Tag Archives: natural resources

Working group to focus on sustainability of natural resources Reply

by • Laos News • Tags: , , ,

The Laos government encourages the natural resource and environmental sectors to work closely with development partners.

The Laos government encourages the natural resource and environmental sectors to work closely with development partners.

Reposted from Vientiane Times

To manage natural resources and protect the environment, the government is encouraging the natural resource and environmental sectors to work closely with relevant groups and development partners. Representatives from civil, social, government organisations and development partners gathered in Vientiane on Friday to discuss the achievements and work plan of the natural resource and environment sectors as well as challenges and recommendations to be implemented within the sector. More…

World Bank Cuts Growth Forecast for Mongolia as Exports Slow Reply

by • Mongolia News • Tags: , , , ,

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Reposted from Bloomberg Businessweek
By By Michael Kohn

The World Bank lowered its forecast for Mongolia’s economic expansion this year on falling exports and foreign investments, and said the government needs to better manage spending.

Mongolia’s gross domestic product may rise 13 percent this year, compared with a previous forecast of 16.2 percent, the World Bank said in a press statement. The government’s fiscal deficit jumped to 8.4 percent of GDP last year, a 13-year record, it said. More…

Not out of the woods Reply

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

Myanmar certainly deserves credit for beginning an impressive process of transformation

Myanmar certainly deserves credit for beginning an impressive process of transformation

Reposted from Dawn.com
By Shada Islam

FOR some it’s the new El Dorado. Foreign investors are lining up to do business in Myanmar, a once-pariah nation which only a couple of years ago was almost as isolated as North Korea today. More…

The riches under Mongolia’s Turquoise Hill Reply

by • Mongolia News • Tags: , , , , ,

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Reposted the BBC News
By Justin Rowlatt

Beneath the Gobi desert lie enormous reserves of gold, silver and copper – but exploiting them is proving to be a tricky balancing act for the Mongolian authorities.

I am sure he would blush at the suggestion, but Samand Sanjdorj is quite possibly the most influential Mongolian since Genghis Khan. More…

Is ASEAN the New BRICS? Reply

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

On a wide range of economic pointers, Southeast Asia is gaining fast.

On a wide range of economic pointers, Southeast Asia is gaining fast.

Reposted from Asia Sentinel

For 15 years, since the Asian Financial Crisis of 1997 and 1998, the young tigers of Southeast Asia have been looked upon with suspicion by most investors while they struggled to rebuild their foreign currency reserves, signed currency swaps, strengthened their banking systems and made other reforms. In the meantime, the BRICS – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – have been gaining all of the publicity. More…

What Will WTO Membership Mean for Laos? Reply

by • Laos News • Tags: , , , , , ,

Laos’ commitment to abide by the WTO’s market access rules will lower the risk of investing.

Laos’ commitment to abide by the WTO’s market access rules will lower the risk of investing.

Reposted from THE DIPLOMAT
By Prashanth Parameswaran

Fifteen years after Laos first sought membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO), the small landlocked Southeast Asian state finally became the global trade body’s 158th member on February 2, 2013. While many have touted the benefits of WTO membership for Laos, Vientiane must grapple with several formidable challenges to realize these benefits in the coming years. More…

Ethiopia Coaxes Investors as It Struggles to Finance Growth Plan Reply

by • Africa News • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Ethiopia, whose economy grew 8.5% in 2012, is promoting investment in infrastructure, natural resources, and agro-processing

Ethiopia, whose economy grew 8.5% in 2012, is promoting investment in infrastructure, natural resources, and agro-processing

Reposted from Bloomberg
By William Davison

Ethiopia’s government plans to attract more foreign investment and boost domestic savings as it struggles to finance infrastructure and other development projects, State Minister of Finance Abraham Tekeste said.

The government is seeking “concessional loans” from development banks for roads and power lines and is “aggressively promoting” investment from Europe and the Middle East, Abraham said in an interview in the capital, Addis Ababa. Natural resources, improving infrastructure and cheap labor and power mean there are “bankable” opportunities in areas such as chemicals and agro-processing, he said. More…

Vale Eyes $7B in Planned Africa Investments Reply

by • Africa News • Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, is planning to spend $7 billion on projects in Africa

Vale, the Brazilian mining giant, is planning to spend $7 billion on projects in Africa

Reposted from WSJ Market Watch
By Alex MacDonald

Brazilian miner Vale SA plans to invest $7 billion in seven African nations in the coming years with a focus on coal in Mozambique, iron ore and bauxite in Guinea and copper in Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Angola, said the company’s global head of corporate affairs Wednesday. More…