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#1 ·
Laos Economic Thread

Laos raises GDP growth forecast level to 7.8 percent

The Lao government has changed the forecast of national economic growth to 7.8 percent from 7.5 percent originally set for the 2009-10 fiscal year amidst the global economic rebound.

Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh released the forecast at a National Assembly meeting that opened in Vientiane on June 14.

Agriculture and forestry are forecast to make up 29 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) while industry accounts for 17 percent and services 32.9 percent.
Budget deficits are estimated at 3.36 percent of the GDP.

GDP growth for the 2010-11 fiscal year is expected to reach 8 and 8.5 percent.

The Lao Government leader said dynamic global economic recovery has helped boost Lao exports and encourage foreign investment into the Indochinese country.

In the first six months of 2010, foreign direct investment into Laos reached 49 million USD and official development assistance (ODA), 257 million USD.
http://dangcongsan.vn/cpv/Modules/N..._E.aspx?CN_ID=408696&CO_ID=30107#pT1ABXKQaGpM
 
#53 ·
Lao Bao border economic zone attracts 47 projects
The Lao Bao special economic zone in the central province of Quang Tri has attracted 47 projects worth VND3.4 trillion ($164 million), 34 of which are already operational.
Trade though the Lao Bao border gate has also seen constant growth, rising from $23.6 million in 2007 to $70 million last year.
The Lao Bao gate is the starting point of the East-West Economic Corridor linking Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
Read more
 
#54 ·
Thailand, Laos agree on cellphone signal

Published: 18 Jan 2013 at 16.39

The Thai-Lao Joint Technical Committee on Coordination and Assignment of Frequencies recently concluded negotiations on tackling the intrusion of mobile phone signals into their respective border areas, the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission said in a statement released on Friday.

Agreement was reached in December and is now effective.

The two countries have agreed to allow the signals of mobile phones from another country to go no more than one kilometre inside their populated border areas, and 2km in other locations.

The signal level from another country in border areas is capped at -90dBM for 2G technology and -100dBM for 3G, the telecom regulating agency said.

dBm stands for decibel-milliwatt, an electrical power unit in decibels.

"The limits of the signal level for Lao mobile phone users transmitting across the border are weak, so mobile phones in Thailand will not be automatically switched (to receive the signal from Laos)," Commissioner Prawit Leesatapornwongsa said.

Thai mobile phone users in the northern and northeastern regions bordering Laos have complained about being charged for international calls despite dialling domestic numbers. The problem is due to weak signals in Thailand which make the equipment automatically switch to stronger signals from Laos.

Thais staying in Laos, including Vientiane, can make a long distance call by paying domestic charges if they make phone calls at some locations close to the Mekong River.

Mr Prawit said that not all Thais will benefit from the agreement as some border areas will still have a weak signal until operators install more networks to expand their signal coverage.

Thailand has the same agreement with Malaysia to limit the signal coverage along their border.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/telecom/331500/thailand-laos-settle-on-cell-phone-signals
 
#55 ·
Foreign Money Pours Into Laos

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887323874204578220013585429702.html

VIENTIANE, Laos—On the face of it, Laos is a no man's land for foreign investors.

This landlocked, Southeast Asian nation of 6.5 million people offers a tiny market. Experts say corruption is widespread. And some foreigners say they have been burned when deals in the country unraveled.

Yet investment is pouring in.

Foreign direct investment rose more than 40% in each of the past two years, largely as neighboring countries jostled for work in the resource and hydropower sectors. Chinese companies increasingly are breaking ground on real-estate projects, and Western companies including Coca-Cola Co. KO -0.11% and French lens maker Essilor International SA EI.FR -1.15% also are stepping in.

The World Bank predicted that Laos would post a record trade deficit of $1.3 billion for last year. The gap would largely stem from imports related to foreign investments, such as fuel, vehicles and construction materials.

The Laotian economy remains small compared with those of neighboring Thailand, Vietnam and Myanmar. And foreign direct investment first topped the billion-dollar mark only last year.

But Laos hopes to attract $8 billion in investment from 2011 to 2015, the vast majority of it from foreign investors, to keep its economy expanding around 8% a year. In a $9 billion economy, the injection of capital from abroad is an important part of the government's plan to expand budding industries by the end of the decade to shake off the country's status as one of the world's 48 least-developed countries.

