Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) form an integral part of ASEAN economies, but they have not been able to access sufficient financial resources to unlock their growth potential.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Can the Russia-Ukraine Conflict Derail Southeast Asia’s Decarbonisation Efforts?
The commodities supply crunch can disrupt Southeast Asia’s goal of attaining net-zero targets in the next few decades. While regional countries have backtracked on climate commitments, the crisis can stimulate long-term strategic responses such as accelerating decarbonisation efforts and developing domestic deposits of critical minerals.
China’s Global Security Initiative Stoking Regional Tensions
China has doubled down on its alignment with Russia against the West. This has led to a proliferation of minilaterals and security partnerships aligned with the United States.
Will Vietnam’s Richest Man Be Safe?
Recent speculation that Vietnam’s richest man, Vingroup chairman Pham Nhat Vuong, might get in trouble with the authorities is probably overwrought. Nevertheless, Hanoi’s anti-corruption campaign means Vietnam’s business owners must tread carefully in their search for profit.
More Food, Less Fight: Can Jokowi Deliver on Indonesia’s G20 Presidency?
Indonesia’s G20 Presidency has set three priorities: global health infrastructure, digital economic transformation and energy transition. However, due to food and fuel price hikes, global food security is rising up the G20 agenda.
Can Indonesia Provide Much-needed Leadership in ASEAN?
Indonesia’s various moves on the foreign policy front suggest that it is preparing for a robust role as ASEAN Chair when it takes over the regional grouping’s leadership in 2023. However, its ambitious ideas for revitalising ASEAN will meet headwinds regionally and globally.
The Politics of Nahdliyyin: Uneasy Relations between NU and PKB
There are indications that the relationship between Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) and the National Awakening Party (PKB) is tense. Whether the two entities can kiss and make up could determine how Indonesia’s moderate Muslims vote in the next election.
The China Factor and “Bongbong” Marcos’s Foreign Policy
While it is too early for his foreign policy platform to fully emerge, the Philippines’ new president will have his hands full in calibrating Manila’s relationships with Washington and Beijing. It is not a foregone conclusion that he will lean strongly in either direction.
Booster Shot? Pao Tang Digital Payment and Thailand’s Domestic Consumption
Digital payment apps, while facilitating ease of consumption, do not tackle the fundamental issue: limited disposable income of Thais, particularly among those in lower-income groups.
Jokowi’s “Peace Mission” to Europe: Well-intentioned But Fruitless
Indonesia President Joko Widodo’s visit to Ukraine and Russia was quite remarkable. But the trip achieved little in finding a way out of the current impasse between Kyiv and Moscow.