Topic
Economy
What South African Rooibos Tea Can Tell Us About Africa-China Trade Flows
By Rosie Wigmore
The example of South Africa’s famous tea variety speaks to unfinished business in expanding African exports to China – including Beijing’s recognition of African Geographical Indications.
India Needs More Federalism
By Mohamed Zeeshan
In a country as vast and diverse as India, centralization or homogenization of any kind – fiscal, political, or cultural – is a recipe for economic failure.
China Names a New Stock Regulator in a Bid to Soothe Markets
By Elaine Kurtenbach
Wu Qing, a former chair of the Shanghai Stock Exchange with a reputation for being tough on market misbehavior, is the new head of the China Securities Regulatory Commission.
Can Kazakhstan Stay the Course on Economic Reform?
By Bryn Windsor
As Astana moves from crisis management to long-term planning mode, the challenge will be whether the government can stick to its economic reform plans.
The China-US Tech War Comes to the Cloud
By Megha Shrivastava
Cloud services are a critical part of AI training – which is why they are now under scrutiny by U.S. regulators.
Why Vietnam Agreed to Supply the Philippines with Rice For Five Years
By James Guild
The arrangement is an encouraging example of Southeast Asian solidarity and regional self-sufficiency.
How China’s EVs are Taking Thailand by Storm
By Li Xirui
Chinese automakers have succeeded in the Thai market by adopting comprehensive localization strategies.
Cambodia Looks to the Future By Luring Back Western Investors
By Luke Hunt
The IMF sees significant downside risks as Cambodia slips on corruption index.
India’s Government Announces a Short-Term Budget Until National Elections Are Held
By Ashok Sharma
With elections due by May, there were expectations of populist giveaways. But the short-term budget is mostly free of big-spending new programs.
Acute Shortage of Cotton Pickers Results in Coercion by Officials
By Lynn Schweisfurth
The Uzbek Forum's findings from monitoring the 2023 cotton harvest point at some instances of forced labor when voluntary workers were scarce.
Kishida’s Unfinished Business: Political Economy of Wage Increases in Japan
By Hironori Sasada and Tadashi Iwami
The battle against wage stagnation, a key goal of Kishida’s Cabinet, cannot be won without empowering labor unions.
The Role of Thailand in Germany’s Auto Manufacturing Future
By Tim Hildebrandt
German-Thai cooperation encapsulates the complex dance between strategic competition and global industry dynamics.