Entries tagged "Finance"

  • Islamabad Distances Itself from BRI | March 20, 2019, 10:22 a.m.

    Pakistan has diverted around $171.6 million meant for joint infrastructure development projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a flagship effort under China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), into other construction plans. This signals that Islamabad may be distancing itself from Beijing and the BRI, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Japan to Check BRI at G20 | March 18, 2019, 9:03 a.m.

    Japan plans to propose new guidelines on development assistance, tentatively titled the "G-20 principles on quality infrastructure investment,” when it hosts the Group of 20 summit in June. The proposal, which will frame anti-corruption and fiscal sustainability as key principles of infrastructure investment, is seen as an attempt to check China’s Belt and Road Initiative, reports Nikkei.

  • BRI Countries Must Build Local Capacity | March 13, 2019, 10:44 a.m.

    To effectively leverage the infrastructure financing opportunities provided by the Belt & Road Initiative, countries must examine their own development strategies and build domestic skills and institutions, argues Ganeshan Wignaraja for the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Belt & Road Reshapes Nepal's Infrastructure | March 11, 2019, 10:49 a.m.

    China's Belt and Road Initiative is transforming Nepal's domestic infrastructure through new roads, hydropower projects, and other industrial projects. Nepal has accommodated Chinese political interests to keep Chinese investments and exports coming, reports Nikkei.

  • Mahathir warns Philippines about China loans | March 7, 2019, 9:02 a.m.

    While on a state visit to the Philippines, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohammad told journalists that if countries borrow money from China they cannot pay back, the country "may be under the control of the lender." The statement was read as a warning to Philippines president Rodrigo Duterte, who accepted a $9 billion credit line from China in 2016, reports Nikkei.

  • China to Address BRI Backlash | March 4, 2019, 10:43 a.m.

    China convenes its top political advisory bodies, the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the National People's Congress this, this week. Analysts expect the meetings will address rising political backlash against China's Belt and Road initiative, reports Nikkei.

  • Myanmar Seeks Infrastructure Investments | Feb. 28, 2019, 9:13 a.m.

    Myanmar's Aung San Suu Kyi, the de facto leader, convened a forum for foreign businesses in the impoverished Rakhine State, urging attendees to invest in infrastructure throughout the country's rural areas. With national elections in 2020, Suu Kyi has been touring outlying regions in Myanmar promising development initiatives to shore up support for her ruling party, reports Nikkei.

  • Saudi Arabia Offers India $100B for Investment, Infrastructure | Feb. 21, 2019, 9:46 a.m.

    Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, promised to invest up to $100 billion in India's economy in the coming years, including in areas such as infrastructure, energy, and refining. The Crown Prince's visit to New Delhi follows a stop in neighboring Pakistan, where he signed $20 billion worth of investments in the country's flagging economy. The Crown Prince's next stop? Beijing.

  • Pakistan Disappointed by China Bailout | Feb. 11, 2019, 9:31 a.m.

    China's $2.5 billion offer to bailout Pakistan as its foreign exchange reserves dry up disappointed Islamabad, which reportedly sought $6 billion from Beijing. Pakistan's balance of payments crisis could threaten the $62 billion Beijing has invested in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, reports Nikkei.

  • World Bank May Cut China Loans | Feb. 8, 2019, 9:22 a.m.

    David Malpass, U.S. President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the World Bank, told media sources on Wednesday that he hopes to cut the multilateral lender's loans to China, which he believes is too wealthy to receive large loans from the World Bank. Malpass also criticized China's Belt and Road infrastructure initiative, saying that the BRI "leaves countries with heavy burdens of debt," reports Nikkei.

  • Malaysia Probes Chinese Projects | Feb. 7, 2019, 9:09 a.m.

    The trial of Najib Razak, Malaysia's former prime minister, over corruption-related charges tied to the 1MDB development fund is scheduled to begin on February 12. The prosecution is expected to probe whether China-backed infrastructure projects signed by Najib's government were used to bail out 1MDB, reports Nikkei.

  • The Blue Belt and Road | Feb. 6, 2019, 8:33 a.m.

    One of China's Belt and Road Initiative's biggest environmental impacts may be on the world’s water. Should BRI projects strain the world's water resources, the initiative may carry important, and perhaps negative, implications for global and local conflicts over shared water resources.

  • BRI Faces Pushback in Maldives | Feb. 5, 2019, 8:03 a.m.

    In the Maldives, government officials are examining official documents to determine the amount owed to China after reports emerged that the debt could be as high as $3.2 billion, a substantial increase over $1.3 billion in officially recorded Chinese loans.

  • China Wary of Saudi Refinery at Gwadar | Jan. 29, 2019, 9:15 a.m.

    Saudi Arabia plans to build Pakistan's largest oil refinery near Gwadar port, the flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). The oil refinery, part of Saudi Arabia's new commitment to invest $15 billion in Pakistan over the next three years, could fuel competition with Beijing for economic leverage given China's significant investment there under CPEC, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Influence and Infrastructure | Jan. 22, 2019, 9:43 a.m.

