The ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting (AFCDM+3) is held via video conferencing on August 5 under the chair of Vietnam and Japan. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)- The ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting (AFCDM+3) was held viavideo conferencing on August 5 under the chair of Vietnam and Japan.
This is an importantmeeting in a series of ASEAN and ASEAN+3 financial cooperation events chaired byVietnam this year to prepare for the ASEAN+3 Finance Ministers’ and Central BankGovernors’ Meeting slated for September.
Deputy Finance Ministersand Deputy Governors of the central banks of ASEAN member states and China, theRepublic of Korea, and Japan discussed the region’s financial cooperation initiatives,such as the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and the Asian BondMarkets Initiative (ABMI), and approved policies and plans for the mid-term operationsof the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO).
Participantsexpressed their appreciation of the progress made in the continuous completion ofthe CMIM to meet new requirements in the financial market and to be in accordancewith a coordination mechanism between CMIM and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
They spoke highly ofefforts made by AMRO to carry out macro-economic supervision and to support memberstates in improving their policy-making capacity.
They also hailed theachievements made by ABMI working groups in researching measures to better the investmentenvironment, developing new investment tools, completing the legal framework, upgradinginfrastructure for the bond market, and carrying out technical assistance programmesto improve the bond markets of member economies.
In the hope of intensifyingregional economic and financial stability, delegates considered the pace ofimplementation of new initiatives within the framework of the Strategic Directionsof ASEAN+3 Finance Process.
During this meeting,the Deputy Finance Ministers and Deputy Governors of central banks had a specialdiscussion session to share policy measures in response to the impact of the COVID-19pandemic and to update the situation in and assess the macro-economic prospectsof regional countries./.
The first protocol to amend the ASEAN-Japan Agreement on Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) officially took into effect in Japan and the five ASEAN member states of Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam on August 1.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc held phone talks with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe on August 4 to discuss promoting bilateral ties as well as cooperation at regional and global forums.
Vietnamese Ambassador to India Pham Sanh Chau has suggested countries push ahead with the digital economy and IT application in the administrative system in order to enhance connectivity and integration in the Indo-ASEAN-Oceanic region.
The 53-year history of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has proved that a united grouping with close linkages and combined national and regional interests will be able to maintain its central role.
Total trade between Indonesia and New Zealand in the first half of 2025 reached 963.23 million USD, an increase of 21.56% compared to 792.39 million USD in the same period last year. Of this amount, Indonesia's exports to New Zealand totaled 374.89 million USD, while imports 588.35 million USD
Malaysia, as ASEAN 2025 Chair, marked the bloc’s 58th founding anniversary on August 8 with a vibrant celebration in Cyberjaya, blending an official ceremony with a colorful cultural festival.
Vietnam plays an important role in Southeast Asia’s economic growth and is a key partner of her country in realising the shared vision of a peaceful, stable, and prosperous region, said Robyn Mudie, First Assistant Secretary of Office of Southeast Asia (OSA) – Southeast Asia Regional and Mainland Division at Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).
The 2025 ASEAN Business Community Development (ABCD) Forum, themed “Empowering ASEAN's Next Leap: Digital, Sustainable & Entrepreneurial Transformation” brought together ministers, CEOs, and top industry experts to discuss key regional economic priorities.
The DES Ministry will seek cooperation from social media platforms to prevent the spread of fake news and monitor accounts related to such activities, he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the newly established Anti-Fake News Centre (AFNC).
The Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking identified the US tariff reduction as a significant driver behind the improved economic outlook for Thailand.
Financial institutions and financial technology (fintech) players are intensifying their focus on expanding across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), adopting tailored strategies to strengthen their presence in the region’s digital financial services landscape.
Featuring a permanent exhibition area, the ASEAN Hall will function both as a cultural showcase and as a dynamic venue for ASEAN-related events and programmes. Its inauguration on ASEAN Day added symbolic weight, marking a fresh milestone in ASEAN–RoK relations.
Thailand’s Ministry of Commerce and rice exporters are devising strategic plans to boost rice exports amid global market fluctuations, focusing on key markets and adjusting output.
The focus of the upcoming ASEAN Summit in October will be on strengthening economic relations through intra-regional trade and investment, as well as regional initiatives on energy networks and connectivity.
Indonesian Ambassador Rina P. Soemarno, who currently serves as Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague, emphasised the spirit of regional solidarity and cooperation, and the importance of enhancing ASEAN–Czech Republic relations.
The Indonesian Government is determined to seize opportunities to enhance the competitiveness of national agricultural products, an official has said, adding that it always strives to promote exports at the highest possible level, based on a mutually beneficial foundation.
Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira has outlined a six-point strategy to promote innovation, support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and push for Thailand's removal from the US Trade Representative (USTR)’s special 301 Watch List regarding intellectual property rights protection among trading partners.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung emphasised ASEAN’s central role in regional mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS), highlighting its significant contribution to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in Southeast Asia.
The consumer index of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC), fell to 51.7 in July from 52.7 in the previous month. The sluggish economy and the trade war, as well as high living costs, continue to undermine confidence, the university said.
Deputy Speaker of the Hungarian National Assembly Istvan Jakab expressed his hope for further deepening Hungary’s ties with ASEAN countries and called for their support for Hungary’s accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia.
The 30-storey tower crumbled seconds after a 7.7-magnitude earthquake hit neighbouring Myanmar on March 28. The partially built high-rise, meant to house the State Audit Office (SAO), was the only building in Thailand to collapse, killing 89 people on the site, mostly construction workers.
Indonesia’s waste generation is projected to exceed 50 million tonnes in 2025. Of the total, more than 20 million tonnes could potentially enter the ocean through rivers, coastal areas, small islands, ports, and marine activities, and thereby, pose a risk to coastal ecosystems and marine biota.
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realise its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
The ASEAN+3 Finance and Central Bank Deputies’ Meeting (AFCDM+3) is held via video conferencing on August 5 under the chair of Vietnam and Japan. (Photo: VNA)
