Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (Source: VNA)
Kuala Lumpur (VNA) - Malaysia and Laos have agreed to explore areas of cooperation to strengthen their bilateral relations.
According to a statement from the Lao Foreign Ministry, Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman paid a visit to Lao President Choummaly Sayasone, who wished to further Laos and Malaysia's relations for the mutual benefit of both countries.
Meanwhile, during talks between FM Anifah and his Lao counterpart Thongloun Sisoulith, both sides agreed that the Malaysia-Laos relationship, which was built on trust, respect and a strong bond of friendship, needs to be developed in several areas to reap its full potential.
In this regard, the two ministers identified several areas of cooperation,ꦜ including expansion in trade and investment, educati𒆙on, tourism, air services, health and defence.
Regarding bilateral economic cooperation, the statement said Anifah had encouraged more Malaysian companies to invest in Laos and seek opportunities to expand and diversify their businesses in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Malaysia also reiterated its interest in expanding and sharing its banking expertise with Laos to further strengthen the financial institutions there.
On institutions of higher education, both leaders said Malaysia and Laos should explore the initiation of a programme between institutions that would provide a platform for Lao students to further their studies in Malaysia.
The statement said Malaysia had expressed appreciation to the Lao government for granting approval to AirAsia to commence three weekly flights from Kuala Lumpur to Luang Prabang, beginning this July.
In regards to healthcare, both host and guest set to enhance health care ties through collaboration on disease control, pharmaceuticals, food safety, and research and development.
Malaysia, through its National Pharmaceutical Control Bureau, will offer technical expertise to establish networking and strengthen ties with relevant regulatory authorities.
The countries will also finalise a Memorandum of Understanding on defence cooperation in the near future.
Anifah also expressed Malaysia’s support to Laos in its capacity as ASEAN Chair this year.
As Malaysia and Laos will celebrate the 50 th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations this July 1, both countries agreed on the possibility of convening the fourth Joint Commission Meeting,🏅 hosted by Laos, at a mutually convenient date.ཧ-VNA
The 27th ASEAN Summit will officially kick off in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 21, with a schedule for adopting the Kuala Lumpur Declaration on setting up the ASEAN Community.
The 10th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) kicked off in Vientiane on January 18, a turning point marking the strong development of the party in both quantity and qualit
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.
Malaysia’s gross expenditure on R&D (GERD) reached 1.01% of gross domestic product in 2022, a notable increase, with more than 51% contributed by the industry sector. The country is targeting GERD to reach 2.5% by 2030, in line with the national goal of transforming into a high-technology nation.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman (Source: VNA)
