The Philippines’ business process outsourcing industry may stand to benefit from the “next wave” of outsourcing as companies around the world cut costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic, …
Investment
Malaysian Banks Unswayed by Worldwide Moves to Cut Dividends
As banks elsewhere scrap or defer dividend payments, investors in Malaysian lenders can still expect their usual cash rewards. Malayan Banking Bhd., the biggest lender by market value, plans to keep i…
Virus Derails Myanmar’s Move to Open Stock Market to Foreigners
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…
233 infrastructure development projects to be implemented in Laos in 2020
A total of 233 projects will be implemented in Laos under the Poverty Reduction Fund in 2020, of which a majority are infrastructure development schemes. The 233 projects will be implemented by the Po…
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…
AIIB Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank : Approves USD404-M Loan to Improve Bangladesh Cross-Border Connectivity
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) has approved a USD404-million loan to improve Bangladesh’s intercity travel and cross-border connectivity. The upgrade of the country’s nati…
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…