Thailand’s introduction of the Thai ESG Fund in late 2023 — a tax-incentivized retail investment program — has reshaped the country’s corporate bond market by driving strong investor demand for newly issued ESG bonds.

Indonesia is positioning itself as the most stable gateway to the ASEAN region, with its blue-chip stocks serving as a strong foundation for regional economic growth. Supported by robust domestic consumption, steady government-driven expansion, and consistent corporate performance, companies listed in the LQ45 and IDX30 indices continue to demonstrate resilience amid global uncertainty.

Indonesia’s signing of the Indonesia–Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) in Ottawa marks a historic milestone, symbolizing the first free trade agreement between Indonesia and a North American country, and between Canada and an ASEAN member state.

Thailand faces a critical moment in reaffirming its commitment to peace and responsible conflict management along the Cambodian border. The recent dispute between activist Guntouch “Gun Jompalang” Pongpaiboonwet and Senator Angkhana Neelapaijit highlights the need for greater coordination between civic expression and state policy.

Europe is accelerating efforts to expand its global trade network amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges, including shifting U.S. tariff policies and China’s industrial overcapacity. As German auto exports to China slow, the EU is taking bold steps to diversify its markets and strengthen multilateral trade cooperation.

Indonesia’s export boom following China’s WTO accession significantly improved labor market outcomes, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing activity. The study finds that between 2000 and 2014, districts more exposed to manufacturing export expansion experienced higher formal employment growth and greater income gains among lower- and middle-income groups, while commodity-driven exports yielded limited benefits.

Thailand is at a pivotal stage in its decarbonization journey, moving steadily toward its goals of carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. Businesses have made meaningful progress by adopting sustainable energy solutions such as solar power, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction initiatives, laying a solid foundation for broader transformation.

Thailand and Singapore enjoy one of Southeast Asia’s most stable and forward-looking partnerships, rooted in the absence of historical grievances and strengthened by decades of cooperation.

Indonesia’s Batam, Bintan and Karimun (BBK) islands present a strategic yet underutilized gateway for boosting Australian investment into Southeast Asia’s largest economy. While Australia’s outbound investment into Indonesia remains low despite recent growth, leveraging Singapore’s infrastructure, connectivity, and business familiarity offers a promising path forward.