Environment and land
Khanh Hoa leader opposes China’s election in so-called ‘Sansha’ city
Chairman of the People’s Committee of central Khanh Hoa province Le Duc Vinh has rejected China’s election of deputies to the People’s Congress in the so-called ‘Sansha’ city. In a statement posted on Khanh Hoa province’s e-portal on October 10, the official affirmed that Truong Sa ...
Stakeholders hope capacity building continues once programme ends
Officials, experts and beneficiaries of a Norwegian assistance programme hope target communities continue the capacity development founded by the project once the support ends. They expressed this desire at the closure of support provided by Norwegian Church Aid, which has been implemented in 11 provinces of ...
Consumers in Vietnam go ‘hog wild’ for pork
Vietnam has a population of approximately 93 million people with, according to official reports, an average pork consumption of about 20 kg per capita annually that is on a trajectory to double over the next few years. The nation’s pork production ranks sixth on a global ...
Thai group promises to build new SEZ
Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed a pledge by a Thai-based industrial real estate developer on October 10 that promised to build a special economic zone in Cambodia, despite officials saying the company has yet to make any firm commitments. According to local media, the pledge was made ...
Scoring palm oil buyers on their sustainability commitments
2015 was supposed to be a big year for the palm oil industry — the year it proposed to reach a “tipping point” and begin predominantly producing and trading palm oil that was not responsible for the destruction of forests, abuses of human rights, and ...
Illegal waste imports reach alarming level
Mismanagement and legal loopholes have both lent a hand to enterprises to illegally import prohibited waste. The National Assembly’s Standing Committee convened a meeting on September 13 discussing the amendment of the Technology Transfer Law. At the meeting, National Assembly’s Chair Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan asked: “Will ...
US gems association eyes trade ties as sanctions end
The American Gem Trade Association arrived in Myanmar for the first time this week to assess the gems sector and build trade relationships ahead of an anticipated end to the US sanctions regime, which would allow the legal import of Myanmar rubies and jade. The association’s ...
Vietnam firm eyes transferring sugar mill in Laos
Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group has finally confirmed it is negotiating with Thanh Thanh Cong to transfer its sugar mill in Laos to TTC – both companies are giants in their field, Vietnam’s local media reported this week. TTC is known as the leading player in ...
Gov’t scoops up more mining revenue
In the first eight months of the year the Ministry of Mines and Energy has already surpassed its annual target for non-tax revenue collection from sand dredging and construction material-related mining operations, collecting 117 percent of the $6.6 million outlined in the 2016 national budget, ...
Growth to continue but economy faces significant risks
Economic growth in Laos will remain buoyant however the region still faces significant risks to growth, according to a new World Bank report. The outlook of the Lao economy remains favourable overall but with increasing downside risks GDP growth is projected to remain at around seven ...
