APEC Economic Committee meets to promote economic growth
The APEC Economic Committee (EC) convened its second plenary meeting and the fifth meeting of the Friends of the Chair (FotC) on August 25, discussing the making of regulations and policies to boost development in APEC member economies.
The APEC Economic Committee convenes its second plenary meeting on August 25 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – The APEC Economic Committee (EC)convened its second plenary meeting and the fifth meeting of the Friends of theChair (FotC) on August 25, discussing the making of regulations and policies toboost development in APEC member economies.
The events were part of the third APEC SeniorOfficials’ Meeting (SOM 3) and related meetings in Ho Chi Minh City.
At the second plenary meeting on August 25-26,the EC is set to consider a draft report on APEC’s economic policy on humanresources development and structural reform. It will mull over the outcomes of competitionassessment conducted by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation andDevelopment (OECD) and the APEC Competition Policy and Law Group.
The committee will also look into preparationsfor a high-level structural reform officials’ meeting.
At the FotC’s fifth meeting, delegates exchangedviews on APEC economies’ cooperation prospects and policies on investment ineconomic finance in the region. They were also updated on APEC’s structure andcooperation in online dispute settlement.
They discussed issues relating to the buildingof economic legal frameworks to help APEC members meet international standardsof legal frameworks. Participants also looked into the efficiency of existingeconomic institutions and drew lessons for APEC member economies in buildingeconomic law.-VNA
The second meeting of the APEC Sub-Committee on Standards and Conformance (SCSC) began in Ho Chi Minh City on August 23, focusing on debating trade facilitation, alignment with international standards and active participation in international standardisation.
Bridging gap in economic development and integration of remote areas for sustainable growth in the APEC region is one of the topics to be discussed by APEC senior officials in HCM City on August 24.
Delegates from APEC economies share experience in simplifying procedures for business registration at a workshop held by the APEC Economic Committee in HCM City on August 24.
Senior officials of the APEC economies discussed issues related to the implementation of intellectual property in border areas, fake commodities and brand violations during a conference held by the Intelligence Property Rights Experts Group (IPEG) in Ho Chi Minh City on August 24.
Vietnamese Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha has stressed the need to strengthen cooperation with the private sector as well as leading businesses and corporations to make them key partners in helping APEC economies build capacity for production rehabilitation and resilience to climate change.
The handover ceremony was held at the Malaysian Embassy headquarters in Mexico City on August 8, with the presence of heads of diplomatic missions from ASEAN member states in Mexico.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
The APEC Economic Committee convenes its second plenary meeting on August 25 (Photo: VNA) 
