Asia Pacific

As Asia’s middle class grows, so does the demand for low-cost airlines. The latest airline to join the throng is Thai VietJet Air, 51% owned by Thailand’s Kan Air and 49% by VietJet Air.

The decision by U.S.

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Macau – the world’s dominant gambling centre – last month for a first-hand look at the fallout from his anti-corruption drive.

The tumble of the Russian economy, and President Vladimir Putin’s continued troubles with Europe and the U.S., are seen as a huge opportunity in China.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will continue to face domestic resistance to his economic reform and restructuring plans despite his widely expected election victory last week that gives him unassailable control of parliament.

Malaysia’s Home Ministry, the department responsible for internal law and order, is considering a proposal by five companies to build a wall along the country’s borders with its neighbours.

Burma’s rubber producers say the industry has a strong future, even though prices are falling at the moment. Rubber exports from Burma, also known as Myanmar, are expected to double by 2016 to about 340,000 tonnes from 170,000 tonnes last year.

Officials in Thailand’s Finance Ministry last week prepared a speech for their minister, Sommai Phasee, saying their country was ready for the creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) next year, which will include all 10 countries of Southeast

A special investigation team for India’s Supreme Court has found that 339 Indians have evaded taxes by between them stashing the equivalent of $761 million in accounts of the Geneva branch of the HSBC.

The Indian government is considering a nationwide ban on the San Francisco-based online car service Uber after a driver allegedly raped a female tax consulting firm executive going home from a party.