SANYA, China (AP) — The leaders of the world’s largest emerging economies gather this week in southern China for what could be a watershed moment in their quest for a bigger say in the global financial architecture.

Thursday’s summit comes at a crucial moment for the expanded five-member bloc known as the BRICS, which groups Brazil, Russia, India, China, and, for the first time, South Africa.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and South African President Jacob Zuma will attend.

With the G-20 group of major economies seeking to remake parts of the global financial architecture, it’s time for the BRICS to test whether they can overcome internal differences and act as a bloc pursuing common interests.

The ramifications of this meeting could prove historic as the countries noted above, along with those that comprise the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), appear on track to become increasingly economically dynamic in the forthcoming years.     While reading this article, this blogger was especially impressed by this writer’s insightful analysis of the characteristics of the BRICS countries. To continue quoting directly from the aforementioned article:

The five countries are loosely joined by their common status as major fast-growing economies that have been traditionally underrepresented in world economic bodies, such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

All broadly support free trade and oppose protectionism, although China in particular has been accused of erecting barriers to foreign competition. In foreign affairs, they tend toward nonintervention and oppose the use of force: Of the five, only South Africa voted in favor of the Libyan no-fly zone.

At the time of this writing, the summit noted above would appear to be geared mainly toward economic matters or matters pertaining to the economic realm, but how increasing ties among these nations could impact affairs playing out in the international political arena remains to be seen.

On a related note, Stock Exchanges in some of the Nations which compose the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), including Thailand, have recently announced collaborations apparently referred to as ASEAN Brand Identity, an ASEAN Exchanges website, and ASEAN Stars. In following up on that story it would appear that the ASEAN Exchanges website is now live, to quote directly from the website AsiaToday.com:

Launched today was the ASEAN Exchanges website (www.aseanexchanges.org) that will feature the ASEAN Stars and other ASEAN centric products and initiatives giving investors an integrated single-window view into the ASEAN capital market; a market that has a combined market capitalisation of approximately USD1.8 trillion and participation of more than 3,000 companies. Some of these companies are the largest and most dynamic companies in the world including leaders in finance and banking, telecommunications, commodities, automotive manufacturing and other industrial sectors.

The administration of this blog highly recommends that readers click upon the hyperlinks above to learn more details about these issues and the various exchanges within the ASEAN region as the whole Southeast Asia area is quickly becoming a vibrant economic force both on a regional and global level.

Meanwhile, it should be noted that the nation of Laos has recently brought a Lao stock exchange online while Cambodia appears poised to take the same steps soon. Even the developing Union of Myanmar (referred to by some as Burma) has signaled interest in the opening of a Myanmar stock exchange. Whether such a development comes to pass remains to be seen. What is clear is that economic relationships are becoming increasingly stratified as economically dictated by the interests of the players in each of the markets of the world. Those interested in such matters are highly encouraged to conduct their own research and come to their own informed conclusions.

For related information please see: US Company Registration or Company in Thailand.

An informal meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has called for the lifting of economic sanctions against the military regime of Myanmar.

The meeting, held on the Indonesian island of Lombok, made the call citing “significant” political progress made in the south-east Asian country.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, whose country holds the rotating chair of the ten-nation organization, told reporters: “We believe that the recent development needs to be responded by the international community, especially in order to ensure that the economic development in Myanmar can take place.”

He says ASEAN Ministers feel that the recent long-awaited Myanmar elections, which he described as “conducive and transparent, and the release of Opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi warranted a positive international response.

The lifting of the sanctions against Myanmar still remains to be seen, but in the wake of the announcement from ASEAN the Straits Times official website is reporting that authorities in Myanmar are taking steps toward creating a stock exchange in Myanmar. To quote directly from the Straits Times website StraitsTimes.com:

BANGKOK – MYANMAR is in talks with South Korea’s bourse operator about opening a stock market, the latest in a series of steps by its military rulers aimed at drawing much-needed foreign capital to the country.

Korea Exchange is already involved in running the newly opened Laos Securities Exchange and is setting up a long-delayed stock market in Cambodia, which is due to open in July. Both are joint ventures with the respective governments.

In previous postings on this blog, the administration has discussed the unveiling of a Stock Exchange in Laos and the announcement that a Cambodian Securities Exchange is set to be opened in mid-2011. In the case of Myanmar, it would appear as though any plans for the eventual creation of a Myanmar securities exchange are still tentative as can be gathered from a further quote in the Straits Times posting:

A spokesman for Korea Exchange in Seoul said representatives had visited Myanmar twice. ‘But nothing has been decided,’ the official said.

Although the opening of a Myanmar Securities Exchange is not a foregone conclusion, there are many who can cite the myriad economic benefits that would accrue as a result of such a step. Furthermore, there are those who would argue that creation of economic opportunities in Myanmar would be beneficial for all Citizens of Myanmar based upon a sort of “rising tide raises all ships” logic. To quote further from the Straits Times:

Myanmar is rich in natural resources but its development has been held back by five decades of economic mismanagement under military dictators and by Western sanctions.

