News
More Cambodian women trafficked to Saudi, officials say
The number of Cambodian women now thought to be caught in Saudi Arabia’s sex industry after being trafficked in the past year has risen to more than 20, officials said on August 24. However, the government remained tight-lipped about its efforts to rescue the women, while ...
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 ...
Shan community groups want Salween dams scrapped
Representatives of Shan communities have expressed serious concerns on the ongoing plan to construct a series of hydropower dams on the Salween River, saying many areas are still plagued with ongoing fighting between minority groups and the government. Shan State Rivers Network’s coordinator Sai Khur Hseng ...
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 ...
Mekong water levels remain at safe heights
Mekong water levels in central and southern provinces are still lower than warning levels despite heavy rain that struck the region this month. The water level of the Mekong in Vientiane on August 23 was about 10.30 m which decreased from 11 m on August 22 and was ...
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 ...
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 ...
Why doesn't Vietnam have large businesses?
Many newly emerged businesses have been sold to foreign investors as soon as they became better known, and before they could become powerful conglomerates. More than 90 percent of Vietnamese businesses are small and Vietnam does not have large corporations which can act as pillars in ...
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 ...
