Vietnam stands to benefit from MNCs’ efforts to diversify their production base beyond China. How much it will actually benefit, however, depends on how fast it can roll out measures to further improve its infrastructure and business environment.
Category Archives: Commentaries
Covid-19 and the Development Banks: More of the Same
In the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, the more established multilateral development banks – the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank – are still miles ahead of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The same applies to non-Covid19 related loans and grants.
Mukhriz Mahathir’s Downfall in Kedah: Winners and Losers
The fall of the Kedah state government led by Mukhriz Mahathir will change the country’s political map, and the fortunes of the various players involved.
Malaysia’s Next Parliamentary Session: Show-time or Stalling for Time?
Malaysia’s next parliamentary sitting was supposed to have seen the tabling of a historic no-confidence motion against the government led by Muhyiddin Yassin. It appears that the premier has dodged the bullet – at least for now.
Pushback Against Lifting of Covid-19 Movement Controls: Much Ado About Something
State governments’ resistance to the federal government’s decision to lift some Covid-19 movement controls is as much as function of the pandemic’s impacts as political affiliation.
Covid-19 in Myanmar: Conflict, Ceasefire, Conciliation?
A nationwide ceasefire could generate long-term dividends, and even a stable peace.
Covid-19 in Myanmar: From Social Distancing to Political Distancing?
The ongoing fight against the Covid-19 pandemic in Myanmar means that social distancing measures will continue indefinitely. This means that political distancing in the run-up to upcoming polls might rear its head.
Covid-19 in Thailand: Prayut Tightens Grip on Power
The Thai Prime Minister has extended the country’s state of emergency amid the Covid-19 outbreak. This is more an attempt to consolidate power, rather than a move to buttress the fight against the coronavirus.
Myanmar’s Garment Industry: Hanging by a Thread
Myanmar’s garment sector has been hard hit by the fall in demand, largely from Europe. This is due partly to the fact that the country is now interwoven into the fabric of globalisation.
ASEAN in the RCEP: Diversions and Reversions
Tariff cuts under the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership will generate import gains for ASEAN as it will reverse the negative trade-diversion effects caused by the existing bilateral and ASEAN+1 free trade agreements. But there will be firms in ASEAN that have to compete with their counterparts from RCEP countries.