Tag Archives: Australia

Strong Australia-Fiji Trade Links Reply

by • Fiji News • Tags: , , , , , ,
Australia and Fiji are continuing to forge strong business links focusing on trade and investment

Australia and Fiji are continuing to forge strong business links focusing on trade and investment

Reposted from Fiji Times Online
By John Brand

The most compelling reflections I have of Fiji for 2012 are the natural disasters that have impacted its people, particularly the floods earlier in the year and Cyclone Evan at year’s end.

Australian hearts, wishes and assistance went out to the many Fijians who suffered in these disasters. These events touched many different Fiji communities, and the business community did not escape their impact. Business communities, particularly in the north and west have shown their resilience in dealing with whatever Mother Nature has thrown at them and I know they are looking eagerly to 2013 to rebuild and refresh. More…

Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership to create huge market Reply

by • Cambodia News • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

The RCEP was officially launched on Tuesday during the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh

The RCEP was officially launched on Tuesday during the 21st ASEAN Summit in Phnom Penh

Reposted from The Phnom Penh Post
By May Kunmakara

Cambodia’s ASEAN economic minister said the official launch of the negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will lead to potentially forming the biggest single market in the region and is much bigger than the traditional markets of the US and the EU. More…

The Endangered Mongolian Mineral Boom Reply

by • Mongolia News • Tags: , , , ,

The Tavan Tolgoi coal mine in southern Mongolia.


Reposted from The National Interest
By Ariel Cohen

Eight hundred years after Genghis Khan, Mongolia is back in the news. Nicknamed “Mine-golia,” it is enjoying the largest energy and raw-materials boom on the planet. Today, Mongolia boasts the world’s third-largest copper mine, as well as one of the largest coal mines. More…

Growth to be the focus of ASEAN economic summit Reply

by • Cambodia News • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Cambodia’s ASEAN Economic Minister Cham Prasidh speaks at the Cambodian Economic and Trade Promotion Conference on April 6 at the Sofitel in Phnom Penh

Cambodia’s ASEAN Economic Minister Cham Prasidh speaks at the Cambodian Economic and Trade Promotion Conference on April 6 at the Sofitel in Phnom Penh

Reposted from The Phnom Penh Post
By May Kunmakara

Prime Minister Hun Sen will be opening the 44th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting and related meetings will kick off August 27 in Siem Reap, the centre of Khmer culture and civilization in Cambodia, and will run to September 1, according to the Ministry of Commerce.

The meeting will be to discuss many topics concerned with trade liberalisation and economic cooperation among the 10 ASEAN member states. More…

Myanmar invites investment in mining industry Reply

by • Myanmar (Burma) News • Tags: , , , , , , ,

Gem auction in Yangon, Myanmar

Gem auction in Yangon, Myanmar

Reposted from tuoitrenews.com
Originally published by AFP

Myanmar on Monday invited foreign firms to invest in its mining sector, in the latest step to open up its economy after decades of isolation from the West.

“For investors who would like to do exploration to confirm the reserve of a deposit or to start with the grassroots exploration operations in a virgin land, they may apply accordingly clearly stating their intentions,” Win Htein, a top official at the Ministry of Mines, told a conference in Yangon. More…

Mongolia on track to supply Asia with coal Reply

by • Mongolia News • Tags: , , , , , , ,

The growth in Mongolian coal will threaten Australian coal exports Source: Supplied


Reposted from The Australian
By Robin Bromby

MONGOLIA is looming as a serious competitor for Australian mineral exports to northern Asia.

Already the landlocked north Asian state supplies 44 per cent of the coking coal imported by China, compared with Australia’s 22 per cent market share.

But there is also the looming threat that a new railway could mean Mongolian coal can be supplied more cheaply and quickly to our large markets in Japan and South Korea.

It takes a bulk carrier up to 17 days to haul coal from Newcastle to a South Korean port. Once a proposed new Mongolian rail line is built it will take just three days to transport coal to ports in Siberia and just a few days sailing across the Sea of Japan. More…

Australia lifts sanctions against Myanmar, doubles aid Reply

by • Myanmar (Burma) News • Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced further easing of restrictions against Myanmar

Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr announced further easing of restrictions against Myanmar

Reposted from Reuters

(Reuters) – Australia will lift its remaining financial and travel sanctions against Myanmar and double its aid in a move to encourage further democratic reform as the country tentatively emerges from decades of military rule, Foreign Minister Bob Carr said.

The lifting of economic sanctions, which follows a U.S. suspension of sanctions, will come into effect in coming weeks but Australia’s arms embargo against Myanmar will remain in place, Carr said in a statement. More…

Austrade opens office in Colombia: Eyes future growth Reply

by • Miscellaneous • Tags: , , , ,

Reposted from the Brisbane Times

By Larissa Ham

A DECADE ago, Colombia was pretty much a no-go zone for foreign investors, who were scared off by stories of crime, cocaine, kidnapping and corruption.But Colombia, with a population of 46 million, is a country in transition, with a growing middle class, improved security and huge potential for businesses. It also now has Latin America’s fourth-largest economy, and has dodged the economic collapses and hyperinflation of countries such as Argentina. More…

World Bank Assesses Myanmar’s Debt as Re-Engages Nation Reply

by • Myanmar (Burma) News • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,

Workers count Burmese kyat currency at a bank Thursday in Yangon, Myanmar.

Workers count Burmese kyat currency at a bank Thursday in Yangon, Myanmar.

Reposted from Bloomberg
By Sandrine Rastello

The World Bank is helping assess Myanmar’s debt level as it rekindles relations with the country 25 years after stopping loans, an official at the lender said.

The Washington-based World Bank will open an office in Myanmar in June, Pamela Cox, the bank’s vice president for East Asia, told reporters today. The lender and the International Monetary Fund are gathering data about the nation’s debt sustainability, she said. More…

Australia further eases Myanmar sanctions, seeks trade Reply

by • Myanmar (Burma) News • Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Car

Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Car

Reposted from Reuters

- Australia will further ease sanctions and move to normalize trade ties with Myanmar following its democratic by-elections, but sanctions will remain on military officials to pressure for further reforms, the government said on Monday.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said Australia would lift financial restrictions and travel bans against 260 people in Myanmar, including President Thein Sein and civilian reformists within the government. More…