"Laos might not be as interesting as a Vietnam or Thailand, but it's growing, and it provides steady revenue," says Chris Manley, the Laos manager for RMA Lao, the largest U.S. company operating in Laos. The company, which distributes Fords, Land Rovers, John Deere tractors and heavy trucks and equipment, is building showrooms and expanding others to meet a car boom in the capital of Vientiane and in smaller cities.

Part of the appeal for foreign companies lies in establishing a footprint in the region as Southeast Asian nations prepare to form the Asean Economic Community in 2015. The bloc will bring together nearly 10% of the world's population into a shared economy of more than $2 trillion.

Coca-Cola in late November announced plans to build the U.S. company's first bottling plant in Laos. Citing the country's entry into the World Trade Organization next month "and the beginning of the integration of the country into the global economy, we see opportunities for growth in this market," the U.S.-based company says.

Malayan Banking Bhd. 1155.KU +0.11% in November opened its first Laotian branch, in Vientiane. And Essilor, which makes eyeglass lenses, will build a plant this year in the southwestern province of Savannakhet, the company's first in the region beyond Thailand.

China CAMC Engineering Co. 002051.SZ -1.63% is working on Vientiane's new convention center, which is expected to be completed by November, and is a year into a $600 million plan to reshape Vientiane's waterfront over the next six years or so. The state-owned company long has played a construction role in Laos, a country with only a handful of buildings higher than five stories.

Mall developer Shanghai Wanfeng Group last month broke ground in the capital on what the company said would be a $1.6 billion commercial and residential development—Shanghai Wanfeng's first major foray outside China. And Malaysia's Giant Consolidated Ltd. recently signed a contract to fund a $5 billion railway line connecting Vietnam to southern Laos, a country that is essentially barren of track today.

But whether these investors have moved too quickly remains a question. The U.S. State Department has warned that commercial law remains untested here. And risk-assessment firm Maplecroft said in a report this month that "the weak rule of law and frequent government intervention…will continue to expose foreign businesses to arbitrary legal action."

Several investments here have gone bust in recent years.

Macau-based Sanum Investments Ltd. says some of the casino operator's assets have been seized by the Laotian government in disputes between Sanum and its local partner and over roughly $23 million in taxes and fees. Sanum, a unit of Netherlands-based Lao Holdings NV, says the claims against it are baseless and that the government appears intent on expropriating the company's businesses, including one of the country's major casinos. Sanum says it invested more than $85 million in its Laotian operations and is seeking international arbitration.

Francis Chagnaud, a Frenchman who has been in the agricultural-forestry business in Laos for two decades, was told to relocate Agroforex Co.'s factory in Vientiane midway through a long-term contract when the state denied the company's landlord an extension. Mr. Chagnaud, who says the government has done little to address the issue, was forced to move when he found one day that part of his factory's roof had been removed overnight.

The Justice Ministry didn't respond to requests for comment about Sanum and Agroforex.

Mr. Chagnaud says the experience hasn't soured him on Laos, and that his troubles are typical in a developing country. "In Laos, the commercial competition may be less, but the state of law is undeveloped. And you should prepare investors for that," he says.

"Corruption is getting worse and worse," says Oudet Souvannavong, vice president of the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry. "The courts go to the highest bidder." Graft is most pervasive in big-ticket projects and is perhaps the country's fundamental impediment to attracting more investment, Mr. Souvannavong says.

The government says it is working to improve the business climate and cites a streamlined bureaucracy and the country's recent acceptance into the WTO.

"It used to be that you had to go to multiple ministries to get licenses, and that's changed. We've allowed foreigners into most sectors—hotels and hospitality and tourism—and most industry, including mining and hydro," says Santisouk Phounesavath, a deputy director in the Ministry of Trade and Commerce.

"Thailand and China have always been willing to take more risks" in Laos, he says. "But now the laws are in place, so I hope this will attract more Western companies. Australia was the first to come. And companies from the U.S. and Europe, they're slowly coming too."
 
