Japan’s major media agencies, including NHK World and Japan Today carried stories updating the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2017, which is taking place in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang from November 4-11.
Delegates at the TPP Ministerial Meeting (Source: VNA)
Tokyo (VNA) – Japan’s major mediaagencies, including NHK World and JapanToday carried stories updating the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week 2017, which istaking place in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang from November 4-11.
The NHK World on November 8 posted a storysaying Japan plans to stress the importance of free trade and investment toachieve sustainable growth at the ministerial meeting of the Asia-PacificEconomic Cooperation.
Representing Japan are Foreign Minister TaroKono and Trade Minister Hiroshige Seko to discuss creating fair, transparenttrade rules and a multilateral free trade framework, the article said.
Japan will work to lead the discussion toestablish high-quality trade and investment rules in the Asia-Pacific region,it added.
On November 9, the NHK World carried a storytitled “APEC ministers extend meeting over statement”, saying Japan and othermember economies are stressing the value of sustainable growth through freetrade and investment.
The Japan Today ran a story citing VietnameseMinister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh as saying "I hope that wewill seize this last opportunity before our leaders' meeting to showflexibility and willingness needed to bridge the remaining gaps so that we cancome out with a meaningful package for regional economic integration.”
"Given the rapid changes and uncertaintiesthat the global economy is now facing, this will convey a strong message thatreflects steadfastness and determination of APEC in pursuing a free and openregion for trade and investment," Anh was quoted.
The articlealso quoted Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh as sayingVietnam, the host of the summit, is using the occasion to showcase the progressits economy has made thanks largely to opening to foreign investment and trade.
Establishedin 1989, APEC comprises Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong(China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, NewZealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, ChineseTaipei, Thailand, the US, and Vietnam.
The year 2017marks the second time Vietnam played the host to APEC events. The APEC Year2017 has the theme “Creating New Dynamism, Fostering a Shared Future”.-VNA
A park featuring symbols of members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) officially opened in Da Nang on November 9 as part of activities of the ongoing APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week.
The APEC economies should create conditions for people who lose jobs due to automated manufacturing to move to other areas where they will work at their homes or on e-commerce platforms, said Victoria Kwakwa, Vice President of the World Bank.
Talks on pushing ahead the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal without the US reached an upbeat point, Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh said at the TPP Ministerial Meeting which opened in the central coastal city of Da Nang on November 9.
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.
Delegates at the TPP Ministerial Meeting (Source: VNA) 
