The finance ministry on Monday raised its economic growth forecast for this year to 4.2% from 3.8%, and also raised its estimate for exports, an official said. Exports, a key driver of growth, should increase 6.6% this year, compared with the 5.7% predicted in October, ministry spokeswoman Kulaya Tantitemit told a news conference. The economy will […]
Read MoreThe Hanoitimes – The steel industry will continue on its high growth trajectory (20-22% this year) thanks to rising market demand, predicted Vice Chairman of Vietnam Steel Association (VSA) Nguyen Van Sua. The strongest growth will be seen in the production of hot-rolled steel with 154%, followed by welded steel pipe (15%), colored galvanized steel (12%), […]
Read MoreA major shake-up in Myanmar’s administration is in the pipeline as the government tries to tackle obstacles that stand in the way of economic progress, improved transparency and a more efficient bureaucracy. The new strategy will concentrate on personnel, policies and reform, according to government insiders. “The government needs to urgently deal with corruption, bureaucratic […]
Read MoreMANILA, Philippines — Think tanks Focus Economics and BMI Research said the pace of economic expansion in the Philippines would further ease over the next two years after peaking at nearly seven percent in 2016. Massimo Bassetti, economist at Focus Economics, said they see the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growth slowing to 6.6 percent […]
Read MoreConcerns of disruption and job losses are mounting among Myanmar’s gold leaf makers as demand rises for a swifter, more economical option to produce gold leaf sheets, used mainly for gilding at religious structures like pagodas. Now that machines capable of manufacturing gold leaf sheets are more readily available and affordable, the handmade industry is […]
Read MoreDespite Bank Indonesia (BI) prohibiting the use of digital currencies like Bitcoin as a payment instrument, the central bank is considering issuing a cryptocurrency or digital rupiah. Assistant to BI executive director for payment systems Susiato Dewi said the digital rupiah would be trialled this year in an effort to help make the payment system more efficient. “The physical banknotes we currently use may be converted […]
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Thailand
