Studies of the Indonesian political economy suggest a transformation of government-business relationship from a “patrimonial administrative” state, in which bureaucrats are dominant, to a “patrimonial oligarchic” state dominated by business actors.

The Trump administration’s method of defining “reciprocal tariffs” is unconventional, basing the rate on the extent of the U.S. trade deficit with each country rather than mirroring their actual tariffs.

Just when the global economy began adjusting to the idea of a new normal under United States President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff doctrine, the plot twisted.

The Amundi Investment Institute’s April 2025 report, “Liberation Day Tariffs: An Initial Assessment,” analyzes the sweeping new U.S. tariffs under President Trump, marking the highest average tariff rate in a century.

Outlining the sweeping effects of the U.S. administration’s new “Liberation Day” tariff measures, which impose a 36% levy on Thai exports—starting with 10% on April 5 and an additional 26% on April 9, this short report covers the impacts that will befall Thailand in the days to come.

This growth is also linked to Indonesia's thriving digital economy, with projections estimating gross merchandise value could reach $200-360 billion by 2030. AI, particularly in financial services, is driving much of this progress, improving fraud detection, risk assessments, and customer experiences.

The Indonesian Financial Services Authority says bank branches and ATMs are mostly located in Java (62.55% of the total), while the remaining are across the country from Sumatra to Papua. Access to finance and realizing the economic potential that that could unlock has become a priority for the the Indonesian government in its economic strategizing.

Indonesia's AI readiness still remains in the early development stage. To harness AI's full potential, Indonesia must prioritize robust investment in digital infrastructure, cultivate AI-skilled workforces, and strengthen governance to ensure responsible and inclusive implementation across sectors.

Indonesia's Comprehensive Wealth Index (CWI) has nearly tripled over the past 25 years, growing from IDR 404.3 million (USD PPP 86,100) in 1995 to IDR 1.13 billion (USD PPP 240,750) in 2020. This growth, driven primarily by human and produced capital, reflects an average annual increase of 4.3%, yet natural capital has remained stagnant.

Investors are closely monitoring U.S.-China relations, as trade policies and diplomatic strains could significantly impact global markets. Thailand’s economy and stock market are projected to experience various influences based on both domestic and international factors.

Thailand’s economic outlook for 2025 is under pressure from earthquake-related losses and the threat of US tariff hikes, with potential financial damage estimated at THB30bn ($820mn) and GDP growth at risk of a 1% decline, economists said at a Fitch Ratings seminar on April 1, according to a report by The Nation.

The study finds that Monetary Policy (MP) is generally more consistent with expected growth outcomes and more effective in sustaining long-term economic expansion.

Indonesia's Kredit Usaha Rakyat (KUR) program, one of the world's largest public business support initiatives, aims to enhance financial inclusion by providing subsidized credit and partial credit guarantees to micro and small enterprises.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing the ordeal of being the sole target of opposition parties in a no-confidence debate in the House of Representatives.

In 2025, Thailand's international tourist arrivals are projected to grow by 15.2% year-on-year, reaching 41.9 million, up from 36.3 million in 2024.

The Indonesia Economic Prospects (IEP) is a bi-annual World Bank report that assesses recent macroeconomic developments, the outlook, and risks, as well as specific development challenges for the Indonesian economy. In doing so, the IEP aims to inform the public policy debate and is geared towards a wide audience, including the general public, the government, the private sector, civil society organizations, and other domestic and international stakeholders.

Indonesia, boasting the largest population in Southeast Asia and ranking as the fourth most populous country globally, has become a magnet for companies eyeing the potential within its expanding digital landscape.

In 2009, a mere 19% of Indonesians were internet users. However, recognising the untapped possibilities early on, venture capital firm East Ventures made strategic investments in the country. Consequently, Indonesia has experienced substantial digital advancements, particularly gaining momentum during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Thailand’s digital economy has been rapidly evolving in recent years, driven by factors such as increasing internet penetration, smartphone adoption, and government initiatives. However, this growth also brings new challenges, including the proliferation of online scams, misinformation, and potential threats to cybersecurity.

Experimenting with Generative AI: Does ChatGPT Really Increase Everyone’s Productivity?

Much of Asia is nervously watching the start of Donald Trump’s second term as president of the United States. In Southeast Asia, the concerns are primarily economic:

How far will Trump’s campaign threats of trade sanctions and tariffs reach? What will Trump trade wars mean for ASEAN’s growing, but fragile economies?

Representing over 97% of all enterprises, Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) are crucial to the ASEAN economy. However, cross-border trade in the region remains modest, accounting for only 18% of the total export value. .

The ASEAN Integration Report, titled Inclusive Trade: Perspectives on Regulatory Challenges for MSMEs in ASEAN, provides an overview of the challenges faced by MSMEs in the region, with a particular focus on the trade regulatory complexities that disproportionately burden MSMEs.

Indonesia's economy showed consistent growth in Q1 2025, with GDP projected to grow between 5.00% and 5.05%. However, this steady growth rate, maintained since 2014 (excluding the COVID-19 period), indicates a risk of secular stagnation, highlighting the need for structural reforms to enhance productivity and reduce reliance on seasonal factors.

Indonesia's ambitious decarbonization targets are projected to impact employment in the power and automotive sectors significantly. A study analyzing three decarbonization scenarios for 2020–2050 indicates that aligning the electricity sector with the Paris Agreement could generate 5.86 million direct job-years, surpassing the business-as-usual scenario by 2.67 million.

Thailand is offering a preview of how Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs) could reshape financial systems. An intriguing window into the future of money and how central bank digital currencies (CBDCs) might be used has opened up in Thailand.

Indonesia’s economic growth remains stable, with GDP projected to grow between 5.00% and 5.05% in 2024 and 5.0% to 5.1% in 2025.

The report highlights that while Bangkok contributes significantly to the nation's GDP.

Fat Tiger Group sees Indonesia’s creative economy as a model for balancing cultural richness with digital transformation.

Recognizing this, Indonesia has formulated the Blue Economy Development Framework, emphasizing inclusive growth and sustainable development.