Asia Forward

Indonesian animated feature “Jumbo” became the highest-grossing animated film in Southeast Asia,  drawing millions of viewers at home and bringing new attention to the country’s animation talent. Can other Indonesian films replicate Jumbo’s commercial and international success? In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata sits down in Jakarta with Angga Dwimas Sasongko, film director, prod...

Southeast Asia offers major opportunities for U.S. businesses, but each market comes with its own risks. In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with Erin Murphy, managing director for Asia at Redpoint Advisors and a former CIA analyst, about how companies should assess risks before entering or expanding in the region. The conversation looks at Vietnam’s manufacturing growth, Ind...

The United States remains the top destination for international students globally, hosting 1.2 million students according to the IIE Open Doors report released in November 2025. For students from Southeast Asia and around the world, the experience can shape careers, build worldwide networks and create relationships that last long after graduation. In Episode 10 of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata...

Americans drink an estimated 463 millions cups of coffee every day. In a market shaped by major chains and daily habits, how does an Indonesian coffee shop introduce specialty coffee and new flavors to U.S. consumers? In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Thant Sin visits DUA DC Coffee in downtown Washington, D.C. for a conversation with founder Vivit Kavi about what it takes to bring Indonesia...

What does Southeast Asian representation in American media really mean, and why should it matter to Americans? In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata speaks with Vicky Nguyen, NBC anchor chief consumer investigative correspondent and author of “Boat Baby,” about her family’s journey from Vietnam to the United States, growing up Vietnamese American and building a career in journalism....

Indonesia’s micro, small and medium enterprises, or MSMEs, serve as the backbone of the country’s economy, accounting for the vast majority of businesses and jobs. But beyond the numbers, what makes Indonesian SMEs stand out, and why do they matter for U.S. investors? In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata speaks with Lishia Erza Budiman, committee chair for SME capacity building and...

Critical minerals are becoming central to global supply chains, clean energy and advanced manufacturing. In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ei Than Sin speaks with Dr. Gracelin Baskaran about why Southeast Asia is drawing growing interest from U.S. businesses and policymakers. Dr. Baskaran, Director of the Critical Minerals Security Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies,...

Thailand has long been known as the “Kitchen of the World.” But today, it’s expanding far beyond food. In this episode of Asia Forward, we explore how Thailand is building on decades of success in gastrodiplomacy to grow its broader creative economy—from fashion and design to soft power industries. Host Ledy Simarmata sits down with Ketsuree Vijaranakorn, Executive Director of the Thai Trade Cente...

Southeast Asia’s digital economy is expanding at a rapid pace, creating new opportunities as well as challenges for U.S. businesses. In this episode of Asia Forward podcast, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with John Goyer, Vice President for Southeast Asia and Oceania at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about how the region’s digital transformation is reshaping trade, investment and competition. From the ri...

In Episode 3 of Asia Forward, host Ledy Simarmata sits down with Tan Sawaddichai, Project Director of What Do You Want New York and curator of a Thai fashion showcase “Up to the Sky” during New York Fashion Week in February. Together, they explore how designers from Bangkok are stepping onto the global stage, and what it takes to bring Southeast Asia’s creative talent to U.S. and international aud...

In Episode 2 of Asia Forward, host Ei Thant Sin speaks with Ambassador Susan Stevenson, former Charge d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Yangon from 2023-2026, about the realities of doing business in Myanmar amid political instability, sanctions, and ongoing conflict. Since the 2021 coup, Myanmar’s economy has been shaped by currency controls, import restrictions, U.S. sanctions on military-linked...

Southeast Asia is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions, yet it remains underrepresented in U.S. global business strategy. The first episode of Asia Forward examines why a region with hundreds of millions of consumers and a multi-trillion-dollar economy has often been overlooked by U.S. companies, and why that dynamic is beginning to change. In this episode of Asia Forward, host Ledy SImarmat...