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This week marks two years since the death of Cambodia’s most prolific architect, Vann Molyvann. Southeast Asia Globe explores the monuments left behind by this legend of the Kingdom's New Khmer Architecture movement
By
Janelle Retka
- Sep 25, 2019
The Filipino community of Payatas has long been one of the country’s most famous urban poor centres and a focal point for short-term poverty outreach programmes. The local company Rags2Riches launched to expand upon the rich talent of local artisans, creating an international brand of handcrafted fashion accessories expected to bring in a quarter of a million dollars in sales this year
By
Janelle Retka
- Jan 09, 2019
The streets of Phnom Penh are often wracked by floods, causing costly damage to roads and other infrastructure. Now, local startup Cambodia Green Infrastructure has a vision to change that
By
Janelle Retka
- Dec 27, 2018
Vaidya C. D. Siby has been practicing Ayurvedic medicine, one of the world’s oldest holistic healing methods, for nearly 20 years, and opened Ayur Centre in Kuala Lumpur at the turn of the century. He talked with Southeast Asia Globe about the treatments he offers and how they can complement mainstream medicine to improve clients’ lives
By
Janelle Retka
- Dec 20, 2018
Last December, Thailand-based communications technology company mu Space was the country’s first startup to land a satellite operator license. A year on, its founder and CEO, James Yenbamroong, shares his imminent plans to launch into space
By
Janelle Retka
- Dec 13, 2018
In November 2018, Thailand’s cabinet pushed through a draft law that, if passed, will legalise the use of cannabis for medical and research purposes, making it the first country in Asia to cash in on the plant’s burgeoning medical industry
By
Janelle Retka
- Dec 07, 2018
Historic Tanjong Pagar, in Singapore’s business district, is home to a blend of Chinese tradition and modern living – making it the perfect medicine for escaping the bustle of the city-state
By
Janelle Retka
- Nov 23, 2018
Nestled on the border between Thailand and Myanmar, the Mae Tao Clinic, in the Thai town of Mae Sot, has given desperately needed healthcare services to the thousands of ethnic minority refugees fleeing military crackdowns in their homeland for more than three decades
By
Janelle Retka
- Nov 19, 2018
Dismayed by a lack of government-funded cultural centres in Indonesia’s capital, Engel Tanzil decided to create her own public space for the arts. Seven years on, Dia.Lo.Gue art space has blown up – and even created an artistic economy of its own
By
Janelle Retka
- Nov 14, 2018
During the fourth annual EuroCham Tax Forum yesterday, the group’s chairman lauded sweeping government efforts to enforce tax compliance among businesses across Cambodia, calling it a step towards the government’s goal of financial autonomy. But in the same breath, he called for grace on behalf of the business community
By
Janelle Retka
- Oct 26, 2018
In a region where so much of life and livelihood relies on a healthy coastline, the efforts of marine biologists to protect, preserve and educate are especially needed. Thepsuda Loyjiw uses her position as a corporate social responsibility (CSR) manager at Banyan Tree resort in Koh Samui, Thailand, to introduce tourists and locals to the area’s aquatic wonders and to spread the word on how to sustain them for the next generation
By
Janelle Retka
- Oct 23, 2018
Long recognised as one of the top global coffee exporters, Indonesia has transformed its coffee industry, dramatically increasing its local consumption and the quality of its coffee bean production. Southeast Asia Globe met up with Dini Aryani Criddle, founder of Indonesia’s gourmet Tanamera Coffee, to hear how her company helped lead the change
By
Janelle Retka
- Oct 18, 2018
Domestic holiday travel for Cambodians is often group-orientated – but that comes with the struggle of finding a car park and space for the whole crew to sleep. The new hotel booking service Bayonia.com, with 5,000 subscribers and a goal of 10,000 by the end of the year, wants to make travel seamless. A year and 85 featured hotels since its launch, founder Meas Sinal speaks with Southeast Asia Globe about what sets his booking service apart
Bayonia.com founder Meas Sinal provides a travel booking platform tailored for Cambodians
By
Janelle Retka
- Oct 16, 2018
The Ministry of Education is launching its first bachelor’s degree programme in teaching next month. Karolina Rutkowska, capacity development adviser for VVOB Cambodia, talked with Southeast Asia Globe about the curriculum the NGO is developing to give future teachers the skills to overcome the Kingdom’s education hurdles and compete in 21st-century Asean
By
Janelle Retka
