Patrick Cooke: ALL BLOG POSTS
As the first term of President Joko Widodo draws to a close, executives remain upbeat about corporate prospects, with 80% of the 112 participants in the survey describing their outlook for business conditions in the year ahead as positive or very positive. Opinion is, however, divided on the progress of the administration’s efforts to catalyse private investment in infrastructure. The key to long-term development is human resources. If President Jokowi returns for a second term in office, finding a way to address the mismatch between the needs of high-value industries and the capabilities of the labour force will be one of his greatest challenges.
The eyes of the world are turning towards Papua New Guinea as it prepares to host the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, the biggest ever international event on its soil.
With a young and burgeoning population, Myanmar has made notable progress and has substantial economic potential. However, a number of challenges persist, according to the 100 C-level executives who participated in the third and latest Business Barometer: Myanmar CEO Survey. Although Myanmar’s first credit bureau is preparing to begin operations, 83% of respondents say that access to credit remains difficult or very difficult. Furthermore, infrastructure gaps and the bureaucratic capacity of the public sector are seen as the factors most likely to weigh on economic development.