US President announces measures to boost economic ties with SE Asia
US President Barack Obama on February 16 announced a package of measures designed to boost Southeast Asian economies, betting that the fast-growing region can be an ever more important trade partner.
Heads of delegations to the ASEAN-US Summit (Source: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - US President Barack Obama on February 16 announced a package of measures designed to boost Southeast Asian economies, betting that the fast-🦩growing region can be an ever more important trade partner.
A White House official said on the sidelines of the ASEAN-US Summit in California that the plan will establish three economic offices in Indonesia’s Jakarta, Thailand’s Bangkok and Singapore to better coordinate the US’s economic engagement.
The new "US-ASEAN Connect" package will include technical advice on how countries like Indonesia and the Philippines can prepare to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.
Other measures will focus on improving trade ties in the communications and infrastructure sectors, among others, and streamlining current government programmes. It will also address the power sector.
The ASEAN groups together Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Collectively, the ASEAN countries are the fourth-largest trading partner for the US.
According to White House figures, two-way trade in goods and services has tripled since the 1990s, topping 254 billion USD in 2014, supporting around half a million US jobs.-VNA
Corporations of Vietnam and the United States on February 15 (US time) inked several deals in the presence of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on the sidelines of the ongoing special ASEAN-US Summit.
Leaders of the 10 ASEAN member countries and US President Barack Obama discussed the development of regional prosperity through innovation and entrepreneurship.
The US and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) issued the Sunnylands Declaration on February 17 (Vietnam time) after their two-day summit in California, the US.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung raised concerns over recent complicated developments in the East Sea at a discussion that sought to protect peace, prosperity in the Asia-Pacific in Sunnylands on Feb. 16 (US time).
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
VAMAF President Datuk Shaharuddin Omar shared the plan at the association’s 103rd anniversary ceremony, noting support from the Vietnam Veterans Association. The initiative is expected to open new markets for Malaysian Halal products and improve livelihoods for its members.
Heads of delegations to the ASEAN-US Summit (Source: VNA)
