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Prospects for South-east Asia in 2024

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PROSPECTS 2024

Separately, regional leaders were somewhat reassured by the modest rapprochement between China and the United States -- influential powers in South-east Asia -- on the margins of…

South-east Asia opium trade will likely increase

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SOUTH-EAST ASIA

The report contains the results of opium poppy cultivation surveys in Myanmar and Laos during the 2022/23 poppy season. The ‘Golden Triangle’ -- centred on the…

ASEAN AI Guide is a modest but notable step

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ASEAN

ASEAN's first attempt to formulate a stand-alone framework on artificial intelligence (AI), the guide is non-binding and covers AI systems broadly rather than focusing on…

Major challenges lie ahead for Bangladesh’s leader

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BANGLADESH

The visit was especially notable in light of the tough measures the United States adopted to promote democracy in Bangladesh ahead of the January general election, and…

Thailand will pursue a more proactive foreign policy

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THAILAND

Thailand is devoting more attention to foreign policy under Srettha. The fallout from the 2006 and 2014 coups adversely affected its foreign relations, but it retains an important…

China’s defence spending will remain stable

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CHINA

Defence spending will account for 1.2% of GDP in 2024, having remained stable at around this figure for at least the past two decades. Nevertheless, outside estimates of China’s…

South Korea will regain growth momentum

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SOUTH KOREA

Separately, the head of Samsung Electronics -- the cornerstone of the Samsung Group, which contributes around 20% of South Korea’s GDP -- has been cleared of wrongdoing in a…

Brunei will step up efforts to diversify economy

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BRUNEI

The IMF recently recommended structural reforms to bolster the economy, which has struggled to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Brunei has long been reliant on…

Tough economic challenges await Taiwan president-elect

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TAIWAN

The election in January of Lai Ching-te as president signalled continuity in economic policy, and economic pressure from Beijing has to date had limited effect. However, Lai faces…

Thai search for investors in land bridge will be tough

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THAILAND

The road-and-rail project, which could end up costing around USD30bn, would link deep-water ports on either side of the Kra Isthmus, in effect connecting the Andaman Sea and the…