Southeast Asia

BIMSTEC member nations brainstorm over food security, transport, tourism

Bridging the gap between South and Southeast Asia through strengthened transport linkages, cultivating climate-resilient crops like millet and fortifying people-to-people connections with dedicated tourist circuits were among proposals floated by member states at a two-day BIMSTEC meet here. The deliberations were taken note of in the Kolkata Declaration', which was adopted on Sunday evening on the concluding day of the meet, a top official of the regional organisation said. The Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation or BIMSTEC, has Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand as member countries. The organisation can act as an enabler for the landlocked member states of Nepal and Bhutan to access the region's vast maritime networks. Bridging South and Southeast Asia through enhanced connectivity will open many avenues to facilitate a robust ecosystem for commerce, BIMSTEC Secretary General Tenzin Lekphell told PTI. The

Indian startups must tap $430 bn digital market in Southeast Asia: Report

The population of over 650 million and 70 million SMEs in Southeast Asia are rapidly becoming more affluent and digitally savvy, creating a high demand for innovative products and services

Sequoia's Surge unveils 8th cohort of 12 start-ups across India, SEA

Includes start-ups in climate tech, AI, metaverse, digital health, new e-commerce models

Dabur weighs acquisitions to expand across India, SE Asia amid competition

The expansion comes as Dabur faces intensifying competition from deep-pocketed rivals - including global consumer titan Unilever Plc - which are swooping in on upstart Indian brands

Asset quality of Indian banks will be stable in 2023, says Moody's

The asset quality of Indian banks and those in Southeast Asian countries will be stable in 2023, said Moody's Investors Service in its latest report on the banking sector in emerging markets

Southeast Asia withheld China's attempts to economically breach sovereignty

Southeast Asian countries have resiliently withheld China's attempts to economically breach their sovereignty and have harnessed the power of China's financial might to their own advantage

China plus one: Low labour costs and growing workforce give India the edge

A large and abundant workforce also gives it an edge against South East Asian rivals

Bajaj Auto eyes south east Asia to take e-scooter space by storm

Bajaj's presence in this market in ICE vehicles has been limited till now because the region is essentially a step-through two-wheeler and scooter market

ASEAN summit: Joe Biden pledges US will work with Southeast Asian nations

President Joe Biden promised on Saturday that the United States would work with a strategically vital coalition of southeast Asian nations, telling leaders that we're going to build a better future that we all want to see in the region where US rival China is also working to expand its influence. Citing the three Association of Southeast Asian Nations summits he's participated in as president, Biden said the 10-country bloc is at the heart of my administration's Indo-Pacific strategy and promised to collaborate to build a region that is free and open, stable and prosperous, resilient and secure. I look forward to continuing our work together with ASEAN and with each one of you to deepen peace and prosperity throughout the region to resolve challenges from the South China Sea to Myanmar and to find innovative solutions to shared challenges," Biden said, citing climate and health security among areas of collaboration. Biden's efforts at this year's ASEAN summit are meant to lay the ..

Kyiv seeks int'l support, boosts Southeast Asia ties with peace accord

Ukraine signed a peace accord on Thursday with Southeast Asian nations, a largely symbolic act that comes as Kyiv seeks to shore up international support in isolating Russia. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kulbela signed the Treaty on Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia as the annual summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations got underway in Phnom Penh. The ASEAN summit kicks off a series of three top-level meetings in Asia, with the Group of 20 summit in Bali to follow and then the APEC economic forum in Bangkok. They come as Russia seeks new markets for its energy products to avoid Western sanctions following its invasion of Ukraine. As a group, the ASEAN nations, with a combined population of nearly 700 million, have been reserved in their stance toward the invasion, condemning the war but generally trying to avoid assigning blame. Eight of 10 ASEAN countries did vote in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution condemning Russian aggression, with Vietnam and

EvolutionX Debt Capital makes maiden investment in PharmEasy parent firm

Debt financing platform's investment amount was not revealed; it will make equity infusion later

Jefferies's Southeast Asia, India dealmaker Rao to leave, say sources

In Asia, Jefferies Financial Group Inc. has been expanding with the hiring of senior bankers

Traders find haven from global stock gloom in Southeast Asian markets

The growing bullish chorus points to a reopening of Southeast Asia that's bringing back a swarm of tourists, as well as booming domestic demand that's helping shield it from a global slump

Demand for 5G smartphones nosedives in Southeast Asian countries

As India plans to usher in the 5G era, the demand for 5G-compatible devices has nosedived in Southeast Asia as practical uses of 5G have yet to be seen amid rising inflation, a new report said

US, Russia, China take part in talks with SE Asian nations amid tensions

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken joined the foreign ministers of Russia and China at a meeting with top diplomats from Southeast Asia, at a time of increased tensions between the three

Efforts needed to get routine immunisation back to pre-Covid times: WHO

Many counties have demonstrated that routine immunization can be maintained or scaled up along with COVID-19 vaccination, said Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia.

S Korean President's disapproval rating again exceeds approval rating

More than 60 percent of respondents in their 20s and 40s gave a negative assessment of Yoon's performance

WHO urges Southeast Asia to scale up Covid vaccination rate as case rise

"While scaling up vaccination coverage, it is also important how it is achieved," the Regional Director said.

Dictator's son Ferdinand Marcos Jr taking oath as Philippine president

Activists and survivors of the martial law-era under his father plan protests timed to Marcos Jr.'s inauguration at the steps of the National Museum in Manila

Junk bond investors stung by China look to India and Southeast Asia

Asian junk bond investors are increasingly looking to smaller pockets of the market as a debt crisis among the biggest issuers, Chinese property developers, forces old playbooks to be rewritten