Industries
More than a thousand furniture plants ordered to shut down
The government has ordered some 1,154 family-unit furniture plants across the country to shut down their illegal operations, a government spokesman announced on September 1. Additionally, more than 20 wood processing plants located in or near conservation and protected forests areas were also ordered to close ...
Climate change could cause rice prices to nearly double by 2030: study
Climate change is threatening the Cambodian rice industry, and it is marginalised communities that will be worst affected unless the government takes action, according to a new study. The study’s authors, Sokuntheavy Hong and Jun Furuya, took historical climatic, socioeconomic and rice-yield data as their benchmark, ...
Formosa pays $500 mil compensation for marine disaster in central Vietnam
Taiwanese company Formosa Plastics, which caused deadly marine pollution in the central region by discharging untreated effluents, has paid up the US$500 million compensation it promised to, officials said. The environment ministry said on August 31 Formosa had transferred the second half of the promised amount a ...
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 ...
Existing airports left idle, new airports built
While many airports in the Mekong Delta are still idle, the Ministry of Transport is considering building new ones. MOT is planning to build an airport in the southern province of An Giang with estimated investment capital of VND 3.4 trillion. The domestic airport, designed ...
Myanmar told to exploit more solar, wind resources
Myanmar is moving to exploit solar and wind energy, but experts said such attempts must be stepped up to smoothen the country’s development. Soe Soe Ohn, director of the national electrification project at the Rural Development Department, said solar energy offered high potential particularly in rural ...
Japan firms invest in local property sector despite potential risks
Many Japanese companies are aware of potential risks in the Vietnamese real estate sector but they have an increasing presence in this market, according to Tokyo-based Recof Corporation, a consultant on merger and acquisition (M&A) deals. Masataka Sam Yoshida, senior executive for the Vietnam market at ...
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 ...
Non-ASEAN investors now qualify for local privileges
Non-ASEAN-based investors who have already invested in ASEAN will now be eligible for privileges enjoyed by their ASEAN counterparts in five sectors: agriculture, fisheries, forestry, mining and industrial. The International Economic Policy Committee chaired by Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on August 22 approved a proposal by ...