ARTICLES

7 Jan 2022

Paperless Trade in ASEAN: A Long Way To Go

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Digitalising paperless trade across ASEAN will help the grouping strengthen supply chains amid the Covid-19 pandemic. But ASEAN has a long way to go.

ASEAN Asean Trade

13 Dec 2021

Omicron: Threat to ASEAN’s Trade Recovery

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

The new Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus could impact trade in goods and services in ASEAN economies due to increased travel restrictions and the risk of more lockdowns.

29 Nov 2021

World Trade Organisation Talks: Make or Break

Jayant Menon|Richard Pomfret

The second postponement of the World Trade Organisation’s 12th Ministerial Conference, may only compound its woes. When they meet, a looming North-South divide and the long-standing consensus rule could stymie progress in many areas.

Asean Trade World Trade Organisation

8 Nov 2021

Standing Up to Be Counted

Michael Schaper

The lack of common and comparable ASEAN-wide business statistics is an impediment to realising the vision of an ASEAN Economic Community.

ASEAN Asean Trade Economic Planning

13 Oct 2021

‘Global Britain’ and Southeast Asia: Progress and Prospects

Ian Storey|Hoang Thi Ha

Southeast Asia is crucial to the United Kingdom’s (UK) ‘tilt’ to the Indo-Pacific. It has achieved notable progress in strengthening its diplomatic, economic and security engagement with the region.

ASEAN Asean Trade AUKUS Indo-Pacfic

28 Sep 2021

Ratifying the RCEP to Reset Malaysia’s Economy

Tham Siew Yean

Malaysia needs to move fast to ratify two free trade deals to reset its economy, which has been impacted by political instability and the Covid-19 pandemic. The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership is a priority.

Asean Trade Malaysia Malaysian Economy RCEP

Cargo containers stacked at Yantian port

21 Jul 2021

Unpacking China’s Merchandise Trade with ASEAN during the Global Pandemic

Xiaojun Li

While the global merchandise trade shrank by 5.3% as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, bilateral trade between China and ASEAN increased in the meantime by 6.7%, thanks not only to a steady increase in bilateral trade but also to the relative decline of trade between China with its other major trading partners.

Asean Trade ASEAN-China Relations China

workers fixing a floater onto a solar panel as part of the construction of a floating solar power farm on Tengeh reservoir in Singapore

30 Jun 2021

Trade and Environmental Disputes May Persist Despite Promising Leaders’ Summit on Climate

Melinda Martinus|Qiu Jiahui

At the recent Leaders’ Summit on Climate Change convened by the Biden Administration, several ASEAN leaders emphasised the principle of differentiating levels of economic development between states in their response to climate change. Finding a balance between this principle and ambitious climate targets remains a challenge.

ASEAN Asean Trade Climate Change E.U. Environment U.S.

26 Apr 2021

Freeing Trade in the Greater Mekong Subregion

Sithanonxay Suvannaphakdy

Implementing WTO trade facilitation commitments will be key.

Asean Trade Economic Development Mekong River

19 Apr 2021

Vietnam’s Car Market and AFTA: Kicking it Up a Gear

Ivan V. Small

Vietnam is one of ASEAN’s most promising car markets. To tap the growing potential in-country and across ASEAN, however, Hanoi will need to leverage on — and slalom around — a raft of regional free trade agreements.

Asean Trade Vietnam Vietnamese Economy