Investors interested in Indonesia’s corn agribusiness

Jakarta (VNA) – Many investors are interested in developing large-scale corn plantations in Indonesia in view of the current high price of corn in the world which is predicted to remain as such until 2017, local media reported.

Among twenty-five investors are Agroenerpia Company from the Repbulic of Korea, which intends to develop 17,500 hectares of corn plantations in Buol, Sulawesi, and PT Rainbow Energy that plans to develop 40,000 hectares of plantations in East Java, the Jakarta Post said on September 9.

Earlier on September 8, the Indonesian government held a meeting to talk about the supply of seeds and fertilizer.

After the meeting, Industry Minister Fahmi Idris said Indonesia will spend over 49 trillion Rupia on upgrading 8 fertilizer factories in the country.

The revitalisation is set to commence in mid next year and is expected for completion by 2011, the official said.–

Cambodia to improve investment procedures

Phnom Penh (VNA) – The Cambodian Investment Board (CIB) is preparing to implement a new strategy for foreign investment that aims to simplify bureaucracy and improve the quality of services, local media reported on September 10.

“We have already made changes in the import-export sector by adopting a Single Administration Document, whereby authorities check all goods at a single location to save time and money,” CIB Secretary General Suon Sithy was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

Previously, investments required a 28-day waiting period as paperwork moved between various ministries, Suon Sithy said, adding that under the new strategy, simple investments will require only seven to 10 days for an answer directly from the CIB.

However, more complicated investments related to the environment or politics will still be subject to the 28-day requirement, he added. –

Thai parliament to vote new PM

Bangkok (VNA) - Thailand’s parliament will hold an emergency session on September 12 to elect a new prime minister, after a court forced PM Samak Sundaravej out of office over a scandal surrounding his TV cooking shows.

The only item on the agenda is to elect the prime minister, and each MP will have to vote openly in a roll call vote, news agencies said, citing Thai top parliamentary official Pitoon Punhiran.

Thailand’s Constitutional Court on September 9 forced PM Samak out of office, but did not bar him from politics.-

Laos, Malaysia enhance aviation cooperation

Vientiane (VNA) – Laos and Malaysia have agreed to increase direct flights between Vientiane and Kuala Lumpur following an agreement between the Lao Aviation Transport Department and Malaysia Airlines.

Under the recently-signed deal, the number of direct flights will be increased from three to seven a week.

Laos will not limit the number of flights between the two countries, Viengsay Singkhama, Director of the Lao Aviation Transport Department, said, adding that they are non-stop flights without transit through a third country.-

Lao former president Nouhak passes away at 98

Vientiane (VNA) – Lao Former President Nouhak Phoumsavan passed away on September 9 at the age of 98 after a period of age-related ailment.

Nouhak, also former advisor to the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, was one of founder of the Lao revolutionary movement in 1945.

He was elected as President of Laos in 1992. Nouhak was also elected as a member of the LPRP Central Committee at five national congresses of the LPRP from 1955 to 1991. He was a politburo member from the party congress tenure II to tenure V.

At the sixth and seventh party congress, he served as advisor.

A cremation ceremony will be held on September 14 morning in Vientiane capital city. -

Laos, China cooperate to produce bio-fuel

Vientiane (VNA) – Two companies from Laos and China have agree to invest 3.4 billion kip (about 400 million USD) for planting cassava in four Lao southern provinces to produce bio-fuel.

Under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in Vientiane last weekend, the Lao Dynastry Co. Ltd. and China’s ZTE Co. Ltd. will grow cassava on 100.000 ha of land in Champassak, Sekong, Saravan and Attapeu provinces, build a bio-fuel processing mill and develop test planting.

The project has a durable period of 30 years.-

Indonesia beefs up security for Asian Beach Games

Jakarta (VNA) – Peace and security during the Asian Beach Games (ABG) scheduled in Bali, Oct 18-26, will be maintained by 1,900 police officers, deputy chief organiser of the ABG I Gusti Bagus Alit Putra has said.

The police personnel, including 1,800 from Bali and 100 from the Police Headquarters in Jakarta, would already be in place even before the arrival of the athletes and their officials, Antara news agency reported, citing Alit Putra, who is also Chairman of National Sports Council, Bali chapter.

The games will be held in Sanur beach, Tanjung Benoa, Nusa Dua and Kuta beach, Badung regency, he said, adding that the events will consist of 17 water sports including beach volleyball, dragon boat race, paragliding, beach soccer, and surfing.

Taking part in the international sports event would be 10,000 athletes from 45 countries, accompanies by 2,000 officials, and covered by the local and international press.-

Gov’t funds forest protection in Central Highlands

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has decided to grant 14.4 billion VND to help Central Highland provinces implement the allocation of forests to local farmers for protection.

Under Decision 1211/QĐ-TTg signed on September 8, Gia Lai province will get 1.5 billion VND and 449 tonnes of rice, while Kon Tum, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Lam Dong will receive 6 billion, 2.5 billion, 300 million and 4.1 billion VND, respectively.

The allocation of forests to farmers in the Central Highlands began in late 2005 under the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 304/2005/QĐ-TTg.-

Japan to donate 75,000 USD to Vietnam Red Cross

Hanoi (VNA) - Japan will grant more than 75,000 USD to the Vietnam Red Cross (VRC) Society to help it provide medical checks-up and treatment for patients across the country.

A contract on the non-refundable aid was signed in Hanoi on Sept. 4 by the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam , Mitsuo Sakaba, and VRC President Tran Ngoc Tang.

Mitsuo Sakaba expects that the project will improve access to health care services for people in Vietnam ’s remote areas.

According to VRC, the Government of Japan has over the past years funded many healthcare projects in Vietnam , including the upgrading of the Bach Mai, Cho Ray and Hoa Binh Hospitals .

In addition modern equipment, Japan has also sent its experts to assist the health sector in personnel training.-

Healthcare expo opens in HCM City

HCM City (VNA) – Pharmed&Healthcare Vietnam 2008, an international expo on pharmaceuticals and healthcare, opens on Sept.10 at the HCM City International Exhibition and Convention Center (HIECC) with over 200 exhibitors from inside and outside Vietnam.

Foreign companies come from over 20 countries and territories including Australia, Canada, China, France, Hong Kong, India, Japan and the Republic of Korea .

On display at more than 300 stalls at the convention center will be pharmaceutical-chemical materials, drugs, equipment and machinery for producing drugs, packaging, equipment for labs as well as medical treatment equipment.

During the four-day event, there will also be a seminar about Vietnam’s policies on investment in producing and trading pharmaceuticals, medical equipment and healthcare.-