ASEAN – Despite having the third biggest increase in the external debt ratio among five Southeast Asian countries, the Philippines still maintains the lowest ratio of foreign debt to domestic production. According to a research from the Department of Finance’s senior economist Gil Beltran, the Philippines has the lowest foreign debt as a percentage of GDP (27%) among ASEAN nations …

Malaysia – The Department of Statistics Malaysia (DoSM) is confident about Malaysia’s economic recovery in Q3 2022, despite external threats and downward pressure following Q1 2022’s favorable performance. Datuk Seri Mohd Uzir Mahidin, chief statistician, said several nations performed better in Q1 2022, suggesting economic recovery despite various global crises producing supply chain disruptions, inflationary pressure, and monetary policy tightening. …

China – The Chinese province of Henan has required its roughly 100 million residents to undergo a Covid test every two days, a first in the nation as it battles an Omicron-fueled spike. Even while most of the globe has adjusted to live with the coronavirus, China has maintained its zero-Covid policy, enforcing tight lockdowns and mobility restrictions in numerous …

Korea – Korea has rebounded successfully from the pandemic, owing to solid economic foundations and timely governmental actions. Despite repeated rounds of infections, economic production has reached pre-crisis levels. The recovery was aided by excellent pandemic containment, which included quick vaccination last year, as well as aggressive economic policy assistance, which helped to reduce economic scarring, preserve income growth, and …

Malaysia – Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob today encouraged the US to pursue a more aggressive trade and investment strategy with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), claiming that doing so would benefit Washington both economically and diplomatically. Ismail Sabri expressed some of the displeasure felt in Asia after former President Donald Trump exited a regional …

Malaysia – As most businesses prepare for the May 1 implementation of the new RM1,500 minimum wage, questions persist over whether SMEs can afford the extra expense. The new standard comes as the economy continues to recover from the Covid-19 outbreak. Despite the complete adoption of a minimum wage in January 2013 and subsequent increases in 2016 and 2019, data …

Malaysia – According to a World Bank assessment, Malaysia’s economy is predicted to rise 5.5 percent this year, owing to improved domestic demand, more exports, and the reopening of borders. It stated that the external industry is expected to continue to assist, particularly in the areas of electrical and electronic products (E&E) and medical rubber gloves. However, it warned that …

Myanmar – Myanmar’s urban poverty is on track to quadruple next year, bringing almost half of the population below the poverty line, the United Nations warned today, as the epidemic and a military takeover threaten to reverse decades of progress. On Feb. 1, the army overthrew Aung San Suu Kyi’s elected civilian administration, causing political and economic chaos and jeopardizing …

Malaysia received RM7.7 billion in net foreign capital inflows in August 2021, the highest monthly net inflow since June 2020, according to Finance Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Tengku Abdul Aziz. Foreigners bought RM6.6 billion in ringgit bonds (RM3.6 billion in July 2021) and RM1.1 billion in Malaysian equity (July 2021: -RM1.3 billion). According to the finance minister, the National …

President Rodrigo Duterte will leave Malacañang one year from now with the economy improbable back to its pre-pandemic shape, as the nation battles to escape the Covid storm. GDP would have returned to pre-pandemic levels at some point at end of 2022, if not mid 2023, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Karl Kendrick Chua disclosed to House administrators during the principal day …