In recent years, online shopping has been gaining traction in the Southeast Asian region as consumers become more tech-savvy. The growing smartphone and internet penetration rate in the region has driven the rise of digital shoppers. Virtual stores are becoming more popular particularly amongst youngsters who prefer to shop online due to its affordability, variety and convenience.
Moody’s Investors Service forecast that Philippine economic growth will exceed 6 percent until next year, and said the conflict in the south and a deadly drug war pose a rising risk but is unlikely to derail the economy.Gross domestic product will expand 6.5 percent this year and 6.8 percent in 2018, the rating company said in a statement on Friday.
As a serious issue that is gripping the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asia Nations) region, climate change has unwittingly been overlooked by the association.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen’s recent crackdown on dissent is expected to affect business sentiments in the country, which relies largely on international tourism. While such a move could send a negative signal to investors, it is unlikely to have any visible impact on FDI (foreign direct investment) flows into Cambodia.Cambodia, one of the fastest growing economies in Asia has achieved an average growth rate of 7.6 percent between 1994 and 2015, ranking sixth in the world.
Vietnam - also famously known as the land of the “Ascending Dragon” for its geographical shape on the world map - is a land of opportunities. As Vietnam celebrates its 72nd independence today, it is remarkable to note how far the country has progressed over recent years. Moving away from a centrally planned system into a market based economy, Vietnam has advanced into the "lower middle income countries" bracket since 2009.
The economic outlook for 10 ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) member states and other major East Asian economies including China, India, Japan and South Korea, remains optimistic following a strong start in 2017.