    With an eye toward illuminating current issues, this report draws from examples throughout history of how states use foreign infrastructure to advance strategic objectives. It shows how China is updating and exercising tactics used by Western powers during the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and how these issues, and the strategic implications they carry, are likely to intensify in the coming years.

  • Australia Steps Up Pacific Infrastructure Push | Jan. 17, 2019, 3:29 a.m.

    In his first international trip of the year, Australian prime minister Scott Morrison visited Vanuatu to pledge high-quality infrastructure investments and economic development just weeks after China signed a deal to forgive $2.87 million of the country's debt and provide fresh financing for road upgrades.

  • Thai Firm Issues Green Bonds | Dec. 14, 2018, 11:15 a.m.

    The power generating arm of Thailand's oldest industrial group, B. Grimm, has issued 5 billion baht ($152 million) in "green bonds" to raise funds for further investment in its renewable energy business, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Pence To Unveil US Infrastructure Plan | Nov. 15, 2018, 10:42 a.m.

    On his trip to Asia, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence will play up Washington's efforts to boost infrastructure investment in the region at a time when China is doing the same with its Belt and Road Initiative, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • $14B Projects Approved in Thailand | Oct. 31, 2018, 10:04 a.m.

    The Thai government has approved four infrastructure megaprojects, worth a combined $14 billion, in an effort to rev up new investment in the country's Eastern Economic Corridor.

  • It's a (Debt) Trap! | Oct. 29, 2018, 3:31 p.m.

    When it was launched, China heralded its Belt and Road Initiative as a “golden opportunity” to revitalize the region, but today it has raised serious concerns about debt sustainability, drawing scrutiny from the IMF. One way for Beijing to demonstrate its commitment to addressing the IMF's concerns is by partnering to develop more sustainable and transparent lending practices.

  • Japan To Expand Cheap Infrastructure Loans | Oct. 19, 2018, 9:54 a.m.

    Japan drafted a plan to offer greater assistance for infrastructure development overseas ahead of a key summit with China next week, as it prepares to pursue joint projects with Beijing in third countries, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Pakistan Pursues IMF Support | Oct. 12, 2018, 9:29 a.m.

    Pakistan has formally asked the International Monetary Fund for financial assistance amid pressure to meet external debt obligations, reports the Nikkei Asian Review. IMF help will require absolute transparency on the nature, size, and terms of the country's debt, including its BRI investment from China.

  • BRI Investment Hits High | Oct. 9, 2018, 9:17 a.m.

    Chinese capital flowing into the Belt and Road Initiative projects surged to a record $20.1 billion in 2017, even as the country's overall outbound foreign direct investment fell. That record will likely be beaten again this year, reports the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • U.S. $60B Response to BRI | Oct. 5, 2018, 9:35 a.m.

    With the approval of Congress, the U.S. moves forward with a $60 billion investment fund to boost foreign development funding. According to the Nikkei Asian Review, this is an effort to counter China's expanding influence under the BRI.

  • Credit May Hinder India's Infrastructure | Oct. 3, 2018, 9:35 a.m.

    India's largest infrastructure financing company, Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services, was recently taken over by a government-backed board to address a series of loan defaults that raises questions over the country's infrastructure development.

  • China, Japan Start Infrastructure Effort | Sept. 26, 2018, 9:24 a.m.

    China and Japan announced plans to sign dozens of agreements on infrastructure and other projects when Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe visits China next month.

  • The EU Strategy on Connecting Asia and Europe | Sept. 21, 2018, 5:13 p.m.

    On September 19, The European Commission released a joint communication titled "Connecting Europe and Asia – Building blocks for an EU Strategy," outlining EU priorities for implementing sustainable, comprehensive, and rules-based connectivity to link its transport, energy, and digital networks with Asia.

  • EU Plans Asia Infrastructure Push | Sept. 21, 2018, 9:21 a.m.

    The European Commission has announced "The European Way to Connectivity," a proposal aimed at boosting Europe's infrastructure links with Asia.

  • Thailand To Build $7B HSR | Sept. 19, 2018, 10:08 a.m.

    In preparations to double airport capacity, Thailand plans to build a 220-km high-speed railway connecting three major airports by 2023.

  • View All Analysis | Sept. 17, 2018, 8:57 a.m.

    Browse our analysis section for news and articles on topics such as China's Belt and Road Initiative (OBOR), the Competing Visions of Japan, India, and other regional powers, and the stakes for U.S. policy.

  • BRI Becomes Unclear | Sept. 14, 2018, 9:15 a.m.

    Chinese infrastructure funding is as likely to go outside of Beijing's six defined economic corridors as it is to go in them; indicating a possible lapse of control from the central government. This could present opportunities for its partners and competitors, writes Jonathan Hillman in the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • China States BRI is Generous | Sept. 10, 2018, 9:38 a.m.

    Beijing has pledged another $60 billion to African countries as it tries to address the perception of the Belt and Road being a debt trap, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Indonesia Weighs Stability and Infrastructure | Aug. 23, 2018, 9:32 a.m.

