Urban administration and development
City profiles
Private sector urged to take advantage of investment tax incentive in second half
The Thai Finance Ministry on 1 June urged the private sector to begin making serious investments in the second half before the double tax deduction for expenses is discontinued by year-end. The ministry has amended the conditions for the double deduction, allowing projects that might not ...
Business operators lack faith in local economy
Investors have expressed a lack of confidence in Thailand’s economy because of a decline in exports, the drought-induced expected slowdown in domestic consumption, and the sluggish global economy. Somkiat Anuras, vice chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber’s Business Confidence Index was only ...
Vietnam has biggest-ever trade surplus in first quarter
The trade surplus in the first quarter of 2016 alone was five times higher than that of the entire year of 2012. But this could be bad news. In 2012, the country got trade surplus for the first time after 20 consecutive years of witnessing trade ...
Insurance industry encouraged to make preparations for TPP, AEC
The Trans Pacific Partnership and ASEAN Economic Community are expected to offer more market opportunities for insurance companies in Viet Nam, but will also present tough challenges in a more competitive international environment. “The current Vietnamese insurance market is facing many disadvantages and hasn’t met its ...
Economy sees best growth in three years despite export contraction
Thailand’s economy remained resilient in the first quarter of this year, surprising forecasters by growing more than the previous quarter despite the continued contraction of exports. The country’s economy grew a seasonally adjusted 0.9 per cent in the first quarter, boosted by public spending and tourism, ...
Govt urged to promote at least three $1-billion tech start-ups in five years
Thailand should nurture at least three technology business start-ups worth US$1 billion each within the next five years, according to an industry white paper. Citing the white paper submitted to the government, Patai Padungtin, president of Thailand Start-up Association, said the country needed to quickly develop the ...
Laos needs to consolidate to be successful Asean member: PM
Laos is looking for uncovered potential and opportunities to effectively integrate with the Asean Economic Community in ways that benefit the country. Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith said, “Asean has been approved as a community, but Laos is still seeking uncovered possibilities, potential and opportunities that will benefit ...
Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam discuss trade deal
Representatives from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia gathered Monday in Vietnam’s Central Highlands Dak Lak province to discuss an agreement on trade promotion. The CLV Development Triangle Area covers four Cambodian provinces (Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Mondulkiri, Kratie), four Lao provinces (Attapeu, Salavan, Sekong, Champasak), and five Vietnamese ...
NLD takes first steps on migrant policy
In its first, tenuous start toward a policy on migrant workers, the National League for Democracy is drawing up a bill to address the millions of citizens outside the country. “We are now making observations for the bill. I think it will take three months to ...
Tambon nationwide told to help boost tourism
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut said the government had asked all 7,000 sub-districts or tambon across the country to look for new tourism attractions or create activities in their areas in order to draw visitors and use the tourism sector to generate income for their communities in the ...