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Thailand Interested in Building Sixth Friendship Bridge to Laos

The Fifth Lao-Thai Friendship Bridge (Photo: Lao-Thai)

Thailand has confirmed its intention to build a sixth friendship bridge connecting the country to Laos over the Mekong River. This bridge would link Ubon Ratchathani in northeastern Thailand with Salavanh Province in Laos.

Decline in Secondary School Enrollments Continues for Third Consecutive Year

Lao Students in the classroom (Photo: Confucius Institute of Laos National University)

The number of secondary school students in Grades 4 and 7 across Laos has declined for the third consecutive year, as reported by the Ministry of Education and Sports (MOES) during the announcement of the exam timetable on 3 June.

New Study Finds Earth Warming at Record Rate, but No Evidence of Climate Change Accelerating

A woman is silhouetted against the setting sun as triple-digit heat indexes continue in the Midwest, 20 August 2023, Missouri, the United States (Photo: AP)

The rate Earth is warming hit an all-time high in 2023 with 92 percent of last year’s surprising record-shattering heat caused by humans, top scientists calculated.

Bamboo Rockets Light Up Vientiane’s Skies in Annual Festival

Rocket Festival in Mueang Fueang, Vientiane Province (Photo: Laopost)

Villages and communities across Vientiane Province came together to participate in the popular  Rocket Festival, also known as “Bun Bang Fai,” building large bamboo rockets adorned with bright colors and unique designs and launching them into the sky. The festival is celebrated yearly to call for rain for successful cultivation showing the event’s deep-rooted agricultural significance.

Daiwa Asset Management is optimistic about Vietnam’s market prospects and promotes regional economic growth


TOKYO, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2024 – Daiwa Asset Management Co., Ltd., one of Japan’s largest asset management companies, announced its investment strategy in the Vietnam market and looked forward to the future market prospects. With its deep market experience and professional investment team, Daiwa Asset Management is actively expanding its business layout in Vietnam, aiming to promote the continued growth and prosperity of the local economy.

The Vietnamese market has shown strong economic growth momentum in recent years, attracting the attention of global investors. Daiwa Asset Management is optimistic about the prospects of the Vietnamese market and believes that its fast-growing economy and policy support provide excellent investment opportunities. “Vietnam’s young population structure, solid economic growth and the government’s market liberalization policies make it an important part of our strategic layout,” said the president of Daiwa Asset Management.

Daiwa Asset Management will invest in a number of key areas in Vietnam, including infrastructure, renewable energy and high-tech industries. Through these investments, it aims to promote Vietnam’s economic modernization and diversification. The company plans to introduce advanced management techniques and international best practices to enhance the operational efficiency and global competitiveness of Vietnamese enterprises.

As a company that focuses on social responsibility, Daiwa Asset Management is committed to promoting sustainable investment strategies in the Vietnamese market, integrating environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) standards. In this way, it not only promotes local economic development, but also ensures the long-term sustainability of investment.

Daiwa Asset Management will work closely with local enterprises and government agencies in Vietnam to provide technology transfer and management experience. In addition, the company plans to set up a financial education and training center in Vietnam to enhance the financial literacy and market participation of local investors. This move will not only help expand the customer base, but also contribute to the deepening and maturity of Vietnam’s capital market.

Daiwa Asset Management firmly believes that the unique opportunities in the Vietnamese market, combined with its global vision, will bring a win-win situation for the company and the local economy. Through in-depth investment and strategic cooperation in Vietnam, the company not only consolidates its position in the Asian market, but also provides more diversified investment options for global customers.

Hashtag: #DaiwaAssetManagement

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

International Educators Gather in Vientiane to Boost Job Readiness, English Proficiency

The first-ever English Language Teaching and Job Readiness Forum at the Muong Thanh Luxury Vientiane Hotel on 30 May drew 120 educators from Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia, aiming to enhance the English learning curriculum for Lao students and better prepare them for the 21st-century workplace.

The event, hosted by the National University of Laos (NUOL), in collaboration with the Embassy of the United States (US) in Laos, began with traditional stage performances by NUOL students and an opening speech from the US Chargé d’Affaires to Laos, Michelle Outlaw. 

“The forum is mainly to identify the role that English plays in the 21st-century workplace and how learners in three countries (Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia) are being prepared to use English efficiently and effectively in their future work,” Outlaw said.

In her speech, Outlaw also highlighted that many students struggle to apply their English knowledge and skills from school to their workplaces. However, she expressed optimism that the technological advancements in the post-COVID-19 era could “open doors to new possibilities and opportunities for both educators and learners alike.”

The event provided a platform for educators from the three countries to exchange ideas and potentially enhance international cooperation in education. Jerrold J. Frank, the Regional English Language Officer from the US Embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, also attended the forum. Frank’s role involves promoting English language learning across the Southeast Asia region.

“We have English language specialists that come and help design curriculums or advise people on best practices in developing English Language programs. We do a lot of teacher training. We support learners, we support teachers, and we have a lot of virtual resources as well,” explained Frank.

Frank praised the event’s organization and the enthusiasm of the participants, noting, “I enjoyed the event so much, and a lot of people have come to thank me for the opportunity. I personally don’t want the event to only last for two days. I hope that educators or influencers who get to know each other at the forum will keep in touch for future collaborations.”

