ASEAN

Minister of Commerce Sonthirat Sonthijirawong (Source: NNT) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Thai commercial representatives from 64 countries worldwide and executives of the Ministry of Commerce have met to evaluate a trade situation in each region and analysed risk factors for the Thai export sector.  Minister of Commerce Sonthirat Sonthijirawong said he instructed the commercial representatives to see which products are opportunities for growth and have the potential to replace those affected by the global trade slowdown. The commercial representatives must develop a trade policy that is suitable for each area to penetrate its market, said the minister.  The minister stressed that the commercial representatives need to find ways to connect Thai agricultural products in other countries with the Thai grassroots economies.  Deputy Prime Minister Somkid will preside over a meeting with the commercial representatives on October 18.-NNT/VNA … [Read more...] about Thai commercial representatives evaluate trade situations worldwide

An overview of sixth ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on SPS Cooperation (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The sixth ASEAN-China Ministerial Meeting on Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine (SPS) Cooperation was held in Hanoi on October 12. The meeting is held biennially to intensify dialogue and cooperation on SPS and boost the trading of agricultural products between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China. Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong said that over the past three decades, the bilateral partnership has been expanded to numerous fields, in which the SPS cooperation plays an important role with many activities being implemented to facilitate the flow and trading of agricultural products between the two sides. Last year, ASEAN-China trade made a record high of nearly 515 billion USD, with food and farm produce being an important contributor. Since the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area (ACFTA) was formed in … [Read more...] about ASEAN, China intensify cooperation in food safety, quarantine

President Joko Widodo shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong after delivering a joint press conference at the ASEAN Leaders Gathering in Bali on Oct. 11. (Source: Antara) Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo has raised the topic of blended finance at the ASEAN Leaders Gathering in Bali on October 11 as part of the bloc’s efforts  to pursue sustainable development goals (SDGs). In a joint statement with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, President Widodo said Indonesia encourages creative forms of financing, including blended finance. The Indonesian President also stressed the need for global cooperation to pursue SDGs set by the UN General Assembly in order to achieve them by 2030. He emphasised that SDGs cannot be achieved with each country working in isolation, instead can be reached through global leadership and shared responsibility. Member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) … [Read more...] about Indonesia calls for use of creative finance to achieve SDGs

The government of Thailand will open an art exhibition themed “Thai Masterpieces of the Ninth Reign” (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – The government of Thailand is inviting citizens to view its “Thai Masterpieces of the Ninth Reign” art exhibition, which includes the “Thai Film, Television and Musical Masterpieces” showcase, honouring His Majesty the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej on the anniversary of his passing. The exhibition is comprised of four zones. The first is the Master Artist zone, which contains examples of His Majesty the late King’s artistic genius spanning architecture and painting to sculptures, photographs and musical compositions. The second zone focuses on Thai film masterpieces created during the reign of King Rama 9 and includes free screenings of hit movies such as Suriyothai, Ong Bak and Hom Rong. The third zone is a collection of musical masterpieces composed during the reign of King Rama 9 and … [Read more...] about Masterpieces created during King Rama 9 reign to be exhibited

Illustrative image (Source: Internet)   HCM City (VNA) – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) and the ASEAN Secretariat is hosting a training course in HCM City from October 9-10 to guide how to draw projects to take advantage of resources from ASEAN and ASEAN-dialogue partners cooperation funds. The event offers an opportunity for researcher and leaders of professional agencies in southern cities and provinces to update knowledge about ASEAN, get deeper insights into development cooperation mechanisms and projects, ASEAN and ASEAN-dialogue partners cooperation funds as well as possibilities of making use of these funds. According to the MoFA, in recent times, the localities have actively implemented foreign relations work and enhanced international cooperation. They are in need of support resources to contribute to their socio-economic development. However, many of them are yet to have full information about the objectives and criteria of these funds as well show … [Read more...] about Training course guides how to benefit from ASEAN cooperation funds

  Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand’s famous Maya Bay is to remain closed after it was found that a closure lasting from June 1 to September 30 of this year was insufficient for the recovery of its eco-system.  Deputy Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plants (DNP) Jongklai Worapongsathorn and Director of the DNP’s Office of National Parks Songtham Suksawang have inspected the rehabilitation of coral reefs in Maya Bay and the general condition of Hat Nopparat Thara-Koh Phi Phi National Park in Krabi province, following an indefinite extension to their closures.  Jongklai indicated that despite the four month closure of the nature sites they have seen only limited rehabilitation. He said a closure of one to three years is now being studied due to the critical nature of the bay’s eco-system. The Minister of Natural Resources and the Environment has suggested that tourists to the area be dispersed to other destinations … [Read more...] about Thailand: Maya Bay to remain closed indefinitely to allow environmental recuperation

Singapore (VNA) – Deputy Secretary General of ASEAN for Political Security Community Hoang Anh Tuan has called for better efforts to enhance ASEAN’s anti-terrorism capacity in an ongoing symposium in Singapore. The two-day event is organised by the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS), Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, with support from the local Ministries of Culture, Community and Youth; Defence; Foreign Affairs; and Home Affairs; and the National Security Coordination Secretariat. Anchored on the theme “A Collective Approach”, the symposium brings together senior government officials from the region, practitioners as well as representatives from academia and the private sector to exchange ideas and best practices on issues related to counter-terrorism. It discusses four key topics: building societal resilience against terrorism, enhancing the region’s ability to tackle the increasingly militarised terror networks, tapping … [Read more...] about ASEAN calls for enhanced anti-terrorism capacity

A corner of Bangkok city, Thailand. (Photo: Bangkokpost) Bangkok (VNA) – The Thai economy continues to gain further traction from both domestic and external demand, the central bank of Thailand (BOT) said in its press release on economic and monetary conditions in August. Private consumption expanded in most categories, while the value of merchandise exports expanded a growth of 5.8 percent from the same period last year. Excluding gold, the value of merchandise exports grew by 9.6 percent, and expanded in most product group. In the reviewed period, public spending expanded from the disbursement for construction and purchase of machinery, as well as from the increased expenditure on goods and services for state agencies. Besides, the number of foreign tourist arrivals in August rose 3 percent compared to the same period last year. This was mainly from the increase in the number of Malaysian tourists due to the Hari Raya Haji long holiday. Moreover, the number of tourists … [Read more...] about Thailand’s economy sees positive signs

Thailand has celebrated Thai National Flag Day, expressing gratitude to His Majesty King Rama the Sixth for bestowing the current version of the flag on the nation 101 years ago. (Source: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Thailand has celebrated Thai National Flag Day, expressing gratitude to His Majesty King Rama the Sixth for bestowing the current version of the flag on the nation 101 years ago.  Several provinces have held activities to mark the celebration, which was started last year by the government on the occasion of the centennial anniversary of the national flag, while also promoting unity among the citizens.  In Nong Khai province, the Provincial Governor presided over the ceremony. He handed a national flag to officials to be flown while the national anthem is being sung.  Similarly, the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Governor led civil servants and government officials in singing the national anthem in front of the provincial city hall. They also … [Read more...] about Thailand celebrates Thai National Flag Day

Scene at the unofficial annual meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 28 (Photo: VNA) New York (VNA) – Foreign ministers (FMs) of member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened an unofficial annual meeting on the sidelines of the 73rd Session of the UN General Assembly in New York on September 28. Singapore, which currently holds the rotating ASEAN chair, updated the participants on its preparations for hosting the upcoming 33rd ASEAN Summit, high-level meetings with partners and the 13th East Asia Summit (EAS) scheduled to take place from November 13-15. The FMs discussed ASEAN nations supporting each other’s bids for posts at the UN and at other international organisations, saying that it is demonstration of solidarity and a step toward the building and promotion of the ASEAN Community globally. They agreed to frequently get updated on the candidacy of … [Read more...] about ASEAN foreign ministers meet on sidelines of UNGA’s 73rd session