The Opera House of Sydney, Australia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)ꦬ – Australia is scheduled to host the ASEAN-Australia SpecialSummit in 2018, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said on February 23.
Thiswill be the first time that Australia hosts an ASEAN (Association of SoutheastAsian Nations) summit. In a joint statementwith Premier of New South Wales Gladys Berejiklian, the Australian PrimeMinister confirmed that Sydney has been chosen as the host city for the eventto be held in March 2018. Thestatement noted that the summit is an historic and unprecedented opportunity tostrengthen Australia's strategic partnership with ASEAN and deliver tangibleeconomic and security benefits to Australia. Within the frameworkof the ASEAN – Australia Special Summit, two major side-events will also beheld. The first one is a Business Summit which will bring together leaders ofindustry and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to unlock newopportunities for job-creation, investment and enterprise. The other one is a Counter-TerrorismConference, which will underscore global leadership and collective regionalaction to combat terrorism. TheAustralian Government expects that the Special Summit will create an enormouseconomic opportunity for Sydney, increasing visitor numbers to the city for thecritical global forum. ASEAN is one ofAustralia's top trading partners. In the financial year of 2015-2016,Australia's total trade with ASEAN countries amounted to 92.9 billion AUD (71billion USD), more than with Japan, the European Union or the US.-VNA
Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop has recently announced the launch of the Australia-ASEAN Council (AAC) at the Parliament House in Canberra.
The Australian and Indonesian governments have agreed to boost cyber security partnership, targeting preventing financial resources related to terrorism.
Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh has just called on the Australian Government to soon lift its ban on prawn and uncooked shelled shrimp imports, saying that it poses negative impacts on Vietnam’s shrimp breeding and processing sector.
Low-cost carrier Jetstar Airways in Australia, a member of Jetstar Group, has just announced the launch of two direct flights between Vietnam and Australia, according to Jetstar Pacific in Vietnam.
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.
The facility was established in response to a growing shift in the Filipino labour force from the Middle East to Japan, where workers are seeking safer working environments.
In the latest Indonesia-US trade agreement in July, the US administration agreed to reduce the reciprocal tariff, which was initially set at 32% by US President Donald Trump last April, to 19%.
Real estate agency ERA Singapore estimated that there are 2,703 condo developments in Singapore today, of which 836 or 31% are at least 30 years old. In 10 years, this number is expected to climb to 1,160, assuming none is sold en bloc.
The new framework is designed to ensure that incoming investments deliver tangible national benefits, such as the creation of high-quality jobs for Malaysians and the development of local company ecosystems and technologies.
Singapore led with a total of 8.8 billion USD in realised investment, followed by Hong Kong and mainland China, Malaysia, and Japan with 8 billion USD, 1.7 billion USD and 1.6 billion USD, respectively.
Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on August 7 outlined his strategy for tackling drug problems in Thailand, aiming for a "Zero Drugs Thailand" within three months.
The US has described Malaysia's role as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as vital in helping ease tension between Thailand and Cambodia.
The Opera House of Sydney, Australia. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
