cut not being ruled out as authorities in the …
Myanmar Unveils $70-Million Stimulus Package to Ease Economic Blow From Virus
The Myanmar government has announced an initial stimulus package to cushion the impact of COVID-19 on the country’s economy, including 100 billion kyats (nearly US$70 million) worth of loans, eased de…
How Bangladesh is developing without riches
On March 26, Bangladesh will celebrate its independence, marking the day in 1971 when the government of President Yahya Khan in Islamabad launched a murderous total war against his citizens in what wa…
Philippines seen achieving upper middle-income status this year despite COVID-19
Despite projections of slower domestic growth in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic takes its toll on the global economy, there’s no stopping the Philippines to climb to upper middle-income country status …