News

In this issue of Asia Briefing Magazine, we discuss why China is no longer the only solution for export-driven businesses, and how the evolution of trade in Asia is determining that locations such as Vietnam and India represent competitive alternatives.

Mar. 1 – The Singaporean Government recently released its 2013 budget in which it revealed new measures totaling SG$5.9 billion aimed at helping businesses, facilitating investment and spurring further growth. Corporate income tax was a targeted issue, with the Government announcing that it would provide a 30 percent tax rebate on tax assessments during 2013-2015. […]

In this issue of China Briefing, we focus on the minutiae of trading with China – regardless of whether your business has a presence in the country or not.

Feb. 28 – The invention of the internet created an accelerated growth route for countries and companies, transforming the world into a place in which digital connections are just as important as human connections. Despite the internet originating in North America, it has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, rapidly expanding internationally. Thanks to the growing […]

Feb. 28 – The cultural and work ethic differences between China and democratic Asia have been bought into sharp focus with the jailing in Singapore of four Chinese bus drivers and the deportation of a further 29. The incident occurred after the drivers, hired from a mainland agency, decided to go on strike after learning […]

Feb. 27 – The Chinese state news agency Xinhua has reported that Chinese troops have been undergoing intensive training near Yunnan’s border with Myanmar as fighting intensifies between Myanmar’s Government forces and the Kachin separatists. Some military shells have already landed in West Yunnan, leading China to step up its surveillance of the deteriorating situation. […]

By Alex Tangkilisan Feb. 27 – In the third part of our ASEAN-India Free Trade Area analysis, we will examine trade trends and statistics from India to Cambodia, Brunei, Laos and the Philippines. While the Philippines is part of the ASEAN six majors, Cambodia, Brunei and Laos are the three smallest economies in the region. […]

Feb. 22 – Malaysia recorded better than expected GDP growth figures in the fourth quarter of 2012, with its economy growing by 6.4 percent. The total annual growth for last year hit 5.6 percent, higher than the expectations of most analysts. Both government spending on infrastructure projects and a solid consumer base contributed to Malaysia’s […]

Feb. 21 – While the price of Hong Kong office rentals fell last year, its main competitor for Asian focused business, Singapore, is still 52 percent less expensive in the same market. Singapore is increasingly important as a link to both the other ASEAN countries and India, with prices expected to rise starting early this […]

By Alex Tangkilisan Feb. 20 – In the second part of our ASEAN-India Free Trade Area analysis, we will examine trade trends and statistics from India to Indonesia, Vietnam and Myanmar. Indonesia and Vietnam make up two of the major six economies in ASEAN, while Myanmar is one of the four smallest economies in the […]