International Finance Corporation
Cambodian NGOs slam World Bank division for “microfinance abuses”
The International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank’s private development lending division, is faced with a complaint by two Cambodian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) for...
Philippine fintech receives $215 million in country’s largest-ever startup funding
One of the year’s largest fintech investments in Southeast Asia and the largest-ever in the Philippines has closed after Metro Manila-based Voyager Innovations announced...
RedDoorz to open more than 100 budget hotels in the Philippines
Singapore-based startup RedDoorz, an online booking platform for budget hotels, on June 20 announced it would expand to the Philippines, its third country in...
World Bank bashed for funding Myanmar projects linked to tycoons
A US-based campaign group focusing on Myanmar urged the World Bank’s financing arm International Finance Corporation (IFC) to reconsider its Myanmar investments, saying its...
World Bank announces new partnership strategy for the Philippines
The World Bank Group’s Board of Executive Directors has endorsed a new Country Partnership Strategy (CPS) for the Philippines, which supports the country’s goal...
Middle East needs SME lending initiatives, says IMF
Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Middle East and North Africa present a large, untapped market for financial institutions willing to help...
Myanmar microfinance loans capped at $500
Microfinance institutions in Myanmar are worried a new directive by the sector’s regulator that caps loans at 500,000 kyat (nearly $500) could stifle small...
Myanmar debuts in Doing Business Report
Myanmar for the first time ever featured in the World Bank's new report on doing business in global economies. The report named "Doing Business...
Bhutan’s era of ‘national happiness’ comes to an end
Bhutan's new prime minister has said he will reassess the country's economic policy that so far was based on the so-called "Gross National Happiness...
Laos’ Acleda bank starts SME lending initiative
Acleda Bank Lao Limited, the largest bank in Laos by assets, has launched an initiative to expand its lending to micro, small and medium...
Mindanao to face higher power prices
Mindanao has warmed up to the reality of having to pay market prices for energy in order to solve the rolling brownouts that plague...
Singapore best ASEAN tax destination
Singapore was ranked 5th out of 185 economes in terms of ease in paying taxes, according to the "Paying Taxes 2013" report compiled by...
IFC steps up Philippines investment
The private financing arm of the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), will invest up to $400 million in the Philippines in 2013, doubling...
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Thailand, Singapore most vulnerable to potential US recession
Southeast Asia could be seriously affected in case the US falls into recession, but some countries would be more badly hit than others, economists...