Nikkei Asian Review
Investment floods into Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta once sheltered Viet Cong guerrillas as they battled U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. Today the area is the country’s “rice bowl,” providing half of the national rice supply. It is also becoming an increasingly attractive investment destination for domestic and foreign ...
Japan partners with ASEAN countries on disaster insurance
Japan will work with Southeast Asian nations like Laos and Myanmar to provide immediate financing after natural disasters so that recovery funds can be quickly distributed. Keep reading ...
Nikkei staff writers
China pours $1.7m into development for Mekong countries
China is offering $1.7 million to a six-country group along the Mekong River to boost regional trade and ease concerns about Beijing’s massive hydroelectric dam projects along the waterway. Keep reading ...
APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT
Mekong River leaders grow hushed on hydropower fears at summit
The prime ministers of the four countries in the downstream Mekong River basin agreed this week to boost collaboration for sustainable development, but turned noticeably quiet about the environmental impact from hydropower dam projects that have increased thanks to Chinese help. Keep reading ...
YUKAKO ONO
Japan's Indo-Pacific push galvanizes Mekong region
Japan’s ambitious new foreign policy strategy aimed at “bridging” the Southeast Asian mainland and Indo-Pacific regions through aid, trade and infrastructure links has drawn a wary welcome from Mekong area countries concerned about growing rivalry between the major donor countries, China and Japan. Keep reading ...
Gwen Robinson
Is China's Belt and Road working? A progress report from eight countries
The idea of transforming the ancient fishing village of Gwadar into a bustling port city has been around since at least 1954, when Pakistan commissioned the U.S. Geological Survey to examine its coastline. Their conclusion: Gwadar, which sits on the Arabian Sea, would be an ...
GO YAMADA/STEFANIA PALMA
Southeast Asia needs better labor migration policies
Improving worker mobility benefits migrants and raises growth. One of the many signs of growing economic integration in Southeast Asia is a surge in labor migration. Keep reading ...
Shetty and Testaverde
Thailand aims to boost trade with neighbors by 15% in 2018
Thailand aims to increase trade with countries on its borders by 15% this year, to a record high of 1.5 trillion baht ($50 billion). The government is backing the drive to offset an expected slowdown in overall export growth due to appreciation of the baht ...
APORNRATH PHOONPHONGPHIPHAT
Southeast Asia's vulnerable migrants pose an economic dilemma
A court case unfolding in Bangkok has focused attention on the lives of migrant workers in Southeast Asia, albeit with an unexpected twist. This time, an employer accused of abuse is suing its former employees. Fourteen migrants from Myanmar are on trial for making false human rights ...
SIMON ROUGHNEEN
Thailand's stock exchange plans to promote the Mekong region
The Stock Exchange of Thailand is planning to launch a board that lists securities from its less-developed neighbors — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam. By mid-2018 it will also introduce an index of Thai-listed companies that have exposure to the so-called CLMV countries, allowing investors to ...
YUKAKO ONO
