Other Briefings
Understanding ASEAN’s Free Trade Agreements
As Free Trade Agreements continue to take center stage in economic development across ASEAN and Asia, understanding the benefits of these agreements and how to avail them is becoming ever more important.
Competition Set to Take Off in ASEAN as Open Skies Policy Looms
As the biggest airshow in the Asia-Pacific region kicks off this week in Singapore, progress towards implementing an ASEAN-wide open skies regime by 2015 appears to be slow but steady.
ASEAN Public Holiday Schedule for 2014
ASEAN Holiday Schedule for: Vietnam, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand.
Myanmar Steps onto the World Stage
Myanmar, also known as Burma, has been closed to the world for much of its recent history. However, the country is now going through a process of opening up and liberalization.
Since President Thein Sein was elected in 2011, Myanmar has implemented a plethora of political and economic reforms. This new political outlook has resulted in the lifting of the long-existing international sanctions regime that had been imposed upon the country.
February 2014 ASEAN Regional Meetings
There are a number of important ASEAN regional forums being held in February, including the ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement Joint Cooperation meeting and the ASEAN Finance and Central Bank Working Group meeting.
ASEAN 5 Prepares for Integrated Payment System
The five largest members of ASEAN – Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines and Thailand have agreed to implement an integrated payment system to enable real time gross settlement (RTGS) systems to be in effect by next year.
ASEAN Tourism Forum Conference Concludes on Positive Note
SINGAPORE – At the 33rd ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in Sarawak, Malaysia last week, ASEAN nations reported a 12 percent increase in tourist visits since 2012. Adopting the theme ‘ASEAN – Advancing Tourism Together,’ Malaysian Minister of Tourism and Culture Nazri Abdul Aziz declared the ATF a resounding success by highlighting the ASEAN community’s rapid […]
IMF Boosts Philippines Expected Growth to 6.3 Percent
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has raised this year’s growth forecast for the Philippines to 6.3 percent, up from a previous estimate of 6 percent. The upgrade is based partly on a slightly more optimistic outlook of advanced economies, and partly on the on-going reconstruction work that will be required as a result of the […]
ASEAN CEOs Most Confident On Growth
HANOI – A report issued by PricewaterhouseCoopers shows that CEOs based in ASEAN are far more bullish about growth prospects than any other region globally. The 17th Annual Global CEO Survey, which measures investor confidence, puts ASEAN-based Chief Executives at 45 percent optimistic as against 39 percent globally. ASEAN CEOs also expressed stronger long-term confidence […]
Malaysia to Open Up To Foreign Auto Manufacturers
As the country seeks to regain its position as an Asian auto hub, Malaysia has eased restrictions in its auto market with foreign investors now being able to manufacture all types of hybrid and electric passenger cars, including small passenger cars. The changes were announced on Monday as part of the country’s new National Automotive Policy (NAP). […]
