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Fintech will transform South-east Asian microfinance

Location:

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

This has put immense strain on these organisations, as well as exposing more borrowers to debt. Meanwhile, the region’s MFIs are coming under growing pressure to embrace new ways…

Pandemic worsens human trafficking in South-east Asia

Location:

SOUTH-EAST ASIA

Malaysia was downgraded to ‘Tier 3’ -- the lowest category -- over alleged forced labour involving migrant workers in some of its plantations and factories. Thailand was demoted…

South African budget prompts cheer and wider divisions

Location:

SOUTH AFRICA

However, cuts to the social grants budget and a continued focus on the planned three-year wage freeze for civil servants has annoyed (among others) the ruling ANC's ‘Tripartite…

Rising Lebanese chaos may hinder elites and protesters

Location:

LEBANON

COVID-19 cases have spiked in the wake of the devastating August 4 explosion that destroyed parts of Beirut, causing mass casualties and forcing the resignation of Prime Minister…

Hurricane damage will accelerate Puerto Rico’s slide

Location:

PUERTO RICO

Hurricane Maria made landfall on Puerto Rico as a Category Four hurricane, two weeks after Category Five Hurricane Irma wrought severe wind and flood damage to much of the…

Moreno eyes private sector to overcome Ecuador crisis

Location:

ECUADOR

Lockdown measures have helped stem contagion but have had a devasting impact on the economy. Market liberalisation and debt renegotiation efforts place most of the burden of…

Bhutan’s international profile will grow

Location:

BHUTAN

In a bid to support the recovery of its pandemic-hit economy, it late last year issued its first sovereign bond, for local investors. Separately, boundary disputes with China…

Greek coalition will play politics at debt talks

Location:

GREECE

The government, with half an eye on a snap election, is determined not to accede to prolonged austerity without the trade-off of significant debt relief. Timing is all. The…

Laos faces tough choices on geostrategy and economy

Location:

LAOS

Phankham Viphavanh succeeds him as prime minister. The country’s reshuffled leadership is entrusted with handling complicated ties with China and Vietnam -- each of which looks to…

Central-East European banks will weather COVID-19 hit

Location:

EUROPE

Lockdowns to contain the spread of COVID-19 have slowed economic activity. Throughout Central, Eastern and South-eastern Europe (CESEE), there were major portfolio outflows in…