#56 ·
Laos-Thailand freight rail link by 2015

Published: 4 Feb 2013 at 12.47Online news: Transport

The 3.5km railway link from Vientiane to the Thai border will be able to handle freight by 2015, news reports in Laos said Monday.

Laos would build the required facilities at its end of the Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge by 2015, the Vientiane Times reported.

"Construction of a yard to store containers and lifting facilities will begin at the end of this year," said Bounchanh Xaybounheuang, a senior official at the Lao Railways Authority.

The project will be financed by a 1.65 billion baht (US$55 million) loan from the Thai government.

The road and rail bridge was opened in 1994, and links Nong Khai in Thailand to Laos on the other side of the Mekong River. The railway extends another 3.5 kilometres to the Lao capital Vientiane.

The train service has so far been limited to passengers, mainly foreign tourists.

Thailand and Laos plan to double their bilateral trade to $8 billion by the year 2015, compared with $3.9 billion in 2011, the Vientiane Times said.

Laos has also said it plans to invest $7 billion in a freight and passenger rail connection from Kunming, the capital of China's Yunnan province, to Vientiane and on to Thailand.

The project was supposed to start in 2011 but has been delayed.

http://www.bangkokpost.com/news/transport/334200/laos-thailand-freight-rail-link-by-2015
 
#57 ·
CPF subsidiaries investing Bt250m in Laos, Cambodia

THE NATION March 4, 2013 1:00 am

Charoen Pokphand Foods is preparing to invest more in Laos and Cambodia to set up feed mills and livestock farms.

CP Laos and CP Cambodia are investing a combined Bt250 million to set up a new silo for maize in Cambodia and a new feed-meal plant in Laos to strengthen CPF's integrated agricultural-industrial business as the Asean Economic Community (AEC) approaches.

The investment will involve the purchase of a maize silo and drying plant in Cambodia and the establishment of a new feed-mill plant in Champasak province, southwestern Laos.

The company has also invested further in its three core businesses of feed production, farming and food processing in the two countries. Its businesses there are focused on the efficient development of the supply chain to access quality raw materials. This is aimed at making CPF well placed to serve rising demand once the regional single market is established in 2015.

Sakol Cheewakoset, president of CP Laos and CP Cambodia, said the opening up of the regional market under the AEC would create great business opportunities for both investment and export to neighbouring countries as well as developed nations.

CPF is continuing to invest in Laos and Cambodia to take advantage of increasing purchasing power of people there. Moreover, the two countries are fully supportive of the CP subsidiaries. Political stability in both countries has prompted economic growth to ensure sustainable business development.

Most recently, the company has invested in developing a silo and drying plant for maize in Pailin province, western Cambodia. The investment is to ensure high-quality raw material to serve its feed production for both the domestic market and export.

Since 1995, CP has invested a total of Bt3 billion in Cambodia, including feed production, livestock farming and food processing such as sausage-making and slaughterhouses.

Sakol said the plant in Pailin province would ensure the company's distribution in western Cambodia, an important area for agricultural production. Having a plant there will reduce logistics costs. Initially, capacity is set at 10,000 tonnes per month.

The company is also considering investing in aquaculture in Cambodia in the near future.

"CP's business in Cambodia is doing well, as food business still has great opportunity. Our five-year business plan aims to double our total sales every year," Sakol said.

He added that Cambodia had to import feed meal and live swine from neighbouring countries. CP Cambodia's revenue is growing by an average of 20 per cent a year, but it hopes to achieve 30 per cent growth this year from its business expansion.

Meanwhile, investment in Laos has reached approximately Bt1 billion in the feed, farm and food businesses. However, the food business is in the beginning stage, with only Five Star grilled chicken launched so far.

CP operates one feed mill in Vientiane with production capacity of 10,000 tonnes per month. The new plant in Champasak province will have initial production capacity of 5,000 tonnes per month to serve consumption in southern Laos. Having a plant there will reduce the company's logistical cost by avoiding the need to transport goods from Vientiane.

Sakol noted that CP Group chairman Dhanin Chearavanont had said the group should not concentrate only on feed, farming and food processing but also on organic production of both livestock and crops in Laos and Cambodia. This plan aims to serve their growing economy and increasing the number of foreign visitors.

