Global headwinds will check pace of Asian growth in 2017
Exactly a year ago I wrote on the dominance of Factory Asia (China and south-east Asia supply chains) in contributing half of the world’s manufacturing output.
This year, how will rising protectionism from the US administration, disruption from forces such as Brexit and increased security threats affect the Asian manufacturing outlook?
The UN Industrial Development Organization (Unido) expects global manufacturing to remain weak, but compared with other regions, Factory Asia will experience relatively higher growth. The World Bank’s manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index signals continued expansion in China, Indonesia and Vietnam, but a slowdown in Malaysia.
Unido forecasts China’s manufacturing output will increase moderately, at 6.5%, as it is in transition period into higher value-added activities, so facing more balanced growth. India, while experiencing a slight 0.7% dip, is progressing to hi-tech manufacturing.
Tourism
Can border reopening revive tourism in South-East Asia?
In Thailand, where pre-pandemic tourism accounted for 11-12% of GDP, the country lost an estimated $50bn last year as Covid-19 restrictions led to an 82% fall in arrival numbers.
After 18 months of travel restrictions, a number of countries in South-east Asia have begun opening their borders to foreign visitors to stoke recovery in their respective tourism industries.
(more…)Travel
Thailand dropped from UK’s tough covid-19 travel ‘red list’
Earlier, Thailand was listed among countries with high infection levels that were put on a ‘red list’, requiring arrivals to spend 10 days in a government-provided quarantine hotel, and must periodically have a PCR test or other tests.
From Monday, 11 October onward, fully vaccinated travelers from Thailand will not be subjected to Covid-19 quarantine, according to the latest announcement of the UK government.
(more…)
Can border reopening revive tourism in South-East Asia?
In Thailand, where pre-pandemic tourism accounted for 11-12% of GDP, the country lost an estimated $50bn last year as Covid-19...
Thailand dropped from UK’s tough covid-19 travel ‘red list’
Earlier, Thailand was listed among countries with high infection levels that were put on a ‘red list’, requiring arrivals to...
The ASEAN-Russia Trade and Investment Cooperation Work Program
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5 insights to guide ASEAN’s digital generation in a post-pandemic world
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