Japan eyes global military power status

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Realist international relations scholars predicted that after the Cold War Japan would revert to its “normal” position in the global hierarchy of great powers. In a seminal 1993 article, Kenneth Waltz asserted that “much in Japan’s institutions and behavior supports the proposition that it will once again take its place among the great powers.” According […]Continue Reading

Singapore’s 2023 hinges on smooth China reopening

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In: Asia, Business

SINGAPORE – Singapore’s export-reliant bellwether economy is bracing for tough times in 2023 with trade expected to shrink or record no growth amid weakening global demand, tighter liquidity and persistent inflation. Accordingly, many economists foresee a possible technical recession in the first half of next year. Though the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) does […]Continue Reading

Thai PM declares candidacy in next year’s general election

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Prayut had been widely expected to leave his Palang Pracharath Party (PPRP), which leads the ruling coalition. PPRP has announced its leader and acting deputy PM Prawit Wongsuwan will be the party’s candidate in the election. Prayut and Prawit both served in Thailand’s military and their political fortunes have beenContinue Reading

Bangladesh faces balance of payments vulnerabilities

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Bangladeshi female workers work at a garment factory in Gazipur on the outskirts of Dhaka on February 17, 2018. Photo: AFP/Mehedi Hasan/NurPhoto

Bangladesh’s trade trajectories are frequently praised because of the phenomenal growth in export profits from the ready-made garments (RMG) sector. In fiscal year 2021-22, export revenues hit a record high of US$52 billion. During the same fiscal, exports of woven garments increased by 33.82% to $19.40 billion, while knitwear garment exports increased by 36.88% year […]Continue Reading