News
The rise of anti-globalisation and its impact in Asia
The world appears to be experiencing a globalisation backlash with an assault coming from both economic and societal fronts. In this changing world, the two defining characteristics of globalisation – increased global trade and greater economic participation in trade – now look poised for an ...
Will Myanmar lose its Irrawaddy dolphins?
Tears fill U Maung Lay’s eyes as he describes losing the dolphin he knew since his childhood, the latest casualty of a battle against pollution and electrofishing that may see the species disappear from Myanmar. Loved for generations for corralling the catch into fishermen’s nets, ...
Sembcorp takes another step on Myingyan project
Singaporean energy firm Sembcorp signed a build-operate-transfer agreement with Myanmar’s energy ministry on January 18 for the Myingyan power plant, a high profile energy project expected to receive loans from a variety of international lenders. Tan Cheng Guan, Sembcorp Industries’ head of group business development and ...
Trade groups raise traffic concerns as Yebu gate reopens
The Yebu border trade inspection gate on the Lashio-Muse road has reopened for the first time in over five years as the government tries to honour a commitment to ending illegal trade. But inspecting hundreds of vehicles at a single small gate has resulted in ...
Cambodia’s decision to nix military exercises with US leaves many scratching their heads
Defence ministry officials have cited the country’s current ‘war on drugs’ and its upcoming commune elections as reasons for diverting resources from the annual Angkor Sentinel exercises. Earlier this week, Cambodia informed the US it would postpone their annual joint military exercises for the next ...
Phong Nha Heritage forest seriously damaged by loggers
Numerous precious timber planks chopped down by illegal loggers have been left on the ground, amid vast clearings in the Hoa Son forest. After one and half an hours of crossing steep mountains, reporters reached the timber-rich area of Hoa Son Forest in Minh Hoa district ...
Urban FMCG market rising as rural market sees lower growth
2016’s GDP reaching 6.21 per cent fell short of the target of 6.5 per cent but CPI was controlled at 2.67 per cent, lower than the targeted 3-4 per cent. Retail sales of consumer goods also maintained double digit growth, at 10 per cent on ...
Disaster centre sounds new flood alerts
Residents in Chumphon, Ranong and Nakhon Si Thammarat are being warned of heavy rainfall, flash floods and mudslides over the next few days. National Disaster Warning Centre issued a warning on January 18 about bad weather in the three southern provinces. The centre has warned ...
KBank keen to buy Indonesian banks
Thailand’s fourth-largest bank, Kasikornbank, is exploring the possibility of acquiring banks in Indonesia, but acknowledges this is a challenging goal due to the Indonesian regulator’s rules concerning foreign ownership of local banks. The regulations require foreign banks to buy more than one bank, and that the ...
Prayut orders complete surveys of flood damage
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has instructed authorities to conduct comprehensive surveys of the southern flood damage so that effective rehabilitation measures can be taken. “The prime minister has issued the order out of concern for the flood victims,” Chatchai Promlert, director-general of the Disaster Prevention ...
