A. TRADE-RELATED
INFORMATION
ASSOCIATION OF SOUTHEAST ASIAN NATIONS (ASEAN)
ASEAN commits to further integration.
UNESCAP Regional Rapid Response Trade
Bulletin, 3 December 2004
From 29 to 30 November 2004, the 10th ASEAN
summit was held in Vientiane, Lao People’s
Democratic Republic. At the Summit, leaders
of ASEAN’s member states adopted the
Vientiane Action Programme which strengthens
their commitment towards regional integration
and realizing their vision of an ASEAN Economic
Community (AEC) by 2020. In particular,
the ASEAN leaders at this summit agreed
to accelerate the integration of 11 priority
sectors under the framework agreement for
the integration of priority sectors. The
summit also witnessed the signing of an
agreement between ASEAN and China to fully
implement an FTA between the two regions
by 2010 for ASEAN-6 and by 2015 for Cambodia,
Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic,
Myanmar and Viet Nam. Similarly, agreements
were signed with Australia, India, Japan,
New Zealand and the Republic of Korea.
Accessed on 9 December 2004
< http://www.unescap.org/tid/news/flier604.pdf
>
For details on agreements and declarations
signed at the summit, please refer to ASEAN
web site at
< http://www.aseansec.org/4919.htm
>
GREATER MEKONG SUBREGION (GMS)
Private sector on the agenda of 13th
GMS Ministerial Meeting. Asian
Development Bank, December 2004
From 14 to 16 December 2004, Ministers
of the six countries sharing the Mekong
River gathered in Vientiane, Lao People's
Democratic Republic, to discuss ways to
intensify regional cooperation. The Conference
provided an opportunity to expand and
deepen cooperation among development partners,
including the private sector. The meeting
also served as the venue for reviewing
progress on preparations for the Second
GMS Leaders Summit, as well as progress
of the GMS Program, and for finalizing/adopting
a medium term action plan for the program.
Accessed on 20 December 2004
< http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2004/13th-Ministerial-Meeting/default.asp
>
* GMS countries are Cambodia, China,
Lao PDR, Myanmar, Thailand and Viet Nam.
LAO, Peoples’ Democratic
Republic
U.S. extends normal trade relations
to Lao PDR. U.S. Department of
State, 7 December 2004
On 3 December 2004, the Government of
the United States of America approved
a bill that included the extension of
normal trade relations to Lao Peoples’
Democratic Republic, which will significantly
reduce the average U.S. tariff on Laotian
products. The bill also extends permanent
normal trade relations to Armenia. Armenia
has had normal trade relations with the
United States on an annual renewable basis
but the country’s recent entry into
the WTO required Washington to make the
status permanent.
Accessed on 9 December 2004 < http://usinfo.state.gov/xarchives/display.html?p=washfile-english
>
SINGAPORE
Competition Act approved. Singapore
Ministry of Trade and Industry, November
2004
On 4 November 2004, the government of
Singapore approved the Competition Act
2004 which seeks to make provisions about
competition and prevent the abuse of dominant
positions in the country’s market.
The new Act also establishes the Competition
Commission of Singapore.
Accessed on 16 December 2004 <
http://www.mti.gov.sg/public/Home/frm_MTI_Default.asp
>
VIET NAM
Amended Trade Law discussed. Viet
Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
21 December 2004
On 8 December 2004, the Government of
Viet Nam presented the 8th draft of amended
trade law at a seminar organized by the
Viet Nam chamber of commerce and industry.
During the seminar, issues such as the
operations of foreign traders in Viet
Nam, commodities purchase and commercial
sanctions were discussed. The definition
of foreign trader was also addressed with
the aim to avoid conflict with Foreign
Investment Law.
Accessed on 21 December 2004 < http://vibforum.vcci.com.vn/the_news.asp?idnews=910
>
WORLD CUSTOMS ORGANIZATION (WCO)
New WCO framework for more secure trade.
U.S. Department of State, 9 December
2004
On 9 December 2004, the World Customs
Organization (WCO) endorsed a framework
of standards to secure and facilitate
global trade. The WCO framework is designed
to encourage cooperation between worldwide
customs administrations to secure international
supply chains and facilitate the movement
of goods. The use of advanced electronic
information and smarter, more secure containers
are vital components. The new framework
is based upon principles designed and
implemented by the U.S. Customs and Border
Protection (CBP) department.
