ASEAN

Jakarta (VNA) – The tenth meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN and the ambassadors of China, Japan and the Republic of Korea (RoK) took place in Jakarta, Indonesia, on May 17. Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, head of the Vietnamese mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) attended the event. The delegates took note of progress in cooperation between ASEAN and the three partner countries (ASEAN+3) across spheres, ranging from politics-security to economy, culture-society, regional integration and narrowing development gap over the past time. Working plans within ASEAN+3 have brought about pragmatic benefits to people in the ten-member group and regional countries, they said. A total of 21 action plans have been adopted by competent agencies of ASEAN members and the partner countries in order to realise 18 out of 21 recommendations of the East Asia Vision Group II. Besides, 223 cooperation activities within the ASEAN+3 Cooperation Work … [Read more...] about ASEAN enhances cooperation with partner countries

Thailand’s cabinet on May 14 passed resolutions on several issues, ranging from the transfers of high-ranking government officials and measures for oil palm growers to measures for business operators (Photo: thainews.prd.go.th)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) – Thailand’s cabinet on May 14 passed resolutions on several issues, ranging from the transfers of high-ranking government officials and measures for oil palm growers to measures for business operators. The cabinet approved extension to the registration period for a reduction in corporate income tax for Special Economic Zone operators from 20 percent to 10 percent from January 1, 2018 to December 30, 2020. The Ministry of Commerce reported measures of the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives and Ministry of Interior to cope with the low prices of oil palm and found some 208,000 tons of raw palm oil at extracting factories. The measures called for the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand to purchase … [Read more...] about Thai Cabinet gives green light to many economic measures

ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi (left) and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono at the signing ceremony (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – An ASEAN – Japan agreement on technical cooperation was signed in Tokyo on May 13, the first of its kind sealed between the bloc and its dialogue partner. Signed by ASEAN Secretary-General Lim Jock Hoi and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan Taro Kono, the pact sets out a legal framework for the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to offer direct assistance to ASEAN as an international organisation. Accordingly, JICA will provide ASEAN with technical training, equipment and machines, while sending experts to ASEAN facilities, including the secretariat and a number of educational establishments and research institutes. Under the agreement, which is valid for five years, cooperation programmes will be carried out across ASEAN member states in contribution to overall socio-economic development of the bloc. The … [Read more...] about ASEAN, Japan agree to step up technical cooperation

Volunteers help cleaning a bus stop. (Source:http://relishthai.com) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - More than 3,000 people have assembled at the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration’s Larn Khon Muang grounds for a Big Cleaning Day in the areas used during the coronation ceremonies. Those included officials and workers of the BMA’s Department of Environment, Department of Drainage and Sewerage and Department of Public Works as well as soldiers and volunteers. Bangkok Governor Asawin Khwanmuang said the volunteers have entirely cleaned the road surfaces, sidewalks, canalside areas, collected garbage and withering flowers and trimmed some damaged trees in the neighbourhood of Sanam Luang and royally-granted kitchens, as well as helped prepare areas for the royal plowing ceremony. Meanwhile, the BMA and traffic police are ensuring that no waste items or equipment will remain or impede pedestrians on the sidewalks upon the opening of a new academic term on May 10.- NNT/VNA … [Read more...] about Thailand: Big Cleaning Day held in Bangkok

Illustrative image (Source: khmertimeskh.com)   Hanoi (VNA) – Cambodia’s economy grew 7.5 percent in 2018, driven largely by the rapid expansion of exports and ongoing construction boom, according to the World Bank’s Cambodia Economic Update, which was released on May 6. Heightened uncertainty has, however, intensified risks, the WB said. “Improving investment climate and reducing the cost of doing business along with building skills for future economy are key priorities to sustain strong growth in the medium term. Growing evidence highlights that investment in people are essential to drive economic progress and sustainable development. Investing in people and improving the quality of Cambodia’s human capital should remain at the core of Cambodia’s aspirations to reach an upper middle-income economy by 2030,” said Inguna Dobraja, World Bank Country Manager for Cambodia. The report also calls for filling skills gaps and … [Read more...] about Cambodia’s economy grows 7.5 percent in 2018

(Source: thainews.prd.go.th) Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - The HMAS Canberra has brought over 1,000 Australian soldiers to Patong Bay to participate in activities and military cooperation missions in Phuket, Thailand, this week. The HMAS Canberra is a helicopter carrier. It arrived in Patong Bay on April 27. It is the largest ship built for the Australian Navy. The ship is 230 meters long and weighs 27,000 tonnes. This ship is able to carry out extensive humanitarian and disaster relief missions. It houses a medical service centre with two operating rooms and pharmacists. It is capable of carrying 18 helicopters, vehicles and other equipment. The visit is aimed at strengthening good military and intergovernmental cooperation in the region, and with Australia. - NNT/VNA … [Read more...] about HMAS Canberra docks at Thailand’s Patong for training, community activities

Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. AKP Mochtan addresses the forum in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 29 (Photo: VNA) Jakarta (VNA) – An annual forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 29 highlighted social organisations’ role in promoting the building of the ASEAN Community. The third forum of social organisations associated with ASEAN gathered representatives of the member countries’ permanent missions, research institutes and social organisations. Opening the event, Deputy Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr. AKP Mochtan said the forum matched the theme “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability” put forth by Thailand, which holds the ASEAN Chair this year. To ensure the ASEAN Community building efforts are effective, it is necessary to have the support and cooperation of all relevant sides to contribute to the region’s integration. An important factor in the community building is to improve public awareness of the importance of … [Read more...] about ASEAN enhances ties with social organisations in community building

Air pollution in Bangkok in January 2019 (Photo: bangkokpost)   Bangkok (NNT/VNA) - Thailand and Japan have joined hands in air quality management and the reduction of fine PM 2.5 particulate matter in traffic congested areas, starting with air pollution surveys in Bangkok to find the sources of pollution by the end of this year, in order to create solutions to resolve this issue. At the third seminar on Thailand-Japan cooperation on air quality management, the Pollution Control Department (PCD) Director General Pralong Dumrongthai, revealed the latest outcome from both countries cooperation to mitigate excessive PM 2.5 airborne particulate matter in Thailand, during which related staff have collected air samples from three locations with high traffic congestion and community areas, namely Din Daeng, Bang Na, and Soi Ari Samphan. The air samples were sent to Japan for an assessment of pollution sources, with the results expected to be disclosed by the end of this year. The … [Read more...] about Thailand, Japan join hands in PM2.5 dust reduction

At the event (Source: VNA)   Jakarta (VNA) – The ASEAN Women’s Circle (AWC) organised the ASEAN Charity Food Fair 2019 in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 25 with the aim to foster solidarity and cultural exchange among women from the regional countries and raise funds in support of disadvantaged children. The annual event featured stalls by 10 ASEAN member states, observer and partner countries such as the US, Russia, China, Australia, the Republic of Korea, the European Union and New Zealand. Traditional dishes of the participating countries were introduced to visitors and sold at symbolic prices. Vietnamese “pho” was one of the best draws to visitors and sold out only within 30 minutes. Director of the ASEAN Community Affairs Yoong Yoong-lee said the fair aims to raise mutual understanding, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, thus tightening ties among the ASEAN nations as well as relations between them and their partners for mutual … [Read more...] about ASEAN Charity Food Fair takes place in Indonesia