Economy and industry
Bright prospects for steel firms despite challenges
Việt Nam’s listed steel companies can achieve higher growth in 2017 despite a volatile and predictable international market if they optimise operations and exploit missing links in the sector’s supply chain, experts said on March 13. Given recent international developments, global markets are likely to ...
Điện Biên advised to make use of advantages to foster tourism
The northwestern province of Điện Biên should capitalise on its advantages to develop tourism, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân told provincial officials on March 13. Lauding local socio-economic achievements, the top legislator, who is visiting some northwestern provinces, told Điện Biên to use ...
South Korea’s KAIR Airlines launches with A320 aircraft
South Korean start-up carrier KAIR Airlines has announced that it has selected an A320 to launch its new low-cost operation, with the firm ordering eight A320ceo aircraft. The new airline will be based in Cheongju in central South Korea and will focus primarily on services ...
Laos showcases tourist attractions at Berlin trade fair
Laos put its tourism products in the spotlight at the world’s largest trade fair, the ITB (Internationale Tourismus Börse), held in Berlin, Germany, from March 8-12. According to the Tourism Marketing Promotion Department of the Information, Culture and Tourism Ministry, Laos was one of 187 ...
Laos to pursue trade, business environment improvement
The government of Australia will contribute US$2.5 million in additional funding for the ongoing Second Trade Development Facility Project, aiming to improve trade and Laos’ business environment. An official launch ceremony for the additional financing took place on March 13 at the Ministry of Industry ...
Japan wades in on Tonle Sap algae
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has agreed to oversee a project to help recover water quality in the Tonle Sap lake in response to the appearance of a large bloom of algae. The project is part of a wider five-year initiative to improve water quality in ...
KDIC puts Tomato Bank on the chopping block
Tomato Specialized Bank, the smallest bank in the Kingdom, is attempting to sell a majority stake in its operations in order to dilute the equity stake of its defunct majority shareholder while securing a partner able to help it meet the central bank’s revised minimum ...
Struggling with free trade
As Thailand continues to negotiate more free trade agreements, local businesses often struggle to reap the rewards of lower or zero tariffs offered for shipments. The Commerce Ministry reported exporters took advantage of US$52.5 billion worth of FTA preferences and lower tariffs allowed by the Generalised ...
Energy market opens up
Thailand has resumed liberalising its energy sector, opening it up to competition again after a decade of policy hiatus when global oil prices were well over US$100 a barrel. During this period, the costs of electricity and gas for the people were heavily subsidised by ...
Furniture fair exhibitors hoping for brisk trade
The Lao Furniture Association expects sales from the second Vientiane Furniture Fair to be held at Lao-ITECC from April 1-9 to reach 20-30 billion kip. The figure was announced by Vice President of the LFA, Mr Kongmala Phommalay, at a press conference in Vientiane last ...