Accessed on 17 December 2004
< http://lists.state.gov/SCRIPTS/WA-USIAINFO.EXE?A2=ind0412b&L=WF-EASIA&D=0&P=3126
>
B. CUSTOMS REGULATIONS AND CHARGES
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
EU Council agreement on new controls
on drugs precursors. EU Customs-Taxation
News, 25 November 2004
The EU Council of Ministers has endorsed
a proposal for a regulation to strengthen
controls on the import of the chemicals
that are used to manufacture illicit narcotic
drugs and psychotropic substances. The regulation
would introduce EU-wide procedures for individual
import authorizations to allow the monitoring
of consignments imported into the EU.
Accessed on 22 December 2004 < http://europa.eu.int/rapid/pressReleasesAction
>
Revision of definition of ‘originating
products’ used in the scheme of
generalized preferences as applied to
Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic.
Official Journal of the European Union,
21 December 2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, the EU
issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 2186/2004
of 20 December 2004 amending Regulation
(EC) No 1613/2000 with respect to the
definition of the concept of originating
products used for the purposes of the
scheme of generalized preferences to take
account of the special situation of Lao
Peoples’ Democratic Republic regarding
certain exports of textiles to the EU.
Accessed on 22 December 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_373/l_37320041221en00140015.pdf
>
Revision of definition of ‘originating
products’ used in the scheme of
generalized preferences as applied to
Nepal. Official Journal of the
European Union, 21 December 2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, the EU
issued Commission Regulation (EC) No 2187/2004
of 20 December 2004 amending Regulation
(EC) No 1615/2000 with respect to the
definition of the concept of originating
products used for the purposes of the
scheme of generalized preferences to take
account of the special situation of Nepal
regarding certain exports of textiles
to the EU.
Accessed on 22 December 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_373/l_37320041221en00160017.pdf
>
IRAN, Islamic Republic of
Customs agreements with three countries.
Iran Trade Point, 5 December
2004
Iran has signed separate agreements with
Belgium, Bulgaria and Turkmenistan for
adequate enforcement of customs laws and
awareness rising campaigns against customs
offenses. According to the agreements,
the signatories will help each other through
their customs departments to ensure the
proper enforcement of relevant laws. The
agreements mainly focus on administrative
affairs and do not apply to private cases
or individuals.
Accessed on 9 December 2004 < http://www.irtp.com/news/2004/news.asp?idday=05&idmonth=12
>
SINGAPORE
Revision of bonded warehouse scheme.
Singapore Customs, 2 December
2004
On 2 December 2004, the Government of
Singapore issued Circular No. 25/2004
reviewing the bonded warehouse scheme
and applications process in an attempt
to optimize operational efficiency and
effectiveness in the administration of
the scheme. According to the revision,
from 1 January 2005 Singapore Customs
Department will be the only government
authority in charge of processing applications
for new bonded warehouses.
Accessed 17 December 2004 < http://www.customs.gov.sg/circular/Cir25_04.pdf
>
Waiver of bank guarantee for oil companies.
Singapore Customs, 10 December
2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, petroleum
refinery/warehouse licensees will no longer
need to lodge a bank guarantee with Singapore
Customs for warehousing and permit declaration
purposes. The licensee might still be
required to submit a bank guarantee to
Singapore Customs if (i) is not a taxable
person, (ii) has failed to comply with
Singapore Customs requirements.
Accessed on 17 December 2004 < http://www.customs.gov.sg/circular/CIR26_04.pdf
>
C. NON-TARIFF MEASURES
CHINA
New regulations on the country of origin
of imports and exports. Business
Alert-China, November 2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, the Government
of China has issued the regulations on the
country of origin of imports and exports,
which determine the country of origin of
imports and exports with respect to non-preferential
trade measures, as well as activities such
as government procurement and trade statistics.
The regulations stipulate that the consignee
of imports should accurately declare the
origin of the goods in accordance with the
rules of origin set out therein when completing
customs declaration procedures as prescribed
by China's Customs Law and other relevant
rules. Goods of different origins contained
in the same shipment should be declared
separately.
