Increasing investments from Vietnam Vietnam currently ranks third among foreign investors in Laos Increased investments have significantly contributed to local socio-economic development in Laos New agreement to build highway connecting the two capitals has been forged after Laotian Prime Minister, Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit to Vietnam in October 2016

Serious efforts taken to create tourism booms The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) will launch a new website to promote Vietnam tourism abroad Breaking away from traditional visa application processes, foreign visitors to Vietnam can begin applying for visas and have them issues online within three days starting next…

Increasing measures taken to create a Smart Nation Ministry of Communications is taking an all-out effort to meet the requirements of realizing Brunei’s Smart Nation goal and building a knowledge-based society Believed to allow Brunei to venture into a variety of telecommunication services, improve efficiency in services, grow the private…

Thailand’s Crown Prince to be confirmed King on 1 December Following King Bhumibol’s death on 13 October 2016, a 1 year mourning period has been officially declared in Thailand Concerns have been expressed over the capabilities of the Crown Prince The Crown Prince is expected to start his reign by…

President Rodrigo Duterte embarks on a bloody campaign against drugs President Duterte generated a list of about 150 Philippine officials who are suspected to be involved in narcotics 2 mayors accused of drug trafficking have been shot and killed by police officers within a span of 2 weeks Human rights…

Myanmar urged to open banking sector to foreign investment Myanmar has taken efforts to slowly open up to the rest of the world, however, its banking sector remains well-behind the curve Less than 1 in 4 people in Myanmar have a bank account Establishment of new banks and induction of…

Tensions with China on the rise President Joko Widodo pledged to protect the country’s fishing industry, channeling increasing efforts to target illegal fishing in Indonesian waters President Widodo also affirmed sovereignty of Indonesia in South China Sea dispute In June, Indonesia’s navy fired on Chinese fishing boats in the Natuna…

Bold leap forward in forging ties with China China and Malaysia have signed 14 new agreements, including one on navy vessels During a meeting between Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on the former’s third official visit to China, about RMB143 billion worth of business investments…