Asean china free trade area preferential tariff certificate of origin

- 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

- 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

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

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

The Google unit of Alphabet Inc. ( GOOGL , GOOG ) is investing $9.5 billion in the U.S. in 2022 and is adding 12,000 new full-time jobs. The investments and hiring will be in both offices and data centers across the country. Sundar Pichai, CEO of Alphabet and Google, stated: "It might seem counterintuitive to step up our investment in physical offices even as we embrace more flexibility in how we work. Yet we believe it's more important than ever to invest in our campuses and that doing so will make for better products, a greater quality of life for our employees, and stronger communities." Key Takeaways Google is investing $9.5 billion in the U.S. in 2022 and plans to add 12,000 more full-time U.S. jobs. The investments are in nine offices and ten data centers across the U.S., both new and existing. Investments also include an ongoing $1 billion affordable housing initiative in the Bay Area. Google touts various studies showing it to be a key catalyst for … [Read more...] about Alphabet (GOOGL) Investing $9.5 Billion in U.S. in 2022

Billionaire brothers John and Patrick Collison built Stripe into one of the world’s most-hyped, highest valued — and profitable! — startups, worth some $95 billion. Now they must stave off going from disruptor to disrupted. I t’s just before five o’clock, and Stripe Cofounder John Collison is preparing to address his hundreds of Ireland-based employees on the top floor of his headquarters in Dublin’s “Silicon Docks” District. Such regular Friday town halls, which are also simulcast to New York, San Francisco, Singapore and anywhere else its 7,000 employees want to tune in from over Zoom, are an almost sacred tradition at Stripe, the payments company that Collison cofounded with big brother Patrick in 2010. With Patrick away getting married, it’s up to John, 31 and with a dusting of gray hair now topping his boyish face, to field questions. It could get contentious: There’s a social media “kerfuffle” playing out over Twitter this week: Stripe has been accused in a … [Read more...] about The Collison Brothers Built Stripe Into A $95 Billion Unicorn With Eye-Popping Financials. Inside Their Plan To Stay On Top

Parcels are left in front of a door. In Korea, packages are left generally outside to avoid unnecessary contact during the Covid-19 pandemic. [SHUTTERSTOCK] Leave a package on your doorstep in Korea and see what happens — nothing, it will still be waiting for you untouched a week later. The idea that parcels can be left outside unattended without any risk in Korea isn't new, but the practice has increased dramatically during the Covid-19 pandemic as companies ditched direct deliveries. Delivery workers no longer ring people’s doorbells and hand over packages. Instead, most e-commerce and logistics companies including Coupang, CJ Logistics, Hanjin Transport and Lotte Global Logistics have changed to a contact-free delivery system. Simply leaving packages on people’s doorsteps means the delivery is finished, limiting unnecessary contact that might spread Covid-19. Other countries have changed their delivery policies during the pandemic, but their solutions aren’t as simple as … [Read more...] about [WHY] Is it really safe to leave valuables lying around in Korea?

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”