Economy and commerce
Trade
Electronics plant construction starts
Construction has started on a $60 million electronics factory as Thailand’s SVI company expands into the Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone. SVI Cambodia, the local subsidiary, signed a 50-year lease in July 2015 and says it hopes the work will be complete by October. Pongsak ...
SEZs driving economic growth in the south
The establishment of Special and Specific Economic Zones and untapped tourism potential is expected to drive economic growth in Champassak province, a senior official has noted. Deputy Governor of Champassak province Mr Buasone Vongsongkhone told Vientiane Times on Tuesday that more entrepreneurs from China, Japan ...
Thai Wah eyes export boost
Thai Wah has budgeted Bt2 billion to expand its capacity to produce tapioca, cellophane noodles and other high-value products for export to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam this year under a plan to boost total sales to Bt10 billion in 2019. Ho Ren Hua, chief ...
Chinese investors reconsider plantations as profits prove elusive in banana business
Some Chinese investors plan to shutter their banana farms in Laos and relocate to other countries while others plan to replace the yellow herbaceous fruit with other agricultural crops after sustaining losses. The northern province of Bokeo has been a major location for banana plantations ...
Potatoes to take root
Cambodia’s eastern Mondulkiri province will become the country’s first hub for potato growing after a successful pilot project, researchers say. Cheang Hong, of the Potato Research Center at the Royal University of Agriculture, said a team spent several months studying weather conditions, potato varieties and ...
Myanmar celebrates the power of women this week
The government and several parties – including foreign embassies, business groups and non-governmental organisations – are coming together to hold a series of programs on women empowerment this week. The programs from Monday to Sunday in Yangon and Nay Pyi Taw are part of a global ...
VN's export ratio of farm produce in decline
Vietnam’s total export turnover has been growing at an annual rate of 12.8% but outbound shipments of agricultural products have faced numerous difficulties and their annual export growth was recorded at a mere 2.4% in the 2012-2016 period. The export ratio of agricultural products, as a ...
Bid to boost Myanmar shrimp trade begins
Though Myanmar’s shrimp export is much less than that of Vietnam and Thailand in terms of tonnage and value, the nation is set to leapfrog its production with American experts’ technical assistance, said Kyaw Tun Myint, president of the Myanmar Shrimp Association. “We usually import broodstock ...
Special economic zones attracting fewer foreign investors
Foreign investor interest in Lao special zone economic zones is currently less than previous years as most try to come to grips with local regulations. Vientiane Industry and Trade Area Special Economic Zone, at Km22 Nonthong in Xaythany district is one of zones facing this ...
Trade barriers may seriously affect Vietnam’s seafood industry
A number of seafood companies have been dissolved or have halted operation, while trade barriers from import countries are expected to.pose challenges to Vietnam’s fishery sector. Thuan An, Hung Vuong, Camimex, Viet An, Phuong Nam, Binh An and Thien Ma, once famous names in the seafood ...