China’s Demand for Durian Is Creating Fortunes in Southeast Asia
June 17th, 2024
Courtesy of the New York Times, a report on how demand for durian – known for its rich taste and intense smell – has reshaped parts of Southeast Asia, where it has long been a staple: Before he started a company 15 years ago selling the world’s smelliest fruit, Eric Chan had a well-paying job […]
Read more »Japan’s Convenience Store Chains Chase Growth Across Asia
June 7th, 2024
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, an interesting article on Japan’s convenience store chains having to look abroad in Asia for more growth: It’s 50 years since Kenji Yamamoto opened the doors at what would become part of the fabric of Japan: the country’s first modern-day convenience store. But 50 years from now, Japan’s population is projected […]
Read more »Thailand’s Soft Power Splash
April 25th, 2024
Via East Asia Forum, a report on Thailand’s soft power splash: The Thai government under Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has made soft power — the ability to influence others through attraction rather than coercion — a cornerstone of its economic agenda. To help kickstart a stagnant Thai economy, the government is focusing on the economic […]
Read more »What Southeast Asia’s Aging Populations Could Mean Politically
April 10th, 2024
Courtesy of The Diplomat, a look at how Southeast Asia’s aging societies could lead to more political polarization and upheaval: Southeast Asia is aging – and rather quickly. In Vietnam, the number of 0-14 year-olds will decrease by 3.7 million between now and 2050. In Thailand, it will fall from 10.7 million to 7.8 million. […]
Read more »Emerging Powers and the Future of American Statecraft
April 10th, 2024
Via the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, a new report on how, collectively, emerging powers in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East are growing in their geopolitical weight and diplomatic ambition. How closely do they align with the United States when it comes to Russia and China? What drives their decisions on the […]
Read more »Thai Ports Bemoan Competitive Decline As Srettha Pushes ‘Land Bridge’
March 22nd, 2024
Courtesy of Nikkei Asia, an article on efforts to turn Thailand into a logistics hub via Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin’s “land bridge” connecting the Gulf of Thailand to the Andaman Sea: On a hot February afternoon, a 170-meter container ship pulled into the port of Songkhla. It was hardly full, as southern Thailand’s largest port […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.