Economy and commerce
Laos, WB sign up to green growth transition
Ministry of Finance and the World Bank on June 7 signed an agreement for more than 316 billion kip (US$38.6) million in credit to support key policy reforms to maintain the country’s strong economic growth. The agreement expects to benefit more people, especially the poor ...
Germany providing over 423b kip for rural, sustainable economic development
The government of Federal Republic of Germany has agreed to provide grant aid of over 423 billion kip (EUR 45.8 million) for sustainable economic development, rural development and natural resources management in Laos.The financial and technical support by the German government extended to the Lao ...
Chinese traders prefer Hpakant over Mandalay gems market
Buyers from China have found it much easier to do business in the mines of Hpakant than in Mandalay’s Maha Aung Myay Gems Trading Centre, the city’s largest emporium which features more than 1000 shops, especially if they want to buy raw or uncut jades. “I have ...
Mekong tourism forum to promote sustainable tourism among GMS
Around 350 representatives of states, international organisations and the private sector from the Greater Mekong Sub-region, Asia Pacific and the UN World Tourism Organisation are currently attending a tourism forum in Luang Prabang province. The Mekong Tourism Forum was officially opened on June 7 by the ...
Should FIEs provide outbound tours? domestic travel firms say no
Some travel firms have expressed disappointment about the latest draft version of the amended Tourism Law, which removes the regulation on allowing foreign-invested enterprises to organize outbound tours. The current Tourism Law does not allow FIEs to provide the services. A hope arose among foreign travel ...
European Chamber chief voices scepticism against the BRI
Filip Lauwerysen, executive director of the European Chamber of Commerce Myanmar, wrote to The Myanmar Times and said that the Myanmar government and businesses should be cautious about the BRI, a scheme which he saw as a move by China to align the terms of trade and ...
VN eyes more fruit exports to Japan
Even as Japan is the fifth largest importer of Việt Nam’s agricultural products, only three kinds of Vietnamese fresh fruits are being sold in the country. A report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade’s Export and Import Department showed that Việt Nam earned US$1.46 ...
VIAC encourages alternative dispute resolutions
The Vietnam International Arbitration Centre organised a workshop on June 6 with the International Finance Corporation to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution methods in the banking and finance sector. The conference, named ‘Benefits and Challenges of Using ADR for Banking Disputes’, focused on the principles, ...
FSC to investigate Korean conglomerate’s palm oil operations in Indonesia
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), one of the world’s most influential sustainable forestry certification bodies, has announced that it will investigate the Indonesian oil palm operations of Korean agribusiness conglomerate Korindo in response to a formal complaint submitted by environmental group Mighty Earth. The group ...
Indonesia’s plantation lobby challenges environmental law
Palm oil and paper lobby groups have asked Indonesia’s highest court to strike down rules holding plantation firms strictly liable for fires that occur on their land. The groups have also asked the Constitutional Court to eliminate a regulation letting small farmers practice slash-and-burn techniques, the ...
