Navigating Japan’s Sustainable Finance Landscape
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warns that global warming could surpass 1.5°C above preindustrial levels, a threshold estimated to hold potentially catastrophic consequences, including extreme heatwaves, floods, and erratic precipitation patterns. As one of the world’s most industrialized nations, Japan is acutely aware of these threats and of the urgent need for action, especially... Read More →
Malaysia’s bustling healthcare market
Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim recently shared that Malaysia must prioritize investments in critical sectors, especially towards healthcare, as Malaysia is becoming a rapidly ageing society. It is anticipated that the elderly people will account for 14 per cent of Malaysia’s population. With government support and private sector collaborations, the country’s healthcare industry has... Read More →
Brazil and the future of Amazonia bonds
Brazil, the largest Latin American economy, raised USD 3.6 billion from two offshore green bond offerings in November 2023 and June 2024, putting in motion its target of a 53 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Its bond proceeds would finance public sustainability-linked projects over the next seven years. A crucial piece... Read More →
The Trump effect on Brazil’s economy
The return of US President Donald Trump introduces significant uncertainty to the global economic landscape. The promises made during his campaign suggest substantial changes to US foreign policy, immigration regulations, and fiscal policy in the coming years. These shifts could notably impact emerging economies, where trade is heavily linked to US demand and where monetary... Read More →
A breakthrough for Indian bonds
Exciting times are ahead for India’s bond market as it made it to the bond indices of JPMorgan and Bloomberg for emerging market economies in 2024, virtually a global pat on the back that would raise yields on debt securities issued by the central government. This strong vote of confidence will most likely result in... Read More →
Japan rising from negative interest rates
Japan made history for implementing negative interest rates as a long-term intervention to prop up its aging economy. It recorded another milestone when the Bank of Japan (BOJ) raised interest rates from -0.1 per cent to a 0-0.1 per cent target range in March 2024 for the first time in 17 years, followed by an... Read More →
China confronts a new tariff war
China’s duel with some of its biggest trading partners has intensified anew as they unleash fresh tit-for-tat tariffs on exports, a repeat of heightened trade tensions that began in 2018 with the US. The renewed trade war in 2024 now involves hefty duties on China-made electric vehicles (EVs), an expansion of the list of heavily... Read More →
Will Trump’s tax cuts fix the US’ middle-income squeeze?
Former US President Donald Trump’s impending return to the White House has created a sense of familiarity and heightened volatility for the global financial markets. Trump is set to return as the 47th US president on 20 January 2025. His campaign promises are a repeat of his policies from his previous term: tax cuts for... Read More →
Malaysia invests in developing GVCs for future growth
For the past few decades, Malaysia’s cross-border trade has been supported by the migration of technological know-how, high-skilled physical labour, capital investment, as well as raw materials and goods. These had positive spillover effects on international trade that strengthened the country’s integration into global value chains (GVCs). Unfortunately, there are many signs pointing toward the... Read More →
Navigating Uncertainty: The US Presidential Race and Its Impact on Brazil-US Relations
If anything, the 10 September US presidential debate has only revealed how the race is more uncertain than ever. Some polls point to a win of Vice President Kamala Harris, with around 48 per cent chance of winning according to an average of individual polls, while former President Donald Trump’s average has hovered around 47... Read More →