Accessed on 20 December 2004 < http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/cba-e0411.htm
>
EUROPEAN UNION (EU)
Anti-dumping duty on ring binder mechanisms
originating in China. Official
Journal of the European Union, 4
December 2004
Effective from 5 December 2004, the EU
issued Council Regulation (EC) No 2074/2004
of 29 November 2004 imposing a definitive
anti-dumping duty on imports of certain
ring binder mechanisms originating in
China. Under the new regulation, a definitive
anti-dumping duty is imposed on products
currently classifiable within CN code
ex 8305 10 00 originating in China. This
anti-dumping duty shall be imposed for
a period of four years from the date of
entry into force of the regulation.
Accessed on 20 December 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_359/l_35920041204en00110022.pdf
>
Countervailing duties on cotton-type
bed linen originating in India. Official
Journal of the European Union, 17
December 2004
Effective from 18 December 2004, the EU
issued Council Regulation (EC) No 2143/2004
of 13 December 2004 amending Regulation
(EC) No 74/2004 imposing a definitive
countervailing duty on imports of cotton-type
bed linen originating in India.
Accessed on 20 December 2004
< http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/lex/LexUriServ/site/en/oj/2004/l_370/l_37020041217en00010003.pdf
>
HONG KONG, CHINA
Ban on imports of Canadian beef suspended.
China Ministry of Commerce, 1
December 2004
On 30 November 2004, the Government of
Hong Kong, China announced the suspension
of the ban on imports of Canadian beef.
According to the official communication,
the authorities will resume processing
applications with immediate effect. At
the initial stage, only boneless beef
from cattle less than 30 months old, with
high risk materials such as the brain
and spinal cord removed during slaughtering,
would be allowed be imported from Canada.
Every consignment of beef should have
the department's prior written permission
and should be accompanied by a health
certificate.
Accessed on 21 December 2004 < http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/200412/20041200312739_1.xml
>
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
Anti-dumping action against furniture
import form China. China Council
for the Promotion of International Trade,
13 December 2004
On 10 December 2004, the Government of
the United States of America approved
anti-dumping duties of up to 198 per cent
on imports of about US$1 billion worth
of wooden bedroom furniture from China.
The action clears the way for the Commerce
Department to issue a final anti-dumping
order on the imports by the end of the
year. The case is the largest anti-dumping
action of the United States against China.
Accessed on 21 December 2004
http://www.ccpit.org/servlet/infosystem.news.ServletNewsFrontEn?actionType=view&id=20656
VIET NAM
EU to lift quotas on textiles from
Viet Nam. Viet Nam Business Forum,
7 December 2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, the European
Union (EU) will lift quotas on Vietnamese
garment and textile products, according
to an agreement signed on 3 December 2004
between EU and Viet Nam. The agreement
is the second most important bilateral
trade deal between the two countries since,
on 9 October 2004, the EU endorsed Viet
Nam's accession to the World Trade Organization
(WTO).
Accessed on 20 December 2004 <
http://vibforum.vcci.com.vn/the_news.asp?idnews=885
>
D. INDUSTRY AND TECHNOLOGY-RELATED INFORMATION
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
UNESCO recognizes success of SMES in
the region. Indonesia Ministry of
Industry and Trade, 2 December 2004
The United Nation Educational, Scientific,
and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has granted
Seal of Excellence Awards to SMES from several
countries in the ASEAN region. The countries
awarded include Thailand with 14 SMEs receiving
the awards, Indonesia with 11 SMES awarded,
Philippines with eight SMEs, Malaysia with
seven SMEs, Cambodia with 6 SMEs, and Lao
Peoples’ Democratic Republic and Myanmar,
each with two SMEs. This type of award from
UNESCO recognizes SMEs in the region for
their success in combining traditional skills
with technical innovation.
