Contemporary Economics’ Post

As the new government sets an ambition of 8 percent economic growth in the upcoming years, IBC highlights 15 key strategic areas the government needs to focus on to achieve its ambition.   For each strategic area, IBC maps out the current situations and key challenges – as well as policy framework adopted by previous government to address this. IBC then provides policy recommendations for each area, all summarized in its whitepaper “15 Policy Package Recommendations to Support the Development Agenda of the President and Vice President of Indonesia 2024-2029”.   IBC has presented the recommendation to the expert team of the new President and Vice President Prabowo Subianto and Gibran Rakabuming Raka as tool for the new government to speed up development initiatives and boost economic growth.   Visit the link for a video about IBC’s policy recommendation in “15 Policy Package Recommendations to Support the Development Agenda of the President and Vice President of Indonesia 2024-2029”: https://lnkd.in/gh9RzhtU #IndonesianBusinessCouncil #IBC #15PolicyPackageRecommendations

Thai Index via Industry Relative Performance The SET Index had not crossed above the 200-day SMA for quite some time, but when it finally did, it surged sharply. Looking at the industry (sector) level, it can be observed that this time, before the SET Index broke above the 200-day SMA, the TECH sector outperformed other industries. After the SET Index crossed above the 200-day SMA, all sectors rebounded, which is a normal occurrence. However, upon closer inspection, the sector that led the rebound, following TECH, was the FINANCIAL sector.

I am delighted to have received signed copies of Deputy Minister of Investment, Trade & Industry (MITI) YB Chin Tong Liew's latest book, "Second Takeoff: Strategies for Malaysia's Economic Resurgence," as well as his earlier publication, "Lim Kit Siang." Malaysia currently stands at a critical juncture poised for transformative advancement. YB Chin Tong's new book serves as a compelling impetus for optimism and progress, offering indispensable insights for those envisioning a brighter future for our nation. Through in-depth analysis and innovative approaches, the book delineates a pathway towards a sustainable economic framework. Its bold blueprint for revitalizing the labor market is key to unlocking Malaysia's full potential for dynamism and prosperity. We engaged in a productive discussion regarding Malaysia's capacity to attract structured foreign financing for substantial, high-impact projects. Our nation's strategic geographic location, vibrant market, rich cultural tapestry, and steadfast dedication to sustainability collectively position us as a compelling investment destination. By capitalizing on these strengths, we can cultivate opportunities for sustainable infrastructure development and contribute meaningfully to our nation's progress. #Malaysia #FDI #MITI #NCP  #infrastructurefinancing #sustainabilityfinancing

Today I was a live guest in "𝑩𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒐𝒏 𝑩𝒂𝒚𝒂𝒏𝒈 𝑴𝒂𝒉𝒂𝒍" (translated to "Rise Up Dear Nation"), a morning radio program in the Philippines. The host, Leo Magpayo, and myself covered the current economic issues in that country. Many thanks to the Philippine Presidential Broadcast Service for the invitation and opportunity to share my insights. 𝑰𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒘 𝒉𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒍𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕𝒔: ✅The Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) reported that the inflation rate for September 2024 eased to 1.9 percent from 3.3 percent in August, marking the lowest level since May 2020’s 1.6 percent. I discussed the implications of the lower inflation rate in that country such as the potential for lowering the interest rates and affordable food for the poor. ✅The Philippines climbed three notches to 53rd out of 133 economies in the 2024 Global Innovation Index (GII). I shared my views about the importance of innovation in improving the standard of living of Filipinos and how it can help in furthering economic growth. ✅We also discussed the state visit to the Philippines of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol. South Korea is the Philippines' fifth-largest exporter and fourth largest importer. The Philippines is home to Samsung’s research and development facility and Samsung Electro-Mechanics’ factory. The visit will strengthen both countries' economic and diplomatic ties.

Title: Sentiments of Malaysian Newspapers During the Movement Control Order (MCO): Economic and Consumer Content Analysis Summary: The article "Sentiments of Malaysian Newspapers During the Movement Control Order (MCO): Economic and Consumer Content Analysis" explores the role of newspapers in shaping public sentiment during the Phase 1 of the Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia. The study focuses on major Malaysian-language newspapers, Berita Harian and Harian Metro, and analyzes their coverage of economic and consumption-related topics during the MCO period. The findings highlight the newspapers' emphasis on the government's responsibility in ensuring the supply of essential goods, as well as its efforts to stimulate the economy and provide assistance programs. Overall, the study underscores the significance of newspapers in influencing public perceptions and understanding government initiatives during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic.

