Money

Business insights and innovation, from industry to entrepreneurs.

Money • STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 13, 2019 • 17 min read

Automobile industry Thrifty shades of grey

In Cambodia, entrenched corruption has given birth to a grey market for new luxury vehicles – a market that threatens to force official importers out of the country and stifle the local economy
By Robin Spiess

Jun 13, 2019

Money • STORY OF THE DAY • Jun 03, 2019 • 18 min read

Casinos Show me the money

As dozens of casinos set up shop in Cambodia each year, they stand to make millions annually – but the Kingdom has yet to rake in its fair share of the industry’s rising profits
By Robin Spiess

Jun 03, 2019

Money • STORY OF THE DAY • May 22, 2019 • 8 min read

Belt and Road How Cambodia can make the most of China’s millions

Cambodia’s relationship with China is stronger than ever before, in great part thanks to the many projects funded by China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Kingdom. But while Cambodia has benefitted hugely from this support, it must ensure that it remains open to a wide range of foreign investment
By Robin Spiess

May 22, 2019

Money • STORY OF THE DAY • Apr 03, 2019 • 4 min read

Malaysia The region’s corrupt politicians should watch the 1MDB trial closely

Ten years to the day after being sworn in as prime minister of Malaysia, Najib Razak is standing trial for a slew of corruption and money laundering crimes. Asia Institute Tasmania director James Chin explains what the corruption trial means for the region’s once-untouchable political elite
By Paul Millar

Apr 03, 2019

Money • Mar 28, 2019 • 9 min read
Digital Cambodia

Ready for a (digital) revolution?

The government in Cambodia recently hosted a digital conference that celebrated the Kingdom’s growing tech startup sector while simultaneously discussing the mounting challenges the country faces By by Robin Spiess

Money • Mar 02, 2019 • 10 min read
Whatever happened to

Cambodia’s Dragon City?

Nine years ago, Cambodia’s Land Ministry proposed a new, high-tech capital called “Dragon City” on the outskirts of Phnom Penh. Nearly a decade later, the $80 billion development has yet to break ground – but the visionary behind the ambitious project is hoping that changing the Kingdom’s strict foreign ownership laws may tempt Chinese investors back to the bargaining table By Robin Spiess

Money • Feb 22, 2019 • 5 min read
top 5

Southeast Asia’s fintech revolution

In Southeast Asia, the financial technology sector is booming. But according to a recent report, that growth is concentrated in five main countries. Here, Southeast Asia Globe breaks breaks down the numbers behind their success By Robin Spiess

Money • Jan 28, 2019 • 10 min read
Sarah Chen

‘Investing in women-led companies is good business’

With The Billion Dollar Fund for Women, Malaysian entrepreneur and investor Sarah Chen wants to channel $1 billion towards women-led and gender-diverse projects By Simone Salden

Money • Jan 14, 2019 • 15 min read
Universal basic income

Is it time for a radical reimagining of society in Southeast Asia?

Fuelled by rampant poverty and fears that rising automation will strip millions of low-skilled workers of their livelihoods, more and more countries are exploring the idea of a universal basic income that guarantees a livelihood for all their citizens By Paul Millar

Money • Dec 18, 2018 • 15 min read
Belt and Road

Operation Mekong

China is exercising a level of economic influence on the Mekong states not seen since the height of its imperial might By Bernhard Zand

Money • Dec 11, 2018 • 3 min read
World Bank

East Asian countries must adapt to match most developed nations

If countries across East Asia intend to sustain the growth of their economies, policy makers are going to need to accommodate a changing global and economic environment, according to a recent World Bank report By Robin Spiess

Money • Dec 07, 2018 • 11 min read
Medical marijuana

New highs

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