News
Vietnam index drops to below 600 points amid devaluation fear
The Vietnam Stock Index or VN-Index slumped for four straight days amid currency devaluation fear, closing at 589.03 points on 14 August. According to stock experts, the decisions of China’s central bank to devalue the Chinese yuan and the decision of Vietnam’s central bank to widen the exchange ...
Global markets: South-east Asia's currencies are plunging like its 1998
Four years ago, a dollar fetched just over 8,500 Indonesian rupiah, and just under three Malaysian ringgit. Today a dollar is worth nearly 14,000 rupiah and almost four ringgit. Both currencies hit 17-year lows this summer, and kept falling (see chart). In Asia the rupiah and ...
India must focus on expanding banks network in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam
Expansion of Indian banks network in CLMV – Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam- countries would help in enhancing trade and investment relations with these nations, a report has suggested. The Commerce and Industry Ministry report – “India’s Strategy for Economic Integration with CLMV” was prepared by think ...
Influential leader in Myanmar is removed as head of governing party
The head of Myanmar’s governing party has been removed from his post in what one aide described as a “coup,” the most visible sign yet of splintering within Myanmar’s military elite and the resurgence of conservative forces that dominated under decades of military rule. The removal ...
Opposition senator arrested after Hun Sen’s order
Opposition Senator Hong Sok Hour was arrested at the CNRP’s Phnom Penh headquarters on the morning of 13 August, little more than an hour after Prime Minister Hun Sen delivered a speech ordering police to apprehend him over a Facebook post, his party leader in the ...
Turmoil in Myanmar's military-backed ruling party as leaders are deposed
Myanmar security forces have surrounded the headquarters of the ruling Union Solidarity and Development party in the country’s capital, Naypyidaw, and senior regime figures have been removed from their posts, as tensions mount ahead of elections in November. Sources within the headquarters of the USDP – which ...
Recent arrests highlight Laos drug problems
Seizures of large quantities of synthetic drugs and their precursor chemicals by Lao police in recent months point to renewed efforts by authorities to slow growing rates of addiction in the impoverished, one-party state, sources say. In a major haul on 23 July at a warehouse ...
China explosion: Tianjin death toll rises in port blasts
At least 44 people are now known to have died, and more than 500 injured, following two major explosions in China’s northern port city of Tianjin. Twelve firefighters were among the dead, China’s official Xinhua news agency said as it reported a doubling of the death ...
As Myanmar elections draw near, fate of Myitsone dam remains uncertain
Thein Sein announced in September 2011 that the construction of the Myitsone Dam would be suspended “for the duration of our government,” a move that will be remembered as one of the key moments of his presidency. However, with the general-turned-politician’s term of office to conclude ...
Lao researchers seeking to introduce faster growing rice varieties
The Naphok Agricultural Research Centre is seeking to produce early maturing varieties of rice seed for Lao farmers to plant in the coming years, as part of efforts to reduce the disaster related impacts of climate change. Researchers at the centre are currently conducting ongoing research into ...
