Vietnam is among the six ASEAN economies forecast to grow by 4.2% in 2023, outpacing the global gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 2%, according to Maybank Group president and chief executive officer (CEO) Datuk Khairussaleh Ramli.
In the first five months of the year, the rice industry brought in a record export turnover of $1.9 billion, up 41.6% over the same period last year. Meanwhile, the export price of rice also increased to a 2-year high, surpassing both Thailand and India.
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) officially entered into full force on June 2, 2023. This event marks the full effect of this Agreement for the 15 signatories.
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Park Jin on June 16 proposed establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) next year during his talks with ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn in Seoul.
Delegates from EFTA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway and Switzerland – and Thailand convened in Oslo from June 13 to 16 2023 for the fifth round of negotiations towards a comprehensive free trade agreement.
Thailand's rice exports are likely to surpass 8 million tonnes this year, driven by higher global demand as countries rush to stock up to brace for the effects of the El Niño weather phenomenon, according to Thai Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit.
Last month’s G7 summit in Hiroshima and the G20 tourism meeting in Kashmir in February underscored the stark contrast between the two groups’ rhetoric. While the G20 emphasised its ‘one earth, one family, one future’ motto, the G7’s combative attitude could be summarised as ‘We must divorce China.’
Chair of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) Arsjad Rasjid has said that the close partnership between ASEAN and Japan over the past 50 years will accelerate the strengthening of economic integration and the establishment of a free trade area, and enhance competitiveness in the global market.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
