The projects are backed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which said the pandemic has pushed eight million more people in GMS countries into poverty, adding that more than 340,000 migrant workers have been forced to return home.
Category: Region
Selected environmental stories from media outlets in the Mekong region and beyond.
Myanmar junta to auction over 12,000 tons of illegal timber
Myanma Timber Enterprise, the state-run entity which controls Myanmar’s timber sales, said the timber for sale includes 1,500 tons of teak logs and 1,000 tons of sawn teak. The auction will be held in Yangon’s Insein Township with buyers bidding online.
Lao officials and Chinese CEOs meet at China-ASEAN Expo
According to Gao Yan, chairperson of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, in 2020, Chinese enterprises invested $1.24 billion directly into Laos, despite the COVID-19 pandemic, up 8.9% year on year.
Laos and China innovate poverty reduction cooperation along Mekong River
Along the Mekong River which winds through the mountains in northern and central Laos, the poverty alleviation projects with China aid are solidly advanced there with innovation made.
LOCA and BYD LAO launch EV acceleration pilot program
The program is aiming to accelerate the electric vehicle adoption among LOCA taxi and delivery drivers to drive down the cost and create a long-term environmental impact. The two companies are aiming to use this initiative to show the policymaker and the consumers that the EV is most suitable for the Lao market as the country’s vision is to be the battery of Southeast Asia.
Island of rubbish: Koh Samui’s pollution problem remains unsolved
One of Thailand’s most iconic islands is that of Koh Samui. As the largest and most developed island in the Gulf of Thailand, it is known for its upscale spas, yoga retreats and unparalleled beaches. However, upon arriving, many visitors say they are unenviably shocked by the amount of rubbish that has gone rogue throughout the island’s shores and roads. And, on second thought, this picture-perfect island may not be the tropical paradise that they had envisioned.
ADB welcomes Mekong group’s 10-year development strategy
The ADB says for the first time the GMS has laid out a clear mission and the bank is willing to work with group members to bring economic growth and help combat threats such as climate change, trade barriers, rapid urbanization and pandemics such as the Coronavirus.
The young Vietnamese helping tackle the illegal wildlife trade
The 31-year-old founder and executive director of WildAct, a Vietnamese conservation NGO, travels the world as a wildlife conservation scientist. In a fast-growing economy where most people eye lucrative jobs in business and finance and the government regards civil society with scepticism, if not hostility, she stands out.
China promises to raise imports from ASEAN ahead of new rail link
“China will import more distinctive products from ASEAN, expand mutual investment, deepen the industrial supply chain and promote Lancang-Mekong cooperation,” referring to the evolving economic corridor with Indochina.
Mekong Delta authorities speed up erosion prevention projects
Many of them occurred in Can Tho City and the provinces of Ca Mau, An Giang, Soc Trang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and Tien Giang since June.