News
Money flows: Who's investing in Laos, and what problems do they present?
A nation disadvantaged by geography, Laos has turned to intense infrastructural development and foreign direct investments to accelerate economic growth. As the landlocked nation opens its doors to foreign money, who is it inviting, and what troubles lay ahead? Once an ancient kingdom and a hub ...
Pei Ying Loh & Zenn Wong
Are Thailand’s investments abroad sustainable?
Although Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced Thailand’s commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) in 2017, outbound investment remains a largely unregulated sector. Thai firms are significant investors in ASEAN countries, and Thailand’s foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region ...
Jason Thomas
US turbulence should steer clear of Vietnam trade
Bilateral trade and investment from the US into Vietnam are expected not to see drastic changes under US President Donald Trump. Michael Sieburg, associate partner at Asia-Pacific marketing strategy consulting firm Solidiance, talked to VIR’s Hong Anh about the impact of the American withdrawal from the ...
How should Vietnam behave after the US abandons TPP?
Anti-globalization and protectionist attitudes are increasing in some countries, but Vietnam still has an open economy. This means big challenges for Vietnam in upcoming days. US President Donald Trump on January 23 officially pulled out of the 12-nation Trans-Pacific Partnership, a move that The New ...
An economic success story: How Vietnam became Southeast Asia’s top performer
Vietnam’s remarkable economic progress looks set to continue in the coming years, despite a regional slowdown which has affected other states in Southeast Asia. Its increasingly diversified and resilient economy has grown at a healthy rate – of above 6 percent – in each of the last ...
Asia's smallest economies are among its fastest growing
Asia’s smallest economies are growing faster than giants like China, according to the World Bank. Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar will post the most rapid expansions in Asia after India from 2017 to 2019, sustaining growth rates of close to 7 percent, according to forecasts released this week. ...
Economy resilient to global headwinds: World Bank
Despite global uncertainty related to political shifts in the West and a continued Chinese economic slowdown, Cambodia showed strong growth prospects for the next several years, according to the World Bank’s latest report. The latest Global Economic Prospects report from the World Bank, titled “Weak ...
Food processing industry in Mekong Delta still not attracting investors
Though it is the country’s biggest granary and fishery area, exporting $30 billion worth of products each year, the Mekong Delta still cannot attract major investments. A report of the Ministry of Planning and Investment shows that Vietnam has attracted $290 billion worth of foreign direct ...
FDI sluggish as investor mood dims
Foreign direct investment for the whole of 2016 is expected to grow by just 2.7%, indicating that confidence in the Thai economy remains fragile, says Vallop Vitanakorn, vice-chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries. He said the likely FDI growth of 2.7% is low when ...
