Singapore, Brunei reaffirm to enhance bilateral defence cooperation
Singapore and Brunei have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation in areas such as defence technology at the recent Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue.
Singapore Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Heng Kee (C) at the 8th Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue (Photo: Singapore's Ministry of Defence)
Singapore (VNA) - Singapore and Brunei have reaffirmed theircommitment to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation in areas such as defencetechnology at the recent Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue.
Singapore's Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Heng Kee and his counterpartfrom Brunei, Brigadier General (BG) (Rtd) Dato Seri Pahlawan Shahril Anwar binHaji Ma'awiah co-chaired the eighth edition of the dialogue which was held virtually on September 15.
Both sides exchanged views on international and regional security issues ofmutual interest, and welcomed further defence cooperation on platforms such asthe ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting, as Brunei will be assuming ASEAN chairmanshipin 2021.
They also approved enhancements to the bilateral Defence Scholars' DevelopmentProgramme.
Established in 2007, the programme has brought together future leaders of thedefence establishments of the two countries at an early stage of their careersto build lifelong friendship.
Inaugurated in 2009, the dialogue is served as a regular forum for both sidesto oversee and boost bilateral defence ties while exploring new areas ofdefence cooperation.
In 2021, Singapore and Brunei will celebrate their 45th anniversary ofbilateral defence ties./.
Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib has appreciated the Vietnamese National Assembly’s dedication and steadfast commitment in making it possible to convene the 41st ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly’s General Assembly (AIPA-41) this year.
Speaker of the Legislative Council of Brunei Pehin Abdul Rahman Taib on September 10 appreciated Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s exceptional leadership, efforts and dedication in fostering parliamentary diplomacy to drive the ASEAN region towards being more cohesive and responsive.
Singapore’s employment fell by a record 103,500 in the second quarter of 2020, four times higher than that in the previous quarter, according to the Ministry of Manpower's Labour Market Report released on September 14.
The government of Singapore and Apple on September 15 announced their partnership on the health initiative LumiHealth, a personalised program to encourage healthy activity and behaviors using Apple Watch.
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.
Singapore Permanent Secretary for Defence Chan Heng Kee (C) at the 8th Singapore-Brunei Defence Policy Dialogue (Photo: Singapore's Ministry of Defence) 
