Insight Asia

The conflict in the Middle East creates both economic and geopolitical turmoil, not least in Asia. Over 80 percent of the traffic through Hormuz is destined for Asia and some countries are hit harder than others. Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota discuss the implications for companies and countries in the vast region. 

In this Christmas Special  Fredrik Hahnel  and  Sean Yokota line up 6 potential surprises in the coming year that may affect Asia and the world. Not all of them are positive and the likelihood of a lot of them seem low in the short term. But as black swans and surprises they will tickle your knowledge and imagination. And of course they check off last years surprises ... From the SEB office in Sin...

The price of gold has surged this year. SEB's Sean Yokota is joined by Shaokai Fan, Head of Asia Pacific at the World Gold Council, to discuss how the gold market works, China's impact on it, and how gold is used both globally and in Asia. You'll also learn how much gold exists in the world, where it is stored, and how much gold Shaokai Fan keeps at home. Recorded online.

Host Sean Y o kota is joined by Fredrik H ä nnel and Peter Lin g - V annerus in this episode.   They delve into the evolving geopolitical landscape in Asia, the challenges of involution in Chinese industry, and the rapid developments in artificial intelligence across the region. T he expert s provide perspectives and engaging analysis on the forces impacting Asia today.  

Japan's economic situation is in this episode's spotlight:  A weak yen, booming tourism, a nice recovery after Covid and a good position in the geopolitical turmoil as a long-time US ally. But at the same time, an ageing and shrinking population, deflation and a sky-high debt per capita. SEB's chief economist, Jens Magnusson, joins Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota in the discussion after visiting Ja...

What do Chinese people think of the tariffs, and how they are handled? Are they behind President Xi's counterattacks "till the bitter end"? And how is the Chinese economy holding up? Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hahnel are joined by the SEB chief in Shanghai, Juliette Lascoux, to check the Chinese pulse in this trade war. (Recorded over the Internet from our offices in Singapore and Shanghai).

In this Christmas Special Fredrik Hahnel and Sean Yokota line up 10 potential surprises in the coming year that may affect Asia and the world. Not all of them are positive and the likelihood of a lot of them seem low. But as with black swans and surprises, it's good to know about their potential beforehand... From the SEB office in Singapore.

The recent Chinese stimulus package of around one trillion yuan – how will it play out? Is it enough to turn the Chinese economy around or not? How have foreign investments fared recently, what do companies on the ground say and will Chinese consumers start to spend again? A lot of questions – and answers – when SEB Head of Markets  Sean Yokota and Head of Asia Fredrik Hähnel  in Singapore are joi...

The Vietnamese economy is doing well due to international trade. The country has also successfully juggled geopolitical tensions and alliances. But what effect will a new term for Donald Trump have? SEB's Asia economists Sean Yokota and Eugenia Victorino discuss Vietnam's economy and review the latest developments in China.

Soon, the year of the Dragon begins, and China is facing more headwinds than ever. Like the Taiwanese election result, trade tensions with the EU and the property sector crisis. And how does Chinese manufacturing stand up? Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hähnel dive into the hard questions. From the SEB office in Singapore.

The status of India and its prospects are the topics of this month's podcast. Sean's and Fredrik's well-informed guest is Cecilia Oskarsson , at Business Sweden's office in New Delhi. India is huge and complex, but the country is climbing the ladder of "ease of business" and has – being the most populated country in the world with 1.4 billion inhabitants – exciting potential.

Sean Yokota , head of Markets for SEB in Asia and   Fredrik Hähnel , head of SEB's Asia businesses, give the latest on the Chinese economy. The re-opening boom has evaporated and some figures are the weakest since 1998. Where are the property sector, the currency, and the foreign direct investments going? And what will the BRICS meeting in South Africa mean?  Answers r ecorded at SEB's office in S...

Sean Yokota, head of Markets for SEB in Asia, talks to his colleagues Fredrik Hähnel , head of SEB's Asia businesses, and Eugenia Victorino , head of Asia Strategy and Research, about their reflections on from a recent trip to China. They particularly deep dive in to the electric vehicle industry and Chinese producers' position there .

Yokota and Hahnel this month dig deep into the renminbi and China's plans to make it a significant currency globally. What signs can be seen that this plan is succeeding, where is it today, and what will happen both in the short and long term? And what is the best advice for investors? Buckle up for a fact-filled episode.

Chinese assets have had an excellent beginning to 2023, but what will happen after the Chinese New Year celebration? What kind of impact has the shelving of the Zero Covid policy had – economically, practically and politically? And why does China have almost two-thirds av all women billionaires? These and other vital questions when Yokota and Hähnel in Singapore interview our new head of the Shang...

Why is China already a World Cup winner? And why are Vietnam, Indonesia and the Philippines the most promising markets in Asia right now? Will they be able to compete with China? And which economic superpower will they side with if push comes to shove? These questions get answers when SEB Head of Asia Strategy Eugenia Victorino joins Fredrik Hähnel and Sean Yokota in this fact-filled episode. From...

What were the key take aways from the recent Communist Party Congress? What will Xi's stregthened position mean? What do foreign investors and companies discuss in China? This and more in our second episode.

Sean Yokota and Fredrik Hähnel in an inflationary exposé over Asia. But also where China is going after Covid, their property bubble and energy crisis and why India and Indonesia might be in a geopolitical sweet spot. And how do countries choose between security and economy? This and much more in this month's (and the first) episode.