Category: Asia

Asia, Development, Finance and Markets, International

Microfinance: What went wrong?

In 1983, Mohammed Yunus founded the Grameen Bank. His idea was simple: the bank would grant tiny loans, often no more than $100, to women in rural Bangladesh who had no access to credit. In the following decades, repayment rates for some schemes were as high as 98%, and Yunus attracted major funds from backers such as the Ford Foundation. In 2020, more than $50 billion of credit was being given to the poor – this time, by giant global banks, … Continue reading Microfinance: What went wrong?

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China, Development

The holes in the road – has China’s Belt and Road initiative been too ambitious?

Over the past ten years, the world has witnessed the staggering growth of China from a developing nation to the worlds second largest economy by GDP. One of its most notable projects is its infamous Belt and Road initiative. This has led China to become the biggest creditor in the world, larger today than the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World bank, driving billions of dollars of … Continue reading The holes in the road – has China’s Belt and Road initiative been too ambitious?

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Asia, Development, Environment

The Lost Snow Leopards: Seven Steps to Rejuvenate Central Asian Economies

Central Asia (made up of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan) has historically been a dominant player on the world’s economic stage.  Its role as the heart of the legendary Silk Road (the main land corridor between Europe and Asia) and the USSR’s mining powerhouse in the 20th century rightfully earned these countries the nickname ‘the Snow Leopards’.  However, the USSR’s collapse in 1991 has left the region at risk of … Continue reading The Lost Snow Leopards: Seven Steps to Rejuvenate Central Asian Economies

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China

Taming the dragon: the impact of the Chinese baby bust and how to reverse it 

In the 1980s, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) issued posters as part of its one-child policy which claimed, “Villagers who want to get rich: have fewer children but grow more trees”.  Although this succeeded in curbing overpopulation, it was too successful; forty years on, China is plagued with an ageing population, which will cripple the economy if left unresolved. Low fertility rates will stunt China’s growth … Continue reading Taming the dragon: the impact of the Chinese baby bust and how to reverse it 

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Asia, Development

India’s rapid population rise: A blessing or a curse?

The world’s population surpassed 8 billion in November 2022. India and China are currently the two most populous countries, with 1.408 billion and 1.412 billion citizens, respectively. In April 2023, India is expected to overtake China to become the most populated country in the world. This rapid population growth will, no doubt, have numerous impacts on India and the rest of the world, but will … Continue reading India’s rapid population rise: A blessing or a curse?

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Asia, International

The Dying Tiger: The Challenges Facing ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an economic bloc consisting of ten nations, is no stranger to praise.  By lifting tariffs on nearly 8,000 goods, increasing business access to neighbouring markets and lowering prices for consumers, it has reached an annual GDP growth of 4.6% (exceeding the global average of 3.2% by a sizeable margin), and has been frequently portrayed as an “unexpected success story … Continue reading The Dying Tiger: The Challenges Facing ASEAN

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Business and Technology, China, US

China-US Trade Wars: What are the strategic reasons behind China’s stance?

The largest cause of shocks to worldwide stock markets in recent years – other than COVID 19 – has been the threat of the introduction and escalation of the trade war between the US and China. During this conflict, hundreds of billions of dollars have been wiped off the global economy, with the brunt of economic losses being felt by the US and China. In … Continue reading China-US Trade Wars: What are the strategic reasons behind China’s stance?

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China, Development, Environment

The Dark Side of the Belt and Road Initiative

The last 40 years have seen China’s GDP grow by a record 9.1% per annum, attracting a plethora of investors and businesses worldwide. With its newfound capital, it has gained international influence through trade and become the world’s largest trading partner in 2012. China seeks to optimize this trade network through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a scheme unveiled in 2013 by Chinese President … Continue reading The Dark Side of the Belt and Road Initiative

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Asia, Economics

Private Tutoring – South Korea

South Korea is renowned for its rapid economic growth and successes in the manufacturing industries, such as Samsung, and education is considered to be one of the key drivers. Better quality education is related to higher GDP, increased productivity and rising wages due to the positive externalities that arise from its consumption. Furthermore, private tutoring (PT) is a crucial element of education in South Korea … Continue reading Private Tutoring – South Korea

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Asia, Development, Economics, Politics

The Economic Legacy of Tokyo 2020

Tokyo 2020 was a world-first in many ways. Amidst two golden weeks, the Games bore witness to sporting history, as well as heart-warming displays of camaraderie and sportsmanship. Held when Japan was in the grip of the pandemic, these Games were the first without a live audience. They were the first games for surfing, skateboarding, and karate. They saw the first golds for nations including … Continue reading The Economic Legacy of Tokyo 2020

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