WORLD BUSINESS STARS

Singapore  – Singapore has long been a magnet for global investors. Political stability, legal certainty, and a highly skilled workforce make it one of Asia's most attractive investment destinations. Yet behind that gleaming reputation, prospective investors—especially those looking at this market for the first time—often face a set of concerns that are not always spelled out in investment brochures. The following five major worries deserve a clear-eyed understanding before any decision is made. 1. Concern Over Electricity Supply Resilience One of the most frequently raised concerns is electricity supply. Singapore is known for its reliable power grid, but its dependence on imported natural gas makes its energy system vulnerable to external shocks. Today, around 95% of Singapore's electricity needs are met by natural gas. When geopolitical conflicts disrupt global supply chains, the risk of power supply disruptions cannot be entirely ruled out. The Singapore government itself h...

Europe remains one of the most promising—and most demanding—markets for exporters from developing countries. With a population of more than 740 million, high purchasing power, and increasingly strict quality and sustainability standards, the European Union is more than just an export destination. It is a testing ground for product readiness, documentation, and business strategy. Many businesses from Asia, Africa, Latin America, and other regions fail—not because their products are poor, but because they do not understand the rules of the game, which keep changing. That is why every prospective exporter needs to know the latest requirements before entering the European market. Below are ten latest things you must want to do—in other words, ten new steps and mindsets you must adopt—if you are serious about exporting to Europe in 2025 and beyond. This list is designed to apply generally to exporters from any developing country, without being tied to one specific country of origin. 1. Unde...

  JAKARTA — Indonesia remains one of Southeast Asia’s leading natural gas producers, but it trails Malaysia based on 2025 production data from the Energy Institute. Indonesia produced 6.95 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), compared with Malaysia’s 7.76 Bcf/d. The figures put Malaysia first and Indonesia second among ASEAN countries covered by the data. Data from the Energy Institute, cited by Katadata, show that Thailand produced 2.84 Bcf/d of natural gas in 2025, well below Indonesia’s output. Myanmar recorded production of 1.35 Bcf/d, while Brunei Darussalam produced 1.02 Bcf/d. Vietnam ranked below those three countries, with output of 0.56 Bcf/d. Indonesia accounted for approximately 10% of total Asia-Pacific natural gas production in 2025, with output of 6.95 Bcf/d. It ranked fourth in the region, behind China at 25.55 Bcf/d, Australia at 14.37 Bcf/d, and Malaysia at 7.76 Bcf/d. The figures highlight Indonesia’s substantial production base, although it has yet to overtake M...