Moreover, organic production would enhance the two countries' exports to North America and the European Union. The most important thing is to create and organic supply chain in both countries.

http://www.nationmultimedia.com/bus...vesting-Bt250m-in-Laos-Cambodia-30201178.html
 
#58 ·
Establishment of a new factory in Laos
To reinforce digital SLR camera manufacturing organization, Nikon Corporation (Makoto Kimura, President) is pleased to announce the establishment of a new factory in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) to reinforce its digital SLR camera manufacturing organization and reduce costs.
Operations are scheduled to commence in October 2013.

Entry-level and mid-class digital SLR cameras, and some interchangeable lenses are manufactured by Nikon (Thailand) Co., Ltd. in the Ayutthaya province of Thailand. With the establishment of this new factory in Laos, a part of the production for digital SLR cameras which are completed as final products at Nikon (Thailand) will be done in Laos.
Read more
 
#59 ·
Prime Minister to Attend the Fifth ACMECS Summit in Laos

(10/03/2013)

Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra is scheduled to attend the Fifth ACMECS Summit in Vientiane, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, on 12-13 March 2013.

ACMECS stands for the Ayeyewady – Chao Phraya – Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy. It was established at the initiative of Thailand in 2003 as a cooperation framework among Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Accompanying the Prime Minister during this trip will be Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul, Commerce Minister Boonsong Teriyapirom, and other senior officials. Apart from reviewing the progress of past cooperation and discuss the direction for future cooperation, leaders of ACMECS will adopt the Vientiane Declaration of the Fifth ACMECS Summit to reaffirm their intention to cooperate under the ACMECS Plan of Action 2013-2015.

The Plan of Action among ACMECS countries covers eight areas, namely: (1) trade and investment facilitation; (2) agriculture; (3) transportation; (4) human resources development; (5) industry and energy; (6) tourism; (7) public health; and (8) environment.

The main objective of the ACMECS Plan of Action 2013-2015 is to promote the ASEAN Community, which will be in place in 2015, when ASEAN countries will become a single market and production base. In this regard, ACMECS members will be part of the supply chain in Southeast Asia, with economic, production, and transportation links.

The three-year Plan of Action will seek to enhance the competitiveness of ACMECS members, especially in terms of labor and trade and investment facilitation. It will also promote agricultural production, infrastructure investment to accommodate border industries, transportation network development, and tourism cooperation.

Thailand will also discuss its agricultural investment in the form of contract farming with other ACMECS countries. The Cabinet, during its meeting on 5 March 2013, approved the contract farming project for 2013, following a proposal by the Ministry of Commerce. It also assigned relevant provincial governors to carry out the contract farming project with neighboring countries.

The Ministry of Commerce joins hands with the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives in working out the investment plan for the project each year. The contract farming system is carried out between farmers in neighboring countries and Thai traders operating along the borders. Under the project, Thai traders will import certain crops from other ACMECS countries. The imports will not affect Thai farmers since the amount will not be great.

During the Fifth ACMECS Summit, Prime Minister Yingluck will witness the signing of a cooperative framework of the Thai-Cambodian Business Council by the Joint Public/Private Sector Consultative Committee of Thailand and the Cambodia Chamber of Commerce. She will also hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister of Lao PDR Thongsing Thammavong.

http://thailand.prd.go.th/view_news.php?id=6674&a=3

























 
#60 ·
PM hopes for Thai-Lao-China high-speed train link

BANGKOK, April 4 – Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra gave reassurances that Thailand’s high-speed train will reach the northeastern province of Nong Khai to connect Thailand with the Lao PDR and China.

Meeting Lao Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Wednesday, the Thai premier said she looks forward to a tripartite cooperation to develop infrastructure for communication and transport among Thailand, the Lao PDR and China.

She said Thai investors from the public and private sectors will visit Laos to enhance business and trade cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Thongloun called on Thai investors to strictly adhere to Lao investment laws and avoid any activity that will negatively impact the landlocked country’s environment.

