Government
Government services
ASEAN figure out improvements to statistical systems
The Sixth Session of the ASEAN Community Statistical System Committee on November 1 opened in Vientiane to discuss ways to improve the statistical systems used by the committee. The meeting was attended by Minister of Planning and Investment Dr Souphanh Keomixay, Head of the Lao Statistics Bureau ...
South Korean investors lambast business obstacles in field
South Korean investors have begun complaining of irregularities they face in running their operations in Indonesia, amid the government’s efforts to improve the business climate. Despite applauding Indonesia’s attempts to ease the business atmosphere by issuing economic policy packages, the Korean Chamber of Commerce and ...
Tobacco law loophole under review
The Excise Department may ask the government to allow the legal import of electronic cigarettes and baraku, which would be taxed like cigarettes, says director-general Somchai Poolsavasdi. He said the department has noticed a loophole in the current tobacco law, which does not define these products ...
Cabinet approves budget worth B17.5bn for Village Funds
The cabinet on October 25 approved a 17.5-billion-baht budget for 74,655 Village Funds across the country at 250,000 baht each for local development. The move is a fresh bid to boost the rural economy, prevent people from borrowing from loan sharks and maintain the country’s ...
Vietnam among top places for business expansion in Southeast Asia: survey
With competitive labor cost, the country only comes after Singapore in terms of attractiveness. In the Southeast Asia region, Singapore tops the list of most favorable expansion destinations for Asian companies, with 32 percent of respondents saying they will invest more, followed by Vietnam, according ...
Public debt ceiling to remain at 65%
The government will not lift the public debt ceiling but will tighten its financial discipline to develop enterprises and further attract social investment to create the resources needed for reform and socioeconomic development. Lifting the ceiling would affect the country’s loan repayment capacity, Deputy Prime Minister ...
Authorities to crack down on spread of ‘false information'
Security and domestic affairs authorities have been told to strictly enforce relevant laws to suppress ongoing spreading of false information and rumours via social media following the passing of His Majesty the King. Deputy army spokesperson Col Sirichan Ngathong said that Army Chief General Chalermchai ...
ASEAN officials discuss way forward for greater connectivity
ASEAN dialogue partners and delegates gathered in Vientiane on October 18 to discuss ways to put the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 into action. In particular, they considered more effective coordination between sectors, among nations and within the region. Gathering at the 3/2016 ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee ...
Foreign ministry formalizes public service fees
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has opened a new public services office and formalized fees for a broad group of services often used by foreigners as part of a wider government push to collect revenue and boost efficiency. Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhon issued a statement ...
Ministry skips meeting on rice-pledging crackdown
The initial meeting of state agencies intended to expedite cases related to the previous government’s rice-pledging scheme failed to proceed on October 10 after Finance Ministry staff did not show up. Justice Minister Paiboon Koomchaya, who was to chair the meeting, said he did not know why ...
