Briefs

The Laotian government is set to issue more Thai baht-denominated bonds worth Bt3 billion or US$100 million to fill the revenue shortfall from last year's fiscal budget.
The Ministry of Finance will manage the bond issuance, which comes after an over subscription to the government's debut Bt1.5 billion three-year bond issuance in June. Ministry Office Head, Bounzoum Sisavath, said a committee would be set up to channel the funds raised from the bonds into priority infrastructure projects in health and education. He said the measure would help to balance the budget deficit.
 At 19.5 trillion kip, Laos had reached just 78.38 per cent of its annual revenue target by August, a month short of the end of the 2012-13 fiscal year.
The government was forced |to freeze employees' salaries and cut allowances to top-ranking officials in the face of budget constraints.
 Bounzoum said the funds from bond issuance could not be used to pay salaries.
Rather, the cash injection will be used to ensure that development projects continue as planned despite the weak economic circumstances.
 According to Twin Pine Consulting managing director Adisorn Singhsacha, Thailand's Ministry of Finance gave approval last September for foreign entities to raise funds in Thailand through bond issuance, to a maximum value of Bt62 billion. – Vientiane Times/ANN

Vientiane to unveil new tourist attraction in April
Vientiane's latest tourist attraction, the National Ethnic Culture Park, is set to open next April with work on phase one of the project now more than 80 percent complete. Work on the venture began in 2012 with the whole project costing US$30 million, financed by the IP Group.
“We decided to develop 10 hectares of the existing park into a new tourism complex to attract visitors in anticipation of Asean integration in 2015,” said group president Ad Phannivong.
Ad said the park was left as an undeveloped area for many years before the company took it over for improvement. – Vientiane Times/ANN

Toyo-Vietnam looks set to secure projects worth $20m
Toyo-Thai Corp’s subsidiary, Toyo-Vietnam, has struck letters |of intent for two projects overseas.
Toyo-Vietnam Corp could win a US$16 million (Bt480 million) contract to build Amway Vietnam’s manufacturing plant in Binh Duong Province, Vietnam.
The other is to expand a fertiliser plant in Vung Tau City, Vietnam, by 100,000 tonnes per year. The project is worth approximately $4 million.

Air China to improve its onboard dining experience
Air China has been pressing ahead with its ambitious plan to improve its services on European/US routes and move| forward towards its goal of |becoming a world first-class carrier, and onboard dining is part of that plan.
 In its statement, the airline said it aims to build its "Sky Wine Cellar". In addition, catering efficiency has been greatly improved – catering time is no more than 45 minutes. And all foods are preserved in temperatures of 0-5 degrees Celsius.