Government
National government
PM vows purge on weapons smuggling
Stricter measures must be implemented to crack down on weapons smuggling and be applied to all involved, whether they be military personnel or not, says Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha. Deputy Prime Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has told investigators to identify the mastermind behind a weapons trafficking ...
Japan's draft growth strategy forgoes far-reaching reform
Japan’s new strategy to stoke growth in key industries includes case-by-case regulatory exemptions to spur innovation, but the government’s piecemeal proposals lack the fundamental changes needed to re-energize the overall economy. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s government debuted the draft of its 2017 strategic growth plan Tuesday at a ...
Myanmar ethnic groups partially agree on federal state principles
Representatives from the Myanmar government, military and eight armed ethnic groups reached agreements on various matters of contention, including the basic principles for establishing a democratic federal system that would give the groups greater autonomy, at the second meeting of the 21st Century Panglong Peace ...
Pyithu Hluttaw nod for increased land, water, embankment tax
A proposal urging the Union government to increase land, water and embankment taxes on farmers to be compatible with the times has been approved by the Pyithu Hluttaw on May 22. It was submitted by Ayeyarwady Region, Thapaung township Hluttaw MP U Thein Tun during ...
Agriculture firms receive Gov’t funds
State credit institutions will offer enterprises developing national agricultural products 70 per cent of investment capital support, said the Ministry of Planning and Investment. MPI has finalised a draft decree on policies encouraging enterprises to invest in agriculture and rural areas to submit to the ...
NLA proposes VAT hike to 8 per cent
The National Legislative Assembly has agreed that the value-added tax should be increased from 7 per cent to 8 per cent. However, the final decision on the tax hike will be made by the Cabinet after the NLA submits its proposal for approval. The proposed VAT ...
One more year may be needed to complete civil code
One more year may be needed for the further development of Laos’ civil code while the drafting sub-committee must make a concerted effort to reach their target. National Assembly President Ms Pany Yathotou on May 16 summarised the Assembly’s debate on the draft of the civil ...
Cambodia’s ‘fragile’ decade: Kingdom ranked poorly in stability index
With the ruling party ominously invoking the possibility of war as elections draw near, a new index suggests the Kingdom is indeed at risk of instability – not thanks to outside challenges to the CPP, but to the government’s own opacity and lack of accountability. ...
Parliament to prioritise pending legislations
The fifth parliamentary session will resume on May 18 and the process of approving bills will be emphasised. Pyithu Hluttaw Bill Committee chair U Tun Tun Hein said that these are bills which have yet to be finished. “So we will prioritise them as soon ...
NA supports enactment of law on international treaties
National Assembly members have supported the enactment of the Law on Treaties and International Agreements, which would be a reference for future internal and external cooperation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs introduced the newly drafted law for consideration by the National Assembly, with the law tabled ...
