For Myanmar-based conglomerate Yoma Group, the COVID-19 pandemic was a defining moment in its service to the country. Although its acquisition of mobile financial services operator Wave Money was planned before the pandemic, it was the trying times of 2020 that truly underscored the importance of mobile money in promoting financial inclusion in Myanmar. The …

The Asia Business Council annual survey of members found business optimism for the year ahead has plunged to the lowest level since the global financial crisis in 2008. The overwhelming reason cited was the U.S.-China trade conflict. Other reasons included concerns about a trade war-induced recession, Japan-South Korea trade disputes, and the impact of Persian …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council annual survey of members was conducted in July 2018 and yielded a response rate of 81%. Collectively, respondents indicated the lowest optimism and highest pessimism in their outlook for the year ahead since 2008. Heightened threats of an escalating U.S.-China trade war is by far the most …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council’s twelfth annual survey of members was conducted in July 2017. With an overall response rate of 85%, the majority of members (55%) are expecting business conditions to remain about the same in the next 12 months. Additional highlights: Optimism is at its highest level in three years, …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council’s eleventh annual survey of members was conducted in July 2016. About half of the respondents believed business conditions will remain the same in the next 12 months. Almost a third expected improvement and a fifth expected conditions to worsen. Concerns included economic, political, and social uncertainties, particularly …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council’s tenth annual survey of members was conducted in July 2015. Over half of the respondents, who are Chairmen and CEOs of Asian businesses, think business conditions will remain roughly the same in the next 12 months. Compared to 2014, more are expecting business conditions to worsen, and …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council’s ninth annual survey of members was conducted in July 2014. Common themes that emerged were a renewed confidence in the recovery of the U.S. economy, and concerns over China’s continued growth, geopolitical tensions in the region, and challenges of technological disruption in a changing marketplace. 55% of …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council conducted its eighth annual survey of members asking about their economic outlook and investment plans. This year, members were more upbeat than in 2012, although optimism was tempered by concerns of a Chinese slowdown. Japan was mentioned as a positive element, where Abenomics loose monetary and fiscal …

Asia’s Chief Executive Perspectives The Asia Business Council’s sixth annual survey revealed growing concerns in future business conditions. Members are concerned about inflation in Asia and continued financial instability in the United States and Europe. The survey also asked about overall investment plans and trends affecting the Asian business environment and the executives’ own businesses. …