Economy and commerce
Trade
Chin State to focus on trade, SMEs and tourism
The Chin State government will focus on developing three main areas of the local economy over the next five years – trade, small and medium enterprises, and tourism – according to the state minister for development, electricity and industry. Local officials will work with the Union ...
ASEAN trade beckons strict food safety measures
Rising income levels combined with an increase in cross-border trade in Southeast Asia has meant many countries in the region have had to begin strengthening food safety measures in order to meet growing consumer awareness. Under new food safety laws revised in July, the maximum punishment for food poisoning and ...
Vietnam seeks deepened ties with Brunei, Singapore
The upcoming State visits to Brunei and Singapore by President Tran Dai Quang aim to realise the foreign policy set forth by the 12th Party Congress and deepen relations with the two ASEAN member countries. Vietnam and Brunei established diplomatic ties on February 29, 1992. Since ...
China, ASEAN ‘need fast RCEP deal’
ASEAN’s trade relationship with China has reached a crucial turning point with the latest 2015 figures showing a 3-per-cent contraction, making it necessary to quickly conclude the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, according to a top Chinese think-tank. Zhang Yuyan, director of the Institute of World ...
Lao Securities issues warning on dubious financing companies
The Lao Securities Commission Office is advising people considering making deposits with financial institutions to make a careful assessment before going ahead. Various financing companies in Laos are encouraging people to deposit with them by offering a higher rate of interest than that provided by banks ...
Garment sector figures disputed
Government officials and union groups on August 23 cast doubts on the findings issued by the industry body for the nation’s garment and footwear manufacturers, challenging its claim that mounting investor concerns had forced dozens of local factories out of business and resulted in a sharp ...
Over 300 business people, academia to attend ABIS 2016
More than 300 business people, academia, and speakers from institutes in and out of ASEAN are expected to attend the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2016 next month. The number was reported by the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry on August 23. According to LNCCI, ...
ASEAN community meets in Dubai for future cooperation
The heads of missions of five ASEAN countries based in Dubai met in a networking event for the first time with leaders of their communities on August 22 to discuss future areas of collaboration and cooperation from the Middle East to their home countries. ASEAN was established ...
Iran pitches huge gas reserves for Asia markets
Iran is pitching its massive gas sector for trade with Asia where it sees a better market for exports than Europe. “Gas prices are more attractive in East Asia than in Europe,” Deputy Petroleum Minister for trade and international affairs Amir-Hossein Zamaninia has said. In August, Japan ...
Southeast Asian countries’ growth to accelerate commodities rebound
China may be slowing, but a commodities rebound is under way and the world’s biggest miner knows where the next growth story is building — emerging economies in Southeast Asia.Combined gross domestic product in the ASEAN-5 nations — Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam ...