Economy and commerce
Investment
Coal outgrows hydropower
As Cambodia’s demand for electricity grows and domestic energy production increases, new data released from the Ministry of Mines and Energy on October 10 show that coal-fired energy generation surpassed hydroelectricity for the first time last year. According to the Cambodia National Energy Statistics 2016, a joint ...
US officially terminates sanctions order
After imposing economic sanctions on Myanmar for nearly two decades, the US formally abolished the blacklist on October 7. US President Barack Obama signed an executive order terminating the sanctions, following his pledge to do so made when State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi visited ...
Solar sector waits on FiT power-up
As Vietnam looks to raise the nation’s renewable energy sources, foreign investors are sensing an opportunity for solar energy projects. But low feed-in-tariffs are slowing this movement, to the dismay of both local and international organisations. Representatives of six German firms recently came to Vietnam to ...
Industrial sector says policy details are needed to ensure economic zones grow
Poor infrastructure, low-quality or unreliable electricity supply, water shortages, inadequate transportation links, and ongoing disagreements with local residents affected by zone development are among the most serious problems developing the country’s industrial sector, experts say. But perhaps the biggest problem, they say, is the lack ...
Thai group promises to build new SEZ
Prime Minister Hun Sen welcomed a pledge by a Thai-based industrial real estate developer on October 10 that promised to build a special economic zone in Cambodia, despite officials saying the company has yet to make any firm commitments. According to local media, the pledge was made ...
Scoring palm oil buyers on their sustainability commitments
2015 was supposed to be a big year for the palm oil industry — the year it proposed to reach a “tipping point” and begin predominantly producing and trading palm oil that was not responsible for the destruction of forests, abuses of human rights, and ...
US gems association eyes trade ties as sanctions end
The American Gem Trade Association arrived in Myanmar for the first time this week to assess the gems sector and build trade relationships ahead of an anticipated end to the US sanctions regime, which would allow the legal import of Myanmar rubies and jade. The association’s ...
Low production and quality to blame for rubber sector’s export woes
Low productivity, high labour costs and sub-par quality are holding Myanmar back from becoming a serious rubber producer, experts say. The nation’s rubber plantations produce at less than half the international production rate, and a rise in volume must be matched by improvements in product ...
Vietnam firm eyes transferring sugar mill in Laos
Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group has finally confirmed it is negotiating with Thanh Thanh Cong to transfer its sugar mill in Laos to TTC – both companies are giants in their field, Vietnam’s local media reported this week. TTC is known as the leading player in ...
Nok Air spreads wings with debut in China
Nok Air has solidified its intentions to extend its footprint into China with the planned debut of scheduled flights to Kunming and Guangzhou. China will drive the SET-listed budget airline’s accelerated international network expansion, expected to provide an impetus for future growth. While the airline ...