- Oct 04, 2018
For almost four years, Phouviengsavanh “Toui” Keosouphan, 39, has worked to clear Laos’ plague of unexploded ordnance (UXO). Laos has the distinction of being the most heavily bombed nation on the planet per capita, with 29,000 people killed and 21,000 injured by deadly leftover devices from the Vietnam War era. He works with Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA), a humanitarian relief organisation that’s been active in Laos since 1997
By
Janelle Retka
- Sep 24, 2018
Using blockchain and solar energy, UN- and World Bank-endorsed startup BitLumens has been tooling its solar home technology to bring electricity and financial inclusion to underserved populations. Myanmar and Indonesia are BitLumens’s first Southeast Asia stops. Founding CEO Veronica Garcia spoke with Southeast Asia Globe about their plans to lease solar systems to power off-the-grid households
By
Janelle Retka
- Sep 11, 2018
During a stint in the financial sector, Violet Lim spotted a trend in the industry: successful singles with no avenue for meeting potential partners. So she set off to make a dent in the love industry
By
Janelle Retka
- Sep 06, 2018
As the Philippines continues to hold rank as the Southeast Asian country with the largest number of migrant workers heading overseas, the amount of money being sent home to family members in the island nation is rising – and cryptocurrency could help keep more earnings in Filipinos’ pockets
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 27, 2018
Nearly 12 months into his pretrial detention, former CNRP political opposition leader Kem Sokha was denied bail by the country’s highest court for a fourth time
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 23, 2018
Cambodia’s longest-running logistics service provider, WorldBridge Group, has launched its $5m venture capital fund Ooctane to help local companies get off the ground. Fresh startups could see investments from the firm of up to $10,000, while those with a viable product ready could get $25,000. Southeast Asia Globe caught up with the group’s chairman and the new VC’s leading investor, Rithy Sear, to talk about the impact the firm hopes to make on the Kingdom
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 21, 2018
Five years after Aun Pornmoniroth became Cambodia’s finance minister, he shares his vision for the Kingdom’s economy with Southeast Asia Globe
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 16, 2018
For over a decade, Phoon Kok Hwa has coached authors on how to get their manuscript into bookshops as publisher at Candid Creation Publishing, a leading firm in Singapore. He’s helped transform the family-run business from a company focused on Chinese-language books to English-language business and self-help books
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 15, 2018
When 35-year-old Hok Kang launched his career a decade ago, he wanted to change Cambodians’ perception of architecture. Since then, he has helped create Brown Coffee's look, trained up young architects at his own firm and ventured into high-end real-estate development by founding UrbanLand
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 14, 2018
Cambodian women are traditionally charged with overseeing their families’ finances once the paycheque comes home. While this skillset remains an essential part of Cambodia’s economy, what more can the financial sector do to take advantage of this home-grown expertise?
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 09, 2018
As the Philippines continues to hold rank as the Southeast Asian country with the largest number of migrant workers heading overseas, the amount of money being sent home to family members in the island nation is rising. Using cutting-edge technology, local entrepreneurs are exploring avenues for cutting the cost of remitting money, which keeps more earnings in Filipinos’ pockets
By
Janelle Retka
- Aug 02, 2018
An avid tea drinker in search of a new flavour has created alcohol-inspired brews acceptable for a Friday night with friends or a Monday in the office
By
Janelle Retka
- Jul 27, 2018
Award-winning US filmmaker and producer Timothy Linh Bui relocated his company Happy Canvas Film to his ancestors’ homeland. Since then, his team has been providing a new take on the Southeast Asian country for the world to see
By
Janelle Retka
- Jul 25, 2018
As Cambodia aspires to compete regionally in ICT development, experts in the field have seen vast improvements in recent years – as well as opportunities to continue closing the gap between skill and market demand
By
Janelle Retka
- Jul 20, 2018
