Are Laos’ New Railways a Solution to its Lack of Trade with the West?
November 2nd, 2022
Courtesy of The Diplomat, commentary on whether Laos’ new railways could help the nation address its lack of trade with the West: When Phankham Viphavanh, the prime minister of Laos, concluded a cabinet meeting last month, there were more questions than answers over what his government was doing to fix the economy. The national currency, the […]
Read more »Laos and New Silk Road: On Track To Dependence on China?
September 20th, 2022
Via Der Spiegel, a report on how Laos’ new high-speed rail connection connecting the capital to China is a boon for many but is it a luxury it can really afford? They are all gathered in front of the railway station. Mothers from the capital with infants in their arms and holding hands with small […]
Read more »Laos Economic Crisis Intensifies Amid Massive Chinese Debt
August 23rd, 2022
Via Deutsche Welle, a report on Laos which is facing one of its worst economic crises in decades, with the country experiencing galloping inflation and staring at a debt default: Laos’ economy has been on the brink of collapse due to a spiraling debt crisis that is crippling the country’s finances and bringing it perilously […]
Read more »Fuel Shortage Driving Laos To Brink of Debt Default
July 8th, 2022
Via Business Insider, a report on how a fuel shortage is driving Laos — which is on the brink of a debt default — to seek out cheap Russian oil: The Southeast Asian country of Laos is discussing oil purchases with sanctions-hit Russia, the Nikkei reported, citing local media. It’s the latest Asian country after bankrupt Sri Lanka to face […]
Read more »China-Laos Railway: Next Stop – Thailand
June 8th, 2022
Via Silk Road Briefing, an article on the Sino-Thai railway that is currently under construction: The China-Laos Railway which opened late last year, is being extended through to Thailand. The Laos section has proven so popular that the frequency of train service has had to be increased several times due to demand. Six months after it opening, […]
Read more »Fuel Shortages Threatens Rural Crisis in Laos
June 3rd, 2022
Via The Diplomat, an article on the crisis threatening Laos: Today, the Vientiane Times, Laos’ state-run English daily, published an alarming article examining the impact that the country’s ongoing fuel crisis is having on the country’s farmers. For the past few months, the nation has been hit by rising global oil prices and a weakening local currency, which have […]
Read more »Focusing primarily on The New Seven Sisters - the largely state owned petroleum companies from the emerging world that have become key players in the oil & gas industry as identified by Carola Hoyos, Chief Energy Correspondent for The Financial Times - but spanning other nascent opportunities around the globe that may hold potential in the years ahead, Wildcats & Black Sheep is a place for the adventurous to contemplate & evaluate the emerging markets of tomorrow.