Two-way trade between Laos and Vietnam exceeded 1 billion USD in 2018, up 13 percent annually and surpassing the set target, according to the Lao Laophatthana newspaper.
The manufacturing sector has been one of ASEAN’s key economic growth drivers. Already, the region is a global manufacturing hub and is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.6 percent between 2016 to 2020.
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of the Republic of Korea (RoK) said on February 19 that it has decided to resume talks on the signing of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia after a hiatus of five years.
As the domestic construction industry is struggling and shows no sign of reviving, South Korea seems to have decided to look outside the country to overcome difficulties. In particular, the country is moving to beef up its presence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Last week’s US-ASEAN Partnership Forum highlighted the Trump administration’s efforts to deepen economic ties to the region. But it will not seek to mirror China’s Belt and Road, nor Europe’s plan to make economic cooperation contingent on the upholding of human rights.
Thailand has begun the final stages of a review on imposing anti-dumping duties on steel products imported from Vietnam, China, and Taiwan (China).
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung highlighted the crucial role of energy cooperation with Laos during a reception in Hanoi on February 18 for Lao Minister of Energy and Mines Khammany Inthirath.
Thailand is looking for India’s support in settling talks and concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) by the end of this year, according to Acting Commerce Minister Chutima Bunyapraphasara.
<p>Time: November 2025<br /> By: WTO and International Trade Group, Legal Department – VCCI</p>
