Singaporean firms suspend operations in China due to coronavirus
Property giant CapitaLand and other Singapore firms have temporarily closed, shortened working hours or shut certain business activities at their malls in China, due to concern over the viral spread of coronavirus.
Singapore (VNA) – Property giant CapitaLand and🔥 other Singapore firms have temporarily closed, shortened working hours or shut certain business activi༒ties at their malls in China, due to concern over the viral spread of coronavirus.
On January 28, CapitaLand closed six of its malls in China, including four in Wuhan and two in Xi’an, as requested by respective local authorities. Its supermarkets in CapitaMall Westgate, Wuhan and CapitaMall Xindicheng, Xi'an remains open to ensure the supply of food and daily necessities to the local communities. Its other 45 malls across China continue to operate, but with shorter hours. Meanwhile, Dasin Retail Trust fund said on January 28 that it has reduced operating hours at five malls, except for outlets providing basic public services such as supermarkets and certain food and beverage services. Cinemas, ice-skating rings, bookstores and other crowded places within the malls have been temporarily closed. Coronavirus has spread across China and hit countries such as Thailand, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Singapore, the US, Nepal, France, Australia, Canada, Malaysia and Vietnam.
Chinese authorities announced on January 30 that there are over 7,700 coronavirus infection cases in 31 Chinese cities and provinces, with 170 deaths from the outbreak./.
All travellers entering Vietnam from China must fill out health declaration forms at the border gates from January 25 as part of efforts to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has issued Notice No.121/CD-TTg on intensifying prevention measures against the acute respiratory illness caused by a new strain of corona virus.
Deputy Transport Minister Le Anh Tuan has said the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) allowed the Vietjet Air to run four flights from the central province of Khanh Hoa to the Chinese city of Wuhan – the epicenter of corona virus outbreak, to fly Chinese tourists back home.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
