Global Edition - The Business Times

The Digital Economy Framework Agreement was signed by Asean member states in Manila on Nov 14.

Asean states sign Digital Economy Framework Agreement, which kicks in from early 2027

Priority projects under the pact can include digital payment systems, digital identities for businesses and electronic trade documentation

What is Asean’s Defa, and what is in it for Singapore businesses?

Negotiations on the Asean Digital Economy Framework Agreement began in 2023 and ended in May 2026.

The regional pact aims to cut digital trade barriers, but benefits may take time to materialise

PM Wong to attend Asean Summit in Manila, with digital economy, energy security on agenda

PM Wong will meet leaders from Australia, China, India, Japan, South Korea and the US, as well as the UN, at the related summits.

Leaders will also discuss deeper economic integration and strengthening ties with external partners

Polished streets, hidden costs: Manila puts on its best face for the Asean Summit

Workers paint barriers concealing a hawker-style food centre in Pasay, one of the cities hosting events related to the 49th Asean Summit.

The Philippine capital’s preparations bring anticipation and disruption for local communities

The Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone could offer lessons for comparable Singapore-Indonesia cooperation involving Batam and the wider Riau Islands.

POLITICS THAT MATTER

Why Singapore, Johor and Riau Islands should build a cross-border ecosystem for AI

Cooperation is the best hope to anchor and unlock potential of region’s AI economy

Simon Tay

Jensen Huang is gone. Nvidia’s controls still need explaining

Jensen Huang’s resignation ends his tenure. It does not say how Nvidia decided whom to sell to.

The company selling some of the most sensitive tech on earth has much explaining to do

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Nvidia crisis: ‘Emperor’ Huang’s downfall may blow US-China AI race wide open

Some pain for Nvidia might actually help secure the West’s AI lead in the long run, says the writer.

The saga could erode the West’s lead, but its weakening might also spur competition and innovation

‘Sense of moral betrayal’: High-profile charity scandal threatens donor trust in Thailand

About 527 million baht (US$15.5 million) out of 815 million baht donated to Ongkorn Thamdee was allegedly siphoned off for the couple’s personal use.

Panadda “Boom” Wongphudee, 50, has been arrested on Nov 6, along with her husband Atip Anantawan, 53

China’s bus giant Yutong wants to win the world over, but some are wary

In Singapore, 100 of the company’s single-deck electric buses are slated to join the public bus fleet progressively from the end of 2026.

It says it holds more than 10% of the global market, putting it ahead of rivals such as BYD and King Long

Opinion

Big Tech should not get to decide unilaterally which AI risks the public will bear

Gabriela Ramos

Sea’s cloud business is the ideal defence for Shopee’s market share

Benjamin Cher

Singapore cannot afford to let bad actors trade on its trust

Annabeth Leow

Behind The Name

Grit built in the genes: Malaysia’s Lee Yeow Seng drives IOI’s bold Singapore push

Under Lee Yeow Seng, IOI Properties’ market capitalisation has grown to RM17.4 billion from RM8.1 billion in 2014.

Acquisitions in the city-state and a proposed Reit will mark the family property business’ next chapter

No chicken feed: How Malayan Flour Mills built an empire from flour to fowl

Malayan Flour Mills executive deputy chairman and managing director Teh Wee Chye constantly pursues diversification, recognising that even defensive food businesses remain vulnerable to global events.

The second-generation leader of Malaysia’s oldest flour mill has turned it into a regional food giant

He built the Vingroup empire. Now South-east Asia’s richest man is handing some key roles to his sons

From left: Pham Nhat Quan Anh, Pham Nhat Vuong, Pham Thu Huong and Pham Nhat Minh Hoang. The couple (centre) remain senior figures in Vingroup, with their children’s presence in the ecosystem growing.

Vingroup founder Pham Nhat Vuong is accelerating succession plans while retaining a central role

Singapore

GovTech says emergency services remain fully operational and can be reached at 995 and 999 as usual.

Some Singapore government systems affected by Microsoft outage; no impact on Singpass: GovTech

The tech giant says there is no indication of malicious activity behind the incident

‘Fight AI with AI’: Singapore banks warn against third-party AI agents as observers flag liability risk

While local lenders have yet to see the use of AI agents among their customers, market observers note that the adoption of such agents is inevitable.

Financial institutions around the world are grappling with security risks

Mastercard to add over 250 specialist job roles in Singapore by end-2029

Mastercard currently has more than 850 employees in Singapore, its Asia-Pacific headquarters.

The Republic has been chosen for the payments provider’s first Asia-Pacific Innovation Centre of Excellence

Man handed 41 charges in relation to Nvidia chips case in Singapore

Alibaba-Megaspeed financing link traced via Singapore, Malaysia units amid Nvidia chip scrutiny

The Leadership Playbook

Mekong Capital’s Chris Freund turns hard lessons into better leadership

Chris Freund founded Mekong Capital in 2001 as Vietnam’s first hands-on PE firm focused on private local businesses.

The Vietnamese PE firm now wants to build a company led by a new generation of partners

Master a niche, then listen to experts: How Haas F1’s Ayao Komatsu rose to the top job

Ayao Komatsu rose to the team principal role at Haas F1 team in 2024.

Despite his deep technical knowledge, he believes his primary role these days is to take a step back

The only common thing in S-E Asia is that we all eat rice: Cisco’s Asean president

Cisco’s Tay Bee Kheng says that her value-add as the tech giant’s Asean chief lies in identifying what each regional market needs specifically, and presenting that to her global bosses.

Tay Bee Kheng says her role is to help the US company understand this region in a simplified manner

Office workers commuting through Central, Hong Kong, on Sept 7, 2026. ST PHOTO: BRIAN TEO

Inside a ‘new Hong Kong’: What is fuelling its economy?

Is Hong Kong back? No, but a new one is on the rise.

Asean

Malaysian authorities have been mulling a range of measures to help AirAsia, which is facing growing challenges in the face of high jet fuel costs.

Malaysia Airlines calls for level playing field if AirAsia gets aid

Its CEO said the carrier is willing to step in to grow aggressively if its low-cost rival faces deeper operational problems

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak (centre) smiles to journalists at Kuala Lumpur High Court in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Nov 10, 2026.

Malaysia says convicted ex-PM Najib can be returned to jail if he breaches house arrest terms

Najib will be able to live with immediate family members

The rupiah weakened as much as 0.3 per cent to 18,204 per dollar on Thursday.

Indonesia rupiah drops to record low on strong dollar, MSCI woes

The rupiah is down more than 8% against the dollar this year, the worst performer in Asia

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Annabeth Leow

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