Bloomberg Hong Kong is catching up with global peers in its fiscal response to the coronavirus outbreak with the announcement of an “unprecedented” HK$137.5 billion ($17.7 billion) stimulus package focussed on avoiding mass job losses. The fresh stimulus raises inevitable comparisons with spending measures unveiled by its geographic neighbour and financial-hub rival Singapore, with the two governments among the first ...

Bloomberg Doctors are accounting for a large proportion of deaths from Covid-19 in the Philippines and Indonesia, two of the most medically under-served nations in Southeast Asia. At least 26 doctors have died in Indonesia out of the country’s toll of 240 while in the Philippines about a dozen have passed away among the 182 fatalities, according to the latest ...

Bloomberg Freelancers and entrepreneurs are the worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on Malaysia. Statistics department found 46.6% of self-employed workers lost their livelihood while 23.8% of entrepreneurs reported the same, according to a March 18-31 survey. Among the sectors, agriculture was most affected with 21.9% of respondents saying they’ve lost their jobs, followed by services industry with 15%. ...