The ASEAN Business Forum 2015, held on March 12 in the Malaysiancapital of Kuala Lumpur, focused on boosting trade among the bloc’smembers.
The event, organised by the Malaysia External TradeDevelopment Corporation (MATRADE), hosted more than 1,000 participants,including diplomats, economists and businessmen in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Malaysian Minister of InternationalTrade and Industry Mustapa Mohamed said the forum aims to enhanceawareness of opportunities in intra-ASEAN trade and investment.
It also gives participants an insight into ASEAN needs and prospects,updates on the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), and specific areas ofinterest in the ASEAN market.
As chair of ASEAN, Malaysia willfocus on enhancing awareness of the regional grouping to the generalpublic this year, he added.
At a press conference on the sameday, Mohamed said ASEAN is a growing market and its total trade growththis year is likely to exceed that of the global average by 2-3 percent.
Total foreign direct investment in ASEAN in 2013 reached122.38 billion USD, 21.32 billion USD of which was sourced from theASEAN member states.
He also said Malaysia is expected to seeadditional investment from Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and thePhilippines this year, given the improvements in business landscapes andeconomic stability.-VNA
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