But reforms are under way. The authorities have privatised hundreds of state assets in the past year and are seeking to expand the banking, telecommunications, shipping and agricultural sectors. — REUTERS

Myanmar is truly a cornucopia of natural resources and economic opportunity, but at the time of this writing many nations, including the United States of America, have sanctions against this Southeast Asian nation which prohibit certain forms of commercial activity. There are some who argue that such sanctions actually exacerbate the plight of impoverished Myanmar Citizens. Such an argument generally postulates that easing of foreign trade restrictions, and the economic benefits which would likely arise from such a state of affairs, would accrue to the benefit of many of the market actors in Myanmar, many of whom live in poverty. Under such a theory, economic benefits would not necessarily exclusively accrue to the upper echelon of Myanmar as the less affluent would likely benefit, albeit indirectly, from the infusion of foreign capital, trade goods, intellectual property, and the further economic activity arising therefrom.

Even though a securities exchange in Myanmar may be merely in the discussion phase and is a long way from being created, those interested in doing business in Myanmar, or any other country in Southeast Asia, should take note of the information above as there are many who would argue that Myanmar will likely play a critical role in regional and global economics as well as trade.

For related information please see: US Company Registration, US Visa Myanmar, or Laos Securities Exchange.

“Now we are our stock exchange in the process of establishing and developing Cambodian securities exchange which is going to be implemented in the middle of 2011, H.E Dr. Hean Sahip, deputy secretary general of ministry said in his speech during the workshop on IT for securities exchange in Phnom Penh.

The relatively small Southeast Asian Kingdom has been working on opening a securities exchange for some time. Now it would appear as though all of this effort may soon bear fruit, to quote DAP-news.com further:

“I would like to inform you that that to reach our objective of inaugural preparation of Cambodia securities exchange in the forth coming middle 2011, Cambodia securities exchange will start their operation soon  Canadia Tower, level 25”He added…

Some governmental agencies such as Autonomous zone of Sihanouk port, Electricity du Combodge, autonomous water supply authority of Phnom Penh, Telecom Cambodia will likely be listed in the stock exchange.Other dozen of private baking and companies will join the stock.

In the case of Laos, the opening of a stock exchange marks a significant step toward acquisition of investment capital as securities exchanges are often utilized in an effort to raise capital for companies wishing to expand. It would appear that the Kingdom of Cambodia offers substantial business opportunities to would-be investors of foreign origin. Some examples of the business opportunities in Cambodia are succinctly summed up on the BuyUSA.gov website:

Cambodia offers potential investment opportunities in tourism infrastructure and resorts; education; architecture, construction, and engineering services; household goods and appliances; agribusiness and food processing; used cars and automotive parts; power generation equipment; fast food and beverage franchises; pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and medical equipment; and banking.

Clearly, there are business opportunities in the Kingdom of Cambodia, but those looking to conduct business in the Southeast Asian Kingdom may be prudent to conduct research or possibly retain the services of an attorney to conduct due diligence into proposed investments prior to making irrevocable business decisions. The same could easily be said for those looking to conduct business in the Kingdom of Thailand, Laos, or any jurisdiction with which a prospective investor is not familiar as research into the business and legal issues associated with a new undertaking in an unfamiliar jurisdiction can help ensure that risks are avoided which stem from unforeseen complications.

For related information please see: US Company Registration or US Visa Cambodia.

ผู้ที่สนใจที่จะประกอบธุรกิจในภูมิภาคเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้อาจจะเป็นที่สนใจว่า ลาว (ชื่อเรียกอย่างเป็นทางการคือ สาธารณรัฐประชาธิปไตยประชาชนลาว)เพิ่งจะมีการประกาศเปิดตลาดหลักทรัพย์ อ้างโดยตรงจากบทความเมื่อเร็วๆนี้ในเว็บไซต์ของ BBC:

การซื้อขายหลักทรัพย์ของลาวนั้นได้เปิดดำเนินการแล้วในวันอังคารโดยการซื้อขายของสองบริษัท

ประเทศที่อยู่ตรงกลางระหว่างเวียดนามและไทยเป็นประเทศหนึ่งที่ยากจนที่สุดในโลก

ลาวหวังว่า ตลาดหุ้นจะช่วยเพิ่มเงิน 8 พันล้านดอลลาห์สหรัฐ (5.1 พันล้านปอนด์)และขายพันธบัตรเพื่อหาเงินทุนแก่ประเทศ

การซื้อขายของลาวเป็นการเริ่มต้นที่จะนำเสนอขายหุ้นของสองบริษัทคือ บริษัทอิเล็คทริค เดอ ลาวและบานค์ พอว์ ลี คอมเมิร์ซ เอ็กซ์ทีเรีย ลาว

มูลค่าการซื้อขายในวันแรกเป็นไปอย่างเบาบาง ประมาณ 2.14พันล้านกีบ ($265,000; £170,000)

