Economy and industry
Lao-Thai railway section I ready for service
The Lao-Thai Railway Construction Project Phase II is now completed, while Section II will begin operations at the end of this year. The project handover ceremony was held on March 23 between the Ministry of Public Works and Transport and Neighbouring Countries Economic Development Cooperation Agency ...
Bangladesh seeks to boost relations with Thailand
Bangladesh has called for the resumption of Joint Commission meetings with Thailand to forge cooperation and consult on issues left unresolved years after the previous meeting, as Dhaka expresses interest in closer ties and more action on issues of mutual interest with the Kingdom. The ...
Villagers urged to swap fishing for ecotourism
The Tourism Minister has called on riverside communities in Kratie and Stung Treng provinces to avoid fishing in areas where dolphins live to attract visitors who want to see the rare creatures. Thong Khon’s call came as the government prepared to open the third annual River ...
MFIs seek regulator’s support
The apex body for the nation’s microfinance industry announced yesterday that the central bank had tentatively agreed to a number of measures it had requested to ease the burden on microfinance lenders following last week’s unilateral decision to cap annual interest rates at 18 percent ...
Myanmar-China oil pipeline a reality
Nearly a decade in the making, a project to pump oil 770 km across Myanmar to southwest China is set for imminent start-up, with a supertanker nearing the port of Kyauk Phyu, marking the opening of a new oil trading route. Dogged by sensitive relations ...
ASEAN finds free trade a tougher sell in today's environment
As the U.S. pulls back and China expands, Southeast Asia tries to adjust. People become aware of the divine power of a mantra only when they no longer hear it. People have been hearing world leaders inveigh against protectionism after official meetings for so long ...
Insurers help to pay for Asia's infrastructure needs
A recent $150 million refurbishment of two decades-old geothermal power plants on the Philippine island of Luzon may sound like just another project aimed at overcoming the country’s severe electricity shortages. But, for Asia’s insurance companies, there is more to it. Bonds issued to pay ...
Thingyan permits will be revoked if resold
Mandalay authorities warned that they will revoke Thingyan pandal permits that are resold to third parties by winning bidders. Mandalay City Development Committee revenue department head U Win Maung said the authority was now auctioning off the building permits for pandals near the Mandalay moat, ...
Korean language test draws 30,000 workers
More than 30,000 people have applied to sit for a Korean language proficiency test, which is a requirement for those hoping to work in South Korea, said Daw Thin Thin Lwin, staff officer of the Government Overseas Employment Agency. The applications were released to be sold ...
Joint-venture between British and Myanmar firms eyes oil and gas sector
A British company has created a joint-venture with a Myanmar firm to enter the marine industry as well as oil and natural gas sector. Representatives from the UK firm, James Fisher and Sons, and the Myanmar firm Royal Marine Technology Co Ltd, signed a memorandum of ...