Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir left for official visit to the UK and Sweden on October 12. The visit aims to secure commitments from other sources for a COVID-19 vaccine under a bilateral vaccine cooperation framework.
AstraZeneca is developing a COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University and is among the front runners in the global vaccine race. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesian ForeignMinister Retno Marsudi and State-owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir leftfor official visit to the UK and Sweden on October 12. The visit aims to securecommitments from other sources for a COVID-19 vaccine under a bilateral vaccinecooperation framework.
Earlier, the two went on a similar work trip to China and the United ArabEmirates, where they secured a supply of a potential COVID-19 vaccine in theballpark of 300 million doses until the end of next year.
According to Coordinating Economic Minister Airlangga Hartanto the Indonesiangovernment, through the Health Ministry, will procure vaccines from AstraZenecain a contract for 100 million doses. The country will pay a 50 percent downpayment by the end of this month, or about 250 million USD.
AstraZeneca is developing a COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University and isamong the front runners in the global vaccine race, which could provide earlyanalyses of data from their various large trials over the next two months.
During its European trip, the Indonesian delegation will meet World HealthOrganisation Chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesys, as well as representatives fromthe Vaccine Alliance and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.
The government is aiming to vaccinate 160 million people in the coming years. HealthMinister Terawan Agus Putranto said his ministry was still working on thedetails of a vaccination program but asserted that priority would be given tohealth workers and security forces who were at the forefront of handlingCOVID-19./.
The Government and House of Representatives of Indonesia passed the 2021 state budget bill into law on October 1, aiming at accelerating economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic and pushing for structural reforms to boost competitiveness.
The number of COVID-19 cases in six major provinces of Indonesia has dropped in the past week, said an expert team member of the country's COVID-19 task force on October 7.
A recent survey conducted by Jobstreet Indonesia showed that 35 percent of workers in the country had been laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while 19 percent had been forced to take unpaid leave.
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.
AstraZeneca is developing a COVID-19 vaccine with Oxford University and is among the front runners in the global vaccine race. (Photo: thejakartapost.com) 