Thailand is hosting the 2nd Thai-Lao Joint Commission in Chiang Mai on May 19 to discuss social, economic and security cooperation. Other issues to be raised are upgrading checkpoints along the Thai-Lao border, suppression of border drug trafficking, and boundary demarcation. (MCOT online news)

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=515ce72f150ba0e94500033f#.UV2T7qL-GE4
 
#61 ·
Laos’ GDP growth remains robust amid economic challenges: ADB

http://www.nzweek.com/business/laos-gdp-growth-remains-robust-amid-economic-challenges-adb-58751/

VIENTIANE, April 9 — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has forecast Laos’ economic growth at 7.7 percent in 2013 and 2014, higher than the region’s average. ADB’s flagship annual economic publication, Asian Development Outlook 2013, released on Tuesday in Laos’ capital city of Vientiane, identifies the electricity and mining sectors as the primary drivers of Laos’ strong growth rate.

New hydropower projects commissioned in 2012 increased national output by more than 650 megawatts, with about 70 percent of all hydropower generated exported, mainly to Thailand, the report stated.

Chong Chi Nai, ADB country director, said Laos would benefit from starting to build its own 500 KV transmission lines for integration into the emerging Great Mekong sub-region power grid.

“A more efficient use of fossil fuels could be achieved by designing more compact, clean and green cities where transport can be arranged more efficiently,” he added.

ADB Deputy Country Director for Laos Barend Frielink said Laos’ gross domestic product (GDP) growth is on track to exceed growth in developing Asia, projected at 6.6 percent in 2013 and 6.7 percent in 2014.

However, Laos faces challenges such as rising inequality and inflation due to higher prices of imported goods and credit growth. Laos’ inflation is projected to edge up to 5.5 percent in 2013 in light of buoyant domestic demand and higher salaries for government employees, the report said.

Other challenges for Laos identified by the ADB are achieving higher growth with stronger banking supervision, maintaining exchange rate and price stability. Tighter fiscal policies and stability, land management and natural resources maintenance are required to achieve higher growth.

The report also listed construction, increased rice output and rising tourist numbers as helpful for economic growth.

Established in 1966, ADB, based in Manila, the Philippines, is dedicated to reducing poverty in Asia and Pacific through inclusive economic growth, environmentally sustainable growth and regional integration.
 
#62 ·
Thailand, Lao PDR agree to resolve border issues, boost bilateral cooperation

CHIANG MAI, May 19 -- Thailand and the Lao PDR today agreed to resolve border-related problems as well as to enhance bilateral cooperation in trade, tourism and agriculture at the Second Thai-Lao Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR) in the northern province of Chiang Mai.

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and her Lao counterpart Thongsing Thammavong told a press conference after the meeting at the Le Meridien Chiang Mai Hotel that the two neighbouring countries agreed to boost cross-border cooperation, to improve related procedures as well as to consider the implementation of e-customs procedures.

The two nations also will jointly tackle problems related to drugs and human trafficking.

In addition, Thailand and Lao PDR will also bolster agriculture and tourism by linking highway Routes No 8 and No 12 to facilitate further trade and investment.

Regarding the high-speed rail network linking Thailand, Lao PDR and China, Thailand was ready to host a tripartite meeting among representatives of the three countries.

The implementation of the Thailand-Lao PDR single visa agreement under the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (Acmecs) framework or ‘Acmecs Single Visa' scheme is also being considered by both countries.

Lao Prime Minister Thongsing hailed the meeting as a success, saying that the retreat resulted in cooperation in various categories--- cross border issues, border trade and human trafficking.

The two premiers also witnessed the signing of the Second Thai-Lao JCR statement, a memorandum of understanding on maintenance and management of the 4th Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge linking Chiang Rai’s Chiang Khong district with Houay Xay in Lao PDR, and another MoU on agricultural cooperation. (MCOT online news)

http://www.mcot.net/site/content?id=5198a124150ba00d7b00003f#.UZkEnrXI1qU
 
#63 ·
Lao government issuing Government Bond in Baht denomination at 15 Billion Baht to woo Thai bankers to invest on hydroelectric dams in Laos with the consent from Thai government while Thai government is going to issue government bonds with maturity of 3, 5, 7, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50 years with total prices of 525 Billion Baht - about 50% of 1.1 trillion Baht capitalization
http://www.manager.co.th/iBizchannel/ViewNews.aspx?NewsID=9550000158616
 