Accessed 17 December 2004 < http://www.nafed.go.id/news/index.php?artc=1032
>
CHINA
Business mediation center with Italy
set up. China Ministry of Commerce,
8 December 2004
On 7 December 2004, China and Italy signed
a cooperation agreement on establishing
a bilateral business mediation center,
the first of its kind between China and
a European Union country. The center will
formulate mediation rules and regulations
by targeting the trade disputes and giving
consideration to business characteristics
of the two countries. This is the fifth
business mediation center that China has
established with other countries or region,
other include countries such as Canada,
Macao (China), the Republic of Korea and
the United States of America.
Accessed on 17 December 2004 <
http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/article/200412/20041200316487_1.xml
>
Tariffs on exports of textiles.
Embassy of China in the United States
of America, 13 December 2004
On 12 December 2004, the Government of
China announced its decision to impose
tariffs on some textile exports. The tariff
is intended to encourage the export of
high value-added products and optimize
Chinese textile exports and it will be
accompanied by various trade promotion
measures to encourage textile and clothing
corporations create their own brands and
increase input in research, development
and design.
Accessed on 20 December 2004 < http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/gyzg/t174661.htm
>
CAMBODIA
Small and medium enterprise development
program. Asian Development Bank,
17 December 2004
On 17 December 2004, the Asian Development
Bank (ADB) approved a loan of US$20 million
to support the Cambodian Government's
efforts to create a business environment
more conducive to the development of small
and medium enterprises (SMEs). The loan
will support Government efforts to establish
a SME development framework, carry out
regulatory reforms and enhance SMEs' access
to finance.
Accessed on 20 December 2004 < http://www.adb.org/Documents/News/2004/nr2004178.asp
>
Sourcing garments will continue after
MFA phases out. The Ethical Corporation,
10 December 2004
A World Bank report has found that a majority
of buyers will continue sourcing garments
from Cambodia despite the end of the Multi-Fibre
Agreement, due to improved labour standards.
The research project surveyed 15 of Cambodia’s
major clothing buyers, making up 45 per
cent of the country’s garment exports.
More than 60 per cent of the survey respondents
said they believed compliance with labour
standards was of equal or of greater importance
compared with price, quality and lead-times
for contracted work. Eight buyers intended
to increase their sourcing from Cambodia,
while another six will continue buying
from manufacturers in the country at the
same level after the 31 December 2004.
Accessed on 21 December 2004 < http://www.ethicalcorporation.com/content.asp?ContentID=3300
>
INDIA
SMEs financing and development project.
World Bank News, 30 November 2004
On 30 November 2004 the World Bank approved
a US$120 million loan to the Small Industries
Development Bank of India (SIDBI) to assist
SME access finance and business development
services. The loan will finance a multi-pronged
programme which will (i) promote the creation
of a more enabling policy/regulatory and
institutional framework for SME financing;
(ii) help banks gain better access to
longer term financing for lending to the
sector; (iii) mitigate banks’ risks
related to lending and reducing transactions
costs of such lending; and (iv) strengthen
business development services and market
linkage programmes for SMEs.
Accessed on 9 December 2004 < http://www.worldbank.org/news/
>
JAPAN
Greenhouse gas reduction fund established.
World Business Council for Sustainable
Development, 1 December 2004
On 1 December 2004, the Government of
Japan announced the establishment of the
Japan Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (JGRF)
as a new initiative intended to help prevent
global warming. The JGRF will invest in
overseas Greenhouse Gas reduction projects
and exploit overseas Greenhouse Gas reductions
for helping achieve Japan’s national
target under the so-called Kyoto Mechanism.
The JGRF will invest in 30 to 40 forestation
and other projects in developing countries,
and will acquire GHG emission credits
for sharing among the JGRF investors.
Accessed on 9 December 2004
< http://www.wbcsd.org/plugins/DocSearch/details.asp?type=DocDet&ObjectId=12091
>
PAKISTAN
New scheme to encourage women entrepreneurs.
Pakistan Export Promotion Board,
13 December 2004
On 13 December 2004, the Government of
Pakistan announced new measures to encourage
women entrepreneurship in exports. The
measures under the new scheme are applicable
to the exhibitions/delegations to be organized
during the financial year 2004-2005 and
include (i) exemption of participation
fees for Export Promotion Board (EPB)
managed exhibitions; (ii) economy class
return airfare as per rates approved by
EPB plus boarding allowance of US$ 100/day
for exhibitions/delegations organized
by EPB; and (iii) in terms of EPB policy
for exhibitions and delegation, at-least
15 per cent of participants will be women
entrepreneurs.
