Other Briefings
ASEAN Infrastructure Fund Grants First US$25 Million Loan to Indonesia
Dec. 10 – The Asian Development Bank’s new ASEAN Infrastructure Fund (AIF) has granted its inaugural loan to an Indonesian electricity project. The US$25 million loan will go towards developing power links and expanding transmission networks from Java to Bali. Improvements are needed to solve widespread power outages and blackouts that are negatively impacting Indonesia’s […]
Myanmar and the Philippines Sign Several Trade and Investment Agreements
Dec. 9 – Myanmar and the Philippines strengthened business and trade relations this month with the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) designed to foster greater economic cooperation between the two nations. In total, six agreements were reached during President Thein Sein’s visit to the Philippines last week, ranging from renewable energy initiatives to […]
Indonesia Focuses on Improving Investment Climate
Dec. 6 – In Indonesia, securing long-term investment remains a high priority following a summer of sudden capital outflows. “We need to implement breakthroughs to improve our investment climate,” said Perry Warjiyo, Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia, the country’s central bank. “That’s the key to attracting foreign direct investment.” There has been some progress in […]
Political Unrest Threatens Thailand’s Long-Term Prospects
While frequent political upheaval in Thailand has not significantly harmed overall economic stability, it has constrained Thailand’s long-term economic growth and development. By Shawn Greene Dec. 2 – More than three weeks after the Thai Senate rejected a highly controversial bill that would have provided amnesty for political offenses dating back to the 2006 coup, […]
December 2013 ASEAN Regional Meetings
Dec. 2 – While December is a relatively slow month for regional ASEAN meetings, there are still a number of important forums being held in December, including the ASEAN-European Union Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting and the 40th anniversary summit for the establishment of ASEAN-Japan relations. The key meetings of note for our readers are as […]
ASEAN’s Demographic Dividend
Oftentimes referred to as ASEAN’s demographic dividend, ASEAN countries’ decreasing dependency ratios have the potential to translate into significant GDP growth if accompanied by effective government policies that liberalize trade, attract FDI, and mobilize capital and labor productively.
Slow Progress in Timor Leste’s Bid for ASEAN Membership
Nov. 18 – Cautiousness and mixed feelings among the ASEAN member states continue to slow progress in Timor Leste’s bid to join the 10-member regional bloc. In September, Timor Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao spent five days in the Myanmar cities of Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw to strengthen diplomatic relations with the country set […]
Indonesia Seeks Private Investors for Massive Infrastructure Upgrade
Nov. 15 – On Wednesday, Indonesia announced US$35 billion plans for new infrastructure projects to address what many view as the single largest deterrent to investment in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. Coming a day after senior executives at the World Bank vocalized concerns about Indonesia’s deteriorating infrastructure, the Indonesian government announced that of the 56 […]
The Pacific Alliance: ASEAN’s Bridge to South America
Nov. 14 – As ASEAN countries continue to move towards regional integration by 2015, a new economic bloc consisting of Latin America’s fastest growing economies may be the key to trade between the two regions. Establishing a framework for trade and economic integration, the Pacific Alliance (Alianza del Pacifico) was established in June 2012 by […]
Challenges Await the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework
By Matthew Davis Nov. 4 – Following periods of regional instability resulting from the 1997 Asian financial crisis and the recent global financial crisis, there has been great impetus for establishing a pan-ASEAN banking presence. In promoting such financial integration, the ASEAN nations hope to capitalize on economies of scale, a larger consumer base and […]
