APEC progresses well with four cooperation priorities
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has made good progress in the four adopted cooperation priorities in 2017 proposed by Vietnam, said Executive Director of the APEC Secretariat Alan Bollar.
Hanoi (VNA) – TheAsia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) has made good progress in the fouradopted cooperation priorities in 2017 proposed by Vietnam, said ExecutiveDirector of the APEC Secretariat Alan Bollar on the sidelines of the APECSecond Senior Officials’ Meeting underway in Hanoi.
Bollar said during the APEC EconomicLeaders’ Meeting 2016 in Peru, APEC leaders delivered a clear message offocusing more on inclusive growth so that a number of initiatives on regionaleconomic integration, trade and investment were raised at this year’s meeting.
Alison Mann, Director General of theAsia-Pacific Regional Integration Division under the New Zealand Ministry ofForeign Affairs and Trade, said New Zealand highly values Vietnam’s proposalsand stands ready to work closely with Vietnam in such efforts along the way.
On the prospect of the Free TradeArea of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), Bollar said APEC’s action programme on freetrade and several works are ongoing.
Mann, for her part, said New Zealandis awaiting the completion of trade agreements to open markets to theAsia-Pacific, stressing that it takes time to complete FTAAP and a lot ofefforts to achieve its goals.
As Chair of the Working Group on FreeTrade Agreements, New Zealand will help member economies devise action programmesto clear obstacles to trade liberalisation, she said.
About the future of APEC after 2020,Mann said New Zealand will promote the agenda until 2021 and is partnering withVietnam and other member economies in the issue.-VNA
An official of the Ministry of Finance has detailed four financial cooperation initiatives proposed by Vietnam in the APEC Year 2017, ahead of the Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting slated for May 18-19 in Ninh Binh province.
International delegates to the APEC 2017 Second Senior Officials Meeting (SOM2) and related meetings in Hanoi have highlighted progress on the four priorities for APEC 2017 selected by host Vietnam.
Delegates at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum (APEC) 2017 were impressed by Vietnam’s preparations for the event, hailing Hanoi as a hospitable city.
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.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
Delegates at the event (Source: VNA) 
