Asia Pacific (APAC)

Indonesian regional heads call for end to civil service recruitment freeze

Regional political leaders in Indonesia have called for president Joko Widodo to lift a moratorium on the recruitment of civil servants. The moratorium came into effect on 1 January 2015 […]

The public finance tools that marry economy and environment

For years, China has been using subsidies and taxation to build its solar power equipment industries – and as a result, it dominates world markets. Now other countries are using […]

Indian anti-corruption drive raises fears of unequal treatment

The Indian government is moving to sweep incompetent and corrupt officials out of the civil service. But Abhimanyu Kumar hears concerns that unless elected politicians get the same treatment, civil […]

Indian tax reform creates single market

In an ambitious bid to simplify its tax system, India is combining the systems run by its 29 states into a single, national operation. Gavin O’Toole explains India has embarked […]

Christine Loh, Under Secretary for the Environment, Hong Kong: Exclusive Interview

You might not expect to find a former environmental and democracy activist working as a senior adviser at the heart of the Hong Kong government – but Christine Loh has […]

Richard Yuen Ming-fai, Permanent Secretary for Food and Health (Health), Hong Kong: Exclusive Interview

On the eve of his retirement, Hong Kong’s health permanent secretary tells Matt Ross how the territory is reforming its healthcare system to prepare for a future in which half […]

Chris Baggoley retires as Australia’s chief medical officer

Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Chris Baggoley is retiring today after five years in the role. Martin Bowles, the department’s most senior public servant, said that since Baggoley was appointed, “he […]

Iain Rennie, state services commissioner, New Zealand: Exclusive Interview

Iain Rennie is retiring after 30 years in the New Zealand civil service – eight of them in the top job. He looks back on his time in office, and […]

Michelle Fitzgerald, chief digital officer, City of Melbourne: interview

Michelle Fitzgerald is Melbourne’s first ever chief digital officer, heading up the city’s newly-formed Smart City Office. Six months into the role, she tells Winnie Agbonlahor what she’s doing to […]

India’s banking scheme draws in 200m new customers

Narendra Modi has worked hard to broaden access to bank accounts, with remarkable success. But Deepak Adhikari finds that more work remains if the Indian government, economy and rural poor […]