News
MFIs predict lower earnings
With the interest rate cap of 18 percent in full force for all new and restructured microfinance loans after the National Bank of Cambodia issued a populist measure to curb high interest rates, microfinance institutions are starting to give predictions for lower profits this year ...
Growth in Thai jobless rate spurs gov’t plan
Close to half a million people in Thailand were unemployed last month, up 99,000 or 1.3 percent in the same period last year, which is spurring the government to offer skills training for jobless workers. A total of 496,000 people were jobless last month, a jump ...
Two killed, nine injured in Xekong bus crash
Two people were killed instantly and nine others sustained injuries after two buses collided head-on in Laksao village, Thataeng district, Xekong province on Sunday. Deputy Chief of the Xekong Traffic Police Office, First Lieutenant Sonevixay Keo-ounvong, told Vientiane Times on Monday the accident happened at ...
New law offers incentives to attract investment
A newly-amended Investment Promotion Law has recently been promulgated, offering a variety of incentives to attract investment in both promoted sectors and hardship areas. Businesses investing and operating in hardship communities (known as Area I),where infrastructure has not yet been developed, will enjoy favourable profit ...
Cambodia’s microfinance shakeup: in whose interest?
On the river island of Koh Srolav in southern Cambodia, everything changed for the 300 or so families inhabiting the small fishing village about ten years ago, when the sand dredging barges arrived. Operating in the dark of night, they have plundered the Tatai river with ...
Donors embrace hospital's 'green' bag campaign
More than 100,000 cloth bags have been donated to Wat Bot district Hospital in response its request for environmentally friendly bags to replace plastic ones previously used for prescribed medication. The management of the public hospital stopped distributing medication in plastic bags this year as ...
Leather and footwear exports could reach $26 billion by 2020
Việt Nam is targeting to earn between US$24 billion to $26 billion from leather and footwear exports by 2020 under a revised plan for leather and footwear industry development until 2025 with a vision to 2035. The Ministry of Industry and Trade held a seminar ...
Landslides threaten 11 households in Đồng Tháp
Cả Lách Canal in Bình Thành Commune, Thanh Bình District, southern Đồng Tháp Province, was hit by landslides during the past week, threatening 11 houses. This was stated by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD). The landslide section is 150m in length, ...
ASEAN finance ministers commit to promoting economic growth
Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to promote economic growth and financial integration, and strengthen financial stability in the region. The commitment was detailed in a joint statement, which was issued at the third Finance Ministers ...
Atomic energy generating billions of USD
Radiation and radioactive isotope applications have helped Vietnam produce more high-yield rice varieties resistant to pests and diseases, while new technologies have helped diagnose and treat critical diseases. From these applications, billions of dollars have been contributed to the economy. Hoang Anh Tuan, Director of Vietnam Atomic ...
