Trade
Economy, COVID-19 pandemic resurgence, Industry trends

Thai economy to accelerate in 2023, says World Bank
Thailand’s economy is projected to accelerate to 3.9 percent in 2023 from 2.6 percent last year due to stronger-than-expected demand from China, Europe, and the

Australia, World Bank extend financial aid to Vietnam’s development priorities
The Australian Government and the World Bank have formally agreed to extend their partnership in support of Vietnam’s sustainable and inclusive development agenda. The partnership

World Bank calls for blue transformation of Pacific maritime transport
A new report from the World Bank has called for a ‘Blue Transformation’ of the Pacific maritime transport sector. This transformation would promote economic growth,

APEC warns of rising trade restrictive measures
Commercial trade in the APEC region recovered to US$4.9 trillion in 2022, albeit lower than the projected value of US$5.4

Asian LNG buyers face volatile market until 2026
Price and supply concerns still abound until market rebalance in second half of decade. Asian liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyers

China’s economy is crumbling but Xi still focuses on political control
China’s economic engine seems to be sputtering to a halt, unlike the more optimistic point of view that many mainstream

Global upheavals in next six months due to geopolitical tensions, say chief risk officers
With the world facing growing economic instability and political tensions, volatility in geo-economic and geopolitical relations between major economies are

Navigating Turbulence: Shipping Industry Surges Amidst Adversity
John Park, chief representative of naval and special ship marketing, Southeast Asia, Hanwha Ocean (former Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering), is certain that for the

Malaysia accelerates green transition, digital transformation
The Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution Malaysia (C4IR Malaysia) was officially launched May 15 by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, and the

Cambodia’s economy on firm path to recovery, World Bank says
Cambodia’s economy is firmly on a path to recovery, led by manufacturing exports and growth in services and agriculture, the World Bank said in a

New Filipino fisheries initiative will benefit a million people, says World Bank
The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors May 30 approved a new fisheries project in the Philippines that will positively impact over 1.15 million fisherfolk,

Singapore’s intra-Asia trade value could grow 50 percent by 2030, says new study
The value of Singapore’s trade with 11 other major Asian markets could grow by over 50% by 2030, according to an industry study released by

Global trade slows, green goods grow
Global trade was worth a record US$32 trillion in 2022, but amid deteriorating economic conditions and rising uncertainties, growth turned negative in the last half

Myanmar’s junta rule, two years on: Suppressed civilians, crippled economy and frosty foreign relations
Two years since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar, the junta has been ramping up its suppression on the country’s civilians to quell all opposition,

Africa well placed to get more green jobs as shipping undergoes low carbon revolution
Experts from the Maritime Just Transition Task Force told Africa’s maritime leaders in Accra in February that their continent was well placed to take a

Uncertainty weighs on Myanmar’s economy, says World Bank
Myanmar’s economy remains subject to significant uncertainty, with ongoing conflict disrupting business operations, a World Bank report released January 30 says. While some firms are

Singapore, Vietnam sign new partnerships to enhance economic cooperation
Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry Dr Tan See Leng signed two Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) February 9, one with Vietnam Minister for Planning

Japan’s construction aid benefits Myanmar junta, finds Human Rights Watch
Japan’s Yokogawa Bridge Corp. apparently transferred over US$1 million in 2022 to Myanmar Economic Corporation (MEC), which is owned by Myanmar’s abusive military, for a

Women’s voices set to grow in maritime industry
By Dr. Izyan Munirah Mohd Zaideen, senior lecturer at Faculty of Maritime Studies, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu; WISTA Malaysia committee member. The maritime sector is one

Buying fish online takes off in Indonesia

Singapore urges G20 to improve cross-border trade through digitalization

Through presidency of G20 Summit, Indonesia hopes to attract new investment opportunities

G20 Bali Summit brings expected US$533 million to Indonesia’s economy

Indonesia’s push to reach net zero emissions can help power new phase in economic development

Kim, Putin bromance means headache for Xi
The Western media has been awash with reports of Chinese authoritarian leader Xi Jinping proclaiming a “no limits” partnership with

Spiraling budget for upgrading Taiwan’s fishing port sparks controversy
In recent months, controversy erupted over the allegedly high budget allocated for the upgrading of the Cianjhen Fishing Port in
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