Economy and industry
Cambodia’s rice exports fall sharply
Cambodia’s milled rice exports only grew by a dismal 0.7 percent last year compared with 2015 and this was the lowest since 2014, according to government figures released on January 5. “Last year Cambodia only exported 542,144 tons of milled rice and the lowest exports ...
Government holds off on paddy purchases
The Ministry of Commerce is suspending plans for a paddy purchase program due to a recovery in market prices, according to ministry spokesperson U Khin Maung Lwin. U Khin Maung Lwin told The Myanmar Times in the first week of December that the ministry had approval ...
Coal piles up as VN firms prefer imports
According to statistics from the General Customs Department, as of December 15 Viet Nam had imported a total 13 million tonnes of coal worth US$860 million during the year, more than four times the targeted 3 million tonnes. Why did coal purchases increase so sharply? ...
Agriculture sector expects further investments with slashed policies
Local and foreign investors are welcoming the government’s landmark move to eliminate agricultural policy-related obstacles in a bid to attract more investment in the agricultural sector. Hong Sun, secretary general of the Korean Chamber of Business in Vietnam, told VIR that the Korean business community in ...
Can tourism recover?
Despite a fall in Chinese arrivals after the zero-dollar tour crackdown, Thai tourism authorities are convinced that the market will return. The tourism boom is expected to continue in 2017 and remain a major growth driver for the economy even as the industry sees falling ...
Economists, private sector optimistic about strong Lao economy in 2017
Economists and the private sector are confident that the Lao economy has a good chance of achieving the expectations set for 2017 despite global uncertainties, but urge more effective management of the macroeconomy, the price of goods, and improvement of the investment and business climate. ...
Sugar and pepper get protection
Geographical indication status for Kampot pepper and Kampong Speu palm sugar has been accepted in Vietnam. The agreement gives legal protection to both products and stops unscrupulous traders in Vietnam passing off local produce as Cambodian. The deal was reached last Wednesday after negotiations involving the ...
S’ville airport’s passenger subsidy scheme renewed
A marketing initiative rolled out last year that provides monetary incentives to airlines that use Sihanoukville’s airport for international flights has been credited in part with encouraging airlines to open new routes and increasing the amount of passenger traffic to the coastal airport. Last January, ...
Ministry to help Thais become caregivers in Japan
The Labour Ministry plans to organize a training programme for Thais who want to work as caregivers for the elderly in Japan, after law changes in that country prepare to open the industry to foreigners. In Japan, a recently passed law on nursing care will ...
Rubber price rebound prompts some farmers to restart production
Myanmar rubber farmers and producers battered by months of low prices are enjoying some respite following a recovery in global markets last year. With weak local demand Myanmar’s rubber industry is at the mercy of world markets, and low prices throughout 2015 and much of ...