Economy and commerce
Bombing costs B64bn in lost tourism revenue
The Erawan shrine bombing in Bangkok cost 64.30 billion baht in lost tourism revenue from 1.33 million visitors and the industry should recover in the fourth quarter of 2015, the Tourism and Sports Ministry told the cabinet meeting on 8 September. Keep reading ...
Measures approved to revive SMEs
The cabinet on 8 September approved five tax and financial measures to help some 2 million SMEs as part of its stimulus packages to revive the economy. Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said the packages should help strengthen existing SMEs and attract new operators with potential. Keep ...
In Laos' economic zone, a casino and illicit trade beckon in 'lawless playground'
Kings Romans Casino is the centerpiece of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, a 39-square-mile private concession in northwestern Laos, an impoverished communist country of 6.7 million between Thailand and Vietnam. As the name suggests, it is within the Golden Triangle, the area where Thailand, ...
Policy, financial hurdles stymie Vietnam auto industry
Auto maker Vinaxuki recently announced plans to sell its plant in Hanoi’s Me Linh District to repay its debts amid prolonged losses. It has laid off most of its employees leaving mainly security guards in a factory that used to employ hundreds of workers and engineers. It ...
Myanmar border trade tops $2.4bn
Trade between Myanmar and its four neighbouring countries has reached US$2.48 billion (85 billion baht) in the financial year to date, a Myanmar Commerce Ministry official said. Keep reading ...
Myanmar selects firms for bus import plan
Five companies have been chosen to import buses for the BRT lite system, according to U Maung Aung, chair of the BRT lite committee. Authorities hope the BRT lite plan will bring order out of the near-chaos of Yangon’s multiple privately owned buses in competition with ...
Laos' ASEAN presidency to help Russia boost Russia-Asian ties- Putin
Laos’ upcoming presidency of the ASEAN could help Russia enhance trade and economic ties with Asia, Sputnik news cited Russian President Vladimir Putin as saying. Keep reading ...
Experts discuss ecotourism promotion in Laos
Nearly 100 experts on tourism gathered in a southern town of Laos on 4 September to discuss ways to promote the country’s eco-friendly tourism, a key to boosting its local economy. Under the theme of “Reinforcing sustainable Tourism in Laos,” the one-day workshop held in Pakse, offered ...
Lao authorities pick new company to complete road upgrade project
Government authorities in Laos have selected a new company to upgrade a major thoroughfare in the capital Vientiane, after the firm submitted an estimate that was lower than one quoted by a Chinese company believed to have ties to the country’s national leaders. A survey conducted ...
Korea extends support to Laos for ASEAN integration
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) will provide more than US$13 million (more than 104 billion kip) in assistance to Laos next year in various sectors of development. KOICA President Kim Young-Mok announced the support when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong ...