Fuelling Japan’s growth recovery amid demographic crises
Japan holds the record as one of the fastest-aging countries in the world. With about 30 per cent of its population aged 65 or older, the country faces a continuous decline in its working-age population, and this weighs negatively to economic performance. Since 2010, Japan’s population has been shrinking, and its fertility rate at 1.3... Read More →
Thailand is betting big on the casino industry
On January 2025, the Thai government approved the Entertainment Complex Bill from the Ministry of Finance that legalizes casino operations in the country. Gambling has long been prohibited in Thailand, and the measure received pushback from the general public as discussions were ongoing. The gambling business appears incompatible to Thai culture, which is largely rooted... Read More →
Japan’s outward FDI under geopolitical uncertainty
Japanese firms continue to internationalize through greenfield investments, mergers and acquisitions, and equity investments, placing the country as among the top 10 sources of global outward foreign direct investments (OFDI) since the 1990s. Japan peaked as the third-largest source of outward investments between 1992 and 1994, and despite the country’s slow economic growth and aging... Read More →
Brazil confronts a fiscal crossroads
Brazil managed a big reduction in the budget deficit of the central government in 2024. Last year, the country reported a primary deficit of BRL 45 billion (USD 7.9 billion) which is equivalent to 0.36 per cent of the country’s GDP. While Brazil shaved off a significant 81.7 per cent from the BRL 228 billion... Read More →
Will Japan see a Renaissance in the semiconductor race?
Semiconductors are indispensable to modern life for aiding advancements in finance, telecommunications, and healthcare, among others. These are crucial components of most devices that make modern life comfortable, including mobile phones and vehicles. As the fourth most traded good overall, the global semiconductor industry is estimated to be worth USD 611 billion and projected to... Read More →
Islamic finance in Malaysia is sweetening with maturity
The recently released Belanjawan 2025 carries the plan of Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Anwar Ibrahim, to allocate MYR 100 million (USD 22.22 million) towards Islamic finance to foster greater financial innovation. This indicates a strong dedication from the government to deepen the Islamic finance ecosystem and attract more investors to the industry. Unlike conventional banking, Islamic... Read More →
Latin America amid the US’ intensified trade war
March saw the implementation of additional trade duties made by US President Donald Trump, staring with the 25 per cent tariff on Mexican and Canadian products along with an extra 10 per cent tariff on Chinese goods. Trump also threatened to impose tariffs on Colombian products if the country refuses to accept the return of... Read More →
Is Japan’s steel immune to Trump’s tariff game?
President Donald Trump’s return to office led to the imposition of more tariffs on US trade partners under the guise of ensuring “fair” trade while boosting the domestic economy. This has raised concerns about retaliation from affected countries and higher commodity prices in the US. Barely two weeks into his presidency, Trump announced a 10... Read More →
The cost of keeping a strong US dollar: A double-edged sword
The US dollar is the backbone of global finance that drives trade and commodities and serves as the world’s go-to reserve currency. However, with the Federal Reserve’s shift in policy tone and growing geopolitical uncertainties, its dominance is being tested like never before. As countries explore alternatives and markets react to these changes, it is... Read More →
Following the path of Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor
Thailand’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) pertains to the special economic zone that consists of three provinces: Chachoengsao, Chonburi, and Rayong, which is being developed as the next-generation manufacturing and business centre of the country. The passage of the EEC Act of February 2018 sought to attract foreign investments into the area with a slew of... Read More →