ASEAN

The two sides also decided to set up a joint committee for this purpose, according to a statement released after the meeting between economic ministers of ASEAN and Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal in Bangkok on September 10. The ministers agreed to initiate the review of the bilateral trade pact in goods to make it more user-friendly, simple, and trade facilitative for businesses, the statement said. At a market in India. Photo: foodnavigator-asia.com. The ministers tasked officials to work on the details of the review of the agreement and submit an update in the next ministerial meeting. Both sides also received the recommendations of the ASEAN-India business council to further promote the bilateral trade potential through optimising the FTA as well as cooperation in some areas such as financial technology, connectivity, startups, and innovation. Trade between ASEAN and India increased to 80.8 billion USD in 2018 from 73.6 billion USD in … [Read more...] about ASEAN, India review free trade agreement on goods

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (R) and his Singaporean counterpart Halimah Yacob (Photo: AFP/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and his Singaporean counterpart Halimah Yacob have discussed measures to strengthen defence and security cooperation, and boost trade and investment flows. The two leaders talked ways to promote defence dialogues and training exchanges between military and special forces, Duterte told the press after their meeting in Manila on September 9. They were committed to intensifying trade and investment links as well as paying attention to the goals that they have set under the Philippines-Singapore Action Plan. Duterte also expressed his hope to cooperate with Singapore in agriculture, education-training, science-technology, tourism and cultural exchanges, while Halimah said the bilateral economic ties are strong and robust. However, the two sides still can do even more together to further boost trade and investment flows. The … [Read more...] about Philippines, Singapore reinforce defence, economic relations

At the Supply Chain Asia Forum 2019 (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – The Supply Chain Asia Forum 2019, themed "Digitalisation of the Supply Chain World” kicked off in Singapore on September 10. The three-day forum draws the participation of more than 1,500 experts, scholars and delegates over the world. The supply chain tech expo brought together more than 40 Singaporean and global organisations to showcase some of the industry's most exciting and innovative technologies. Paul Lim, president of Supply Chain Asia, said the industrial landscape is set to change with more businesses making greater use of cutting-edge technology to drive new ways of production and delivery via automated and robotic devices and mobile solutions to reach customers faster, cheaper and more efficiently than ever before. According to him, many enterprises are moving their production bases away from China to Vietnam, but Vietnam is facing challenges in sea ports and skilled workers.-VNA … [Read more...] about Supply Chain Asia Forum 2019 opens in Singapore

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake strikes Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on September 10.(Photo: news.abs-cbn.com) Hanoi (VNA) - A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck Davao Oriental province in the southern Philippines on September 10, according to the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Phivolcs). The quake occurred at 1:39 p.m. (Philippines time), about 39 km southeast of Governor Generoso town in Davao Oriental province, the institute said. No casualties or damage have been reported. The quake was also felt in Davao City, Sultan Kudarat province, Sarangani province, Bislig City, Butuan City, and Cagayan de Oro City in the southern Philippines. The institute also said aftershocks are expected. – VNA … [Read more...] about Earthquake jolts southern Philippines

Director of Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations Major General Hoang Kim Phung  (L) receives the flag to host the eighth annual general meeting of the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network (APCN) in August 2020. (Photo: VNA) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Vietnam will host the eighth annual general meeting of the ASEAN Peacekeeping Centres Network (APCN) in August 2020. The information was announced at the closing session of the seventh APCN meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on September 6. Director of Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations Major General Hoang Kim Phung told Vietnam News Agency’s correspondents in Malaysia on the sidelines of the event that next year, Vietnam will play its role as the ASEAN chair, and organise a wide range of important events such as ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM Plus. This will be the first time Vietnam assumes an important role relating to peacekeeping activities by hosting the eighth APCN meeting … [Read more...] about Vietnam to host ASEAN peacekeeping meeting in 2020

Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad arrives in Cambodia on September 2 (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad began his three-day official visit to Cambodia on September 2 to enhance ties between the two Southeast Asian nations. The Malaysian PM is set to hold talks with his Cambodian counterpart Samdech Techo Hun Sen on September 3, with a focus on bilateral relations.  They will discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern, announced the Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in a statement. The two leaders will also witness the signing of several documents and hold a joint press conference.  According to the Council for the Development of Cambodia, Malaysia is the fifth largest foreign investor of Cambodia in recent years, channeling a total of 481 million USD into the country in 2014-2018. Two-way trade reached 474 million USD in 2018. Malaysia ranks eighth among … [Read more...] about Malaysia, Cambodia bolster bilateral relations

At the reception for ASEAN Secretary General Lim Jock Hoi At the reception, General Lich welcomed and highly appreciated the Vietnam visit of the ASEAN Secretary General, especially in the context that Vietnam is actively making preparations in all aspects for its ASEAN chairmanship in 2020 and hosting of ASEAN conferences and activities in the year. The General stressed that to successfully fulfill its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2020, the National Committee on ASEAN 2020 and the Ministry of Defense have embarked on the preparation of contents, protocols, facilities and security from 2018. The Vietnamese Defense Minister hoped to receive further professional support from the ASEAN Secretariat, especially in drawing up agendas for meetings, consulting other ASEAN members on ideas, compiling documents on new initiatives and holding professional training for those to be in charge of taking minutes at the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and ADMM Plus meetings and other … [Read more...] about Defense ministers receive guests

Speaking at the event, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Aladdin D. Rillo said the regional grouping is now the world’s fifth largest economy with a total population of over 649 million people. During 2007 – 2018, its total trade nearly doubled to over USD 2.7 trillion. Last year, its member states attracted USD 151.2 billion in foreign direct investment, 14.8 percent of which was internal. ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Aladdin D.Rillo addressing the event He said with an annual economic growth of nearly 5.5 percent, ASEAN could surpass Japan to become the fourth largest economy by 2025, behind China, India and the US. Rillo also pointed out challenges faced by ASEAN such as the fourth industrial revolution, trade tension among major powers and population aging. Notably, the US – China trade tension is negatively affecting the Southeast Asia. Specifically, five out of the six largest regional economies such as Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the … [Read more...] about Seminar talks emerging opportunities, challenges in ASEAN

At the seminar (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Lim Jock Hoi lauded efforts by the Vietnamese Government and businesses in developing cooperation between the ASEAN member countries, while addressing a seminar in Hanoi on August 26.  The seminar, jointly held by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, offers a chance for the ASEAN Secretariat and leaders to listen to initiatives and proposals aimed to help enterprises seize opportunities and study challenges, as well as coordination measures in the grouping, he said. The official expressed his hope that negotiations of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement between the ASEAN and China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, India, Australia and New Zealand will be completed in 2019, towards the signing in 2020. Connecting ASEAN leaders and businesses with partners will be the grouping’s … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s efforts in promoting ASEAN cooperation applauded

A road was seriously damaged due to monsoon rains in Mon state. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The death toll from a landslide caused by monsoon rains struck Ye Pyar Kone village, Mon state of Myanmar, on August 9 rose to 22. According to authorities, the landslide took place as the mountainside of Ma-lat mountain collapsed due to heavy rainfall. It buried 16 houses and swept away many residents. So far the rescue team has found 22 bodies and 47 injured people. The number of missing people is believed to be up to 100. Caused by heavy monsoon rainfall, many localities in southern Myanmar like Paung, Mawlamyine, Mudon, Thanbyuzayat, Kyaikmaraw and Ye townships were flooded, affecting the lives of local people. Some schools were also temporary closed. - VNA … [Read more...] about Myanmar: Death toll from landslide rises to 22