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Pacific Money
The 21st century is commonly referred to as the 'Pacific Century.' For such a prediction to materialize, the economies of the Asia-Pacific must lead the globe. What challenges will the region face? What nations stand to benefit most? The Diplomat's economics and business blog, Pacific Money, will try to tackle these questions and more.
What the 12th Malaysia Plan Tells Us About the Country’s Political Economy
By James Guild
The latest iteration of the country's five-year plan includes a host of nice-sounding economic goals. The challenge is implementing them.
Pandora Papers Leak Prompts Calls for Action in Asia
By David Rising
The leak has once again shone a light on the lengths to which the region's wealthy and well-connected go to avoid paying tax.
Taiwan’s CPTPP Bid Will Test the Resolve of the Indo-Pacific
By Shihoko Goto
Taiwan’s application is a test case of how a high-stakes gambit in the Indo-Pacific can move forward without the United States.
Shortages, Shipping, Shutdowns Hit Asian Factory Output
By Elaine Kurtenbach
Manufacturing contracted in both China and Japan as the pandemic and related ripple effects continue to take a toll.
Vietnam Notches Record GDP Contraction as COVID-19 Outbreak Bites
By Sebastian Strangio
The July-September quarter was the country's worst quarter of economic growth since 2000.
What’s Next for Afghanistan’s Tumultuous Public Finances?
By Ibrahim Khan
With the economy on the brink of collapse, how can the Taliban approach the coming fiscal year?
Reappraising the Economic Legacy of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
By James Guild
Many of the Indonesian leader's economic decisions seem better with the benefit of hindsight.
The SEC’s New Auditing Policies Spell Trouble for Chinese Firms
By Blair Wang
The new rule will probably accelerate delisting from U.S. exchanges and constitute a substantial obstacle to IPOs of Chinese offshore companies.
Can ‘Good’ Economics Coexist with ‘Bad’ Politics?
By Simon Commander
Across the former Soviet Union, improved rankings for selective governance indicators tend to give a misleading view of governments' ability to reform themselves.
Carbon Capture is the Key to Indonesia’s Net-Zero Emissions Future
By Haryanto and Filda C. Yusgiantoro
While obstacles remain, the technology could help transform Indonesia into a regional leader in renewable energy.
Why Vietnam Is Pushing Ahead With the Phu Quoc Tourism Sandbox
By James Guild
Some Asian nations' headlong push to restart tourism is a function of deeper structural imbalances in the global political economy.
Revisiting RCEP’s Trade Implications
By Jean-Marc F. Blanchard and Wei Liang
What are the implications of RCEP for trade? The second of a four-part series looks at the agreement’s impact on trade.