Showing 31 - 40 of 123
Tough choices
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 23/05/2016
» Asean will continue to work together as an economic community while the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), in which all 10 members are taking part, should be pushed forward along with other regional trade agreements, says a senior Asean diplomat.
More work to do
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 06/06/2016
» The decline of commodity prices, a strong dollar and weakened balance sheets have eroded Asia's competitiveness as a whole, though countries including India, Thailand and Japan have moved up this year, says the Switzerland-based International Institute for Management and Development (IMD).
Scaling political mountains
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 25/07/2016
» Park Won-soon is no stranger to Thailand, which he visited 10 times before taking office in 2011 as the highly popular mayor of Seoul. He even has business cards with his name and position written in Thai, a small touch but an example of how he likes to relate to people in the other countries he visits.
Investing in Asean's future
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 19/09/2016
» Figures from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) show that foreign direct investment (FDI) to Asean fell by 8% last year to US$120 billion. Declines in FDI in services, cross-border mergers and acquisitions (M&A), and lower intra-company loans were the major reasons behind the drop.
Taiwan steps up
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 27/03/2017
» With a total population of less than 24 million, Taiwan is known for its diversified manufacturing sector ranging from high-tech industries such as electronics and IT, to home appliances and bicycles. Companies such as Asus, Delta Electronics, Tatung and Giant have made their mark in the international market as leading brands from Taiwan.
Trump, Xi and the new reality
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 10/04/2017
» Last week, all eyes in Asia were on the meeting between US President Donald Trump and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Mr Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. A lot was riding on the two-day summit between the leaders of the world's two largest economies, whose relationship has been rocky of late. The world is looking for reassurances, and perhaps even some common ground on North Korea, which has become an irritant for both Beijing and Washington.
Skills for the future
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 08/05/2017
» When he was a little boy, Aung Pyae Phyo from Yangon wanted to follow the path of his uncle and become a seafarer so he could earn a good monthly salary. But things changed completely when his father, the manager of a Yangon petrol station, told him about the scholarship offered by PTT Group for students from Myanmar.
Sea change in South Korea
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 15/05/2017
» Last Tuesday's victory by Moon Jae-in in South Korea's early presidential election appears to have been welcomed by most observers, as evidenced by the strengthening of the won and Asian share rallies following his landslide win.
Cheering for Thailand
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 31/07/2017
» Before I encountered Teisuke Kitayama at the headquarters of Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) in Tokyo, I was a little nervous given his stature as the recently retired chairman of Japan's second-largest lender. It was the last day of my two-week visit to Japan and I was eager to make the most of this final appointment before I flew out the next morning.
Sustainability wake-up call
Asia focus, Nareerat Wiriyapong, Published on 30/10/2017
» The European Union's decision last week to give a "yellow card" to Vietnam for illegal fishing is the latest example of how a lack of sustainability threatens to harm businesses in Asean more than many realise.