Malaysian minister upbeat about economic growth in 2021
Malaysia can achieve its 2021 gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of between 6.0 and 7.5 percent if the COVID-19 health crisis can be stabilised after the eventual lifting of the Movement Control Order (MCO 3.0), said Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia can achieve its2021 gross domestic product (GDP) growth target of between 6.0 and 7.5 percentif the COVID-19 health crisis can be stabilised after the eventual lifting ofthe Movement Control Order (MCO 3.0), said Minister in the Prime Minister’sDepartment (Economy) Mustapa Mohamed.
The availability of vaccines and a comprehensive vaccination rollout forMalaysians would have a positive impact on the country’s economy, he told the presson May 25.
It is assumed that the percentage of Malaysians vaccinated goes in accordance withschedule or can be accelerated, helping the COVID-19 situation placed undercontrol, he said, adding this will definitely have a positive impact on theMalaysian economy.
Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin said on May 23 that while the MCO 3.0is implemented during May 12 and June 7, it is necessary to balance medicaldemand and socio-economic development demand.
As many as 6,509 new COVID-19 infections were recorded in Malaysia on May 24,bringing the nation’s tally to 518,600 cases, including 2,309 deaths./.
Malaysia has decided to tighten COVID-19 prevention and control measures to prevent rising unemployment instead of reintroducing full lockdown like last year.
The Securities Commission Malaysia (SC) seeks to broaden Islamic financial technology (fintech) in the country’s capital market via its FIKRA Islamic Fintech Accelerator Programme (FIKRA).
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
Illustrative image (Photo: Internet) 
