This year’s survey indicated an uncertain outlook for Asian businesses. Economies across the region are enjoying a return to business as usual and recovering from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet the invasion of Ukraine has set off a chain of events that roiled global markets and left the world with no clear path …

In Asia, as a more internet-savvy and health and environmentally conscious consumer takes center stage, emerging technologies are offering new opportunities and innovative solutions for people from diverse backgrounds and geographies.

More companies are collaborating to explore how the technology can make operations more efficient, which could form the building blocks of the next-generation internet. Just as the internet allows information and innovations to be shared across borders, the world will benefit most from having an open metaverse.

With an abundance of capital and talent, Asia’s growing tech hubs are luring investors away from Silicon Valley. Start-ups seeking to solve global issues such as climate change, ageing-related illnesses and supply-chain bottlenecks will offer solid opportunities.

Supply-side constraints, loose monetary policy, geopolitical tensions and weakening consumer sentiment are just some of the issues weighing on business leaders’ minds. Asia’s economic vitality means it will remain a leading source of growth in the future, but expect more bumps on the road to recovery.

This year’s survey indicated a historic rise in business optimism in Asia driven by a belief that the pandemic-driven downturn has finally hit bottom. Most businesses see demand for their products on the upswing. Yet this optimism is tempered by acknowledgement of external risks. Geopolitical tensions and the emergence of new and more dangerous virus …

The deteriorating bilateral relationship can benefit from expert input from the business community as Beijing and Washington redraw the lines in strategic industries. Business ties can also play a stabilizing and humanizing role as dialogue channels shrink elsewhere.

Covid-19 has been a disaster for most businesses in Asia, as everywhere. But the epidemic has given some Asian companies a new-found sense of purpose. By Program Associate Colleen Howe.

Asia’s business leaders now start almost every discussion by talking about digital transformation. Human labour is a business risk, given the possibility of a future outbreak. Factories may become more automated, with fewer workers. By Program Associate Colleen Howe.

Because the coronavirus disproportionately affects people over 65, health care systems in countries with large elderly populations are struggling. The pandemic should prompt governments to consider how policies such as social distancing affect the elderly. By Program Associate Colleen Howe.