    Indonesia’s President Joko Widodo has leveraged infrastructure to promote pro-growth economic policies. However, Widodo may need to make trade-offs between growth and economic stability amid an uncertain economic outlook as the April 2019 elections approach, writes the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Malaysia Halts China-Backed Projects | Aug. 21, 2018, 9:24 a.m.

    Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir claims that Chinese leaders have accepted his government's request to stop three China-backed infrastructure projects due to debt concerns.

  • Turkish Lira Sparks BRI Debt Fears | Aug. 20, 2018, 9:12 a.m.

    The plummeting Turkish Lira may serve as a warning for emerging Asian economies who own significant BRI infrastructure debt. A drop in domestic currency can cause a crisis when time to repay debts, which are typically denominated in USD, according to the Nikkei Asian Review.

  • Jokowi 2019 Budget Slows Infrastructure Spending | Aug. 17, 2018, 9:25 a.m.

    Indonesian president Joko Widodo unveiled his draft state budget for 2019 as he prepares for re-election, which presents the slowest infrastructure budget increase since he took office in 2014.

  • Pakistan Weighs Help from IMF or China | Aug. 9, 2018, 10 a.m.

    Pakistan's new prime minister Imran Khan is deciding whether the country should turn to the International Monetary Fund or to China for financial support. The new administration must resolve its shortage of foreign exchange reserves caused by a sharp increase in imports through BRI-related projects and the redemption of external debt.

  • Infrastructure Raises Asian Stocks | Aug. 7, 2018, 8:55 a.m.

    In anticipation of an infrastructure spending boost, stocks have climbed for Chinese infrastructure companies.

  • China, Japan To Cooperate on BRI | Aug. 3, 2018, 9:06 a.m.

    China and Japan agreed Thursday to encourage deeper economic cooperation in the private sector and to launch a public-private committee to advance joint infrastructure development in the region as part of Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative.

  • ADB Launches Strategy 2030 | July 26, 2018, 2:11 p.m.

    Asia and the Pacific have made great strides in deveopment over the past 50 years, however much remains to be done. Issues such as poverty and vulnerability, rising inequality, climate change, growing environmental pressures, and large infrastructure deficits remain to be addressed while merging trends, such as technological advancements, urbanization, and changing demographics, present opportunities and challenges

  • China's BRI Stirs Up Anxieties | July 24, 2018, 9:42 a.m.

    Rather than being roundly welcomed, China's Belt and Road investment and finance decisions have become cause for concern for some receiving states, according to the Nikkei Asian Review..

  • Korean Peninsula Anticipates Infrastructure Development | July 17, 2018, 9:37 a.m.

    Due to highly anticipated infrastructure development and manufacturing potential in North Korea, South Korean banks are rushing to hire experts on North Korea.

  • Malaysia Halves Cost of LRT3 | July 12, 2018, 9:25 a.m.

    Mahathir's new government intended to cut the cost of the Light Rail Transit 3 project by 47%, from 31.65 billion ringgit to 16.63 billion ringgit ($4.11 billion). This also sends a worrying message to stakeholders of other costly infrastructure projects signed by Najib's government, which was blamed for "poor governance."

  • Thailand to Build $7B HSR | July 10, 2018, 9:12 a.m.

    Thirty-one companies from Thailand and abroad have expressed interest in bidding for the right to build the country's first high-speed railway, valued at $7.07 billion. The 220km route will link three major airports and will be the first large infrastructure project to be built in the Eastern Economic Corridor.

  • Trade War May Hurt BRI | July 9, 2018, 9:09 a.m.

    According to an expert with the German Marshall Fund, a prolonged U.S.- China trade war will make it difficult for China to afford expensive foreign policy ventures, such as its Belt and Road Initiative.

  • Mahathir to Renegotiate BRI Deals | July 6, 2018, 9:12 a.m.

    Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad is expected to lead a government delegation to Beijing, as Malaysia figures out how to service loans taken from China to finance costly infrastructure projects.

  • AIIB Continues to Grow | July 3, 2018, 9:04 a.m.

    Although operating on a smaller scale than the Asian Development Bank, the China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) is steadily increasing its presence as a multilateral institution focused on infrastructure development financing. The AIIB set a lending and investment target of $3.5 billion for 2018, 40 percent more than last year.

  • World Bank to Malaysia: Restructure Infrastructure Financing | July 2, 2018, 8:48 a.m.

    The World Bank Monday urged Malaysia's new government to step up fiscal reforms amid robust economic growth to make the country more resilient to potential future shocks.The government should also restructure large-scale infrastructure projects and improve spending efficiency, it said.

  • AIIB Reassures Members on Debt | June 27, 2018, 9:49 a.m.

    AIIB president Jin Liqun announced his intent to create financial stability for the bank's 87 member countries and establish the AIIB as a multilateral development bank commensurate with the World Bank Group, Asian Development Bank, and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

  • Southeast Asia Financial Integration and Infrastructure Investment | May 30, 2018, 9:52 a.m.

    This report highlights recommendations on how the U.S. might effectively engage Southeast Asia's infrastructure challenges to foster greater stability and financial integration in the region.