Economy

How Budget Airlines in Asia Will Rule the Skies

How Budget Airlines in Asia Will Rule the Skies

Last updated June 8th, 2019.   Low-cost airlines have revolutionized the global air travel industry, bringing an end to the days of exorbitant prices and limited travel options. As the slogan of the world’s best budget airline says, AirAsia, “Now everyone can...

4 Facts About Indonesia E-Commerce: Best in ASEAN?

4 Facts About Indonesia E-Commerce: Best in ASEAN?

Last updated April 13th, 2019.   With the start of the ASEAN Economic Community, Southeast Asia's physical markets aren't the only ones getting a trade boost. The region's e-commerce scene is seeing greater cross-border trade as well. Indonesia is the rising star...

Invest in Japan’s Obscure E-Commerce Sector

Invest in Japan’s Obscure E-Commerce Sector

Update for July, 2018: Shares of Start Today have more than doubled since our recommendation back in 2016. We now rate them as a hold. Stay tuned for other stock picks, and we'll update this article if circumstances change.   E-commerce is the industry to talk...

E-Commerce in Southeast Asia: Major Challenges

E-Commerce in Southeast Asia: Major Challenges

Last updated May 18th, 2019.   E-commerce in Southeast Asia lags noticeably behind the rest of the continent. Despite an increased focus from the authorities, it'll be quite some time before e-commerce in ASEAN reaches the same level of other places in the...

Philippines GMO Ban Leaves Asia Shocked

Philippines GMO Ban Leaves Asia Shocked

New laws could halt genetically modified organism (GMO) agriculture in the Philippines. Actually, this GMO ban would stop new farming technology in Southeast Asia as a whole. That's because the Philippines is ASEAN's regional pioneer in the field. Back in late 2015,...

3 Economic Trends in China You Should Expect

3 Economic Trends in China You Should Expect

Update for September, 2018: This post was written back in 2016 and all our predictions on economic trends in China were accurate. But we aren't quite as bullish going forward. We're now looking at frontier markets like Vietnam and Cambodia for stronger growth.  ...

Advertising in ASEAN: Biggest Mistake Marketers Make

Advertising in ASEAN: Biggest Mistake Marketers Make

Last updated April 16th, 2019.   Companies around the world want to seize the ocean of opportunities that Southeast Asia now represents. That's especially true with the launch of the ASEAN Economic Community. Learning how to advertise in the ASEAN region is a...

ASEAN Economic Community is Here: What Now?

ASEAN Economic Community is Here: What Now?

Last updated November 19th, 2019.   The long-awaited ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) launched several years ago, back in 2015, with Southeast Asia officially merging its ten member nations into a single trading bloc. Such a move would otherwise offer immense...

Singapore Best Country for Business? Not for Long

Singapore Best Country for Business? Not for Long

Update for 2023:  As predicted, Singapore lost its first place spot to New Zealand soon after we published this article. You might be interested in reading our list of countries that could be the next Singapore.   For the past decade, Singapore has led the world...

Thailand Economy Seeks Revival from FDI

Thailand Economy Seeks Revival from FDI

Last updated December 5th, 2018.   Previously a high-growth market in Southeast Asia, the Thai economy is no longer what it used to be. That's especially true with declining tourism numbers and a GDP growth rate well below the regional average. A brief look at...