Asia M&A and investment review
Indonesia faces fiscal dilemma over $7.27bn high-speed rail debt
The operator, PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia - China, now faces mounting pressure to service both principal and interest payments.
Indonesia's $12bn stimulus play
The coordination between the Finance Ministry and the presidency signals tighter executive cohesion under President Prabowo’s leadership, contrasting with the cautious fiscal stance of prior administrations.
Chicken and chips in Seoul - for Nvidia, Samsung and Hyundai
In a low-key fried chicken shop in southern Seoul, the leaders of Nvidia, Samsung Electronics and Hyundai Motor held an informal meeting on the evening of October 30.
Trump pledges enduring support for Southeast Asia as new trade deals signed
During his visit to Southeast Asia, US President Donald Trump declared that Washington would remain a steadfast ally to the region, as he signed a series of trade agreements with four ASEAN member states.
US grants 0% tariffs to Malaysia alongside Cambodia and Thailand
US President Donald Trump has approved a 0% tariff scheme for selected goods from Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand, a move formalised during the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur.
Looking back: Prabowo’s first year of populism, growth, and the pursuit of sovereignty
His administration, which began with a promise of pragmatic reform and continuity, has in recent months leaned heavily on populist and interventionist economic policies.
Malaysia–Vietnam offshore wind project to deliver 2,000 MW by 2034, strengthening regional green energy links
Malaysia’s upcoming offshore wind project connecting Vietnam to Peninsular Malaysia is expected to generate up to 2,000 megawatts (MW) of clean energy by 2034, marking a major step in the nation’s renewable energy expansion
Malaysia plans social media ban for children under 13, following Singapore's lead
Under Kuala Lumpur’s proposal, all social media platforms will be required to implement mandatory identity verification systems to prevent underage users from creating accounts.
Indonesia’s $80bn giant seawall
Indonesia’s ambition to build a colossal seawall along the northern coastline of Java has ignited both hope and heated debate. Valued at around $80bn, the project aims to safeguard the island’s coastal cities from tidal floods and erosion.
India is not looking to dethrone the US dollar
The Reserve Bank of India, is reducing its US dollar exposure, repatriating gold from overseas vaults, and strengthening domestic control of its bullion reserves.
Singapore is now Asia's tech-job powerhouse
Singapore’s emergence as a tech hub is no accident. Over the past decade, the government has rolled out multiple targeted initiatives to accelerate digital adoption.
World Bank warns of rising informal employment across East Asia, with Indonesia most affected
The World Bank has raised concerns over worsening employment quality across East Asia and the Pacific, warning that the growing shift towards informal and low-productivity jobs threatens the region’s economic resilience.
Malaysia’s fuel recalibration: balancing fiscal discipline and public relief
In late September 2025, the Malaysian government unveiled a recalibrated approach to its long-running petrol subsidy, lowering the price of RON95 for citizens to $0.47 per litre.
Indonesia’s World Bank debt and the price of a green transition
Indonesia is routinely listed among the World Bank’s largest borrowers, second only to India in some recent tallies, reflecting an outstanding balance with the Bank running into the tens of billions and placing Indonesia among the top 10 debtors
Why India tops the World Bank debtors list in 2025
Through decades of external borrowing, fiscal crises and ambitious development programmes, India has emerged as a case study of both regional vulnerability and the complex promise of sustainable growth.
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Japan’s Nikkei hits record high as LDP leadership race starts
Japan’s benchmark Nikkei index closed at a historic high on September 22, supported by expectations of economic stimulus as the contest for leadership of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party formally got underway.
US fee on H-1B visas rattles Indian tech stocks
Reports said US based companies like Microsoft and JPMorgan advised employees holding H-1B and H-4 visas to return to the US before the deadline and avoid international travel until further guidance.
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Indonesia’s Raja Ampat - tourism hub or den of corruption?
In recent years, Indonesia has doubled down on promoting Raja Ampat, a remote archipelago in West Papua famed for its biodiversity, as a global eco-tourism icon.
Bank Indonesia’s credibility at risk as markets watch and wait
Indonesia’s central bank is finding itself under sharper investor scrutiny after Governor Perry Warjiyo confirmed a new “burden-sharing” arrangement with the government.
Nepal’s market weakens as violence grips country
Nepal’s equity market slumped on September 8, 2025, as the NEPSE index fell 35.99 points, or 1.32%, to close at 2,672.25, extending losses from the previous week’s 30.05 point decline.