Twice in the last century, the global financial system was forced to reinvent itself because the machinery underpinning money could no longer bear the weight placed upon it. The collapse of the gold s…
Featured
Vietnam’s Carbon Market Takes Shape. What Businesses Need to Know
Vietnam officially launched the pilot phase of its emissions trading scheme (ETS) in June 2025, targeting three carbon-intensive sectors: power generation (thermal coal), steel, and cement. This pilot…
Saudi halal center launches ESG-aligned halal mark track
The Saudi Halal Center, part of the Saudi Food and Drug Authority, has launched a new halal mark track aligned with environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, aiming to enhance product cred…
Economists call for the suspension of Sri Lanka’s debt after devastating Cyclone Ditwah
The Institute of Political Economy (IPE), Sri Lanka and the UK-based Debt Justice issued a joint statement demanding the International Monetary Fund (IMF) suspend Sri Lanka’s debt repayment to help it…
Philippines scales blue carbon with $1 billion financing, blue economy law
The Philippines is advancing marine ecosystem management, backed by USD 1 billion in international financing and a new national blue economy framework. (Photo: iStock) The Philippines is stepping up e…
Invisible riders of Nepal’s gig economy
The rise of the gig economy has quietly transformed how people work and how services reach customers in Nepal. From food arriving at our doorstep to a ride booked with a tap on a phone, digital platfo…
Can Bangladesh’s political crucible forge lasting democracy?
In Brief Bangladesh’s 2024 student-led uprising reshaped the political landscape, removing the Awami League from power and creating new political alignments. With the interim government prosecuting Aw…
Return of global funds puts South-east Asia in spotlight for 2026
Global capital is coming back to South-east Asia’s stock markets this month, positioning the cohort as one of the must-watch pockets of global finance for 2026. Drawn by cheap valuations and the need …
Shared digital platforms: A new driver for Vietnam’s digital economy
Vietnam is making a strategic move to catalyze its digital economy with the launch of 55 shared digital platforms designed to unify data, reduce costs, and drive sectoral innovation. Decision No. 2618…
From cost centre to profit centre: How AI solopreneurs are reinventing ESG
ESG—Environmental, Social, and Governance—has matured from a niche concern to a core business imperative. In 2025, nine out of ten large corporations publish ESG reports, and global ESG-linked investm…