News
Businesses urged to hedge baht in face of volatility

Business leaders have expressed concerns that the rapidly appreciating baht could dampen exports and suggest business operators hedge foreign exchange risks. The monthly meeting of the Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking on September 5 heard the disquiet over the increasing volatility of foreign exchange. ...
Banks pump billions into deforestation-linked firms in Southeast Asia: study
Banks have financed companies responsible for rainforest destruction in Southeast Asia to the tune of billions of dollars, a study showed on September 6, and called on lenders to stop “fuelling forest crime”. Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s most diverse rainforests, but ...
Compromise Mahakan plan 'possible'

In what appears to be a compromise to the long-standing Mahakan Fort conflict, a panel under the Committee for the Conservation of Rattanakosin says it is open to new resolutions to the land dispute which may include an alternative plan to allow the old community to ...
Ocean warming is “greatest hidden challenge of our generation,” according to IUCN

Global warming is changing Earth’s oceans and those impacts will last for decades even if we rein in greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, according to new research. A report released by the International Union for Conservation of Nature on September 5 finds that the effects of ...
Forest devastation continues as agencies neglect their jobs

The deforestation cases found recently, including 10,000 hectares in Quang Tri province, the fokienia forest devastation in Quang Nam province, and the use of 575 hectares of forest for a husbandry project in Binh Phuoc province, all show problems at supervising agencies. FAO once ranked Vietnam ...
Increased pressure on domestic banks comes from foreign rivals

Foreign banks are increasing their presence in Vietnam through various forms by establishing 100% foreign-owned banks or opening branches. With advantages of capital and services, once the Trans-Pacific Partnership takes effect, foreign banks will have more advantages in Vietnam. Meanwhile, domestic banks that are still undergoing ...
Jack Ma wants to ship Thai farm exports

Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has asked Jack Ma to support Thai small and medium-sized enterprises as the Alibaba Group’s founder wants the country to export farm products to China and ASEAN through the group. Referring to their meeting in Hangzhou in the night of September ...
Vietnam: $705.8m outbound investment; funding opportunity from France

Foreign direct investment into Vietnam reached $14.3 billion in 2016. Meanwhile, Vietnamese startups are attracting investment and partnership from French investors. Vietnam’s outbound investments hit $705.8m Vietnamese companies pumped $705.8 million in 106 projects in foreign markets during the first eight months of this year, according ...
Modern machinery, technical skills needed to improve wood processing
Modern machines and technical skills are required to enhance the competitiveness of the Lao timber processing industry in line with other countries in the region. Chairman of the Okawa Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Japan, Mr Yuji Sonoda made the observation during an interview with Vientiane ...
US pledges US$90 million for UXO clearance
The United States announced on September 6th it would provide an additional US$90 million over the next three years to help Laos clear unexploded ordnance which has continued to kill and injure people since bombs rained down on the country during the Indochina War. The extra assistance ...