ASEAN Business
Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies.

“Put simply, the eyes and ears of the world are focused on South-east Asia. There are business and investment opportunities aplenty in the region, and BT aims to bring you the news that matters.”
Lee U-Wen, News Editor
“In light of glocalisation, understanding the market from a local perspective is crucial for improving competitiveness and achieving sustainable growth.”
Tan Ai-Leng, Malaysia Correspondent
“Think of us as your go-to weekly read that helps you keep abreast of the ever-evolving landscape of South-east Asia.”
Goh Ruoxue, Journalist
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PAST ISSUES
PAST ISSUES
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This week in Asean:
- Malaysia: 99 Speed Mart shines in the country’s biggest IPO in 7 years
Thailand: Household debt hits record high at 90.8 per cent of GDP
Vietnam: VNG appoints new acting general manager after police raid
Indonesia: Government efforts to retire coal-fired power plants encounter resistance

People wade through flood waters on a boat in Hanoi as heavy rains in the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi brought flooding to northern Vietnam. PHOTO: AFP
Dear BT reader,
This week, northern Vietnam was severely impacted by Typhoon Yagi, Asia’s most powerful storm this year, with the death toll rising to at least 179 people after it tore through China’s island of Hainan and the Philippines.
In Hanoi, the Red River reached its highest water level in 20 years, flooding streets and forcing thousands of nearby residents to evacuate. Travel agencies have halted operations and there is no clear timeline for recovery. Read our Vietnam correspondent Jamille Tran’s story to find out more.
The recent disaster has not diminished Vietnam’s appeal to foreign investors. In response, several private equity firms in the country have established the Vietnam Private Capital Agency, aiming to facilitate US$35 billion of investment into Vietnam over the next decade.
While the target is higher than previous years’ annual investments, market observers remain optimistic that Vietnam will continue to attract foreign investment as global companies consider relocating their operations amid US-China tensions.
This trend is particularly evident in the South-east Asia data centre industry, where Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand are leading a boom. However, despite the influx of billions in investments, the strain on power grids and water supplies is raising concerns for governments.
Each country is developing its own solutions for sustainable development, including renewable energy initiatives. Read this piece – a collaborative effort by several BT journalists – to find out what the various nations are doing.
In Thailand, consumer confidence fell for the sixth consecutive month in August, reaching a 13-month low due to worries about sluggish economic growth, record-high household debts, and rising living costs amid uncertainty over new government policies.
To stimulate the economy, the Thai government proposed accelerating the rollout of a 145 billion baht “digital wallet” programme, which was initially scheduled for the last quarter of the year, to address urgent economic needs.
This measure is seen as a cornerstone of Thailand’s strategy to revitalise its economy, which grew by only 2.3 per cent in the second quarter.
I hope you have enjoyed this week’s reads. Be sure to explore more stories in the sections below, and see you next Friday!
TRENDING
What’s going on? Norwegian energy company Equinor has scrapped its offshore wind plans in Vietnam due to growing regulatory and economic uncertainties.
Why it matters: Despite the country’s vast offshore wind potential, the absence of a comprehensive legal framework has caused several investors to withdraw from their deals, reports our Vietnam correspondent Jamille Tran
Top reads this week
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