An increasingly concerned U.S. Congress has tasked the Department of Defense (DOD) with assessing its ability to sustain major operations in the Pacific. However, Congress’ “security-first” approach to the region only partly aligns with requests from Washington’s partners in Southeast Asia who want access to U.S. markets and investment. This emphasis on military operations also neglects ongoing regional climate change challenges that will grow more acute over the next few decades.
The ten-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has invited India to join the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to enhance mutual market access among partners. This is reported by Trinity Mirror, a partner of TV BRICS.
On November 23, 2023, Indonesia and Australia formally declared their collaboration in the electric vehicle (EV) industry by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in Jakarta.
Malaysia’s government tabled its 2024 budget in mid-October in what was slated as the largest in the nation’s history with 303 billion ringgit (US$64.7 billion) being allocated. For the government to meet its fiscal responsibilities and reduce the deficit to 4.3 percent, budget 2024 has introduced several structural changes to Malaysia’s tax system which will impact businesses and individuals. This includes the introduction of a capital gains tax and the increase in service tax.
Anwar Ibrahim, Srettha Thavisin meet in Malaysia's northern Bukit Kayu Hitam town to discuss bilateral exchanges
ASEAN Ministers of Mines have agreed to jointly promote the ASEAN region to become a sustainable mining investment destination and continue cooperation on improvement of mining development with governance, economy, society and environment.
Vietnamese and Lao enterprises signed nine memoranda of understanding (MoUs) spanning a wide range of cooperation fields at a trade connection conference between Hanoi and Lao businesses held in Vientiane on November 24.
Think-tank GTRI on Sunday suggested that the government study the bilateral free trade agreement with Singapore and as part of the Asean bloc together while reviewing its trade pact with the 10-nation grouping. Singapore is a member of 10-nation Asean bloc with which India has a free trade agreement in goods since 2010. Separately, India also implemented a comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) with Singapore in 2005.
<p>Time: 2024 By: Ministry of Industry and Trade</p>
