News
Livelihoods in jeopardy as Vietnam’s Mekong Delta struggles with sediment loss
The World Wide Fund for Nature reported that suspended sediment load in the Mekong Delta declined from 160 million tons in 1992 to 75 million tons in 2014 due to the construction of hydropower dams and reservoirs on the mainstream and branches of Mekong River. It noted that sand ...
Four sentenced for roles in Preah Vihear ELC protest
The Preah Vihear Provincial Court on 17 May sentenced four men for burning a contentious fence during a 2014 protest against an economic land concession in Kulen district held by the FP Malaysia (Cambodia) Plantation. Lor Chan, the provincial coordinator for rights group Adhoc said,“Even though the ...
Insurance industry encouraged to make preparations for TPP, AEC
The Trans Pacific Partnership and ASEAN Economic Community are expected to offer more market opportunities for insurance companies in Viet Nam, but will also present tough challenges in a more competitive international environment. “The current Vietnamese insurance market is facing many disadvantages and hasn’t met its ...
HK Council to bring Chinese investors interested in Thai food processing
The Hong Kong Trade Development Council plans, for the first time, to bring investors from China to meet with food processing companies in Thailand to boost investment as part of the Belt and Road initiative. Raymond Yip, deputy executive director of HKTDC said it would bring ...
Govt widens ban on timber exports, tightens wood business
The government has announced a new ban on the export of various tree species, timber products and ornamental plants in a move to take ownership of and maximise the benefits of Laos’ natural resources. Prime Minister ThonglounSisoulith issued an order last week imposing the ban on ...
Organic produce becoming popular, lucrative
Demand for organic farm produce has increased significantly both in Viet Nam and globally, and this offers good prospects for businesses investing in the field, a seminar heard in HCM City on 16 May. Nguyen Ba Hung, general director of Organik Da Lat, said organic farming ...
Finishing touches coming for Sugar Act
A draft of the long-awaited Sugar Act is to be revised with recommendations from industry figures at a meeting of the Sugar and Sugar Related Products Merchants and Manufacturers Association on 17 May. Once the revision is complete the act will be submitted to parliament through Myanmar’s ...
Drought weighs on fishery production target
While Cambodia’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries aims to increase fish production by 1.3 per cent this year, members of fishery organisations believe that is an unlikely target as drought conditions have tapped out natural resources. Eng Chea San, director general for the fishery administration ...
Less Mekong Delta fruit, higher prices
The price of fruit in the Mekong Delta has risen recently as the impact of drought and salt water intrusion has caused fruit output to decline, while demand has increased. Tien Giang province authorities have also implemented several measures, including strictly monitoring the salt content of ...
Popular Thai beach forced to close to tourists before 'damage is beyond repair'
Authorities in Thailand are set to close the island of Koh Tachai because of the impact heavy tourism has had on natural resources and the environment. “We have to close [the island] to allow the rehabilitation of the environment, both on the island and in the ...
