Vietnam Targets Exports of 7 Mln Tons of Rice in 2012December 13, 2011 (Vietnamica) – Vietnam targets exports of 7 million tons of rice in 2012, similar to the record high volume expected this year. Exporters have bought just 700,000 tones for stocking, down from between 1.5 million and 2 million tons in their usual stock in prior years due to slowing sales (The Malaysian Insider, Dec 13).
November 29, 2011 (Vietnamica) — Strong readings on Malaysia’s domestic-oriented sectors suggest no feed-through so far from softening external demand. To be watched closely is the future evolution of foreign trade: this was the area that disappointed slightly during the third quarter. Both export and import growth came in slightly lower than IHS Global Insight had anticipated—confirmation that external demand is, indeed, losing momentum.
Japan’s Three Interests in Trans-Pacific PartnershipNovember 11, 2011 (Vietnamica) – In his recent article “The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Rise of China: What Japan Joins the TPP Means for the Region,” on Foreign Affairs, Bernard K. Gordon – Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of New Hampshire – points out three Japanese interests in the TPP.
First Solar Postponed Vietnam Factory, Focused on U.S, Germany, and Malaysia Production BasesNovember 4, 2011 (Vietnamica) — First Solar Inc., the world’s largest maker of thin-film solar panels, postponed plans to complete a factory in Vietnam as part of an effort to cut capital spending. First Solar will focus on completing a new factory in Mesa, Arizona, and implementing improvements to existing production lines in the U.S., Germany and Malaysia (Bloomberg, Nov 3)
Cambodia Bans Sending Maids to Malaysia; Questions Raise About EffectivenessOctober 20, 2011 – On Oct 15, the Cambodian Prime Minister – Hun Sen – signed a temporary ban on sending domestic workers to Malaysia following numerous complaints of abuse committed against Cambodian maids. However, questions have already raised about the effective of such a ban. A prominent rights group says the ban was quickly violated when at least two firms sent more women abroad on Oct 17.
Swift Nest Industry in Vietnam: Update
Oct 4, 2011 (Vietnamica) — On Sept 30, 2011, about 100 investors and scientists from Hong Kong, Cambodia, Malaysis, the US… attended a workshop in Vietnam, discussing the swift nest industry development and investment opportunities. (See also, Bird’s Nest Industry in Vietnam)
