The financial sector is a critical driver for economic reform efforts, laying the groundwork for future development and growth. Financial institutions can channel capital into productive investment projects, encouraging the mobilisation of savings by providing attractive instruments and saving vehicles. However, Myanmar’s weak financial sector...
2017 marks the 25th anniversary of dialogue relations between ASEAN and India. Trade and investment flows between India and ASEAN member states have rapidly increased in the past few years, but both sides feel that there is room for growth. India is one of the parties...
In recent years, the global movement towards green finance – finance that takes into consideration the impacts of business and capital flows on the environment – has been gathering pace. According to UN Environment estimates, over 200 policy measures to “green” the financial system have...
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is celebrating its jubilee anniversary at a time where anti-globalisation sentiments are on the rise. As countries become more inward looking and aim to prioritise domestic issues, the relevance of multilateral organisations such as ASEAN has been called...
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of key South East Asian economies, accounting for the majority of total employment and an integral source of economic growth. As the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) gains momentum, the harmonisation of rules and procedures can help SMEs...
SIIA Executive Director Nicholas Fang wrote a chapter for a new book, "Mapping State and Non-State Actors' Responses to Nuclear Energy in Southeast Asia", edited by Mr. Nur Azha Putra of the Energy Studies Institute and Dr. Mely Caballero-Anthony of NTU. The book discusses policy issues...
The United States will soon select its next leader. But how do Asians perceive the Presidential race, and what can we expect from US policy in the coming years? Last month, the SIIA hosted an evening talk on the US election. We spoke with one of...
In July, the SIIA hosted an evening talk on Russia's foreign policy moves and the implications for Asia, featuring views from Professor Steven Rosefielde, Professor of Economics at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill and a member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences. In this interview...
Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted his ASEAN counterparts at a summit in Sochi, marking the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-Russia dialogue relations. But Russia’s efforts to build bridges with Asia come amidst other policy moves on the world stage, such as in Europe...
The much awaited ruling for the South China Sea territorial disputes was announced on Tuesday, July 12. After months of deliberation, the international tribunal in The Hague ruled overwhelmingly in favour of Philippines in the case brought to the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), challenging...