Shukhrat Vafaev, deputy chairman of Uzbekistan’s Committee for Investments and executive director of Uzbekistan’s Reconstruction and Development Fund, speaks to Sebastian Shehadi about reforms to attract outside investment into the country, including liberalising foreign exchange and changes to the legal system.

Papua New Guinea failed to make the most of its resources boom, as poorly negotiated contracts and volatile exchange rates left the country's infrastructure and economy sorely lacking. However, as Jacopo Dettoni discovers, there is hope that the next wave of resources-based revenues will be put to better use. 

Papua New Guinea prime minister Peter O’Neill tells Jacopo Dettoni about the government’s ambitions for new major natural gas and mining projects in the next few years, and how the country will use the returns to diversify its economy and ensure sustainable growth. 

After years of tight control, Uzbekistan is opening up, with president Shavkat Mirziyoyev committing to liberalising the economy and modernising the energy sector. It is a major change of approach and a process that is now “irreversible” says the government. Courtney Fingar reports

Asia’s secondary cities hold the the key to the continent’s future, writes Lawrence Yeo.

Thailand’s military junta has launched its plan to make the country's eastern provinces a hub for advanced manufacturing and high-end industries. Tenders for the needed infrastructure are being rolled out, and private investors such as Alibaba are already making a move, as Jacopo Dettoni reports. 

Dr Bambang Brodjonegoro, minister of national development planning of Indonesia, tells Sebastian Shehadi how predictions for the country’s economic trajectory are fuelling its growth plans and why the current focus is on deregulation.