#64 ·
Investment in Laos within 11 Month period of 2013 has reached the level of 23.77 trillion kips (94.5 billion Baht) - up by 5.1% in the same period of 2010 - top investments are hydroelectric dam (12.2 trillion kips) followed by mines (8.57 trillion kip) and service sectors including restaurants and hotels [858 billion kip] are the main investment - 10.42 trillion kip is from China (the top) while Thai investors invest just 3.24 trillion kip (the 3rd) - behind Chinese investment and Lao expat investment (4.13 trillion kip)
http://www.thanonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=204814&catid=231&Itemid=621
 
#65 ·
After the successful Lao government bonds in Baht denomination of 3 Billion Baht with 4.7% annual interest rate for 3-year bonds and 5.1% annual interest rate for 5 year bonds, it has given an incentive and encouragement for Burmese Government, Cambodian government and even Vietnam government to issue Government Bonds in Baht denomination to borrow hard currency for national development with less cost than issuing US Dollar/Euro/Yen denomination bonds or borrowing from ADB/World Bank due to the growing number of Thai investors and the stringent regulation on borrowing in US Dollar/Euro/Yen denomination.
http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1384930910
 
#66 ·
Lao press mentioning about the growing investments and prosperity

1. more Japanese investment at Savan - Sepon special economic zone in Savannakhet
2. Tananuwat family investing 120 Million Baht on View Mall, the first community Mall in Viengchan with the space of 20000 sq.m. at Ban Phakhao, Xaithani district of Viengchan capital to be opened in Mid 2014 if not early 2015, very ideal please since it is not far from Lao National University at Dong Doke which has 20000 students
3. Many people in viengchan capital start to live with luxury with 1 Million imported vehicles for 1.2 million men in Viengchan capital - and there are 3 million tourists from Thailand, China and Vietnam heading to Viengchan capital

For the business in Laos, need to make a closed study consumer behavior, learning more about regulations and need local partners with the real sincere to form the alliance - the good example of Thai investment is Khong View restaurant

Most of Thai investors in Laos stick with Viengchan capital and major cities like Savannakhet with focus on restaurants, hotel, entertainment complex ... some of Thai investors were destitute before becoming true millionaires in Laos and pay off the debts ... A reminder to Lao people who have some capitals along with good ties with creditors and investing experience to emulate Thai investors and you don't have to work abroad.

http://www.sedthakid.la/khao/17694.spc

Joint Development Bank setting up the new branch at Muang Tone Phueng, Bo Keo district to support the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone with Saving, Fixed term, Checking deposit accounts, loan, ATM, domestic and international money transfer
http://www.sedthakid.la/khao/17808.spc
http://www.bangkokbiznews.com/home/...547805/ตนานุวัฒน์-ร่วมทุนลาว-ผุดวิวมอลล์.html
 
#69 ·
Inflation rises in first half of fiscal year; trade deficit widens

http://laosinvestmentreview.com/201...rst-half-of-fiscal-year-trade-deficit-widens/

Despite a month-to-month downward trend, the inflation rate in Laos during the first six months of the 2013-14 fiscal year was nearly 1.5 percentage points higher than last year’s rate.

The average inflation rate from October 2013 through March 2014 was 6.27 percent, compared to 4.8 percent in the same period a year ago, according to a government report cited by Vientiane Times.

This year’s higher inflation rate was attributed to price increases in food and non-alcoholic beverages, restaurants and hotels, and clothing and footwear.

However, month-on-month inflation declined in March to 5.3 percent, the fourth consecutive monthly decrease since November 2013, when inflation reached 6.9 percent.

The report also said the nation’s trade deficit ballooned to about US$800 million in the first half of the current fiscal year. Although exports increased 25 percent, to $US1.1 billion, over the same period last year, imports surged 69 percent, to US$1.9 billion.
 
#71 ·

Dao Hueang Coffee - which try to market Lao coffee as "clean coffee" into ASEAN market - after Dao Hueang Coffee has become popular to Thai consumers which make Lao people to become addict with coffee. However, Thai people prefer Dao Coffee which is original without additives rather than ka Fae Dao though.

