Downturn in Southeast Asia

The BBC's Claire Bolderson has been trying to trace the impact of the global economic recession on the people of Southeast Asia.

It is the only region that is going to register positive economic growth this year.

But the growth won't be nearly strong enough to stop millions slipping into poverty.

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The Grand Indonesia shopping mall forms part of Jakarta's new skyline

Part 2:

The Indonesian capital Jakarta has changed hugely since Claire lived there nearly 20 years ago.

The city is now filled with skyscrapers and shopping malls, including one of Asia's biggest, which she visited with Indonesian journalist Kareema Anjani.

Food seller Rokiyah laughs at the idea of shopping in expensive malls

The current economic crisis has decreased growth in Indonesia from 6.1% last year to 4% this year.

More than half the work force in Indonesia earns less than $2 a day.

So when Claire spoke to Indonesia's Trade Minister, Mari Pangestu, she asked her what the government was doing about the growing gap between rich and poor.

Claire went to one of her favourite streets in Jakarta, the bustling Jalan Sabang, to meet someone who embarked on his career at the height of the recession that followed the financial crash of 1997.

First broadcast 19 May 2009

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Part 1:

Mark and Albert have both had to adapt to the new economic climate

On her first evening in Singapore, Claire Bolderson met two ex-pats: Mark, an American whose hedge fund went out of business last year, he's since taken a less well paid job at a local bank and Albert from the Netherlands, who has lost his job in marketing.

Mark and Albert's savings and skills mean they can adapt to the tougher economic climate.

The majority of people in East Asia won't be so lucky.

The World Bank recently stated that the downturn is going to have "disproportionate effects on the poor and near poor" in the region.

Acik worked as a maid in Hong Kong

That includes some of the millions of migrant workers in Southeast Asia: Singapore has about 0.75 million.

The sharp drop in world trade has seen Singapore's exports down by as much as 35% and some of the migrants are being sent home.

Claire Bolderson met a group of Bangladeshi dockyard workers just as they were about to be put on a plan home.

After Singapore, Claire travelled to Indonesia, where she met Acik:

First broadcast 18 May 2009