Investment in research and development (R&D) plays a pivotal role in enhancing Thai firms’ competitiveness and overall performance. Evidence from 151 private companies indicates that R&D spending does not directly influence firm performance but exerts a significant positive effect when mediated by competitive advantage.

Europe is accelerating efforts to expand its global trade network amid evolving geopolitical and economic challenges, including shifting U.S. tariff policies and China’s industrial overcapacity. As German auto exports to China slow, the EU is taking bold steps to diversify its markets and strengthen multilateral trade cooperation.

Indonesia’s export boom following China’s WTO accession significantly improved labor market outcomes, particularly in regions with strong manufacturing activity. The study finds that between 2000 and 2014, districts more exposed to manufacturing export expansion experienced higher formal employment growth and greater income gains among lower- and middle-income groups, while commodity-driven exports yielded limited benefits.

Global economies are entering a period of profound transformation marked by persistent disruptions, rising uncertainty, and deep structural shifts. Seventy-two percent of chief economists expect global conditions to weaken over the next year as trade tensions, supply chain realignments, and rapid AI development reshape markets.

Thailand faces persistent regional income disparities shaped by geographical heterogeneity, according to an empirical study analyzing data from national household surveys and satellite imagery. Using Mincer’s earnings function and the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM), the research found that income levels vary significantly across provinces, with the central region—driven by manufacturing and services—outperforming the agriculture-dependent northern and northeastern regions. Night-time light intensity, used as a proxy for economic activity, confirmed these spatial disparities, showing strong income clustering in Bangkok and surrounding provinces.

Branding in Indonesia plays a crucial role in establishing competitive advantage for businesses navigating the country’s culturally diverse and dynamic market. Success depends on a deep understanding of local consumer behavior, values, and market trends.

Thailand is at a pivotal stage in its decarbonization journey, moving steadily toward its goals of carbon neutrality by 2050 and net-zero emissions by 2065. Businesses have made meaningful progress by adopting sustainable energy solutions such as solar power, energy-efficient systems, and waste reduction initiatives, laying a solid foundation for broader transformation.

Indonesia is expected to enter the final quarter of 2025 with cautious optimism, as the Jakarta Composite Index (JCI) faces a volatile environment shaped by both global and domestic factors.

Thailand’s introduction of a B30-million revenue cap in 2011 to qualify for SME tax incentives has had significant unintended consequences, according to a study by the Asian Development Bank (EWP 778). Using data from all registered Thai firms, it shows that the policy led to pronounced bunching behavior just below the threshold, with firms adjusting operations to maintain SME status.