Economy and commerce
China says accord reached at last with Myanmar on oil pipeline
China and Myanmar have reached an agreement on an oil pipeline between the neighboring countries after almost a decade of talks, with the project due to start “very quickly,” Chinese vice foreign minister Liu Zhenmin said on Monday. The new oil gateway fits with China’s “One ...
Myanmar designates 20 fields to promote investment
Myanmar’s efforts to promote investment will target 20 newly designated fields covering 192 types of businesses and services, using a law enacted in October that makes it easier for foreign companies to receive tax benefits. The industries covered include manufacturing, agriculture, urban development, communications and medicine, while fields ...
MFIs predict lower earnings
With the interest rate cap of 18 percent in full force for all new and restructured microfinance loans after the National Bank of Cambodia issued a populist measure to curb high interest rates, microfinance institutions are starting to give predictions for lower profits this year ...
Growth in Thai jobless rate spurs gov’t plan
Close to half a million people in Thailand were unemployed last month, up 99,000 or 1.3 percent in the same period last year, which is spurring the government to offer skills training for jobless workers. A total of 496,000 people were jobless last month, a jump ...
New law offers incentives to attract investment
A newly-amended Investment Promotion Law has recently been promulgated, offering a variety of incentives to attract investment in both promoted sectors and hardship areas. Businesses investing and operating in hardship communities (known as Area I),where infrastructure has not yet been developed, will enjoy favourable profit ...
Cambodia’s microfinance shakeup: in whose interest?
On the river island of Koh Srolav in southern Cambodia, everything changed for the 300 or so families inhabiting the small fishing village about ten years ago, when the sand dredging barges arrived. Operating in the dark of night, they have plundered the Tatai river with ...
Leather and footwear exports could reach $26 billion by 2020
Việt Nam is targeting to earn between US$24 billion to $26 billion from leather and footwear exports by 2020 under a revised plan for leather and footwear industry development until 2025 with a vision to 2035. The Ministry of Industry and Trade held a seminar ...
ASEAN finance ministers commit to promoting economic growth
Finance ministers and central bank governors of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have agreed to promote economic growth and financial integration, and strengthen financial stability in the region. The commitment was detailed in a joint statement, which was issued at the third Finance Ministers ...
HCM City to begin first river bus route in June
HCM City People’s Committee has called on departments of transport, natural resources and environment and district-level People’s Committees to facilitate the city’s first two river bus routes. The investor, Thuong Nhat Co. Ltd., plans to open the two river bus routes in June. Chairman of the People’s ...
Peace and economy co-related: peace commission chair
To attract more local and foreign investments in Myanmar, peace and political stability are critical, said Peace Commission chair Dr Tin Myo Win. “It is fundamental. Business is essential for peace and peace is also critical in encouraging business growth. They are co-related. “We also need ...
