Our Focus Areas

October 12, 2023

Strategies for Asian business navigating a new era

A collaborative article by the Asia Business Council and McKinsey delved into the perspectives of business leaders in Asia as they navigate an emerging and potentially more turbulent era, in terms of world order, technology, demographics, resource and energy systems, and financial capitalization. Overall, they believe the region can sustain its growth but will need strategic adjustments to address disruptions and volatility in a multipolar world.

December 20, 2023

In a more divided world, ‘superconnector’ Hong Kong must get creative

In a more competitive world with multiple economic hubs, the once-dominant influence of East-West superconnectors is waning. Hong Kong must capitalise on the Greater Bay Area, Belt and Road Initiative and focus on ‘sweet spot’ sectors where China and other regions seek better cooperation.

November 22, 2023

To overtake China in the EV market, the US needs to step hard on the accelerator

Washington should double down on combining policy support, financial incentives and advances in technology, to reduce its reliance on China-sourced material. As it strives to build a home-grown supply chain, investing in Canada’s critical minerals could be a game-changer.

October 17, 2023

US-China decoupling: inward turn could undo gains made in ‘de-risking’ efforts

For all the talk of the benefits reshoring and ‘de-risking’ can bring domestic workers, they also introduce new risks to people’s way of life. Neither the US nor China can afford to ignore these new risks, including limited job creation, expensive subsidies and greater material costs.

September 19, 2023

Sweet smell of Vietnam’s durian export success shows China’s regional influence cannot be ignored

The US is turning to Vietnam in its attempts to diversify supply chains and curb China’s regional influence, but that is easier said than done. Vietnam’s booming durian exports are just one example of its close economic dependence on China, complicating US ‘friendshoring’ efforts.

August 15, 2023

How businesses still upbeat on Asia can adapt to uncertainty as the new normal

China’s growth trajectory, the impact of global economic conditions, geopolitical tensions and ambiguity on the energy transition are all risks. But businesses can prepare by boosting in-house intelligence and diversity – both in recruitment and operations.

September 7, 2022

Making Globalization Work Better for Asia

Asia’s economic growth and development have been unparalleled over the past 75 years. Poverty has declined continuously and more rapidly than at any time in recorded history, and significant welfare gains have been achieved. These achievements have been driven by Asia’s growing participation in international trade and global value chains, which underpin the globalization process. More broadly, globalization refers to the integration of economies that has been achieved through growing levels of international trade, finance, and investment, and through the mounting exchanges of people, ideas, and data.

September 21, 2022

Ukraine war, energy crisis and geopolitical tensions mean Asian businesses must prepare for the worst

The latest Asia Business Council survey shows firms are worried about politics increasingly encroaching on business and driving potential decoupling. Energy is the top concern amid high prices and the continuing fallout from Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

August 27, 2021

Networks for a Resilient Future: An Asian Perspective

In 2021, resilience is undoubtedly top-of-mind for business leaders as they face the COVID-19 pandemic and threat of climate change amidst a precarious geopolitical environment. While corporate resilience is the capacity of an individual company to transform nimbly, rebound quickly, and prepare effectively for dramatically changed circumstances, collective resilience refers to the capacity of multiple

February 22, 2021

Measure, Manage, Disclose: Asia’s Corporate Path to Net-Zero Emissions

Blunting the impact of climate change is our time’s greatest challenge. The landmark 2015 Paris Agreement on climate pledged to keep the rise in global temperatures to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The overall Paris pledge is the sum of individual country pledges, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), to drive decarbonization. But,