A COVID-19 patient is treated at a hospital in Bogor, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)
Jakarta (VNA) – 💞Indonesia on July 15 set a new record with 56,757new infections confirmed in the last 24 hours, raising the national tally to 2,726,803.
This is the second consecutive day the countryregistered over 50,000 new cases and the government has prepared a scenario forover 100,000 COVID-19 cases per day. As many as 982 more people died of thedisease on the day, bring the death toll to 70,192 and at least 480,199 patients are undergoing treatment at hospital or home.
Despite efforts of the government in imposing the Community Activities Restrictions Enforcement (PPKM) in the two crowded islands of Java and Bali andexpanding to 15 neighbouring localities, the number of new cases is still on the rise. CoordinatingMinister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Pandjaitan argued thatIndonesia is facing a “different enemy” and vaccines are less effective against the Delta variant, which accounts for themajority of COVID-19 cases on Java island.
Up to now, over 39.6 million Indonesians have been administratedone COVID-19 vaccine dose and 15.8 others got theirsecond shot.
Of the same day, the Asian Infrastructure InvestmentBank (AIIB) has approved a 500 million USD loan for Indonesia's SAR-CoV-2 response.
Inthe released statement, the AIIB's main investment operations specialist ToshiakiKeicho said the loan will be used for three main activities, namely strengthening the readiness of health systems and hospitals to handle COVID-19 complications and vaccination, especially for women and vulnerable groups; enhancing the capacity of public health laboratories and supply chains; and supporting communication, coordinating emergency response and vaccinedistribution.
♑ Earlier, the AIIB providedtwo loans to aid Indonesia's coronavirus response, bringing to the bank's total funding for the country to 1.5billion USD./.
The Indonesian government plans to distribute 300,000 packages of therapeutic medicines to asymptomatic patients and mild symptoms, according to Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
Indonesia's central bank has slashed its forecast for 2021 economic growth to 3.8 percent from a previous forecast of 4.6 percent, based on early assessments of the impact of recent social restrictions.
The Indonesian Maritime Security Agency (Bakamla) has participated in a two-day long-distance advanced training on performing maritime security duties with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).
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.
A COVID-19 patient is treated at a hospital in Bogor, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA) 
