Southeast Asia has been leading global growth in recent years, providing an alternative investment destination for market players in search for long-term competitive gains. Upbeat economic expansion within the region has encouraged more entrepreneurs to start new business ventures with the goal of reaching “unicorn” status, meaning privately held companies valued above USD 1 billion. Eqvista, an equity management software...

Former Indonesian President Joko Widodo ended his term by holding office at the new capital city of Nusantara beginning 29 July 2024. The USD 32-billion project was set for completion before he stepped down in October. Widodo is optimistic that this megaproject will lift Indonesia's status as a developed country by 2045, with an expected GDP value of USD 180...

The Philippine economy has long relied on the bustling business process outsourcing (BPO) sector as a major source of dollar revenues, providing jobs with competitive salaries to millions of Filipinos without the need to work abroad for better pay.  Outsourcing services have become a significant lifeblood for the Philippine economy since 2010. To put in perspective, the sector generated USD...

On 18 October 2024, the Malaysian government revealed that the 2025 budget would amount to MYR 421 billion (USD 95.82 billion), a 6.9 per cent increase from this year’s national budget. A significant amount will be allotted towards Malaysia’s goal of becoming a leader in the renewable energy sector. In support of the National Energy Transition Roadmap (NETR) towards renewable...

The GDP growth of Thailand quickened from 1.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2024 to 3 per cent in the third quarter. Specifically, the property sector grew by 0.7 per cent in the second quarter, easing from the previous quarter’s 1.1 per cent expansion. The construction sector grew by 15.5 per cent, reversing the previous quarter’s 5.5 per...

Technology startups in China have shown their might over the past decade with rapid-fire growth in terms of scale and market value. Chinese firms have been leading the charge in the e-commerce space globally, with companies like Alibaba and Tencent emerging as industry behemoths that were worthy challengers to American giant Amazon.  For one, Alibaba shares at the New York...

China is looking to boost public coffers at a time of pale domestic demand and a prevailing property sector slump by dipping into the treasure trove of the wealthiest. The government has instructed affluent residents to review their tax payments and is said to begin imposing a 20 per cent tax on investment gains generated abroad, both in an attempt...

The raft of announcements that came out of China in late 2024 sound seemingly ambitious, leading to volatile swings as markets reacted aggressively. Are these stimulus packages genuine or simply lip service? One only needs to look at the recent past for answers. After hitting a high in early 2021, Chinese equities have been on a gradual decline with no...