Economy and industry

The European Parliament yesterday passed a resolution urging Cambodia’s government to scrap the proposed NGO law, saying the Kingdom could lose $600-700 million annually in development projects if the legislation is passed. It stated the Law on Associations and Non-Governmental Organisations could see the country lose ...

Vietnam’s central bank and the World Bank on Thursday signed four credit agreements totaling US$507 million to support Vietnam’s priorities in sustainable agriculture, poverty reduction, and a bus rapid transit system.   The financing covers four projects: the Sustainable Agriculture Transformation Project (US$238 million), additional financing for ...

Life insurance premiums in Vietnam are on track for yet another record year, but industry observers say the gains are coming from a very low base and that foreign insurers have yet to truly crack the market despite dominating the sector.   Premiums from life insurance plans ...

Thai and international agencies have convened a meeting to discuss ways to bolster efforts against human trafficking along the border.    The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security’s Anti-Human Trafficking Division, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the non-governmental organisation Alliance Anti-Trafic met to discuss ...

The International Labor Organization (ILO) has found a slight improvement in Cambodia’s garment factory working conditions, although issues of overtime and occupational safety and health continue, according to its latest report released on 8 July.   The ILO’s Better Factories Cambodia (ILO-BFC) Program report said it ...

Vietnamese authorities in the northern province of Vinh Phuc have recalled a license for a US$200-million factory invested by the world’s largest electronics manufacturer Foxconn.   The Taiwanese company, which has partnered with many giants including Apple and BlackBerry, had failed to kick-start the project licensed in ...

The Burmese kyat has recently fallen. Down around 13 percent this year, and 26 percent since the instigation of the “managed float” arrangements in 2012, the decline in the kyat has also brought with it a return of many of the economically repressive impulses of ...

Viet Nam needs more than VND1,000 trillion (US$50 billion) to develop transport infrastructure by 2020, a conference held by the Ministry of Transport was told. The cost of improving the national road system would take 64.1 per cent of the total capital, railways 11.7 per cent ...

Pongpet Mekloy argues that Thailand and Laos need to work closer together in order to capitalise on their joint attractions that line the mighty river. Research by Si Sa Ket Rajabhat University is highlighted, which investigated the potential for tourism along the international river, focusing on the ...

China and Laos announced closer military ties on July 8, a development that coincides with China’s growing investment in infrastructure and economic influence. The Laotian defense minister met with Xu Qiliang, the vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, and other Chinese military officials Wednesday in Beijing to ...