Asean china free trade agreement pdf

- A + A (May 26): Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urged that China remain integrated in the region, days after US President Joe Biden visited Asia for a series of summits that excluded the world’s second-largest economy. “If US-China relations continue on this path, it will lead to further bifurcation of technology and splitting of supply chains or even worse unintended consequences,” Lee told an audience at the Future of Asia conference in Tokyo on Thursday (May 26). “It’s far better that China’s economy be integrated into the region, than for it to operate on its own by a different set of rules.” Lee’s comments came after Biden paid his first visit to Asia as the president this week, holding summit talks in South Korea and Japan, and launching the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a grouping of 13 regional nations that includes Singapore. While in Tokyo, Biden also attended the Quad summit, a format that includes Japan, Australia and India, and is seen … [Read more...] about Singapore’s Lee warns against isolating China after Biden visit

Penny Wong - A + A SYDNEY (May 26): Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong said Canberra will listen to Pacific islands who had "led the global debate" on climate change, and be a partner that does not come with strings attached. Wong's speech to the Pacific Islands Forum secretariat in Fiji on Thursday came as China's foreign minister arrived in the region seeking a sweeping 10-nation deal on security and trade that has further unnerved the United States and its Pacific allies. In pointed remarks, Wong said the 50-year-old regional forum, of which Australia was a member, was the "heart of Pacific regionalism". She said Australia had previously disrespected Pacific nations' struggle with climate change and rising sea levels, and the new Labor government would do more, including financing climate infrastructure and offering migration and work pathways to Australia for Pacific citizens. "The triple challenges of climate, Covid, and strategic contests will … [Read more...] about Australia, China foreign ministers vie for influence with Pacific visits

- A + A SHANGHAI (May 26): China stocks ended higher on Thursday (May 26) after struggling to find direction for most parts of the session as investors fretted over signs of a slowdown but took comfort in comments from Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on stabilising the ailing economy. The blue-chip CSI 300 Index closed 0.3% higher at 3,993.04 after losing as much as 1.1% in morning trade, while the Shanghai Composite Index gained 0.5% to 3,123.11 points. The Hang Seng Index fell 0.3% to 20,116.20 and the China Enterprises Index lost 0.3% to 6,877.21 points. "We should strive to ensure reasonable economic growth in the second quarter, lower the unemployment rate as soon as possible, and keep economic operations within a reasonable range," the official Xinhua news agency quoted the premier as saying on Wednesday. "First, he mostly delivered a sombre message on how bad the economy has deteriorated," said Jason Hsu, the founder and chief investment officer of Rayliant … [Read more...] about China stocks gain as Premier Li urges local bodies to stabilise growth

- A + A TOKYO (May 26): Malaysia is confident that the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) will strengthen economic cooperation between countries in the Indo-Pacific and the ASEAN region, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob. During the question-and-answer session at the 27th International Conference on the Future of Asia, he said the new trade initiative provides a holistic structure to resolve trade issues with partner countries. “Malaysia is ready to discuss relevant issues through the IPEF to ensure that the members can optimise the economic and strategic benefits as outlined in the framework," he said, adding that the medical, electrical and electronics (E&E) sectors, as well as the digital economy are expected to benefit from the trade initiative. The IPEF was launched on May 23 by US President Joe Biden in Tokyo during his visit to Japan. Malaysia is one of the member countries of the new trade pact, which also comprises the US, … [Read more...] about Malaysia confident IPEF will strengthen Indo-Pacific economic cooperation, says PM

Thailand is to welcome a delegation from oil-rich Saudi Arabia in July which could potentially inject “billions” into the nation’s economy. Board of Trade of Thailand Chairman Sanan Angubolkul yesterday revealed delegations from both the private and public sector of Saudi Arabia are scheduled to visit the kingdom from July 4-7 to discuss trade and investment between the two countries. “This is a good opportunity to build mutual confidence in trade and investment. Thailand has the potential to become a hub in ASEAN for Saudi Arabian trade and investment. The Board of Trade is confident that Thailand is well prepared to serve as ASEAN’s hub after recent roadshows.” In January, Thailand and Saudi Arabia agreed to renew diplomatic relations after three decades when Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha paid an official visit to the Arabic nation and met with Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud. Sanan followed that trip in mid-May by leading a business delegation to Saudi Arabia for the … [Read more...] about Saudi deal to inject ‘billions’ into Thai economy

This article first appeared in The Edge Malaysia Weekly, on May 16, 2022 - May 22, 2022. Klang Valley Data Centre in Cyberjaya - A + A WITH 5G and digital services being two key growth areas, Telekom Malaysia Bhd (TM) is actively seeking partners and solutions in the digital space to strengthen its value proposition. And it is not discounting the possibility of acquisitions or joint ventures taking place this year. “That [the need to invest to be better positioned for new growth areas] is partly why we are looking at conserving our cash position,” its managing director and CEO Imri Mokhtar tells The Edge. “We are actively scouting the market [for acquisitions]. As we go into more specific projects, for example, we do need to acquire some of these specialists or boutique technology companies to complement [our portfolio].” Deals being sought include cloud computing, smart workforce, productivity and specialised industry-based solutions to bolster its … [Read more...] about Cover Story: Telekom on the prowl for M&A, JV to grow new digital services unit Credence

Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah - A + A KUALA LUMPUR (May 26): Malaysian Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Abdullah and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi have agreed to work together in further developing the Look East Policy, taking into consideration the demands of the times and Malaysia's priority policies, including the area of digital economy. The matter was discussed during Saifuddin and Hayashi's meeting in Tokyo on Wednesday, in conjunction with Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob's official working visit to Japan, said a statement issued on Thursday by the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur. "Minister Hayashi stated that the Look East Policy is the cornerstone of the development of Malaysia and the candid relations between the two countries," the statement read. It said Hayashi also requested cooperation from Malaysia for an early opening of a branch campus of the University of Tsukuba, adding that Saifuddin expressed his … [Read more...] about Malaysian, Japanese foreign ministers to work on developing further Look East Policy

Gujarat Ambuja Cements entered into a strategic alliance with Swiss cement giant Holcim in 2005. From the welcome he didn't get from the then Uttar Pradesh government to set up a cement plant, to 25 years of "steering Ambuja" and beyond, Narotam Sekhsaria's new book - The Ambuja Story - also offers a glimpse into the history of doing business in India. Sekhsaria is the principal founder and chairman of the board of directors of Ambuja Cement. Excerpted here is a section on how he and his team set ACC back on the course of recovery, after acquiring a stake in the company from the Tatas at the turn of the century. I had no time to rest and reflect. I was determined to get ACC back on the rails in as short a period as possible. We had to wrap up the rest of the ACC deal with the Tatas. Our agreement with the Tatas required that we complete our purchase of the remainder 7.2 per cent shares within one year. The bridge loan that we took for the first tranche of shares … [Read more...] about Narotam Sekhsaria: “I was determined to get ACC back on the rails in as short a period as possible”