Posts From Alexander Scherpf
Indonesia policy package met with skepticism
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has rolled out the first of three policy packages aimed at deregulating the economy. The policies have been met with skepticism, however, as Widodo’s administration has
Could Asia’s debt torpedo growth?
Debt-to-GDP ratios have built up rapidly across Asia and may start impeding growth. Even more worrisome than the absolute levels of debt is the pace of the increase. While the
“Made in Indonesia” smartphone law presents uphill battle for investors
A regulation due to come into effect later this year will shake up the Indonesian smartphone market. Global brands seeking access to Indonesia’s fast-growing and potentially vast mobile market will
Is Sri Lanka the next hub for Indian Ocean trade?
Sri Lanka is set to become a destination of choice among businesses looking to tap opportunities in pan-Indian Ocean trade due to its strategic location. Maithripala Sirisena, the country’s new
Asian demographic trends a threat to growth
A number of emerging Asian countries enter a demographic dividend phase, associated with high savings, investments and growth. However, aging in Asia is occurring at a faster rate than has happened
Is ISIS reviving extremist networks in Indonesia?
With over 250 million people, Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation. While it has banned support for ISIS and its ideology, fighters returning from Iraq or Syria threaten to
ASEAN may attract new investor attention in 2015
Deeper economic integration and a growing middle class attracts manufacturing investment in the ASEAN region in 2015. However, a lack of political will to eliminate barriers to intra-regional trade could