Accessed on 20 December 2004 <
http://www.epb.gov.pk/epb/jsp/epbdocs2004/PNWN.pdf
>
SINGAPORE
Industrial land sales programme for
the first half of 2005. Singapore
Ministry of Trade and Industry, 16
December 2004
The Government of Singapore has announced
that it will continue to make industrial
sites available for sale through the Reserve
List for the first half of 2005. A total
of ten sites will be made available on
the Reserve List for first half of 2005
and the so-called Confirmed List will
remain suspended for this period. Under
the Reserve List System, a site will only
be put up for tender if the developer’s
indicated minimum bid price in his/ her
application is acceptable to the Government.
(For details of the Reserve List see Annex
A of this notification)
Accessed on 20 December 2004 < http://www.mti.gov.sg/public/NWS/frm_NWS_Default.asp?sid=38&cid=2252
>
UNITED NATIONS (UN)
International Year of Microcredit.
The Year of Microcredit, 18 November
2004
On 18 November 2004, the United Nations
launches the International Year of Microcredit
in an effort to build support for making
financial services more accessible to
poor and low-income people. The Year’s
overarching goal is to provide greater
access to credit, savings, insurance,
transfer remittances and other financial
services for poor and low-income households
in order to move towards more secure livelihoods
and prosperous futures.
Accessed on 9 December 2004
<http://www.yearofmicrocredit.org/pages/mediaoffice/mediaoffice_pressreleases.asp#11182004B>
E. INVESTMENT-RELATED INFORMATION
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
China, Japan and Singapore popular markets
for property investors. The Bangladesh
Observer, 16 December 2004
According to a survey released on 16 December
2004, China, Japan and Singapore will be
the most popular markets in Asia for property
investors in the next two years showing
cross- border property investment is rising.
The survey looked into global survey of
property funds, property and insurance firms,
pension funds, investment banks and asset
managers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Accessed on 17 December 2004
< http://www.bangladeshobserveronline.com/new/2004/12/17/economic.htm
>
CHINA
New measures to streamline investment
procedures. China Ministry of
Commerce, 1 December 2004
The government of China has issued new
measures to streamline investment procedures
and decentralize approval rights. Under
the new measures, overseas investors will
no longer be required to submit investment
feasibility reports if they decide to
set up business in China. At the same
time, government departments will be required
to respond within 20 days to applications
from overseas investors. Provincial governments
will have the right to authenticate projects
worth less than US$100 million, up from
a top limit of US$30 million. In addition,
for projects still limited, the benchmark
for provincial government approval will
also be raised from US$30 million to US$50
million. Accessed on 17 December 2004
< http://english.mofcom.gov.cn/column/xinwen_505.xml
>
Transfer of personal property aboard
allowed. Hong Kong (China) Trade
and Development Council, 4 December
2004
Effective from 1 December 2004, the Bank
of China has issued the Provisional Measures
for the Administration of the Sale and
Payment of Foreign Exchange in the Transfer
of Personal Property Abroad. The new measures
are intended to meet individuals' needs
of transferring personal property out
of the country and to facilitate and standardize
the conduct of such transfer. The measures
establish China's foreign exchange administration
policy on the personal property transfer
by individuals emigrating abroad or inheriting
property in the country.
Accessed on 16 December 2004 < http://www.tdctrade.com/alert/cba-e0412news1.htm
>
New measures on qualification for
custodial services for securities investment
funds. Hong Kong (China) Trade
and Development Council, 8 December
2004
Effective from 1 January 2005, China’s
Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC)
and China’s Banking Regulatory Commission
(CBRC) jointly issued the Management Measures
for Securities Investment Fund Custodial
Qualification, which significantly lowered
the access threshold for banks to provide
custodial service for securities investment
funds. According to the new regulation,
a bank which wants to provide custody
for securities investment funds it is
required to have year-end net assets of
not less than Y2 billion (US$241.6 million)
for the last three accounting years.
