News
IMF Forecasts 6.1% Growth for Vietnam in 2024 Despite Ongoing Challenges
The IMF projects Vietnam’s GDP growth at 6.1% for 2024, supported by external demand and government policies, despite risks in exports and the real estate sector. In its recent September report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) significantly upgraded its 2024 GDP growth forecast for Vietnam to ...
ASEAN Briefing
Google invests 36 billion baht to boost Thai cloud and AI services
Google committed to a significant investment of 36 billion baht to expand its cloud infrastructure and data centres in Bangkok and Chon Buri, announced on Monday, September 30. Ruth Porat, the President and Chief Investment Officer of Alphabet and Google, highlighted that this expansion aims to meet the growing demand for cloud services in ...
Puntid Tantivangphaisal
Cambodian environment minister bans logging at tycoon’s Cardamoms hydropower project
PHNOM PENH — In a rare move to combat forest crimes, Cambodian Environment Minister Eang Sophalleth on Sept. 2 banned all forest clearance at the site of a dam project in the country’s southwest. The ban came after multiple incidents of illegal logging inside a protected area ...
Gerald Flynn, Vutha Srey
Cambodia hopes a new canal will boost trade. But it risks harming the Mekong that feeds millions
PREK TAKEO, Cambodia (AP) — The Mekong River is a lifeline for millions in the six countries it traverses on its way from its headwaters to the sea, sustaining the world’s largest inland fishery and abundant rice paddies on Vietnam’s Mekong Delta. Cambodia’s plan to build ...
ANIRUDDHA GHOSAL
Record-breaking floods in northern Thailand intensify scrutiny of Mekong dam project
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, communities in northern Thailand’s Chiang Rai province are taking stock of the toll wreaked by heavy rains and rising rivers. At least 33 people lost their lives in the country since mid-August amid hazardous conditions that devastated riverside homes, businesses and ...
Carolyn Cowan
SE Asia renewables firms fall short on policies to protect environmental defenders
Widely regarded as a solution for climate change, renewable energy projects are booming in Southeast Asia. Installed solar and wind energy capacity across the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) surged by 20% in 2023 to account for 9% of the region’s ...
Carolyn Cowan
Top leaders of Vietnam and Laos hold talks in Hanoi
Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam held talks with visiting General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith following an official welcome ceremony ...
Vietnam Plus
Mekong River levels recede below crisis point
NAKHON PHANOM, Thailand – Authorities in Nakhon Phanom are closely monitoring Typhoon Yagi, though the situation remains under control for now, September 8. Water levels in the Mekong River have been steadily decreasing, currently standing at 9.20 meters, approximately 3 meters below the critical threshold, allowing the ...
Pattaya Mail
Eastern Economic Forum boosts ASEAN-Russia business dialogue
Vladivostok (VNA) – A business dialogue session between Russia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) took place in Vladivostok on September 4 as part of the ongoing 9th Eastern Economic Forum (EEF 2024). At the opening of the event, Daniyar Akkaziev, CEO of the Russia-ASEAN ...
Vietnam Plus
Cambodia starts work on canal linking Mekong River to sea
Cambodia has launched a controversial canal project to link the Mekong River to the sea. Work on the $1.7bn project kicked off on Monday. Phnom Penh hopes the canal will boost the country’s economy. However, concern over the impact on the region’s environment and foreign relations ...
Al Jazeera and news agencies