Breakfast with Ryan Huang, Emaad Akhtar and Audrey Siek

In today's The Breakfast Brief, we discuss the reasons behind the World Bank slashing it's growth forecast, the reports released by the US Government Accountability office, and the reactions to apple's plans to expend its fintech offerings.

Storage facilities help alleviate some of the pressure that people face when it comes to managing their living space. During the Covid-19 pandemic, where people had to work from home, they came face to face with the clutter in their houses and were more inclined to use these storage facilities. The lack of space in small but expensive apartments in Singapore is another motivating factor. Even for businesses these spaces are used to keep inventory. Luigi La Tona, CEO (Singapore), StorHub Self Storage talks to us about the current uses and future of self storage in Singapore.

Customer experience is something that a business cannot compromise, whether it is brick and mortar or ecommerce. Therefore, when trying to advance the company, in areas such as digitalisation, small and controlled changes over a long period of time is the best way to go. Experimentation facilitates this change by allowing businesses to test the waters of their new ideas. Alex Atzberger, CEO, Optimizely tells us about taking a scientific approach to managing customer experience and the mistakes companies make in tweaking aspects of their business.

Malaysia’s Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob is being pressured to call for early elections. This is alongside Malaysia's king calling for all political issues to be resolved immediately. Indonesia has introduced new measures to boost the country's tourism sector. The situation in Myanmar continues to take turns for the worse. Singapore and Brunei have renewed their commitment to further partnerships in the agri-food sector. To give us insight into these headlines we speak to Leslie Lopez, Regional Correspondent, The Straits Times Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Asian Insider newsletter. Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/JoVb SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Brian Arcese, Portfolio Manager and Equity Analyst, Foord Asset Management gives his views on the possibility of China concluding its crackdown on its tech industry and how investors should position around the strengthening US dollar. 

In the commodities industry, raw data is collected and processed in a manner such that companies can use this data to analyze the market closely. Technology such as satellites and GPS are used to attain this data quickly and accurately. This real time intelligence gives companies an advantage over others because they can jump on opportunities faster and more effectively. Atilla Widnell, Co-founder & Manager Director, Navigate Commodities talks to us more about the nature of the commodities industry.

US President Joe Biden has asked his team to look at the option of lifting some tariffs on China. In addition, Australia has accused a Chinese fighter jet of carrying out dangerous manoeuvres, threatening the safety of one of its maritime surveillance planes over the South China Sea. What are China's reactions to these issues? Moreover, why is China so focused on lobbying for more support from the Pacific Islands? Tan Dawn Wei, China Bureau Chief, The Straits Times helps us to answer these questions. Follow The Straits Times' Asian Insider Podcast channel - co-produced with Money FM 89.3 - like us and rate us: Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 Google Podcasts: https://str.sg/Ju4h Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg Asian Insider newsletter. Asian Insider videos: https://str.sg/JoVb SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg/

Supply chain and Covid-19 restrictions have posed major challenges to the Chinese economy but over the years, China has adapted their economic structure to allow for international trade and domestic stability. Using strategically located ports, and allowing for economic support from bigger cities to be given to smaller more rural ones, are examples of these measures.  Perry Wong, Managing Director, China, Milken Institute talks to us about China's current economic conditions and its future through data collected from Milken Institute's annual ‘Best-Performing Cities China’ report.