ASEAN Plus 3 discusses increasing cooperation amid COVID-19
Finance ministers and central bank governors of ASEAN countries, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea on May 3 convened an online conference on COVID-19 impact and ways to boost cooperation amid the pandemic.
People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Finance ministers and central bank governors of ASEAN countries, Japan, China, and the Republic of Korea on May 3 convened an online conference on COVID-19 impact and ways to boost cooperation amid the pandemic.
The event took place on the sidelines of the three-day annual Asian Development Bank (ADB) meeting that started in a virtual format on the same day. The officials issued a joint statement after the event.
At their previous teleconference held in September, the ASEAN 3 countries decided to increase the operational flexibility of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation scheme, which came into force in 2010 to address balance-of-payment and short-term liquidity difficulties in the region in times of crisis.
At its current annual gathering, the ADB is expected to launch the Asia Pacific Tax Hub, which will be aimed at promoting knowledge sharing and strengthening cooperation on tax policy and administration, to enhance its support for developing nations in the region./.
Government-sponsored development banks of Japan, China and the Republic of Korea signed an agreement with major financial institutions in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost inter-bank cooperation during the ASEAN Plus Three Summit held virtually on November 14.
Vietnam and China co-chaired the 18th East Asia Forum which was held via video conference on December 10 under the theme of “Strengthening the ASEAN Plus Three Cooperation for Economic and Financial Resilience in the face of Emerging Challenges”.
The 15th Conference of the ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI) and related meetings opened on March 12 under the theme “ASEAN: A Digital Community with Accessibility for All”.
The Second ASEAN Sectoral Bodies and the Stakeholders Consultative Workshops on the Consolidated Strategy on the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) for ASEAN took place on April 27 and 29, respectively, via videoconference.
The Republic of Korea (RoK), China and Japan agreed on May 3 to reinforce the regional financial safety net, along with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), by launching a new financing facility programme meant to extend greater support in case of a financial crisis.
A technical issue combined with an extreme heatwave was blamed for a series of explosions at a military base that killed 20 soldiers and injured several others in Cambodia on April 27, the country’s Ministry of Defence said in a May 2 statement as reported by the Xinhua news agency.
The Customs Department of Thailand is scheduled to commence the collection of value-added tax (VAT) on imported goods sent via postal services, regardless of the goods value, starting in May.
A lecturer from Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Medicine has warned Thais to be more vigilant against COVID-19, saying infection rates appeare to be worsening with higher hospital admissions, deaths and severe cases.
Malaysia should harness the collective expertise and resources to drive sustainable growth and development of the halal industry, according to Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Zafrul Abdul Aziz.
Laos has officially restored the 10% value-added tax (VAT) rate starting May 1, in a bid to support the country’s budget revenue and socio-economic development.
The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) entered its second plenary session in Hanoi on the afternoon of April 23, discussing ways to ensure comprehensive security for the people-centred ASEAN Community.
The first session of the ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024) in Hanoi on April 23 focused on fast and sustainable growth for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Canada-ASEAN Business Council (CABC) and the ASEAN Alliance on Carbon Markets (AACM) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen collaboration and accelerate the implementation of carbon crediting programmes across Southeast Asia.
ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn reaffirmed ASEAN leaders' commitment to empowering the youth to unleash their full potential when he had a dialogue with ASEAN youth in Hanoi on April 22 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Future Forum (AF 2024).
The Thai Government is being urged to increase the proportion of renewable power generation to more than the target of 50% set in the power development plan (PDP).
The Centre for Volcanology and Geological Hazard Mitigation (PVMBG) of Indonesia on April 21 lifted its tsunami advisory issued previously following the eruption of Mount Ruang in Sitaro district of North Sulawesi province.
Thailand expects to export about 1 million tonnes of durian, valued at an estimated 130 billion THB (3.53 billion USD) this year, with most of the shipments to China, according to Minister of Agriculture Thammanat Prompao.
The 72nd meeting of the ASEAN Working Group on Intellectual Property Cooperation (AWGIPC) and related meetings are being held by the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Intellectual Property Office (IPO) of Vietnam in the central city of Da Nang on April 22-26.
Enhancing regional food security and tackling the pressing challenges of climate change will be key agendas defining Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship in 2025, Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat (lower house) Johari Abdul told the press on April 19.
People wearing face masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Photo: VNA) 
