ASEAN makes big push to use local currencies - China Daily

Recently, during a meeting between the finance ministers and central banks of ASEAN countries, a decision was made to reduce reliance on the US dollar and to reinforce the use of local currencies in intraregional trade.

Segi Enam's Khor Yu Leng said to China Daily:

…the plan to shift to local currency-based transactions shows that the ASEAN has acknowledged changing commercial and geopolitical realities.

"A bifurcated or multipolar approach would reduce trade and currency-related risks."

This also aligns with Southeast Asia's "balancing role" in global geopolitics.

Read more about it here.

BFM - Will the Palm Oil Sector Adapt To New EU Sustainability Standards?

Segi Enam’s Khor Yu Leng was recently interviewed by BFM to comment on the new EU Non-Deforestation Regulation.

Listen to the full interview here.

Interview - CNA Explains: What might be the potential areas of focus in Malaysia’s updated budget for 2023?

Segi Enam’s Khor Yu Leng was asked to comment on Malaysia’s 2023 updated budget by Channel News Asia (CNA).

Economist Khor Yu Leng, Southeast Asia research director at Segi Enam Advisors, told CNA that a “leaner fiscal budget is needed to better manage Malaysia’s large national debt”.

“But if it is not politically possible (to do so), Anwar has to ensure that development spending is corruption-free and that it is effective in generating economic multipliers,” said Ms Khor.

Read the full article here.