Australia’s A$1.5 billion COVID-related loan to Indonesia

The Australian Government has unexpectedly announced that Australia will make a $ 1.5 billion COVID-related support loan to Indonesia. Australia’s assistance program to Indonesia has lagged somewhat in recent years. Indeed, the fall in support to Indonesia had begun to attract comment. But in one stroke, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s announcement late last week significantly strengthened Australia’s economic diplomacy in Southeast Asia, writes Peter McCawley.

Indonesia COVID-19 Aid & Development

The Perils of Big COVID Government in Asia

Asia is home to many exemplars of small but effective government, countries where sound policies and strong institutions underpin economic stability and robust growth. But, as former Chief Economist at the Asian Development Bank Lee Jong-Wha writes, during the COVID-19 crisis, many are pursuing expansive macroeconomic interventions and implementing measures that infringe on privacy. They are perched on the edge of a slippery slope.

Are Intellectuals Killing Convergence?

How will COVID-19 affect developing countries’ growth prospects? As Arvind Subramanian, former chief economic adviser to the Indian Government, and Josh Felman, director of JH Consulting argue, the answer will depend largely on how globalisation—and intellectual support for it—evolves in the pandemic’s aftermath. The prospects are not encouraging.

New Business Model Needed to Bring Back International Students

The sharp decline in international student numbers is the ‘canary in the coal mine’, marking the depth of the COVID-19 economic downturn facing Australia and the region. Denis Blight AO, one of the architects of Australia’s international student recruitment drive, argues cash-strapped universities will have to adapt to the new marketplace with new approaches to teaching that offer a ‘seamless combination of offshore, online and face-to-face delivery’.

Insight topics

COVID-19

Australia’s A$1.5 billion COVID-related loan to Indonesia

The Perils of Big COVID Government in Asia

Are Intellectuals Killing Convergence?

Winning in Asia During the COVID-19 Pandemic and Beyond

New Business Model Needed to Bring Back International Students

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