ECONOMY

Southeast Asia’s Race to Become the Leading AI Hub

SINGAPORE – As the global demand for artificial intelligence (AI) technologies surges, Southeast Asian countries, which make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), are engaged in a fierce competition to establish themselves as the region’s premier AI hub. … Continue reading Southeast Asia’s Race to Become the Leading AI Hub

Hong Kong’s Exports Set for 4% Growth in 2025

HONG KONG  – Hong Kong’s economy is poised for continued growth in 2025, with exports forecast to increase by 4%, according to the latest report from the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC) Research. This positive outlook, part of the … Continue reading Hong Kong’s Exports Set for 4% Growth in 2025

Vietnam: German Businesses Show Resilience

HO CHI MINH CITY – The global economy continues to experience sluggish yet stable growth, characterized by ongoing challenges and uncertainties. Amid these conditions, German businesses remain optimistic about the Vietnamese market. The AHK World Business Outlook Fall 2024 survey highlights … Continue reading Vietnam: German Businesses Show Resilience

China Announces Stringent Mineral Export Restrictions

BEIJING – In a bold response to the escalating tech trade war, China has unveiled its most stringent set of export controls yet on critical minerals, signaling a dramatic shift in global supply chains that could have far-reaching economic and … Continue reading China Announces Stringent Mineral Export Restrictions

Vietnam Cracks Down on Foreign E-Commerce Platforms

HANOI – Vietnam has issued a directive that mandates foreign e-commerce platforms, including popular names like Temu and Shein, to register with the government or face potential bans. The new regulations, announced in late October 2024, are part of a … Continue reading Vietnam Cracks Down on Foreign E-Commerce Platforms

PATA Tourism Monitor 2024: Asia Pacific Tourism Booms

BANGKOK – The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has released its Annual Tourism Monitor for 2024, revealing remarkable growth in international visitor arrivals across 47 Asia Pacific destinations. With a staggering 522 million arrivals in 2023, this marks a 94.3% … Continue reading PATA Tourism Monitor 2024: Asia Pacific Tourism Booms

German-Indian Rapprochement: New Perspectives in New Delhi

NEW DELHI – Berlin and New Delhi are aiming to deepen their trade relations – a venture that was reaffirmed at the recent meeting between Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Prime Minister Narendra Modi in India’s capital, New Delhi. Despite the … Continue reading German-Indian Rapprochement: New Perspectives in New Delhi

Vietnam: Upskilling Labor for a High-Value Economy

HANOI – In a decisive pivot towards economic modernization, Vietnam stands at a pivotal juncture with its burgeoning relationship with global technology giants. The Southeast Asian nation, traditionally an agrarian economy, is now orchestrating a strategic overhaul aimed at transitioning … Continue reading Vietnam: Upskilling Labor for a High-Value Economy

Indonesia’s Middle Class: Economic Challenges

JAKARTA – Recent data from Indonesia’s Central Statistics Agency (BPS) has highlighted a significant contraction in the country’s middle class, with an estimated 9.5 million people falling out of this socioeconomic bracket since 2019. This decline is attributed to a … Continue reading Indonesia’s Middle Class: Economic Challenges