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WEEKLY SUMMARY

By David Swartzentruber
AseanAffairs   19 September 2010

These were the most significant stories in the Asean region during the week of: September 11- September 17:

Vietnam has solid growth

Vietnam is very likely to achieve an annual growth rate target this year of 6.5 per- cent, despite some macroeconomic risks, a Vietnamese economic expert said.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/economy/vietnam_has_solid_growth

India gives Laos $72.55 million credit line

Giving a further boost to its relations with Asean countries, India on Friday announced a line of credit worth $72.55 million to Laos for undertaking hyrdoelectric projects, pushing its total investments in this country to $162 million.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/laos_news/trade/india_gives_laos_$72_55_million_credit_line

Thai bioplastic plant considered

The world's number one bioplastic company, NatureWorks LLC, has been in talks with potential partners including PTT Plc to jointly invest in a large-scale bioplastic plant in Thailand worth about $400 million.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/investment/thai_bioplastic_plant_considered

Thailand objects to human rights event

Thailand, objecting to the use of Bangkok as the site for the launch of a report denouncing Vietnam's human rights record, has denied entry to two of the report's main authors, sources said.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/media/thailand_objects_to_human_rights_event

Garment workers strike in Cambodia

As thousands of garment workers took to the streets on Monday on strike to raise minimum wages, manufacturers considered the potential fallout from mass strikes this week.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/cambodia_news/labor/garment_workers_strike_in_cambodia

Vietnamese garment firms expand

Ten companies under the Viet Nam National Textile and Garment Group (Vinatex) have made production expansion investments to meet increasing orders from foreign partners and rising domestic demand.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/economy/vietnamese_garment_firms_expand

Thai steel firm says Chinese are dumping steel

A Thai unit of a leading Australian steel producer a unit of a leading Australian steelmaker, says it is among those harmed by the dumping of Chinese products into Thailand.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/trade/thai_steel_firm_says_chinese_are_dumping_steel

Malaysia's reform details hazy

Malaysia's plans to revitalise investment by backing national champions and ending race-based policies may sound ambitious, but the details remain hazy and real economic reform will face formidable obstacles.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/politics/malaysia_s_reform_details_hazy

Cambodia to protect migrant labor

A draft law to protect migrant workers and better regulate the labour recruitment industry has been finalised, a Labour Ministry official announced yesterday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/cambodia_news/labor/cambodia_to_protect_migrant_labor

Tiger Airways will take off

Ampon Kittiampon yesterday said THAI's board authorised management to continue negotiating with Tiger Airways on a draft agreement that will lead to the formal establishment of Thai Tiger Airways (TTA).
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/aviation/tiger_airways_will_take_off

Court stops 3G auction in Thailand

An effort to develop the 3G communications spectrum was set back Thursday when the Administrative Court ruled against an auction for licences that was to be held on Monday by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/telecoms/court_stops_3g_auction_in_thailand

Singapore to spend $16.1b from 2011 to 2015 on research

The Singapore government plans to spend S$16.1 billion over the next 5 years from on research, innovation and enterprise.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/singapore_news/economy/singapore_to_spend_$_16_1b_from_2011_to_2015_on_research