Reid Kirchenbauer

Phone Makers Rush to Open Indonesia Factories

Phone Makers Rush to Open Indonesia Factories

Last updated June 15th, 2019. Indonesia is one of the world's largest phone makers. And they're quickly becoming one of the biggest consumers of phones too. eMarketer says the country will have over 100 million active monthly smartphone users before 2021, making...

How Foreign Businesses Expand into Myanmar

How Foreign Businesses Expand into Myanmar

Last updated August 25th, 2018.   Businesses are practically tripping over themselves to expand into Myanmar as the nation opens up to foreign investors. Economists predict Myanmar's foreign direct investment will increase by 70%, jumping by US$7 billion over the...

Vietnam Foreign Property Ownership is Now Possible

Vietnam Foreign Property Ownership is Now Possible

Last updated April 14th, 2023.   Nearly a decade ago, lawmakers approved a measure that removed many, even if not all, barriers on foreign property ownership in Vietnam. The move to attract foreign property investors, among a few other recent ones by the...

ASEAN High Speed Rail Transforms Laos Economy

ASEAN High Speed Rail Transforms Laos Economy

Last updated October 22nd, 2019.   Laos will see massive economic gains from an ASEAN high speed rail system that will soon link Thailand with China. The new railway will connect the southern Chinese city of Kunming to Bangkok, passing by the much smaller Laotian...

Low Oil Prices: Huge Threat to Malaysia Economy

Low Oil Prices: Huge Threat to Malaysia Economy

Last updated November 16th, 2018.   Falling commodity prices remain a huge problem for the Malaysia economy, Southeast Asia’s third biggest. Some of the country’s major exports such as palm oil, tin, and crude oil are hovering near four-year lows. The Bloomberg...

This Country Will Have the Youngest Population in Asia

This Country Will Have the Youngest Population in Asia

Last updated November 1st, 2022.   A report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts the Philippines will soon have the youngest population in Asia. They recommend that the country diversify its key services and manufacturing sectors, enhance workforce...

Thai Businesses Invest in Myanmar: Yet Risks Remain

Thai Businesses Invest in Myanmar: Yet Risks Remain

Last updated March 2nd, 2020.   Companies in Thailand are starting to invest in Myanmar once again as political fears subside. Thailand's total outward FDI into Myanmar’s emerging economy amounted to over US$15 billion last year. This amount is the second largest...

The Yuan’s Importance in Chinese Globalization

The Yuan’s Importance in Chinese Globalization

Last updated May 6th, 2022.   China is pumping investment (and yuan!) into Southeast Asia. In fact, China plans to invest five times more in the ASEAN region than it does already. Specifically, trade between China and Southeast Asia will increase to more than...

Why China’s Growth Lags Other Asian Economies

Why China’s Growth Lags Other Asian Economies

Last updated March 26th, 2023.   China's economy is forecast to grow at a weaker pace than other Asian markets, particularly compared to emerging economies in Southeast Asia. According to the World Bank, this is because of China "solving structural issues" and...

Vietnam Becomes Asia’s Best Country For Manufacturing

Vietnam Becomes Asia’s Best Country For Manufacturing

Last updated November 20th, 2021.   Because of low wages, a skilled workforce, strategic location, and lax regulations, Vietnam has become Asia's best country for manufacturing. According to data by the International Trade Center (ITC), Vietnam’s revenue from...