MALAYSIA Malaysia's 2025 Budget: Petrol Subsidy Cuts and New Taxes As Malaysia prepares for its 2025 budget, significant changes loom on the horizon with proposed cuts to petrol subsidies and the introduction of new taxes. This strategic shift aims to stabilize the economy amidst rising costs and global economic uncertainties.
MSME Indonesia Empowering Local Products: Indonesia's MSME Journey to Global Markets Indonesia's Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are pivotal in connecting local products to global markets. Through innovative strategies and supportive policies, these enterprises are transforming challenges into opportunities, fostering economic resilience and community empowerment.
indonesia Featured Indonesia Bans iPhone 16 Sales: Apple's Investment Failures Highlight Regulatory Challenges In a striking move, Indonesia has halted sales of Apple's iPhone 16 due to the company's failure to meet local investment commitments, raising questions about foreign corporate strategies in emerging markets.
Elite Business Featured Watsons Unveils $250 Million Investment Plan: A New Era in Retail Experience In an ambitious move to redefine customer engagement, Watsons announces a $250 million investment aimed at opening over 1,200 new stores and refurbishing 4,800 locations across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
BUSINESS Southeast Asia's Insurtech Sector Soars to $2.4 Billion: A New Era of Digital Insurance Southeast Asia's insurtech sector has recently marked a significant milestone, reaching a valuation of $2.4 billion, reflecting the rapid evolution of insurance technology in the region. This growth is driven by a combination of increased digital adoption, changing consumer behaviors, and the emergence of innovative startups that
Artificial Intelligence Google Bets Big on Thailand: $1 Billion Investment Fuels AI Growth and Economic Transformation This investment comes at a critical time as Thailand positions itself as a major digital hub in Southeast Asia.
sustainability Korean Firms Push for Sustainability Initiatives The push for sustainability in South Korea is evident across various sectors. Major corporations such as Samsung Electronics, POSCO, and Hyundai Motor Group are leading the charge with ambitious plans aimed at reducing their carbon footprints and enhancing their environmental stewardship.
ECONOMY Nusantara Capital: Pioneering Sustainable Growth with Magnum Resort and AIS Campus The Magnum Resort is poised to become a flagship destination within Nusantara Capital, reflecting Indonesia’s commitment to sustainable tourism. This resort will feature eco-friendly designs, integrating local culture and natural beauty into its architecture.
Elite Economy SoftBank Pioneers Digital Salary Payments: A New Era for Payroll in Japan The introduction of digital salary payments aligns with Japan's broader push towards cashless transactions, which gained momentum after the government approved such payments in April 2023
Japan News Tokyo Game Show 2024: A Celebration of Gaming Culture and Innovation Cosplay and Community Engagement: The TGS is renowned for its vibrant cosplay scene. Attendees dressed as their favorite characters added to the atmosphere, with designated areas for photoshoots
Japan Luxury Market Revitalising Trend: Japan's Luxury Market Thrives Post-Pandemic Major luxury brands are reaping the benefits of this tourist influx. LVMH, with about a quarter of its Asia stores located in Japan, noted double-digit revenue growth in Japan in Q1 '24. Hermès saw a 25% hike, while Ermenegildo Zegna group's APAC revenues grew by nearly 29%
China Economy China's Export Surge: A Beacon Amid Economic Challenges The significant uptick in exports can be attributed to several factors. First, the low base effect from August 2023, when exports had plummeted by 8.8%, played a crucial role in inflating the year-on-year growth figures.
indonesia Navigating the Dragon: Indonesia's Economic Dependency on China This dependency is not merely economic; it extends into political and technological realms, where China’s influence is palpable. According to a recent study, Indonesia ranks 16th out of 82 countries in terms of Chinese influence
indonesia business Featured Navigating New Terrain: Indonesia's Regulatory Overhaul in the Mining Sector The Indonesian mining industry is among the largest in the world, rich in resources such as nickel, coal, and gold. However, the sector has faced numerous regulatory hurdles
Elite Business Jin of BTS Takes Center Stage: Gucci's New Global Ambassador Redefines Luxury Fashion Jin's appointment is not just a personal achievement; it signifies the increasing intersection of K-pop and high fashion.
Elite Business Singapore Bans Foreign Companies from Using Third-Party Firms to Hire Workers Singapore’s new regulations ban Employers of Record from sponsoring work passes, requiring foreign companies to establish a legal presence to hire talent locally.
Elite Business Global Funds Flock to Southeast Asia as Investors Anticipate Fed Policy Shift A significant driver of optimism for Southeast Asia is the relatively light exposure by foreign funds, which have the capacity to increase their investments. The MSCI Asean index currently trades at 13.6 times its projected earnings for the next twelve months
cybersecurity Malaysia's Cybersecurity Act 2024: Fortifying the Digital Frontier Failure to comply with the Act's provisions can result in severe penalties. Non-compliance with licensing regulations can lead to fines of up to 500,000 ringgit (approximately US$106,000)
equinor Equinor Halts Offshore Wind Plans in Vietnam: A Setback for Renewable Energy Ambitions As Equinor's exit highlights the precarious state of Vietnam's offshore wind ambitions, the future of the sector remains uncertain. The government must address the existing regulatory gaps
cambodia Challenges Ahead for Cambodia's New Leader as Hun Manet Marks One Year in Office One of Hun Manet's key challenges is addressing the pervasive corruption that has plagued Cambodia for decades. The expansion of the government bureaucracy, with a 122% increase in secretaries and undersecretaries of state
Elite Business Derailed Negotiations: Canada's Rail Lockout Grinds Economy to a Halt The Teamsters Canada Rail Conference, which represents the locked-out workers, had been in negotiations for months, but talks broke down over key issues including worker scheduling, safety regulations, and wage increases.
indonesia Indonesia's Startups: Pioneering the Free School Lunch Initiative One of the key challenges the initiative faces is the sheer scale of its requirements. To fully implement the program, an estimated 6.7 million tons of rice, 1.2 million tons of chicken, and 4 million kiloliters of fresh milk will be needed annually.
eletric vehicles Philippines Extends Zero-Tariff Policy on Electric Vehicles: A Leap Towards Sustainable Mobility The extension of the zero-tariff regime broadens its scope to include not only fully electric vehicles but also hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), electric motorcycles, and electric bicycles.
Elite Business Apple’s $250 Million Investment: A Boost for Singapore’s Tech Landscape Apple's investment underscores Singapore's growing prominence as a strategic location for technology companies.
indonesia Indonesia's Golden Visa: A Strategic Move to Boost Foreign Investment Those wishing to establish a business in Indonesia must invest at least $2.5 million for a five-year visa or $5 million for a ten-year visa.
