ASEAN Speaks

One of the largest public listed companies in Thailand and one of the oldest conglomerates in ASEAN, established in 1913 by a royal decree, SCG is future-proofing and staying competitive by making sustainability a business case. Pertinently so when cement manufacturing is one of the top sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the world. CEO of SCG, Roongrote Rangsiyopash, and the CEO of SCG Chemicals, Tanawong Areeratchakul discuss the group’s sustainability plans, potential game-changers, and new opportunities that could emerge and whether the Russian-Ukraine war might delay or accelerate global transition to net zero. SCG Chemicals is going for IPO - date is not fixed yet at the time of recording. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Our analysts discuss the implications of fuel subsidies more than doubling in Malaysia and exports outlook in view of oil and commodities prices; would the Renminbi emerge as a viable alternative to the USD as the US weaponises the global settlement system; impact of Russia-Ukraine war on the Philippines and Thailands’ economies and policy decisions; earnings risks and high conviction buys in Thailand; and expectations of any policy changes in the Malaysia’s plantations sector following Indonesia’s. 00:22 - Round-up - Chua Hak Bin 06:46 - MY fuel subsidies - Suhaimi Ilias 14:21 - RMB as alternative to USD - Saktiandi Supaat 19:16 - PH policy hike forecast - Zamros Dzulkifli 22:24 - TH GDP downgrade - Lee Ju Ye 25:27 - TH earnings - Maria Lapiz 28:36 - ID, MY plantations policy - Ong Chee Ting Producer: Noelle Lim

Our analysts across the region discuss recent economic data, outlook and investment strategy in view of global inflation, growth headwinds, and China’s flash lockdowns. 00:21 - Round-up - Winson Phoon 03:32 - MY outlook, EPF withdrawal - Suhaimi Ilias 08:33 - SG GDP forecast - Chua Hak Bin 13:59 - SG exposure to Europe - Thilan Wickramasinghe 17:08 - ID GDP forecast - Lee Ju Ye 22:16 - ASEAN fortnight highlight - Anand Pathmakanthan 25:10 - PH oil-driven downside - Jacqui de Jesus 27:56 - MY 5G rollout update - Tan Chi Wei Producer: Noelle Lim

Our analysts look ahead to the collateral damage of the Russia-Ukraine war on ASEAN, and what Barisan Nasional’s win in Johor means for Malaysian markets, adding views on favoured stocks. Tune it to the conversation to prepare for the week. 00:36 - Round-up - Suhaimi Ilias 07:14 - Economics, trade risks - Chua Hak Bin 12:57 -  Forex impact - Saktiandi Supaat 18:19 - MY resilience - Chan Han Chin 21:33 - Early GE15 impact - Anand Pathmakanthan 24:20 - MY banks - Desmond Ch’ng 26:22 - MY aviation - Samuel Yin 29:08 - TH tourism - Yuwanee Prommaporn 30:41 - Plantation downgrade - Ong Chee Ting Producer: Noelle Lim

Inflation, Russia-Ukraine tensions and climate change are piling pressure on global food systems. ASEAN as a major food producing and agriculture region is ripe for innovation to bolster its own food security. Ho Ren Hua, CEO of Thai Wah, discusses how he wants to transform agrifood in the region, including where he sees a right to win in the challenging agritech sector. Listed on SET, Thai Wah is one of the largest starch and starch-related food companies in Asia, and is taking up stakes in early stage companies, and expanding into new, high-growth businesses such as bioplastic packaging. Using tapioca as its raw material input, derived from the cassava plant, it could replace Western wheat-based products. Ho, a graduate of Wharton School and former management consultant at Bain & Co, comes from a family of entrepreneurs. His paternal grandfather established Thai Wah in the 1940s, while his parents founded the Banyan Tree hotels. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Chua Su Tye, our Head of REITs Research discusses his recommendations on S-REITs (real estate investment trusts) for yields in light of rising interest rate and inflation, the Russia-Ukraine crisis and risk of recession in Europe. Terms mentioned: DPU (distribution per unit), Revpar (revenue per available room), and WALE (weighted average lease expiry). Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Dr Yuhyun Park, Founder of DQ Institute, Harvard graduate and former BCG management consultant, speaks about her journey battling skepticism in South Korea to starting a global movement for digital intelligence or DQ from Singapore. Together with her team, she created the world’s first standard for DQ that is also endorsed by IEEE Standards Association, Organisation for Economic Co-operation & Development (OECD), and the World Economic Forum. This interview is in conjunction with International Women’s Day. Producer & Presenter: Noelle Lim

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and talks of sanctions have triggered market fears of a brutal supply crunch of oil and other commodities. Our analysts monitor the impact on ASEAN, and where investors can potentially find shelter and outperformance. 00:32 - Round-up - Chua Hak Bin 06:16 - MY economy - Suhaimi Ilias 12:10 - MGS outlook - Winson Phoon 17:02 - 4Q earnings - Anand Pathmakanthan 20:21 - Forex themes - Saktiandi Supaat 23:04 - Petronas, energy trilemma - Liaw Thong Jung 27:34 - SG REITs - Chua Su Tye 32:14 - SG tech stocks - Lai Gene Lih Producer: Noelle Lim

Tan Sri Nazir Razak, Chairman of Bank Pembangunan Malaysia discusses his plans to create a super development financial institution, including if listing and a merger with MIDF are on the cards; as well as his idea of Better Malaysia Assembly to reshape national discourse; and the desire to protect his father’s legacy. Nazir is the former Chairman and prior, CEO of CIMB Group, and the youngest son of the second Prime Minister Tun Razak Hussein, and the brother of the sixth, Dato’ Sri Najib Razak.

Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine has already cost more than 200 civilian lives and triggered global condemnation. Maybank's analysts discuss the implications. 00:24 - Round-up - Chua Hak Bin 07:03 - Impact on inflation - Suhaimi Ilias 13:47 - Lessons from past crisis - Saktiandi Supaat 17:31 - Shrinking demand for MY Coal IPP Bonds - Winson Phoon 22:48 - SG bank highlights - Thilan Wickramasinghe 26:21 - Maybank’s portfolio update - Chan Han Chin 30:47 - New tax measures on PH properties - Miguel Sevidal Producer: Noelle Lim