The projected GDP growth for Malaysia in 2025 is around 4.5% to 5.5%. This projection comes from various sources, including: * Government: The Malaysian government has projected a GDP growth of 4.5% to 5.5% for 2025. * Research firms: Research firms like RAM Ratings and MIDF Research have also projected similar growth rates. * International organizations: International organizations like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have also projected positive growth for Malaysia in 2025. Key policies driving growth include investment promotion, economic diversification, human capital development, infrastructure development, sustainable development, and fiscal responsibility. These policies aim to attract investment, create jobs, and improve living standards.

Indicators cannot be read on their own. These are 2 social media snapshots. One says Malaysia is in the top 10 and another says Malaysia is in the bottom 5. There is a disconnect in data collection when it comes to reading indicators. One has to be aware of reading too little into any indicators and must do additional reading. As a local, Malaysia is as safe as any other developed country. When it comes to visiting any country, the rule of common sense and being respectful of local culture and customs must prevail.

𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐂𝐇: The 6th year anniversary of the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) was made even more special with the launching of the Philippine Global Competitiveness Report Card, a significant stride to provide an attractive businesses environment for both local and foreign investments in a Bagong Pilipinas. Developed by ARTA in collaboration with the Asian Institute of Management – Rizalino S. Navarro Policy Center for Competitiveness (AIM-RSNPCC), Liveable Cities Philippines, and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), this dashboard will contain a comprehensive list of 20 global competitiveness reports that will help stakeholders effectively analyze the competitiveness of the country across different sectors. Now live at https://lnkd.in/ghPrD7cn, here’s what you can expect on this newest initiative. #ARTA ng #BagongPilipinas #FromRedTapeToRedCarpet #AIM #DTI #LiveableCities

I had the privilege of attending a talk and dinner hosted by YB Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan, Minister of Finance in Malaysia at Cempaka Kensington. I had some insightful takeaways from his fascinating and rigorous speech about the current state of Malaysia's economy and the bright future Malaysia has as a lucrative option for foreign investors. Key Takeaways 🔎 : 1) Improvements in Standards of Living: Malaysia is currently reducing its percentage of fiscal deficit at a steady rate for the past few years, helping to alleviate the large amount of debt that country has accumulated, particularly during COVID-19. Malaysia is also going to increase the minimum wage from RM1500 to RM1700. Furthermore, government workers are getting their first salary increase for the first time in 12 years, indicating a more positive outlook for the future. 2) Developments Across Multiple Sectors: Malaysia is becoming an attractive option for foreign direct investment (FDI) due to the sizable percentage it owns for the manufacturing and production of semiconductors. There also has been a large rise in the number of data centers being built, which will only increase in the future due to the capabilities of AI to revolutionise industry. Malaysia is also seeking to modernise and transform its traditional profitable sectors like palm oil and plantations, with drone operators being used to replace gruelling, manual labour. Genetic editing and the use of data analytics are also applied to find out the optimum conditions to maximise yield. 3) Net Zero by 2050: Currently, 65% of Malaysia's electricity generation comes from coal. To ease the phaseout of fossil fuels and support the energy transition, Malaysia is planning to invest in carbon dioxide capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) technologies to reduce CO2 emissions. Solar and hydropower are key forms of renewable energy that are also being prioritised, and other types of energy like hydrogen are also being developed to reduce the intermittency of renewable energy. Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan has highlighted sustainability as a key factor going forward for the country, and Malaysia plans to trade energy with other SEA countries to further boost the economy. Conclusion, thank you YB Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan for the talk and the dinner (wish it was Malaysian food though I miss it). Thank you and the other highly respected government officials and company executives for the hard work you are doing to improve Malaysia's economy so that the ringgit can keep growing stronger 💪

🚀 New Post Alert from the ESFS Research Team!🚀 We're excited to announce our latest article, "Indonesia's Economic Horizon: Trends and Projections." Dive into an in-depth analysis exploring whether Indonesia is truly on track to become the world's 4th largest economy by 2050, as predicted by PwC. This comprehensive post examines Indonesia’s rich historical background, dynamic demography, and evolving international role, providing a detailed projection of its economic future. Uncover the forces shaping Indonesia’s potential transformation and join us in exploring the fascinating journey of this emerging global power. 🌏📈