Economy & Trade

At a summit celebrating the 20th anniversary of NAFTA this week, the leaders of Canada, Mexico and the United States have vowed to continue pushing for the successful conclusion of Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations this year.

Last week, the Sri Lankan Ministry of External Affairs issued a statement announcing that an agreement had been made between Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris and China’s Vice-President Li Yuanchao to fast track negotiations to conclude the two countries’ joint free trade agreement.

Cyber-espionage is a real and growing threat to businesses and economies in Singapore. Some counter-measures can be taken by the private sector. But the government plays an important role in protecting its businesses from cyber-exploitation.

As Toyota Australia and Foxconn readjust their Asian manufacturing strategies, an interesting case can be made for the tale of two treaties: ASEAN & China, and Australia & the RCEP.

Nielsen released the results of its quarterly Global Consumer Confidence Index on Wednesday, with Asia-Pacific being the only region highly bullish about product purchasing.

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said the country must begin preparing for challenges posed by the nation’s rapidly increasing population. Indonesia’s population is poised to break the 300 million mark by 2035, which would make it the fifth most populous.

From February 5, officials and diplomats from the Philippines visiting Hong Kong will not be able to enjoy the 14 day visa-free exemption they currently do, Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying told a press conference yesterday. The move is in response by Hong Kong to a tragedy in Manila over three years ago, when eight Hong Kong tourists were killed and seven others injured in a hostage situation that lasted over 10 hours.

The head of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Wang Yu-Chi, will meet Zhang Zhijun of China’s Taiwan Affairs Office (TAO) next month, during February 11 to 14. This will be the first cross-strait meeting of top Chinese and Taiwanese officials in over 60 years.

By Patricia Ieong SHANGHAI – In a bid to improve its links with Southeast Asia, China is planning to build a high speed railway to Singapore. The railway as intended will travel at up to 200 km/h and run from China’s southern provincial capital of Kunming, in Yunnan, to Laos’ capital Vientiane, before continuing on […]

China’s available manufacturing capacity is being ignored due to cost As the political crisis in Thailand deepens and begins to extend into mass civil unrest, disruptions and violence, foreign companies are beginning to make contingency plans concerning their operations in the country. Some of Dezan Shira & Associates clients are already starting to shift production […]