India’s retaliatory import duty on US products may cast shadow over negotiations: think tank
India’s retaliatory import duties could take effect in early June, potentially impacting US exporters and deepening trade frictions.
Policy Matters
Bhutan’s eco-tourism push gains ground with focus on women and community empowerment
Bhutan has laid strong policy foundations to support eco-tourism. However, challenges such as, ensuring sustainability and local ownership, addressing limited accessibility and…
Services consumption to underpin China’s economic growth
A high-level meeting convened by China's top leadership in late April placed high premiums on efforts to boost services consumption and strengthen the role of consumption in…
Indonesian military security protection for attorney general’s office draws flak
The military dispatch has alerted human rights activists who see it as a hint toward the military’s growing presence in the civil sector during the administration of President…
Nepal overhauling outdated intellectual property law
A stronger law is in the works to tackle rampant imitation of popular brands and protect original creations.
Ulaanbaatar to restrict license plates for vehicles older than 10 years starting June 1
License plates will only be issued to vehicles manufactured within the last 10 years. Imported vehicles must pass a pre-export technical inspection before being eligible for…
Japan enhancing system to lure workers in big companies to smaller regional firms
The enhanced program also upgraded a scheme for compensating transferees who are concerned that their salaries will decrease if they were to take up the new positions. With the…
Indonesia President Prabowo seeks House support for stalled asset forfeiture bill
Calls have been mounting for Mr. Prabowo to turn his anticorruption rhetoric into action, with activists urging him to issue a government in lieu of law to move past legislative…
Thai defence minister says cutting electricity, Internet, and oil to online scammers proves effective
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham explained that after three months of enforcement, the number of online scam gangs operating on the Myanmar side near Chiang…
The real monarchs of the republic
What if the real threat to democracy in Indonesia lies elsewhere? Not in the palaces of monarchs long deprived of state power, but in the everyday workings of dynastic political…