Architect Seng Vannak was hired straight out of university in Paris to become a Phnom Penh City Hall urban planner. While he develops a new master plan for the capital, he's also been growing Vannak Architects, which erected the high-end condominium tower Tronum. He talked with Southeast Asia Globe about how the country has grown to appreciate architecture in a new era of development
By
Janelle Retka
- Jul 17, 2018
As individual blockchain platforms gain popularity, the number of user transactions often overwhelms their systems. Zilliqa, a platform based on a study by researchers at the National University of Singapore, has a solution to this problem, the company’s head researcher Amrit Kumar tells Southeast Asia Globe
By
Janelle Retka
- Jul 16, 2018
Mobile wallet developer MatchMove has expanded from Singapore to other parts of Asia and the US since launching in 2017. As it moves into Myanmar and Cambodia, Southeast Asia Globe touched base with Nitin Palande, the company's senior vice president of business development, to hear what is driving their product's success
By
Janelle Retka
- Jun 20, 2018
Surveillance and censorship are becoming part and parcel of daily life around the world, and yet many citizens seem content to turn a blind eye to it. A new exhibition at Wei-Ling Gallery in Kuala Lumpur called Seen is addressing that issue. Curator Line Dalile brings together ten leading international and Malaysian artists, hoping that through documentary, photography and conceptual practice, the artwork can open people’s eyes to the modern threats encroaching on our privacy
By
Janelle Retka
- Jun 19, 2018
Southeast Asian entrepreneurs are searching for the best way to turn their ideas into the next market giant. But as investors offer mentorship and funding in exchange for equity, experts warn that not every deal is as clear-cut as it appears
By
Janelle Retka
- Jun 18, 2018
Singapore's UnUsUaL has become Southeast Asia's leading music production and promotion company, worth $500m. Co-founder and partner Leslie Ong shares the highs and lows of building an empire from scratch
By
Janelle Retka
- Jun 14, 2018
With its burgeoning business and startup scene, modern Cambodia is host to a slew of exciting, young talent. We pick out ten rising stars who are shaking up the status quo
By
Janelle Retka
- Jun 06, 2018
A year ago, Cambodia’s Ministry of Environment began monitoring Phnom Penh’s levels of the most damaging known air pollutant, PM2.5. How will the information gained be used?
By
Janelle Retka
- May 16, 2018
Singapore's real estate market was a vexing obstacle to navigate until Darius Cheung, CEO and co-founder of the country's homegrown housing website 99.co, helped transform the market with a user-focused approach to home hunting
By
Janelle Retka
- May 15, 2018
Malnutrition is leaving Southeast Asia’s children predisposed to obesity and fatal diseases. With the rise of processed foods and less active lifestyles, these health impacts are only going to get worse unless children become the focal point of change
By
Janelle Retka
- May 15, 2018
Cambodia has made great strides towards financial inclusion in the past decade. As more and more people take up financial services, what are the next steps needed to make the most of this participation?
By
Janelle Retka
- Apr 29, 2018
With Islamic travel rising rapidly, Malaysian booking site Tripfez is offering experiences tailored to religious needs as well as a Halal travel rating system called the Salam Standard. Faeez Fadhlillah, the company's CEO and co-founder, discusses how the company has brought a new level of ease to Muslims' travels
By
Janelle Retka
- Apr 16, 2018
Malaysia-based Glueck Technologies developed an AI product in 2015 that measures customer emotions through CCTV technology to improve customer service in retail settings. Its founding CEO Alberrt Alexander describes how he expects the invention to shape business in the region
By
Janelle Retka
- Apr 15, 2018
Why would China's Big Brother-style social credit system not appeal to Southeast Asia's autocratic leaders. Can they make it a reality?
By
Janelle Retka
- Apr 04, 2018
The beach town of Sihanoukville has great tourism potential, but industry experts say proper planning and infrastructure must come first
By
Janelle Retka
- Mar 27, 2018
The directors of Raintree, Cambodia’s first “boutique office space”, reveal how simple tweaks can improve work culture and performance
By
Janelle Retka
- Mar 22, 2018
Sandi Sein Thein's marketing company Digital Kaway - which means 'wizard' in Myanmar - has expanded local perceptions of what the internet has to offer, earning her a place on Forbes' prestigious 30 Under 30 Asia list
By
Janelle Retka
- Mar 15, 2018
Cambodia’s keenest architectural minds share their visions for transforming Phnom Penh’s clogged streets and limited community space into a modern, people-focused capital
By
Janelle Retka
- Mar 14, 2018
