Economy and industry
Laos, Thailand seek cooperation on SEZs
Laos and Thailand are seeking bilateral cooperation at special and specific economic zones along the border of the two countries. Laos’ National Committee for Special Economic Zones and Thailand’s Policy Committee on Special Economic Zone Development are preparing to sign a memorandum of understanding to inaugurate ...
Vietnam index drops to below 600 points amid devaluation fear
The Vietnam Stock Index or VN-Index slumped for four straight days amid currency devaluation fear, closing at 589.03 points on 14 August. According to stock experts, the decisions of China’s central bank to devalue the Chinese yuan and the decision of Vietnam’s central bank to widen the exchange ...
Global markets: South-east Asia's currencies are plunging like its 1998
												Four years ago, a dollar fetched just over 8,500 Indonesian rupiah, and just under three Malaysian ringgit. Today a dollar is worth nearly 14,000 rupiah and almost four ringgit. Both currencies hit 17-year lows this summer, and kept falling (see chart). In Asia the rupiah and ...
India must focus on expanding banks network in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam
												Expansion of Indian banks network in CLMV – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam- countries would help in enhancing trade and investment relations with these nations, a report has suggested. The Commerce and Industry Ministry report – “India’s Strategy for Economic Integration with CLMV” was prepared by think ...
As Myanmar elections draw near, fate of Myitsone dam remains uncertain
												Thein Sein announced in September 2011 that the construction of the Myitsone Dam would be suspended “for the duration of our government,” a move that will be remembered as one of the key moments of his presidency. However, with the general-turned-politician’s term of office to conclude ...
Lao researchers seeking to introduce faster growing rice varieties
												The Naphok Agricultural Research Centre is seeking to produce early maturing varieties of rice seed for Lao farmers to plant in the coming years, as part of efforts to reduce the disaster related impacts of climate change. Researchers at the centre are currently conducting ongoing research into ...
Thailand's public debt drops to 42% of GDP
Thailand’s public debt fell slightly to 42.36% of gross domestic product, or 5.68 trillion baht, on June 30, according to the Finance Ministry. At the end of May, the figure was 5.69 trillion baht, or 42.58% of GDP. Keep reading ...
Thailand's ready-to-eat food prices skyrocket
												Prices of ready-to-eat meals, or fast foods, have soared 5-20 baht per dish across Thailand, with prices in the South increasing the most, a survey has found. Keep reading ...
Over sixty commercial projects shift to social housing
												Sixty-two commercial-housing projects with 41,769 apartments in total has registered to be social-housing projects all over the country so far, according to the Ministry of Construction. Keep reading ...
Vietnam’s growth earns kudos in US
												Vietnam continues to grow as a manufacturing hub, climbing to first place on Cushman & Wakefield’s 2014 Growth Index, a ranking of the top 15 manufacturing locations by growth in emerging markets. Keep reading ...