Latest articles from Peter Janssen

The skyline of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

South-east Asia set to outgrow debt burden

February 7, 2024

GDP growth is strong, but public debt levels high. Yet, it is corporate debt levels which may be the issue

A busy Vietnamese street

Vietnam’s economy takes a double hit

April 28, 2023

Peter Janssen explores the challenges facing Vietnam’s domestic environment, including its heavy dependence on exports to the US and tourists from China, as well as rising problems in its real estate sector.

The Saigon financial district across the water at sunset

KBank hopes to ride digital take-off in Vietnam

April 27, 2023

KBank is taking a mobile-first approach as it expands to Vietnam. 

A pile of Vietnamese currency

Vietnamese private sector’s slow growth trajectory

April 26, 2023

Private enterprise is beginning to develop, but needs more — and different — incentives to flourish and scale up. 

Vietcombank

Vietnamese banks struggle with property sector downturn

April 25, 2023

Emerging problems in the country’s property and bond markets are creating issues for Vietnam’s banking sector, which needs to boost its capitalisation.

DBS

High interest rates favour south-east Asian banks

December 23, 2022

Across south-east Asia, banks are contending with a wide range of issues and exposures as they look to steer towards profit growth. 

Thailand

Thailand’s economy battered by Covid-19, war and household debt

May 31, 2022

Thailand’s economy is exploring foreign investment and infrastructure projects to give it a much-needed boost.

Ronadol Numnonda

Bank of Thailand deputy governor seeks to balance debts

May 27, 2022

The Bank of Thailand’s deputy governor on reducing its sizeable household debt and non-performing loan levels, and returning the banking sector to growth.

Siam Comm new

Thai banks search for growth in stuttering economy

May 25, 2022

When Thailand’s banks were hit with a ratings downgrade, it created uncertainty across the sector. With the country reopening to tourists and the banks exploring new growth models, there is hope of a return to form.

Laos new

Laos’s big debt raises concerns

February 16, 2022

Laos has overcome a number of issues to bring itself into the capital markets, but needs to be wary of taking on a bigger burden than it can handle.

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