Short video-sharing app TikTok added Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia into its shop destinations this month, expanding its e-commerce footprint in Southeast Asia, after early overseas trials in Indonesia and the UK. TikTokShop, where users can buy things and make payments in one go, is a vital part in completing its business loop. Prior to that, online merchants could only use third-party links to sell their goods. The move has attracted many Chinese cross-border firms to enter new markets in the three countries. Yang Kan’s team is one of those following this trend. His successful marketing management in the UK on…
Author: Asia News Network
Vietnamese experts have raised concerns about the involvement of real estate companies in commercial banks, warning it may pose risks to the financial system and the whole economy. According to the experts, the participation of real estate companies in banks can adversely influence these banks’ lending practices. Leaders of real estate companies, who are also ultimate owners of certain banks, can channel more loans to their real estate projects, online newspaper bnews.vn reported. Expert Nguyen Tri Hieu said real estate companies, which serve as “backyards” of banks, often issue bonds and sell them to the banks. This is also a…
A cholera outbreak seems to have returned to Bangladeshi capital Dhaka and is being transmitted by the Wasa water supply system. So far, the worst affected area is Dakshinkhan, with Jatrabari trailing right behind. Other top areas include Mohammadpur, Sabujbagh and Mirpur. “In my 36-year-long career, I have never seen so many diarrhoea patients,” said Tahmeed Ahmed, executive director of International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b). “I would call this an outbreak.” The 350-bed hospital has been seeing three times more inpatients coming in daily, while tents strung up on the premises are having to house the rest…
More households in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s rural areas have access to fresh water for daily use and irrigation during this dry season. This is a result of provinces in the Vietnamese region increasing investments in irrigation and clean water supply systems in recent years. Rural areas in the Delta have normally suffered a shortage of water for irrigation and household use during the dry season because of drought and saltwater intrusion from the sea through river mouths. With the incidence of such natural and manmade disasters increasing over the past decades, the delta, which is the country’s largest…
Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Monday reaffirmed the defence ties between their countries and the importance of America’s presence in the Asia-Pacific region. They also discussed Russia’s attack on Ukraine, with PM Lee explaining why Singapore took the strong stance it did and Austin expressing appreciation for Singapore’s position. Lee, who is on a working visit to the US until April 2, called on Austin at the Pentagon, the US Department of Defence’s headquarters just outside Washington. There, Lee was welcomed by a US military honour cordon, with flag bearers carrying both…
Many who now worry about rising inflation in the United States may disagree, but the US Federal Reserve should take a victory lap. Just consider what the Fed has achieved over the past two years. At this time in 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic had pushed employment down by a massive 14 per cent when large portions of the economy were forced to shut down. And although employment bounced back when the economy began to reopen, it nonetheless remained seven per cent below its pre-pandemic level. Getting back that remaining seven per cent was always going to be difficult, because it…
Riandy does not like being the center of attention. Much like how Sathar – one character he created who later became a visual signature of his work – is only a part of the environment, Riandy uses his art to tackle universal themes: the human unconscious and the unknown. Riandy’s sci-fi/fantasy landscapes can easily be found on the album covers and merchandise of Indonesian and global artists, from Bandung’s hard rockers The SIGIT to United States metalcore band Trivium. Aceh-born Riandy moved to Bandung in West Java when he was 15. An avid fan of Japanese fantasy manga such as…
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) says global disruption caused by the Russia-Ukraine conflict offers major opportunities for the Thai economy. Fighting in Ukraine is hitting trade across the world including Thailand, driving up the price of fuel and other commodities. Thailand’s economic recovery is now slowing under pressure from inflation, as sanctions imposed on Russia by the West threaten to make the situation even worse. Last week, representatives of the Thai private sector discussed how to turn this crisis into an opportunity at “The Big Issue 2022” seminar organised by Thansettakij and Bangkokbiz. FTI vice-chairman Kriengkrai Thiennukul said the…
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) is collecting opinions from organisations and individuals on the prime minister’s draft decision on offshore loans and guarantees for non-residents of economic organisations. According to SBV, recently, in Vietnam, there has been a need from economic organisations to lend abroad, or learn related regulations. However, there are still no specific regulations and guidelines, and they must directly consult with the prime minister. This is why the formulation and issuance of the above Decision is necessary. It would also create conditions for economic organisations wishing to lend abroad, guaranteeing residents understand the criteria and procedures…
A takeover deal of debt-laden SsangYong Motor appears to have fallen into a quagmire again as its buyer, local electric bus manufacturer Edison Motors, failed to pay the bill. The consortium led by Edison Motors failed to pay the remaining payment of 274.3 billion won ($224 million) by March 25, local media reported on March 27, quoting industry sources. Without complete payment, the Edison Motors-led rehabilitation plan for the financially troubled SUV maker is rendered meaningless, industry watchers said. SsangYong Motor could end up scrapping the deal that it says has failed to satisfy both the company and its creditors.…