Stress tests ahead for Vietnam’s post-Covid boom

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In: Asia, Business
People move past a clothing boutique selling locally made products in downtown Hanoi on October 29, 2014. A EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement promises to boost Vietnamese exports and growth. AFP / Hoang Dinh Nam

In 2022, the geopolitical tensions caused by the war in Ukraine, slowing growth in the Chinese economy and sharp rises in energy and food prices led to a significantly higher inflationary outlook globally. These factors all added to the risks confronting Vietnam as its economy recovered from its lengthy Covid-19 lockdowns. Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu […]Continue Reading

Russia oil price cap accelerates de-dollarization

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The oil “price cap” of US$60 per barrel for Russian oil is a controversial move by the European Union and G7. The price cap prohibits Western insurers and shipping companies, which account for more than 90% of the marine insurance industry, from servicing vessels that carry Russian oil above $60 per barrel. The intention is lofty — […]Continue Reading

Jerome Powell’s China problem is just beginning

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TOKYO – Investors betting that the US Federal Reserve is throttling back on interest rate hikes aren’t paying attention to events in China. The jump in oil and other key commodity prices already points to a China reopening trade that’s likely only just beginning. In the last month, Xi Jinping’s economy swung suddenly from “zero-Covid” […]Continue Reading

SMSes from organisations not in central registry to be labelled as ‘likely scam’ from Jan 31

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In: South-East Asia

SINGAPORE: Starting Jan 31, phone messages from organisations that have not enrolled in a central SMS registry will be labelled “likely scam”. As part of measures to protect consumers against scams, all organisations that send SMSes using alphanumeric sender IDs – SMS labels with alphabets or numbers typically sent through applications –Continue Reading

MCMC Launches Cashless@PEDi Pilot Project For Rural Communities

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Aims to popularise cashless payments through exhibitions and activities
78% of Malaysia still prefer cash in 2021, and is expected to increase further in 2022 The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC), in collaboration with Payments Network Malaysia Sdn Bhd (PayNet), has launched the Cashless@PEDi pilot project at 28 selected Keluarga Malaysia…Continue Reading