Other Asia Pacific

AML / KYC

Transparency International: Global Corruption to Impact Climate Action

By Nithya Subramanian | 13/02/2025

Latest Corruption Perceptions Index results highlight that weak anti-corruption efforts threaten democracy, enable money laundering, and put climate funds at risk

ESG / Sustainability

Bangladesh Updates Guidelines on Environmental and Social Risk

By Nithya Subramanian | 12/02/2025

Banks will have to conduct deeper due diligence for financing infrastructure projects, assessing carbon emissions, biodiversity impact, and community displacement.

Cambodia to Strengthen Lending Practices in Microfinance Sector

By Nithya Subramanian | 12/02/2025

The reforms will ensure that loans are granted based on a borrower’s ability to repay rather than relying solely on collateral.

AML / KYC

Thailand Cuts Electricity, Internet to Myanmar Scam Compounds

By Manesh Samtani | 11/02/2025

Thailand took action because kidnapping risk caused a downturn in tourism from China. Laos has now stepped in to provide electricity to Myanmar.

AML / KYC

Bangladesh: Former Chair of BSEC Arrested, Denied Bail

By Nithya Subramanian | 10/02/2025

Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam allegedly received $361,000 in bribes and was involved in money laundering.

Sanctions

Singapore-Listed Firm Linked to Myanmar Junta’s Oil Supply

By Nithya Subramanian | 10/02/2025

Singapore-listed Interra Resources reportedly supplied oil worth more than $150mn to Myanmar’s military regime.

Crypto / Digital Assets

PNG Completes CBDC Trial with Japan’s METI and Soramitsu

By Editors | 10/02/2025

The PoC involved building a secure payment infrastructure that enabled real-time payments and P2P remittances through a mobile app.

ESG / Sustainability

Taxonomies in Southeast Asia Lack Ambition – Fitch

By ESG Investor | 06/02/2025

Sustainable Fitch says limited uptake could be attributed to the high benchmarks required for activities to qualify as transitional

Capital / Liquidity

Bangladesh Issues New Guidelines on Offshore Banking Business

By Editors | 03/02/2025

Banks must obtain a licence for each OBU. Existing OBUs are asked to submit their approval letters to Bangladesh Bank within two months.