Economic policy and administration

Thailand’s economic growth slowed in the second quarter as improving government spending and tourism failed to counter weak local demand and exports, with the outlook clouded by drought and the yuan’s devaluation. Gross domestic product gained 2.8 percent in the three months through June from a ...

Laos and Thailand are seeking bilateral cooperation at special and specific economic zones along the border of the two countries. Laos’ National Committee for Special Economic Zones and Thailand’s Policy Committee on Special Economic Zone Development are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding to inaugurate ...

The Vietnam Stock Index or VN-Index slumped for four straight days amid currency devaluation fear, closing at 589.03 points on 14 August. According to stock experts, the decisions of China’s central bank to devalue the Chinese yuan and the decision of Vietnam’s central bank to widen the exchange ...

Four years ago, a dollar fetched just over 8,500 Indonesian rupiah, and just under three Malaysian ringgit. Today a dollar is worth nearly 14,000 rupiah and almost four ringgit. Both currencies hit 17-year lows this summer, and kept falling (see chart). In Asia the rupiah and ...

China’s devaluation of the yuan has sent shockwaves through global markets. Edwards, of the bank Société Générale, argues that as well as creating a challenge for China’s Asian rivals, by making its exports more competitive, a cheaper yuan will send “a tidal wave of deflation” breaking ...

A measure of the region’s 10 most-traded currencies excluding the yen is set to decline for a third year, its longest losing streak since 1997, amid signs the US will raise interest rates for the first time in a decade. The People’s Bank of China’s cut ...

China has devalued its currency to boost flagging exports in a move that risks deepening the global currency war. After recent data showing falling exports and a stalling manufacturing sector, the central bank said on 11 August that it was allowing the yuan to weaken by nearly ...

Thailand and Laos are set to boost bilateral trade to US$8 billion (Bt250 billion) in the next three years, driven mainly by closer cooperation under Asean integration and the setting up of special economic zones. According to the Thai Commerce Ministry, Thai-Laotian bilateral trade rose by 14.32 ...

Vietnam always welcomes and will create the most favourable conditions for Malaysian investors and those from other ASEAN member states to do business in the country, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed at the dialogue with members of the ASEAN Business Club and Malaysian enterprises ...

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on 7 August poured cold water on a call by an American business lobby group urging Thailand to join the controversial Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade pact.  The premier said the pros and cons of the new trade bloc need to be considered ...