Country Intelligence: Special Reports

Country Intelligence - Asia-Pacific

REPORT PRINTED ON 02 MAY 2013

Created on 02 May 2013

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Special Reports
North Korea - South Korea Economic

1. Asia Letter The costs of Korean peninsula unification

23 APR 2013 The North Korean regime led by Kim Jong-un continues to play a dangerous game of military brinksmanship and nuclear blackmail. South Koreans tend to ignore the escalation of rhetoric whenever US-South Korean military exercises are staged and, indeed, the probability of major conflict remains low. Nevertheless, as was highlighted this month, escalating conflict triggered by North Korean aggression remains a low probability, but high-impact scenario that cannot be ignored by those interacting with the South Korean economy. This report looks at potential unification scenarios, whether driven by conflict or by gradual opening up.

China Country

2. China's new urbanisation drive myth and reality

11 FEB 2013 The new Chinese leadership has espoused its new urbanisation drive as its signature policy platform since taking over the reins of the world's second largest economy which is also the least urbanised among major economies. This report looks at what the new urbanisation drive entails, its upside potentials if implemented successfully, and major road blocks ahead.

Pakistan Country-Economic-SovereignRisk

3. Pakistan's financial destiny: another IMF bailout?

18 JAN 2013 Pakistan's economy is again in trouble. The International Monetary Fund is its most likely saviour, despite Pakistan's failure to adhere to the conditions of its last loan programme.

China Country

4. Reading China's new generation the key fault lines

11 JAN 2013 Ending months of heated speculation and back-room political manoeuvring, China's 18th National Party Congress ended on 15 November 2012, paving the way for the arrival of a new cast of leaders. The following special report will provide a basic introduction to the new leadership line-up, looking at the new factional balance in the country's top decision-making bodies and examining what the reshuffle will probably mean for domestic and foreign policy formulation.

Laos - Vietnam Country

5. Illegal timber trade in Laos and Vietnam

03 JAN 2013 Illegal logging and trade from Laos to Vietnam and from Vietnam to international markets is a significant environmental, social and economic problem for Laos, which has shown no sign of abating despite both governments' official stance of being committed to fighting the problem. As of March 2013, EU Timber Regulations will prohibit illegally harvested timber and timber products from entering the EU market, one of Vietnam's key timber destinations. IHS Global Insight looks into the implications that the new regulations could have for Laos' development aspirations.

China - India Country

6. High stakes in the Himalayas China's and India's border predicament

20 DEC 2012 Fifty years after China and India fought a month-long battle over the disputed Himalayan territory there remains little progress towards resolution of the issue.

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Asia-Pacific - China - Australia - American Samoa - Fiji - Guam - Kiribati - Micronesia - New Zealand - Papua New Guinea Solomon Islands - Tonga - Tuvalu - Vanuatu - Samoa Country

7. A strong anchor Australia and the South Pacific in the Asian century
29 NOV 2012 At a time of rising competition between China and the United States, questions are being asked about Australia's traditional role as Washington's "strong anchor" in the South Pacific.

Malaysia Country-Economic

8. Election 2013: Malaysia's political status quo challenged

28 NOV 2012 Malaysia's next general election required by 27 June 2013 will pose the biggest test of the country's ethnic-based political system since independence in 1957. After their progress in the watershed 2008 election, opposition forces finally scent an opportunity to dislodge the long-dominant regime. Current polls suggest the ruling coalition will retain power, but its narrow majority could well shrink further as the dissatisfied Chinese and Indian minorities make themselves felt.

Pakistan Country

9. The Iran-Pakistan pipeline a dangerous proposition

22 NOV 2012 Iran intends to use its energy resources to break its isolation, while Pakistan is desperate to end its energy deficit. These shared interests have pushed the two neighbours to build a gas pipeline despite the daunting confection of geopolitical, operational, and economic obstacles. The project lumbers towards completion, but commissioning may hinge on Iran's nuclear standoff.

Hong Kong Country

10. Politics and the future of Hong Kong

19 NOV 2012 CY Leung took over as Hong Kong's Chief Executive in June, but his election victory was immediately overshadowed by the biggest protests in almost a decade. This Special Report looks at some of the reasons behind simmering public discontent, examines the major policy challenges and asks whether Hong Kong will be able to maintain its economic and business leadership position in the region.

Papua New Guinea Country

11. Turning point Papua New Guinea's next five years

16 OCT 2012 After 12 months of political uncertainty, and with the start of its massive LNG project due in the next parliamentary term, Papua New Guinea went to the polls this year. IHS looks at the election and what it says about Papua New Guinea, now and for the next five-year term.

China Country-Economic

12. New leaders, new economic cycle in China?

16 OCT 2012 As China nears completion of the once-in-a-decade top leadership transition, the country is starting a new political business cycle. IHS Global Insight looks at the transition's implications for the broad economy and key macro policy initiatives that the new leadership may push forward as they look to recalibrate the Chinese economy's trajectory for the next decade.

Japan - China Economic

13. Asia Letter: The economics of the China-Japan islands dispute

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12 OCT 2012 The severe escalation of Sino-Japanese tensions in August and September 2012 over the disputed island chain known as the Diaoyus or Senkakus has created significant disruption to bilateral trade in the third quarter of the year. With China the world's second largest economy and Japan the third, there could be significant negative consequences for the global economy if the disruption continues. Multinationals with production facilities in China may also need to re-evaluate the vulnerability of their supply chains to nationalism-inspired protests.

India Economic

14. India's restarted reforms: enough to recharge the economy?

18 SEP 2012 The Indian government announced long-awaited big-ticket reforms on 1314 September, in a bid to boost tanking investor sentiment and shore up sputtering investment and economic growth. The reforms included foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, aviation, broadcasting, and power exchanges; hikes in administered fuel prices; and privatisation. Taken together, these reforms herald a huge change in the government's reform initiative, which had been held up for months by political opposition, although the move has put government stability at risk.

China Country-Economic-SovereignRisk

15. Redback rising? The renminbi's slow internationalisation

24 AUG 2012 Over the past few years, there has been plenty of hype surrounding the internationalisation of the renminbi. Much of this is unwarranted. Severe economic challenges and political obstacles look sure to resign the currency to a fate short of major reserve currency status.

Created on 02 May 2013 Reproduction in whole or in part prohibited except by permission. All Rights Reserved Information has been obtained by sources believed to be reliable. However, because of the possibility of human or mechanical errors by our sources, IHS Global Insight Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy, adequacy, or completeness of any information and is not responsible for any errors or omissions or for the results obtained from the use of such information. http://www.ihsglobalinsight.com/

Created on 02 May 2013

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