แม้ว่าการซื้อขายอาจจะไม่มากนักเมื่อเปรียบเทียบกับสหรัฐอเมริกา เครือจักรภพอังกฤษ หรือแม้แต่ประเทศไทย แต่มีแนวโน้มที่การเปลี่ยนแปลงนี้จะขยายโอกาสแก่นักลงทุนชาวต่างชาติที่จะประกอบธุรกิจในลาว หวังเป็นอย่างยิ่งว่า การเปิดตลาดหุ้นนี้จะเป็นการนำทาง ให้ลาวมีบทบาทมากขึ้นในภูมิภาคนี้ ดินแดนที่ไม่มีทางออกสู่ทะเลที่มีประชากรและทรัพยากรธรรมชาติที่ไม่มากนั้นอาจกล่าวได้ว่า ความหวังของลาวในการสร้างงานและพัฒนาระบบเศรษฐกิจในประเทศจะได้รับเงินทุนจากต่างชาติมากขึ้นในรูปแบบของทั้งการพัฒนาและผลกำไร

ลาวเป็นสมาขิกของประชาคมเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้ (ASEAN) เมื่อหลายเดือนที่ผ่านมานี้ สมาชิกของอาเซียน(ASEAN)ได้มีการเปลี่ยนแปลงครั้งยิ่งใหญ่ในระบบเศรษฐกิจในขณะที่เงินดอลลาห์สหรัฐกำลังอ่อนค่าลง อย่างน้อยที่สุดคือ มาตรการที่ทุ่มเงิน ไปในระบบเศรษฐกิจที่ธนาคารกลางประกาศใช้ ในขณะเดียวกัน เงินหยวนของจีนกำลังแข็งค่าขึ้นเนื่องจากเศรษฐกิจจีนมีการเติบโตอย่างต่อเนื่อง องค์ประกอบเหล่านี้ประกอบกับปัจจัยอื่นๆส่งผลต่อความไม่แน่นอนครั้งยิ่งใหญ่เกี่ยวกับอนาคตของเศรษฐกิจหลายๆชาติในเอเชียตะวันออกเฉียงใต้

สิ่งที่พึงระลึกถึงคือ เมื่อเร็วๆนี้ บริการข่าวของจีนรายงานว่า กรุงเทพจะมีบ้านหลังใหม่มูลค่ากว่า 1.5 พันล้านดอลลาห์สหรัฐในคอมเพล็กซ์การค้าของจีน ในตอนท้ายของข่าวนี้กล่าวว่า จีน ลาวและประเทศไทยจะเชื่อมโยงกันด้วยรถไฟความเร็วสูง หวังเป็นอย่างยิ่งว่า ปัจจัยหลายๆอย่างนั้นกับเงินทุนเพิ่มเติมโดยการซื้อขายในตลาดลาวจะช่วยสร้างบรรยากกาศในการดำเนินธุรกิจที่ดีแก่จีน ไทย ลาวและสมาชิกทั้งหมดในประชาคมอาเซียน (ASEAN)

To find this information in English please see: US Visa Laos

The Lao Securities Exchange opened for business on Tuesday with trading in just two companies.

The country, sandwiched between Vietnam and Thailand, is one of the world’s poorest nations.

It is hoped that the stock exchange will help raise $8bn (£5.1bn) in equity and bond sales to fund investment in the country.

The Laos exchange is initially offering shares in two state-owned companies, Electricite du Laos Generation company and Banque Pour Le Commerce Exterieur Lao.

The volume of the first day’s trading was thin, about 2.14bn kip ($265,000; £170,000).

Although the exchange itself is small in comparison to that of the United States, the United Kingdom, or even the Kingdom of Thailand it is likely that this move will lead to further business opportunities for foreign investors looking to conduct business in Laos. Hopefully, this announcement will also usher in an era in which Laos plays a more dynamic role in the region. As a landlocked country with a relatively small population and few capital resources it can be inferred that Laos’ best hope for creating jobs and improving the overall economic situation in the country will come through the accrual of foreign capital in the form investment and subsequent usage of that capital in ways that will be both constructive and profitable.

Laos is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In recent months members states of ASEAN have seen a great deal of change in the economic realm as the United States dollar has weakened due, at least in part, to “quantitative easing” measures promulgated by the Federal Reserve. Meanwhile, the Chinese Yuan has been getting stronger as the Chinese economy continues to show strong growth. These factors, along with others, have resulted a great deal of uncertainty about the future complexion of business in Southeast Asia.

It should also be noted that Chinese News Services have recently reported that Bangkok will be home to a new $1.5 billion Chinese trade complex. This news comes on the heels of the announcement that China, Laos, and Thailand will eventually be connected via high-speed rail link. Hopefully, all of these factors, in conjunction with the additional capital generated by the Lao exchange, will coalesce into a highly favorable business climate for China, Thailand, Laos, and all of the other member nations of the ASEAN community.

For related information please see: US Visa Laos.