Participants reviewed progress on key initiatives under the ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI)'s Priority Economic Deliverables (PEDs) for 2025 and 2026
ASEAN-China trade surpassed 1 trillion USD in 2025, and the two sides are striving to bring the figure to 2 trillion USD by 2030
The UOB Business Outlook Study 2026 found that 85 per cent of businesses reported positive sentiment, up from 48 per cent in 2025 when confidence was affected by uncertainty surrounding US tariff developments and global trade tensions
Indonesia has an annual fertiliser production capacity of around 14.8 million tonnes, including 9.4 million tonnes of urea. After meeting domestic demand, Indonesia is estimated to have an exportable surplus of between 1.5 million and 2 million tonnes each year
Johari said that Malaysia currently has no laws or mechanisms to prohibit the importation of goods produced using forced labour
Malaysia is always open to strengthening strategic cooperation with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in various high-potential economic sectors including the petroleum and gas, petrochemical and logistics industries to drive trade, investment and the development of high-value industries
Thai authorities are intensifying inspections of businesses suspected of using Thai nationals as nominee shareholders for foreign investors and employing foreign workers illegally in Bangkok, as part of efforts to strengthen investment oversight and ensure fair competition
The Thai National Shippers' Council expects exports to expand by around 2–4% year on year in the second half while full-year growth could still reach 3–5% if global trade avoids any major new disruption
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
