The APEC Senior Finance Officials Meeting (SFOM ) (Photo: VNA)
Ninh Binh (VNA)ও - The APEC Senior FinanceOfficials Meeting (SFOM) concluded in the northern province of Ninh Binh on May19 after two working days.
In his closing speech, Vu Nhu Thang, Directorof the International Cooperation Department under the Ministry of Finance, who doublesas SFOM 2017 Chair, noted the event’s important outcomes, requestingofficials to continune discussions to prepare the reportfor the upcoming APEC Finance Ministers’ Meeting to be held in October. During the course of the meeting, seniorofficials discussed policies to promote long-term investment in infrastructure,and risk allocation mechanisms in public-private partnership (PPP) projects inparticular. They also discussed regulations and best practicesin the APEC region in coping with base erosion and profit shifting, especiallyby multinational corporations which often lead to losses in taxes in relatedeconomies. Also on the agenda were policy recommendations ondisaster risk management, especially on practical experience in formulation ofpolicy responses in the areas of fiscal contingencies, standby credit schemes,stabilisation funds as well as improvement in disaster forecasting andmethodology for disaster risk budgeting. Delegates from 21 APEC member economies also notedthe challenges in financial access in rural and agricultural development anddiscussed orientations for improving financial access in rural areas to supportpoverty reduction. The meeting received valuable support from internationalorganisations, such as the World Bank (WB), the Asia Development Bank (ADB) andthe Organisation for Economic and Cooperation Development (OECD).-VNA
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.
Delegates attending the APEC Senior Finance Officials’ Meeting (SFOM) in Ninh Binh voiced their support for the host country’s priorities in implementing the Finance Ministers’ Process.
The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2017 Second Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM 2) concluded in Hanoi on May 18, with fruitful outcomes in various fields.
Representatives from APEC economies gathered at a symposium in Hanoi on May 19 to share experience in promoting trade and innovation and explore activities to boost innovative growth in the region.
The third Public-Private Dialogue on Advancing Trade Facilitation and Supply Chain Connectivity through Asia-Pacific Model E-Port Network took place in Hanoi on May 19 as part of events in the APEC Year 2017.
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.
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.
The APEC Senior Finance Officials Meeting (SFOM ) (Photo: VNA) 
