Briefs

Some 36 per cent of firms in Singapore are planning to increase staff in 2017, a new survey has found.
The survey by recruitment firm Michael Page polled close to 450 employers across various industries, and also revealed that among those firms that are planning to raise headcount, six in 10 were looking to hire at the middle-management level.
Although next year’s employment landscape is expected to remain largely similar to this year, Anthony Thompson, Michael Page’s regional managing director for Greater China, Southeast Asia and India, said hiring activity in Singapore could see a slight uptick in three key industries.
“Digital, technology and healthcare are likely to be the country’s fastest-growing industries due to the government’s pledged efforts to boost investment in these sectors. As a result, employers across these three sectors are likely to continue hiring actively, though recruitment efforts will largely focus on filling niche roles,” he said. – The Straits Times

Minister to promote 
organic farming
Myanmar Agricultural Minister Aung Thu, speaking at the Upper House session on Monday, said he would promote organic farming.
He spoke in reply to MP Dr Pyae Phyo from Ayeyawady Region, who asked about protecting people from chemical residues on fruits and vegetables.
Dr Aung Thu, the minister for agriculture, livestock and irrigation, said: “Organic fruits and vegetables are not in high demand even in some developed countries. We have a plan to promote organic farming and educate people of the benefits of eating organic crops. We have to wait until the organic crops become popular in our market. As people become aware of organic products, the demand will rise.”
He added that his ministry had educated farmers to use good agricultural practices from seeding to harvesting to protect consumers from chemical residues on vegetables and fruits. The ministry had certified 27 private farms in Shan state, Mandalay and Sagaing regions for employing such practices.
The ministry also taught farmers how to produce organic fertilisers and pesticide. – Myanmar Eleven

Myanmar receives $24.56m
in 6 foreign investments 
Six foreign investments, amounting to US$24.56 million (Bt884 million) – all from Asean and East Asian countries or territories – have been officially permitted in December, according to the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.
At a press conference on Monday, the DICA said the investments were in industrial businesses and would create about 4,200 jobs in the country.
Mainland China, South Korea, Cambodia, Hong Kong and Taiwan have made the investments in garment and paper manufacturing sectors during the past month.
During the 2016-17 fiscal year, 78 new foreign investments amounting to $3.46 billion have been given permission in accordance with Myanmar’s foreign-investment law. 
“These foreign investments of $3.46 billion do not include investments made in Thilawa Special Economic Zone,” said DICA director-general Aung Naing Oo. “If combined with the investments made in Thilawa, the total is $3.65 billion. And if compared with last year’s figure – which amounted to $4.96 billion – it’s about $1.3 billion less.” –Myanmar Eleven

WB helps Laos to
upgrade rural roads
The World Bank’s board of executive directors is providing US$25 million (Bt900 million) in credit for Laos to strengthen its road -maintenance systems and improve road connectivity throughout the country.
The credit comes from the International Development Association (IDA), according to a report published on the board of executive directors’ website on December 13. The approved Laos Road Sector II Project is part of the country’s national programme to build climate-resilient infrastructure nationwide through a stronger institutional framework for road maintenance.
The project is meant to strengthen the government’s capacities for sector financing, planning, integration of climate-change adaptation into road sector strategies, business processes, standard designs for climate-resilient road asset management, governance and accountability, monitoring and evaluation.| – Vientiane Times