Japan and the Philippines Join to Develop Information and Communication Technologies
Japan and the Philippines announced plans this week to increase cooperation in the Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) sector, a step that is expected to not only boost business and commerce opportunities between the two nations, but also facilitate the sharing of emergency relief technologies. The announcement was made during a joint statement released by […]
India: the Developing Market of Choice for UK Investment
DELHI – India emerged as the developing market of choice among British investors, attracting US$31 billion (Rs 1.9 lakh crore) in investments over the last ten years alone. The figures came from an analysis of mergers and acquisitions statistics over the past decade, conducted by international law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. “When it comes to […]
The 2014 Asian Stir-Fried Prawn Index
We have chosen stir-fried prawns as a reasonable barometer to try and ascertain how Asian consumers differ in their local costs of consuming what to hundreds of millions of people is either a tasty lunch or dinner dish.
International Finance Corporation to Launch Asia Fund
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private sector lending arm, has announced that it is planning to launch an IFC Asia Fund with a US$1-1.5 billion target. Since the 1980s, the IFC has invested in emerging market private equity funds, and in 2000 created a group dedicated to investments in funds. Since then, […]
Sri Lanka Growth at 7.25 Percent
Sri Lanka is aiming to be a US$100 billion economy by 2016. Sri Lankan Central Bank Governor Nivard Cabraal has revealed that the Sri Lankan economy grew by 7.25 per cent during 2013, and has outlined five “hubs” that will help propel the country towards being a US$100 billion economy. These include reforms in the […]
Asia-Based Research & Development set to Flourish in 2014
New research suggests that as the United States’ global share of research and development (R&D) spending in the biomedical sciences falls, Asia will be set to take its place as the world leader in biomedical R&D. The results of a study that will appear in the New England Journal of Medicine later today find that […]
Asia-Pacific Moves Closer to Regional Economic Community
On Friday December 20, thirty-six Asia-Pacific nations unanimously adopted a landmark declaration outlining a roadmap towards a regional economic community – a “historic and defining moment” in the history of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).
Japan Extends Currency Swap Deals with Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore
Dec. 20 – Japan extended currency swap agreements with the Philippines and Indonesia this month as the region prepares for potential currency outflows in the wake of tapering by the U.S. Federal Reserve of its quantitative easing program. Japan also reinstated a currency swap deal with Singapore, which previously expired two years ago. Under the […]
Myanmar to Provide the Next Wave of Asia’s Domestic Helpers
Dec. 18 – Burmese Aiyees and Amahs are poised to be the next wave of new domestic helpers in Hong Kong after the Myanmar Consulate announced this week that it is now open to companies applying for Technical Employment Service Center Licenses. These licenses are required by employment agencies to import foreign workers, including maids. […]
Japan-ASEAN Meeting With China As A Looming Spectre
Dec. 13 – The Japan-ASEAN summit takes place today in Tokyo, with China – who is not attending – likely to be playing the role of the bogeyman at the meetings. China is involved with serious diplomatic and political tensions with both Japan and several ASEAN members, with the Philippines, Japan and Vietnam in particular very […]