The novel coronavirus outbreak has derailed Myanmar’s move to open its stock market to foreign investors. Only two of the country’s five listed securities have attracted international traders since ru…
Economy
App innovation in Malaysia during tough times
Many techpreneurs are seeing their start-ups fall, and techies are back at the drawing board, thinking up the next big thing. As people adapt to spending more time indoors, creative solutions for real…
Economists debate over best response to fight COVID-19 while keeping economies less hurt
Two economists recently vacillated between the current suppression strategy practiced by the Sri Lankan government by way of curfews and lockdowns and a mitigation strategy practiced in some East Asia…
Vietnam: Banks offer higher rates for online savings to draw clients amid COVID-19 battle
To encourage customers to deposit money online amid the COVID-19 pandemic, many banks have raised interest rates for online savings by up to 1.4 per cent higher than over-the-counter deposits. Short-t…
Myanmar: MIC approves more than $550 million in FDI
The Myanmar Investment Commission has approved more than US$500 million worth of foreign direct investments (FDI) from 11 businesses and K50 billion in local investments on April 3, a day after the to…
ADB warns global cost of virus could top $4 trillion
The coronavirus pandemic could cost the global economy $4.1 trillion as it ravages United States, Europe and other major economies, the Asian Development Bank warned on Friday. The estimated impact is…
Malaysia: MDEC bridge startups with global investors virtually
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and KK Fund Pte Ltd announced a virtual investor-matching initiative for local startups that are seeking capital injection amid the current economic slo…
China faces Belt and Road course correction after coronavirus
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…
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…