Economy and industry
Vietnam's southern ports need management revamp: official

Concerted efforts are needed to improve the operational efficiency of the No 5 seaport system, particularly the Cai Mep–Thi Vai Port in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, to make it a regional entrepot in the future, a ministry official has said. Speaking at a ...
Hanoi to finish underground power cable network in 2016

Hanoi will finish building an underground power cable network to service 200 streets in four inner districts this year. It is one of nine key tasks that will be implemented this year by the Steering Committee of the Public Order and Urban Civility. The campaign, which ...
Thailand begins water rationing in three provinces

Thailand’s Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) has begun rationing water in three provinces as the severity of the drought, expected to be far worse than last year, has started to affect tap water production. Ratana Kitchawan, the PWA’s director, on 20 January said three branches of the PWA are ...
Thai Fisheries officials predict 'no red card' from EU

The Department of Fisheries does not expect Thailand to be hit with a red card by the European Union, citing positive signals from EU representatives over progress in dealing with illegal fishing during their visit to the country this week. Esak Pakdeekong, the department’s deputy chief, said ...
Green energy remains untapped

Cambodia is overly reliant on developing large-scale hydro and fossil fuel-fired power stations, and should look to diversify its energy generation portfolio through cost-effective non-hydro renewable energy technologies that also offer fewer social and environmental costs, a study released on 20 January advised. In a report titled ...
Laos' sleepy capital awakens to a construction boom

The capital of Laos is a low-rise, low-key city, especially when compared with the hulking high-rises and bustling streets of better-known Southeast Asian cities such as Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. But this once-sleepy city is fast shedding its sedate reputation due to a building boom ...
Dala residents fret over bridge payouts

Dala township residents who agreed to accept compensation in exchange for land needed for a long-awaited bridge are hoping to get paid before the new government takes office. Of the 68 landowners affected, 66 have now agreed the terms offered following protracted negotiations last year. Both sides ...
India eyes investment opportunities in CLMV
India is eyeing the huge opportunities in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) and wants Indian financial institutes to establish branches in the region to boost trade and investment between the two sides. Addressing the third India – CLMV Business Conclave held last week at the ...
Laos moves towards industrialisation

Laos is now moving towards industrialisation and modernisation after experiencing a slight increase in the share that the industrial and service sectors represent in the overall economic structure. In contrast, the agriculture and forestry sector has declined significantly in the past decade as a result of ...
Vietnam rushes for new north-south air path as traffic grows

Vietnamese agencies plan to launch a new flight path connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as increasing air traffic on the country’s busiest route may cause strain and congestion, the government’s website has reported. The new path will run parallel but 30 kilometers above the ...