ASEAN

Reforms under the EPPIP program have been successful in stimulating the PPP market and improving the quality of infrastructure projects in the Philippines, according to ADB Senior Trade Specialist Cristina Lozano. (Source: adb.org) Hanoi (VNA) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a 300 million USD policy-based loan to support the Philippines’ efforts to strengthen the framework under which the private sector can participate in the government’s infrastructure development programme. ADB said the loan seeks to help and allow public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects in the Philippines to flourish using private sector expertise and innovation. PPPs can raise the quality of life for citizens by providing reliable public services through efficient infrastructure, said ADB Senior Trade Specialist Cristina Lozano. With its fast-growing economy, archipelagic geography, expanding population, and rapid urbanization, the Philippine government aims to raise … [Read more...] about ADB helps develop infrastructure projects in Philippines

Malaysian authorities are frantically looking for a Radioactive Dispersal Device (RDD) that has been missing since August 10, according to local media (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)   Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysian authorities are frantically looking for a Radioactive Dispersal Device (RDD) that has been missing since August 10, according to local media. The 23kg device, an Industrial Radiography Equipment, contains the radioactive isotope Iridium-192, which emits beta and gamma radiation as it decays during its estimated half-life of 73 days. Police and the Atomic Energy Licensing Board (AELB) shared the same concerns that it could fall into the hands of terrorists or militants, or those who treat it as scrap metal to be dismantled and sold for a quick buck. The Iridium-192 can be used to produce dirty bomb – a non-nuclear device using conventional explosives to spread radioactive material over a wide area. It is safe as long as it is kept inside lead-shielded … [Read more...] about Malaysia: 23kg radioactive device missing

Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited earthquake survivors in Lombok on 13 August (Source: AFP) Hanoi (VNA) - A 6.3-magnitude earthquake rocked Lombok island in Indonesia’s West Nusa Tenggara province on August 19, just two weeks after a quake which killed 460 people, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS measured the quake, which was centered in the northeast of the tourist island, at a depth of 7.9 kilometres. The shock and vibration took place at 4:10 pm on August 19 (GMT time). Residents said the earthquake was felt strongly in East Lombok. No information of casualties has been reported so far. Previously, on August 5, a strong earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale shook the island, killing over 460 people and injuring 1,300 others.  Nearly 353,000 people living in the island lost their houses after the quake. Economic losses caused by the earthquake were estimated at 342 million USD. Indonesia is prone to earthquakes because of … [Read more...] about Another earthquake hits Indonesia’s Lombok island

Illustrative photo (Photo: Human Rights Watch) Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – The Malaysian parliament has repealed a law against fake news introduced earlier this year by the government of former Prime Minister Najib Razak. The parliament on August 16 debated a motion to abolish the law for about three hours before passing it by a simple vote. Najib's government secured a simple majority in April to pass the Anti-Fake News 2018 bill, which set out fines of up to 500,000 ringgit (123,000 USD) and jail of up to six years. Critics denounced the law as repressive and accused Najib of trying to curb free speech ahead of the general election as his government tried to fend off criticism over accusations of graft and mismanagement. During the election campaign, the Pakatan Harapan (Alliance of Hope) promised to abrogate the law if it won the election in May. The PH coalition of former PM Mahathir Mohamad secured 113 out of the parliament’s 222 seats. Malaysia is among the first few … [Read more...] about Malaysian parliament repeals law against fake news

Thai National Deputy Police Chief Wirachai Songmetta, centre with white gloves, law-enforcement officers and journalists walk past a pile of mobile batteries during a  recent raid in Bangkok. (Photo: AP) Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand will ban imports of all kinds of electronic and plastic wastes to ensure protection of the environment, said a government official. The country will ban the imports of 411 types of electronic waste, Natural Resources and Environment Minister Surasak Kanchanarat said, adding the import of plastic wastes will be totally banned in the next two years. However exceptions will include imports of used electronic telecommunication products and copying machines for repair and reuse. Besides, steel, copper and aluminium scraps can still be imported for industrial use on the condition that these metal scraps must be clean and not be mixed with other substances, the minister said. He said the ban of electronic waste will affect recycling businesses but it … [Read more...] about Thailand to ban imports of hazardous wastes

