Indonesia GDP Growth – Better than Expected in the Third Quarter, but Dark Clouds Ahead Indonesia’s economy experienced 5.17% year-on-year growth in the third quarter, according to Statistics Indonesia. This is above estimates by agencies such as Reuters. However, economists foresee the growth rate weakening further due...
Indonesia Singapore-Indonesia Bilateral Leaders’ Retreat – Seven Agreements Signed Singaporean and Indonesian leaders signed seven wide ranging agreements during a Bilateral Leaders’ Retreat on 10-11 October. In particular, the bilateral investment treaty aims to protect investors’ interests and reinforce economic ties, while the US$10 billion currency...
The Bank of Thailand (BOT) recognizes the increasing importance of sustainable banking and has adopted a three-year strategic plan (2017-2019) to promote sustainable banking in the Thai financial sector. In this respect, the BOT organised the inaugural Bangkok Sustainable Banking Forum on 23 July 2018...
E-commerce and “smart cities” initiatives in ASEAN are increasingly being co-developed by both Chinese and ASEAN players as part of the larger “digital silk road”. What are the implications for ASEAN? A recent case study in Thailand reveals a two-fold answer: ASEAN must align national...
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is about more than physical infrastructure. Beyond the fanfare about ports and railways, the BRI has a technological counterpart with far-reaching consequences for Southeast Asia – the “digital silk road”. While traditional infrastructure has been in the spotlight, the digital...
SIIA Chairman Simon Tay spoke at the Sustainable Forum 2018 on 23 July 2018 in Bangkok, organised by the Bank of Thailand. Prof Tay appeared on a panel on "Financing while Preserving Environment", commenting on Singapore's early steps towards green growth in the financial sector. While...
As the ASEAN chair for 2018, one of Singapore’s priorities is promoting the region’s growing digital economy. The figures are promising. South-east Asia’s digital economy holds strong potential, and is expected to exceed US$200 billion by 2025. Digital technologies present ASEAN member states with the...
By Simon Tay and Cheryl Tan City-state seeks cooperation boost despite differences over Trump, China and Myanmar refugees Singapore is settling into its one-year rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations at a time when the region's economic growth is outperforming the world. But the...
Dr Surin Pitsuwan 28 October 1949 – 30 November 2017 Words cannot express how sorry we are at the sudden passing of our dear friend, Dr Surin Pitsuwan, former ASEAN secretary-general and Thailand foreign minister. Dr Pitsuwan was a strong proponent of ASEAN, and believed in its...
From the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) to the recent UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the subject of consuming and producing sustainably continues to draw considerable interest. In particular, Sustainable Development Goal 12 seeks to encourage companies to adopt and publicly...