Accessed on 16 December 2004 < http://my.tdctrade.com/airnewse/index.asp?id=2898
>
BANGLADESH
Prudential guidelines for consumer
and small enterprises financing. Bangladesh
Bank, 3 November 2004
On 3 November 2004, the Bangladesh Bank
issued BRPD Circular No. 07 announcing
the release of Prudential Regulations/Guidelines
for Consumer Financing and Small Enterprises
Financing. The two documents contain the
minimum set of regulations for banks wanting
to provide lending facilities to these
two sectors. These documents also contain
the developmental Guidelines which banks
could consider to follow in order to establish
an efficient business unit and manage
its inherent risks successfully.
Accessed on 20 December 2004
Prudential Regulations/Guidelines for
Consumer Financing
< http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/pressrl/circulars/brpd/pgfcf.pdf
>
Prudential Regulations/Guidelines for
Small Enterprises Financing
< http://www.bangladesh-bank.org/pressrl/circulars/brpd/pgfsef.pdf
>
INDIA
MIGA partners with Indian export credit
and finance institutions. MIGA
News, 17 November 2004
On 17 November 2004, the Multilateral
Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), the
Export-Import Bank of India and the Export
Credit Guarantee Corporation of India
Ltd. concluded a partnership aimed at
providing Indian companies investing overseas
with competitively-priced financing and
risk mitigation services. Under the partnership,
MIGA and the Export Credit Guarantee Corporation
will work together largely through reinsurance
or coinsurance arrangements, while the
Exim Bank will provide financing.
Accessed on 16 December 2004 < http://www.miga.org/screens/news/press/111704.htm
>
100 per cent FDI allowed in free trade
areas and warehousing zones. India
Ministry of Commerce, 10 December
2004
On 10 December 2004, the government of
India announced a new policy under which
foreign direct investment (FDI) up to
100 per cent is permitted in (i) free
trade areas and warehousing zones; (ii)
the development of townships within the
Special Economic Zones (SEZs); (iii) the
construction and maintenance of roads
and highways and ports and harbors; and
(iv) electricity generation, transmission
and distribution (except atomic reactor
plants). FDI up to 100 per cent is also
permitted in trading companies engaged
in bulk imports with ex-port/ex-bonded
warehouse sales.
Accessed on 20 December 204 < http://commerce.nic.in/Dec04_release.htm#h14
>
KAZAKHSTAN
Plan to promote alternative energy
sources. Eurasianet News,
15 December 2004
On 9 December 2004, the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and the government
of Kazakhstan launched a three-year program
intended to increase the use of alternative
energy sources and develop the country’s
wind potential, which is estimated at
1.82 trillion kilowatts per hour. The
UN agency will assist the Energy Ministry
in formulating a national-development
program for the sector and the project
also includes the preparation of wind-potential
maps for different regions and the development
of legal and regulatory measures.
Accessed on 21 December 2004 < http://www.eurasianet.org/departments/business/articles/pp121504.shtml
>
SRI LANKA
VAT on consumer goods reduced.
Sri Lanka Customs Department
With immediate effect, the Government
of Sri Lanka has announced its decision
to reduce applicable value added tax (VAT)
rate from 15 per cent to 5 per cent on
certain items. Products covered by this
measure are chillies, dhal, dried fish,
milk powder, onions, potatoes and sugar.
Accessed on 21 December 2004 < http://www.customs.gov.lk/slcnews/Articles/VAT_Reduction.htm
>
THAILAND
Screening process for investment-privilege
streamlined. US-ASEAN Business
Council, 2 December 2004
The Government of Thailand announced that
the Energy Ministry’s Alternative
Energy Development and Efficiency Department
will be the only body screening energy-related
applications for investment privileges.
The Energy department would screen all
proposals and only with its approval could
companies apply for investment privileges
from the Board of Investment (BoI), which
include reduced corporate taxes and tariffs
on machine imports.
Accessed on 17 December 2004 < http://www.us-asean.org/headlines.asp
>
VIET NAM
New measures on the management of SOEs.
Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs,
15 December 2004
The Government of Viet Nam has issued
the Decree No. 199/2004/ND-CP providing
the Regulation on financial management
of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and
state capital invested in other enterprises.
