News
Energizing EU-ASEAN trade
EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström visited Manila recently to discuss trade with ASEAN Economic Ministers. The summit was a milestone in itself as the Ministers discussed the next steps toward the resumption of the ASEAN-EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations as well as ways to enhance ...
ASEAN bats for migrant workers’ protection, civil service professionalization
Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are pushing for the adoption of policies and measures to protect migrant workers, and the professionalization of the civil service among member countries. The 17th ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community Council meeting held at the Iloilo Convention Center here ...
ASEAN’s 50th year agenda: beyond the South China Sea?
This week’s smooth, relatively uneventful retreat by ASEAN’s foreign ministers appears to have put the grouping’s agenda on track for its 50th year, choosing to focus beyond the South China Sea disputes and set the stage for an April leaders’ summit that will put the ...
Ministry needs to strive further in cooperation efforts
Despite the significant achievements which have been made in international cooperation, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism needs to exert greater efforts in furthering its diplomatic endeavours. This was the call made at a meeting of the ministry held last Friday to review its ...
Suu Kyi strengthens ties with ASEAN and China
Myanmar’s democractic government has laid down a people-centered foreign policy which it will play pro-actively role in the region and international affairs. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations marks 50th anniversary this year after it was established on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand. The founding ...
Japan’s Shinwa Group kicks off ASEAN expansion push in Thailand
Japanese property firm Shinwa Group plans to expand its investment in ASEAN between now and 2019, targeting revenue from overseas sales to reach Bt10 billion by that year. The group launched its foray into the ASEAN market last year, announcing its first investment in Thailand, ...
Abe vows continued support for Jokowi and ASEAN
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on January 15 called for a peaceful resolution to the South China Sea conflict and pledged Japan’s continued support for ASEAN, as the grouping turns 50 this year. Speaking after bilateral meetings with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in Bogor, West ...
SME export aid measures en route
The Industry Ministry has planned further measures to raise the competitiveness of small and medium-sized enterprises in the export market, says Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana. He said the ministry is working with related government agencies to draft stimulus packages that will help cut costs and ...
Malaysia calls for ASEAN to coordinate aid for Myanmar's Rohingya
Malaysia said on December 19 the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar was a regional concern and called for the Association of South East Asian Nations to coordinate humanitarian aid and investigate alleged atrocities committed against them. Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman was speaking at a ...
GMS nations back investment boost
The region’s transportation network stands to get an investment boost after the The 21st Greater Mekong Subregion Ministerial Conference decided on a new investment plan on December 1. Six ministers from GMS countries — China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar — endorsed an additional ...
