Ideas

Laos is located in the centre of the Indochina region and is surrounded by China, Myanmmar, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. While foreign attention has traditionally been focused on its more well-known neighbours, the country is gradually coming into the limelight with recent economic developments.

Few will argue that a great product or service is one that solves the most pressing problems for consumers at the best value for money and with the highest quality. A consumer study found that post-pandemic, consumers in Singapore also care deeply about the way brands treat the environment and community, as well as their attitudes towards racial and economic disparities. Sixty percent surveyed expect “brands to be purpose-driven, going beyond profits and transactional relationships, to demonstrate trustworthiness, empathy, shared values, and care for society.” Against this backdrop, it has become imperative for businesses to consciously and intentionally incorporate social purpose and…

The combination of longevity and a decline in birthrate engenders a pressing economic and social need for innovation. Although population ageing poses a double whammy to public spending and productivity, a technology-driven silver economy ecosystem is poised to meet the unique demands of an ageing population.

Drawing on the Russia-Ukraine war, we observe that ESG framework is not set in stone and will be evolving based on changing global landscape. The ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) community was flabbergasted and alarmed at talks on labelling weapons as sustainable ESG assets with the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine war. Supporters justified this by claiming weapons maintain peace and “are of key importance to uphold and defend democracy, freedom, stability and human rights”. And this may not be the first time ESG investing is dealing with such controversial debate, with industries and companies moving from outcast to hero status…