Vietnam is another main market in ASEAN due to the blood line of the owner of Dao Hueang Coffee.

Furthermore, Dao Hueang coffee has exported 6-7000 ton of raw Arabica coffee to Japan and EU per year while instant coffee & 3 in 1 coffee is for ASEAN market and Chinese market. Next year, Dao Hueang Tea, Slim coffee 3 in 1 and Dao Hueang canned coffee will be on the list.

In the next 3 year, Dao Hueang Coffee will be listed on the stock market in Viengchan ...
http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1401354583
 
#72 ·
#73 ·

Now, Mobile phones, Tablets, Facsimiles from Thailand has reached 990 million Baht to become the 4th export after Oil (10,417 Million Baht), trucks and pickups (3,525 Million Baht), automobiles (2,948 Million Baht) - a big surge as never before Mobile phones, Tablets, Facsimiles have become the great export ... as export from Thailand to Cambodia has reached 59000 million Baht - including 43000 million Baht transit goods to China and Vietnam or so. This has alarmed the custom houses at the immigration checkpoints as those computer, Notebooks, tablets, mobile phones and camera can be VAT refunded.
http://www.prachachat.net/news_detail.php?newsid=1412067614
 
#75 ·
Thai-Lao Science ministries jointly develop telemetry stations for efficient water forecasting system

BANGKOK, 30 November 2014 (NNT) – Thailand and the Lao People’s Democratic Republic are jointly developing the scientific-based data for an accurate weather forecasting system necessary for better water management.

Minister of Science and Technology Pichet Durongkaveroj said Thailand has engaged in cooperation agreements with Laos in five areas of water management so that both countries will achieve a more accurate forecasting system, using comprehensive data collected from telemetry stations located both in Thailand and Laos.

The five cooperation projects are the creation of water database via website www.laowater.net, the development of weather-forecast models, the installation of new Satellite Telemetry Stations in Laos, the sediment control which can reduce pollutants in Mekong River and the know-how on water management in line with royally initiated projects.

Mr. Royol Chitdon, Director of the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute (HAII), said the automatic telemetry stations have been developed by HAII in order to collect data on weather, rainfalls and water levels in distant locations and send back the data via GPRS and 3G networks. Then the updated data will be shown on Thai website www.thaiwater.net.

At present, there are 800 telemetry stations across Thailand and one more to be installed in 2015, hoping to enhance the forecast accuracy.

Moreover, Thailand and Laos are cooperating in introducing the success of royally-initiated water management models in 55 Thai communities to those in Laos in order to enable the latter to deal with the water shortage and overflow problems.

http://thainews.prd.go.th/CenterWeb/NewsEN/NewsDetail?NT01_NewsID=WNICT5711300010002
 
#76 ·
the Minimum wage of workers in Laos has to be increased from the current level of 626000 Kip a month (77 US Dollars or 2500 Baht) to 900,000 Kip a month (110.64 US Dollars or 3600 Baht a month) in Feb 2015 as a measure to stop the worker drain to Thailand and other neighbors according to Vientiane Times - This is a major increasing of wage since 2012 which the daily wage gone up by 79.8% to 348000 Kip a month (42.80 US Dollars or 1400 Baht). There are already 111100 legal Lao workers in Thailand and there are 200000 illegal Lao workers in Thailand ...

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=928286717190821&id=277100888976077

This rising wage to 900000 Kip a month also the response to the rising cost of living which is now up by 50% - Chili gone up from 14000 Kip per kg to 20000 Kip per kg while vegetable gone up from 10000 Kip per kg to 15000 Kip per kg - Beef is now 75000 Kip (300 Baht) per kg - while Pork and Poultry is now 40000 Kip (160 Baht) per kg - well above beef along with Pork and Poultry in Thailand which is 220 Baht per kg and 110 Baht per kg respectively - While GDP per capita for those in Viengchan capital is 30 Million Kip a year (3800 US Dollars a year), GDP per capita for those who live in Phongsali is just 6 Million Kip a year (745 US Dollars a year)
http://lao.voanews.com/content/cons...ao-authorities-could-not-control/2603581.html
 
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