Business
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The Panama Canal Debacle
Every year, over 6% of global maritime freight, and 40% of US container traffic finds itself in a narrow Panamanian shipping waterway that splits the Americas into two. This small but ultimately essential shipping route – after a relative period of peace – finds itself in the center of messy…
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China’s Japan Moment: Why Beijing’s Next Few Years Could Decide a “Lost Decade”
In the late 1980s, Japan’s rise felt inevitable with the second-largest economy in the world. The country had in the past decades transformed into a manufacturing powerhouse, with its share of world trade increasing to nearly 10%. Then, the story flipped, as a currency shock collided with an asset bubble…
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Malaysia in the Middle of the AI Stack: How Capital Flows are Reshaping Supply Chains
While all eyes in the AI boom are centered on innovation and competition between American and Chinese firms, capital is quietly flowing into the infrastructure that underpins this long-term growth trajectory. Malaysia’s growing role as a key player in the middle of the AI stack, with its environment conducive to…
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Singapore Is Positioned To Challenge Western Fintech Hubs
For decades we have lived under the assumption that fintech innovation belongs to the West. San Francisco, New York, and London dominate our interpretation of global finance and technology. When new models of payments and financial infrastructure are created, we have always instinctively looked towards these cities for leadership. But…
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Has Indonesia’s New Sovereign Wealth Fund Stumbled Before It Could Run?
Danantara’s governance has raised many concerns throughout its first half-year in existence. While much will need to be ironed out as the fund is in its infancy, the current governance and structure raises many flags that need to be resolved if Indonesia truly and seriously wants its very own Temasek.…
Sino-Southeast Initiative 