A woman has her COVID-19 vaccination certificate examined at a market in Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia on October 11. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Phnom Penh (VNA) - As Cambodia moves closer towards ‘reopening’, the Southeast Asiancountry recorded it’s lowest daily new case total since April 6.
The Ministry of Health announced on October 20 that Cambodiahas recorded 166 new COVID-19 cases and 12 fatalities in the past 24 hours,bringing the COVID-19 case total to 117,201 cases and the death toll to 2,693.
Government spokesman Phay Siphan told KhmerTimes on October 19 that without the vaccination drive, the nationmight have suffered a worse tragedy caused by the pandemic.
“Vaccination is the part of efforts to reduce the tragedy ofCOVID-19 virus. The Prime Minister has worked so hard to get dozens of vaccinedoses for the sake of his people and guided each one of us to learn to livewith the virus,” he added.
He pointed out that everyone played their part in bringingthe scourge almost to its knees and enabled the country to get back on itsfeet.
On October 8, Samdech Techo Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that Cambodiawill be capable of reopeningits economy across all sectors if the COVID-19 situation post Pchum Ben remainsstable at current levels for at least 10 consecutive days.
Cambodia now seems to bemoving, slowly but steadily, to a ‘new normality’ as shown by the re-opening of the e-Visa scheme for tourists and investors, relaxation of the quarantine period for incoming travellers and a new QR code system for checking vaccination status and a general determination by the Government toget the nation open for business again as soon as is safely possible./.
Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Prak Sokhonn has emphasised the importance of implementing the ASEAN Travel Corridor Arrangement Framework to enable travel and business activities across the region to gradually return to normal, towards the establishment of a standing working group to kick-start this process.
The administration of Cambodia's Phnom Penh capital on the evening of October 14 continued extending administrative measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from October 15 to 28.
Thailand is planning to resume on-site teaching in Bangkok capital next month, while Siem Reap province of Cambodia is shifting its focus on making sure that this international tourism hub is read to welcome tourists back.
The number of new COVID-19 cases recorded in Cambodia on October 18 was at the lowest level in the past 17 days as the country is gradually moving towards a full reopening of the economy and society with the latest move to reduce the isolation period for arrivals who have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
The Cambodian government decided to shorten the quarantine period from October 18. However, the absence of regular commercial flights to Cambodia from the main tourist hubs and people traveling for business purposes is raising concerns about a lack of international visitors.
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.
A woman has her COVID-19 vaccination certificate examined at a market in Phnom Penh capital of Cambodia on October 11. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) 
