AEC Feed

Last quarter, Myanmar exported more than US$57 million (Bt2 billion) worth of jade and jewellery to China through the Muse border-trade hub, according to the Myanmar Commerce Ministry.
Jade exports amounted to $53 million and jewellery exports $4 million.
Although the Myanmar government’s policy is to export finished jade products, most of the jade exports this fiscal year have been raw.
Jade and other gems have been permitted for export as jewellery since November 2011, though buyers must pay taxes to departments in Nay Pyi Taw, Yangon and Mandalay.
Taxes on jade clusters purchased at the Gems Emporium, held by the Myanmar Gems Enterprise, can be paid through the Customs Department. – Eleven Myanmar

 Foreign investors eye Maco Master Ad
 Investment firm Templeton has indicated an interest in acquiring a stake in Maco Master Ad. Maco is now on the radar screens of foreign funds after VGI’s acquisition of the Thai ad-media company, which will boost operating performance.
The company also has an aggressive plan to expand its footprint nationwide.
There is a rumour that Templeton has already invested in 4 per cent of Maco. British investment manager Ashmore Group will acquire 10 per cent of Maco through an increase in registered capital, as it believes Maco is poised to grow rapidly. – The Nation

 Shares up as Vietnam govt plans exit from big firms
 The Vietnamese government plans to divest 10 enterprises that State Capital Investment Corporation is representing and operating.
Shares advanced on Wednesday on the two national stock exchanges, buoyed by investor expectations of a specific road map for the government to sell its capital proportions in many big listed companies.
On the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange, the VN-Index increased 0.4 per cent to 660.5 points. It was down 0.2 per cent on Tuesday. On the smaller exchange in Hanoi, the HNX-Index also added 0.4 per cent to close at 83.8 points.The government and ministries met on Wednesday to discuss the divestment plan.
In May of last year, the government asked SCIC to draw a road map for selling state holdings in 10 big enterprises, of which eight are listed on the two national exchanges with a combined market capitalisation of about US$4.5 billion. Six of these eight companies gained value yesterday after the information. Binh Minh Plastic and Tien Phong Plastic were the biggest gainers, with each rising 7 per cent.
Others including dairy firm Vinamilk, software producer FPT Corp, Vietnam National Reinsurance and Bao Minh Insurance rose 1.2-6.5 per cent.
Only Sa Giang Import Export declined 9.4 per cent and Ha Giang Mineral and Mechanics closed unchanged. – Viet Nam News

 Aeon Lao launches Express Card
 Aeon Leasing Service (Lao) Co last week launched its Aeon Express Card to reward members with more benefits and privileges anytime and anywhere.
The card was launched at the Aeon dealers’ seminar in Vientiane, which saw the participation of more than 100 representatives from 87 dealer shops selling products such as electrical equipment, mobile phones, computers, furniture, living materials, motorbikes, tyres and agricultural equipment.
Privileges of the Express Card include a 5-per-cent discount on loan registration fees, low interest rates, fast approvals, discounts and savings at privileged merchants, free promotion updates and simple and hassle-free services.
Aeon Leasing Service is one of 152 financial institutions under the Bank of the Lao PDR, Akhom Praseuth, director-general of the central bank’s Financial Institution Supervision Department, said at the ceremony.
To help meet the requirements of business development, the number of financial institutions is increasing, especially in Laos, he said. – Vientiane Times

 Philippine economy grew 7 per cent in Q2
 The Philippine economy grew by 7 per cent last quarter – the last three months of the Benigno Aquino administration – amid robust spending for the national election held last May, the Philippine Statistics Authority said.
The growth posted during the April-June period was faster the 6.8 per cent in the first quarter. Gross domestic product in the first half grew by 6.9 per cent, National Statistician Lisa Grace Bersales told a press conference.
The administration of President Rodrigo Duterte targets GDP to grow by a “conservative” 6-7 per cent this year. – Philippine Daily Inquirer