Economy and industry
Thai finance ministry trims growth forecast
Thailand’s Finance Ministry trimmed its economic growth forecast for this year to 3.7% from 3.8% and sharply cut its export estimate as global demand slows, a senior ministry official said on 28 January. But growth this year would be supported by government investment and economic stimulus, Krisada ...
Made in ASEAN initiative on the cards
Thailand is set to team up with the Japan External Trade Organization (Jetro) and ASEAN members to push forward the Made in ASEAN initiative, making certain products to the same quality standards. Keep reading ...
Thai rice exporters pessimistic about market prospects
Thai rice exports are expected to have another difficult year as the world market is likely to be volatile amid foreign exchange and oil price risks, according to exporters. Charoen Laothammatas, president of the Thai Rice Exporters Association, said the association projected shipments would slip to 9 ...
Strong FDI inflows to drive Vietnam's economy this year: forecast
As foreign investment will remain strong this year, both manufacturing and construction sectors in Vietnam will see positive growth, helping the economy rise 6.9 percent, according to a new Standard Chartered Bank report. It will be the second highest growth in Asia, after India, the London-headquartered ...
Vietnam FDI surges this month
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam rose impressively by 101.2 per cent to more than US$1.33 billion in January of this year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency. Up to 127 new foreign-invested projects, worth more than $1 billion, were licensed as of January 20, surging ...
Thai bank buys Cambodian MFI in mammoth deal
In what may be the biggest deal in Cambodia’s financial sector history, Thailand-based Bank of Ayudhya has reached an agreement to acquire the local microfinance institution (MFI) Hattha Kaksekar, with the deal expected to be valued at upwards of $140 million. In a statement released on ...
Myanmar allows 40 percent foreign ownership in condominiums
Myanmar’s Union Parliament approved on 22 January the draft Condominium Law to allow 40-per-cent foreign ownership. Under the law, foreigners can buy up to 40 per cent of condominium units. Keep reading ...
Lower rice exports anticipated
The Thai Rice Exporters Association expects a decrease in the volume of rice exports this year. Keep reading ...
Japan plans water infrastructure projects
Japan is planning to help Cambodia design, build and operate water infrastructure projects in 10 of its largest cities, a delegation from the city of Kitakyushu said on 26 January. The projects will “most likely” include tap water systems and wastewater treatment plants. The funding, with ...
New body to address Sesan dam concerns
Cambodia’s Ministry of Mines and Energy has created a committee to resolve compensation and resettlement issues for 1,000 families displaced by the controversial Lower Sesan II hydropower dam in Stung Treng province. Keep reading ...
