Economy and commerce
Canadian bank satisfied with local aquisition
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 ...
A ripe market for avocados
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 ...
Laos buys fewer Thai goods after VAT at Friendship Bridge
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 ...
Bridge crossing nets 98 million kip from Value Added Tax
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 ...
China warned of risk to banks from One Belt, One Road initiative
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 ...
Thai fintech sector calls for state support
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 ...
Cambodia to protect European patents
Cambodia is set to become the first country in Southeast Asia to recognise and protect European patents after the Minister of Industry and Handicrafts signed an agreement with the European Patent Office on January 24. The agreement, expected to come into effect in July, places ...
Renewed interest in Bangladeshi trade ties
Cambodia and Bangladesh made a fresh push on January 24 to revive dormant bilateral trade initiatives, with Phnom Penh hosting the first-ever conference and exhibition for a delegation of leading Bangladeshi companies. Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Thailand and Cambodia Saida Muna Tasneem admitted trade between the two ...
More tourists, less revenue
The Ministry of Tourism released its annual report on January 24 during its yearly meeting, showing growth continued for the sector in 2016, while launching a campaign to eliminate unlicensed tourist establishments that ministry officials claim slowed revenue collection last year. International tourism arrivals increased by ...
Xieng Khuang promoting native cattle exports
Xieng Khuang province plans to expand the breeding of native cattle for domestic and overseas sales with the province already exporting almost 10,000 head per year. The province has promoted health programmes with vaccinations to protect local breeds from diseases and ensured that sufficient pasture ...