Economy and industry

Japan is cold to the notion of inviting China to join a pan-Pacific trade pact abandoned by US President Donald Trump, fearing such a step would boost Beijing’s clout and water down what was meant to be the “gold standard” for rules of trade. Nor are ...

National Bank of Canada saw strong growth on its investment in Advanced Bank of Asia Ltd (ABA Bank) after taking a 90 percent stake in the Cambodia-based lender last May, a banking executive said on January 25. “I am very satisfied with the performance of ...

Avocados have never been a big part of the Khmer diet, making infrequent appearances in dessert dishes or drenched in condensed milk as a smoothie. But a small local market for the green pear-shaped fruit is forming, and experts say it could be a profitable ...

The construction of the Pak Beng Hydropower Project is expected to begin at the end of this year after reaching agreement among Lower Mekong countries. A group of technical officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines, Lao National Mekong Committee Secretariat and media organisations ...

Laotians have spent less money on goods in Thailand after Vientiane imposed a 10% value-added tax late last year, a Lao customs official said on January 26. Soutchai Inthavong, deputy chief of the customs international checkpoint at the Friendship Bridge, said the number of Laotians ...

Customs checks at Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge in Vientiane have netted the country over 98 million kip via the 10 Percent Value Added Tax since implementation of stricter controls in late 2016. Deputy Head of the Customs International Checkpoint under Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge, Mr Soutchai Inthavong ...

Despite their stated aim of boosting low-carbon growth, World Bank policy loans to countries like Indonesia are creating subsidies for coal, gas and oil projects, according to a report released today by the nonprofit Bank Information Center. At the same time, these policy programs undercut ...

Lao and Cambodian governments are looking toward to steps in furthering bilateral cooperation and further deepening friendly relations following an exchange visits by high-ranking delegations. Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Saleumxay Kommasith and his delegation paid official visited to Cambodia from January 24-25 in ...

Beijing’s plan to invest almost $1tn in infrastructure in some of the world’s poorest countries is raising concerns of risks for the Chinese banks backing the projects. Turmoil in countries such as Venezuela, where China has lent $65bn during the past decade, has led to ...

The Thai FinTech Association has called on the government to increase its support for local tech startups and financial institutions to enhance their competitiveness and prevent foreign giants from monopolising the fintech market. “It’s time for the government to create a level playing field between ...