Marina Bay Sands, a famous destination in Singapore (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - Singapore's economy expanded 3.9 percent year on year in the second quarter of 2018, slightly above the advance estimate of 3.8 percent growth but lower than the median forecast of 4.1 percent. The Singaporean Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced on August 13 that the city-state’s economy expanded 0.6 percent in the second quarter from the previous three months on an annualised and seasonally adjusted basis. The growth was weaker than the initial estimate of a 1.0 percent expansion published by the government in July and the median forecast of a 1.3 percent rise in a Reuters survey. The MTI also revised its first quarter growth to 2.2 percent from 1.5 percent on a quarter-on-quarter basis and its first quarter year-on-year growth to 4.5 percent from 4.3 percent. Looking ahead, the MTI said several of Singapore's key markets are expected to see moderated growth in the second half of the … [Read more...] about Singapore’s economy grows 3.9 percent year on year in Q2

Thailand to host WorldSkills ASEAN Bangkok 2018. (Photo: VNA)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand’s Ministry of Labour announced that Thailand will host WorldSkills ASEAN Bangkok 2018 from August 31 to September 2. The event will allow young participants from the ASEAN member countries to compete on the excellence of their skills and develop the skills and competencies needed by the labour market.  … [Read more...] about Thailand to host WorldSkills ASEAN Bangkok 2018

(Photo: VNA) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to co-host the 9th Meeting of the Thailand-Myanmar Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JC) in Nay Pyi Taw early next week.  During a press conference, Busadee Santipitaks, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced that Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai will pay an official visit to Myanmar on August 13-14 at the invitation of the country’s Union Minister for International Cooperation U Kyaw Tin. On the visit, Minister Don will join his Myanmar counterpart in presiding over the 9th JC Meeting, which will take place on August 14 in the capital, Nay Pyi Taw.  According to Busadee, both sides plan to discuss the promotion of their natural strategic partnership as well as the prioritization of cooperation projects and their enhancement in all respects. Moreover, the Thai and Myanmar … [Read more...] about Thailand, Myanmar ready for Joint Commission meeting next week

The flag raising ceremony in Laos celebrates the 51st founding anniversary of ASEAN (Source: VNA)   Vientiane (VNA) – A flag raising ceremony was held at the office of the Lao Foreign Ministry in Vientiane capital on August 10 to mark the 51st founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The event was chaired by Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Saleumxay Kommasith, and attended by ASEAN and dialogue partners’ ambassadors in Laos, along with representatives from international organisations. Addressing the ceremony, Minister Kommasith recalled achievements of ASEAN in over half a century, affirming that the organisation and ASEAN Community will work to maintain peace, stability amid difficulties and challenges. He added that cooperation between countries members as well as between ASEAN and international friends and dialogue partners has been strengthened over the years. ASEAN is among highly-achieving regional organisations of the world … [Read more...] about Flag raising ceremony in Laos celebrates ASEAN’s 51st anniversary

Vietnam has made significant contributions to promoting collaboration in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community. (Photo: Freepik) HCM City (VNA) – Vietnam has made significant contributions to promoting collaboration in the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community, one of the three pillars in the ASEAN Community. This was concluded at the preliminary conference on Project 161 which looks to implement and achieve the goals laid out by the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community until 2025 held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 10. The event, held by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids, and Social Affairs (MoLISA) in collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aims to highlight ASEAN’s activities and Vietnam’s efforts after joining the bloc while sharing experience in implementing the project to take advantage of regional priority. According to Nguyen Manh Cuong, Director of the MoLISA’s Department of International … [Read more...] about Vietnam actively contributes to ASEAN connectivity