While the US Embassy provided significant support, NUOL also played a crucial role in organizing and resourcing the event. “A lot of the resources were contributed by the National University of Laos because they’re the host. A lot of their human resources, a lot of their physical resources were contributed by them,” Frank acknowledged.

The forum also highlighted ongoing support from the US Embassy through the American Center, which offers free English courses of all levels. Gregory Aurit, Public Affairs Officer at the US Embassy in Laos, emphasized the Center’s role in providing a conducive environment for English learning.

“Not only do we have English courses, but we have a lot of programs in English that would allow anybody to access and enjoy this way to practice,” said Aurit. “We have beginner-level programs, where people can come in, get one-on-one tutoring, and participate in language classes. There are a lot of intermediate-level courses, and those are ones that you can register for.”

“The American Center offers an English environment where you can feel maybe a little bit like you’re in another country and can really practice your English through all of those programs,” Aurit added.

Overall, the event fostered international cooperation and highlighted the critical role of English in today’s global workplace.

Laos, Singapore, Cambodia Unite to Facilitate Cross-Border Electricity Trade

Vietnam Electricity Import From Laos to Tackle Power Shortages
FILE: This image is used only for representational purpose (photo: BNN Breaking)

Singapore, Cambodia, and Laos have formed a working group to push cross-border electricity trade, inching closer to the ASEAN Power Grid vision. 

On 3 June, the Ministries of Trade and Industry of Singapore, Energy and Mines of Laos, and Mines and Energy of Cambodia shook hands and kicked off the working group, setting up three main goals. 

The team will create a comprehensive framework to support the development of cross-border electricity trading projects within ASEAN, starting with collaboration between the three countries.

The group will also streamline regulatory processes and licensing procedures for generating, exporting, and importing electricity. This includes simplifying the application and permitting processes for subsea surveys and the installation of cross-border subsea power cables.

Finally, the members will explore ways to facilitate commercial agreements and promote the development of generation and transmission infrastructure, ensuring smooth cross-border electricity trading among the three nations.

The inaugural meeting of the working group was co-chaired by Singapore’s Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng, Laos’ Vice-Minister for Energy and Mines Chansaveng Boungnong, and Cambodia’s Minister for Mines and Energy Keo Rottanak.

During the gathering, Vice-Minister Chansaveng highlighted the project’s importance for Laos, emphasizing its role in achieving the ASEAN Power Grid and leveraging the country’s green energy resources to meet regional clean energy goals. He expressed hope that the project would attract further investment in renewable energy in both Laos and the region.

Tan also expressed optimism about the collaboration, highlighting that the working group aims to create a framework for cross-border electricity trade and address subsea power cable issues in ASEAN. He further encouraged other regional partners to join the initiative.

Minister Rottanak from Cambodia echoed this enthusiasm, noting that their efforts to advance the ASEAN Power Grid and share clean energy efficiently set a strong example. He hoped the partnership would inspire other ASEAN nations to join in building a sustainable and interconnected energy network.

The Manila Times Partners with Cedara, becomes first APAC publisher to apply standardized measurement of media emissions


MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Media OutReach Newswire – 4 June 2024 – THE Manila Times (TMT), in collaboration with Cedara, the Carbon Intelligence Platform, has announced a pioneering initiative to comprehensively measure advertising carbon emissions, becoming the first publisher in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region to undertake such an endeavor.

The Manila Times Partners with Cedara

TMT will tap Cedara, the leader in mapping emissions across the media supply chain, to leverage its cutting-edge software platform and data-driven approach to measure and reduce its carbon footprint according to industry standards.

TMT is starting with measurement of its digital media, with an eye towards expanding this initiative to its print business and ultimately examining holistic organizational emissions.

Already a leading proponent of sustainability with its expansive editorial coverage of the environment and climate change, TMT also hosts an annual conference on the topic, The Business Forum on Sustainability.

“We are thrilled to partner with Cedara in our mission to lead the way as the first publisher in our geographic region to measure advertising carbon emissions,” said Dante Ang II, chairman and chief executive officer of The Manila Times. “By harnessing Cedara‘s expertise and leading technology, we are taking proactive steps towards environmental sustainability and reinforcing our commitment to corporate social responsibility.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with The Manila Times in their pioneering initiative to measure advertising carbon emissions,” said Eric Shih, chief operating officer of Cedara. “At Cedara, we are committed to partnering with media organizations that prioritize sustainability and environmental impact. Together with The Manila Times, we are proud to drive positive change in the APAC market and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.”

Hashtag: #TheManilaTimes #Cedara

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

About The Manila Times:

is a daily newspaper in the Philippines that delivers trusted, quality content in print and digital editions and for online and social media. It is the news source of choice for Filipinos worldwide. Founded on Oct. 11, 1898, it is the longest running English daily broadsheet still in existence in the Philippines. Visit our website, and follow us on social media, .

About Cedara:

, the Carbon Intelligence Platform, is on a mission to help businesses decarbonize and to build a more sustainable future for society. Through its comprehensive product suite, measures the carbon emissions for businesses and develops a path to net zero. further maps the carbon intensity across supply chains to empower investment teams to decarbonize the supply path across their goods and services. adopts a high-impact, data driven approach to develop transformative solutions for businesses and their partners to accelerate the shift to a net zero economy. Founded in 2021, is headquartered in New York City with offices in the US, UK, France, and Germany. To learn more, please visit .