The United States has a “rare” opportunity to become a key partner for Indonesia in areas such as emerging technology and digital infrastructure despite Jakarta’s close economic ties with China, a study has claimed. But Washington needs a more ambitious and strategic form of statecraft to do so, according to the report from the Centre…
The Hong Kong government’s investment arm is keen to leverage the expertise of its latest investee – fintech unicorn WeLab – to support start-ups from the city looking to expand in Southeast Asia. Hong Kong Investment Corp (HKIC), which manages HK$62 billion (US$8 billion) of funds, on Thursday formed a partnership with WeLab after acquiring…
When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel visited the White House two months ago, President Trump sold him a brazen dream: The United States would take control of the Gaza Strip, move out the Palestinian population of about two million souls and turn the devastated seaside enclave into a glittering “riviera.” This week, as the…
The golden age of bargain clothing shopping is coming to a screeching halt. The demise starts as America’s malls are already struggling. Yesterday, President Donald Trump announced the start of reciprocal tariffs on goods imported into the US. The policy assigns massive costs to products made in dozens of countries. Five Asian nations, where popular…
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s announcement, in his latest budget speech, of Hong Kong’s aspiration to become an international exchange and cooperation hub for artificial intelligence (AI) is bold and timely. As one of the world’s most connected cities, Hong Kong has the potential to play a pivotal role in the global AI conversation. However,…
Financial Secretary Paul Chan Mo-po’s announcement, in his latest budget speech, of Hong Kong’s aspiration to become an international exchange and cooperation hub for artificial intelligence (AI) is bold and timely. As one of the world’s most connected cities, Hong Kong has the potential to play a pivotal role in the global AI conversation. However,…
The US stock rout is driving investors to Asian and European markets for alternatives. Chinese tech rally is boosting Hong Kong and European stocks amid trade war concerns. Thailand and Indonesia face stock declines due to local issues and US trade tensions. The rout in US stocks has sent investors scrambling for cover as they…
Indonesia’s Parliament on Thursday unanimously passed a controversial overhaul of a law that will allocate more civilian posts for military officers, defying student protests and raising fears of the erosion of freedoms in the world’s third-largest democracy. The revisions were proposed by allies of President Prabowo Subianto, a feared former general who served under the…
JAKARTA — Indonesia’s stock market halted trading on Tuesday for the first time since 2020 after the benchmark Jakarta Stock Exchange Composite Index plunged more than 7% from the previous day’s close, reigniting concerns over economic stability and consumer sentiment. The Indonesia Stock Exchange halted trading for 30 minutes this morning after the index lost…
Canada’s biggest insurer Manulife Financial has appointed its chief actuary Steve Finch to head its Asian business, picking a company veteran to take charge of a region that is projected to become the group’s single most profitable market. Finch will bring more than three decades of industry experience to his new role as president and…