Also in this decree, the Government has
announced the suspension of the following
four related decrees, decree No. 56 on
state owned enterprises involving in public
interest activities, decree No. 59 regarding
the regulation on financial management
and business accounting of SOEs; decree
No. 27 to amend and supplement several
articles of the decree No. 59; and decree
No. 73 on management of the state budget
invested in other enterprises.
Accessed on 20 December 2004 < http://www.mof.gov.vn/DefaultE.aspx?tabid=356&ItemID=18618
>
UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE FOR
TRADE AND DEVELOPMENT (UNCTAD)
International investment disputes on
the rise. UNCTAD Press Release,
29 November 2004
On 29 November 2004, UNCTAD released data
which indicates that international investment
disputes arising from investment agreements
are on the increase. The cumulative number
of treaty-based cases brought before the
World Bank Group’s International
Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes
(ICSID) has risen from three at year-end
1994 to 106 on November 2004. In addition,
there are at least 54 cases (cumulative)
outside ICSID, as compared to two at the
end of 1994.
Accessed on 9 December 2004
< http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=5646&intItemID=1634&lang=1
>
F. DID YOU KNOW THAT...?
….a regional network to support
public administration and governance in
Asia and the Pacific has been established?
About 150 civil servants, academics, trainers,
and administrators from schools and institutes
of public administration in Asia and the
Pacific met in Malaysia recently to establish
a network that will work to improve governance
in the region. The network is to be called
NAPSIPAG (Network of Asia Pacific Schools
of Public Administration and Governance).
The new group will be involved with education,
pedagogic techniques, research and publications
to meet the needs of scholars, researchers
and educators in the field of public policy,
administration and governance.
Read the complete story and access more
details from ADB
http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/6527_malaysia_governance/default.asp
http://www.adb.org/Documents/Events/2004/NAPSIPAG/default.asp
Accessed on 16 December 2004
… open access to law in
developing countries is crucial to consolidate
national institutions?
Open access to legal information has higher
stakes in developing countries where access
to law is often difficult. In this particular
context, free access to statutes and case
law could significantly contribute to
a better establishment of the rule of
law and an overall consolidation of national
legal institutions. The Internet and related
technologies have significantly revolutionized
the possibilities of easily providing
high-quality, low-cost access to national
legal documentation.
Read the complete story from UNDP Networking
and Information Technology Observatory
http://www.sdnp.undp.org/perl/news/articles.pl?id=7205&do=gpage
Accessed on 21 December 2004
… the GMS region is transforming
into a more integrated and competitive
economic grouping?
More than 50 foreign firms have set up
in a special export zone established by
the Government of Viet Nam at Lao Bao,
near the Lao People's Democratic Republic
border at Lao Bao-Dansavanh. Foreign investments
in the Lao Bao commercial area have so
far created more than 1,000 jobs in this
region. The 1,500-kilometer road link
between the Andaman Sea in the west and
Viet Nam's east coast via Thailand and
the Lao Peoples’ Democratic Republic
is among the most advanced of several
planned corridors crisscrossing the Greater
Mekong Subregion (GMS).
Read the complete story from the Asian
Development Bank
http://www.adb.org/Media/Articles/2004/6445_gms_frontier/default.asp?RegistrationID=3685
Accessed on 20 December 2004
…there is massive potential
in the APEC region in natural gas market?
A new report presented to the APEC Energy
Working Group (EWG) estimates that the
global export potential of natural gas
should grow in twenty years to exceed
US$200 billion per annum (based on current
prices). The report is a study of best
practice in APEC member economies and
is intended to assist economies to accelerate
cross-border natural gas trade. The report
recommends a regional collaborative international
forum be established to guide coordinated
industry development and to ensure the
maintenance of the energy balance of the
APEC region.
Read the complete story from APEC
http://www.apecsec.org.sg/apec/news___media/media_releases/101204_apecnaturalgasmkt.html
Accessed on 17 December 2004
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sources and UNESCAP accepts no responsibility
for its accuracy. Mention of any companies
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by the United Nations.
The designations
employed and the presentation of the material
in this publication do not imply the expression
of any opinion whatsoever on the part of
the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning
the legal status of any country, territory,
city or area, or of its authorities, or
concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.
©2005 United Nations
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ISSUE
1/2005