Page 2 - Asean Nations

Asean Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn arrives in India on five-day visit

This is Kao Kim Hourn's first official visit to India since assuming office in January 2023, spanning from February 11 to 15

Tensions in S China Sea, violence in Myanmar as Laos takes over Asean chair

Simmering tensions in the South China Sea between China and several Southeast Asian nations now regularly spark direct confrontation. Fighting in Myanmar against the military government that seized power three years ago has grown to the point that most say the country is now in a civil war. Hopes were high that Indonesia might be able to make significant inroads on both issues during its 2023 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, using its clout as the bloc's largest country, but little progress was made. Now Laos, the bloc's poorest and one of its smallest countries, has taken over the rotating chair. As foreign ministers gather in Luang Prabang for this year's first top-level meetings over the weekend, many are pessimistic that ASEAN can keep its biggest challenges from festering and growing. There were so many expectations when Indonesia started its presidency and some of those expectations fell short, said Shafiah Muhibat, an expert with the Centre for ...

Statsguru: Neighbourhood ties weaken as global economic partnerships evolve

The share of its neighbours in India's trade shows signs of weakening from an already low base amid a review of regional trade agreements

ASEAN wants India to join RCEP for greater market access: Secretary-General

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has said that the 10-member bloc of the Southeast Asian countries wants India to join the landmark Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) for greater market access as he asserted that all partners stand to gain from the inclusive, open and rule-based trade pact. Dr Kao also said that India and ASEAN have been working together across different sectors - from space to investment, to tourism, to the defence sector and counter-terrorism, among others - and advocated expanding such cooperation in new sectors. Talking to a select group of Indian journalists here on Monday evening, Dr Kao said joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) would benefit India as the agreement would provide greater market access. He added that all partners will gain from the inclusive, open and rule-based trade pact. The RCEP is a free trade area (FTA) consisting of 10 ASEAN members (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapo

Myanmar's trade with ASEAN countries tops $10.3 bn in 9 mths till Dec 2022

The Ministry reported on Thursday that imports surpassed exports, with exports reaching more than $3.538 billion and imports valued at more than $6.77 billion, Xinhua news agency reported

Act East Policy to boost NE India's ties with ASEAN countries: Mizoram Guv

Mizoram Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati said on Saturday that implementation of India's Act East Policy will improve the relations of the northeast region with the ASEAN countries

FTAs and their discontents: Do free trade agreements benefit India?

India's balance of trade has worsened with countries with which it has signed free trade agreements

US vows $150 mn investment in ASEAN for infrastructure with China in focus

The US ASEAN gathering is intended to demonstrate the commitment the United States has to the Indo-Pacific, where China has been increasing its clout and making extensive claims in regional waters

Toyota plans to make EV parts in India for domestic, export markets

The move follows the company's recent announcement that it will invest 48 bn rupees ($621 mn) in India to localise the supply chain for EVs, and is also part of its broader 2050 carbon-neutrality goal

Joe Biden to host US-ASEAN special summit in Washington on May 12-13

United States President Joe Biden will host a special in-person summit with ASEAN leaders on May 12-13, a White House statement said Saturday (local time).

ASEAN countries start talks to thrash out new deal on merchandise trade

Economic Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have launched negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the regional bloc said a statement

Collaboration can boost northeast India's trade, economy: Japanese envoy

Japan's Envoy Suzuki Satoshi said that the comprehensive collaboration between India and Japan would provide the northeast region with access to the Bay of Bengal and access to ASEAN countries

ASEAN members invited to UK-hosted G7 Foreign Ministers

Among the ASEAN Foreign Ministers due to attend the G7 meeting are those from Malaysia, Thailand and Indonesia

RCEP with China, minus India: Is the trade deal a threat or opportunity?

In this podcast, Business Standard's Subhomoy Bhattacharjee explains what is RCEP, how will it benefit member nations, why did India pull out of RCEP and more

Exporters to submit origin certificates for shipments to Asean countries

The document is important to claim duty concessions under free trade agreements. This certificate is essential to prove the origin of the goods

Asean bloc sends invite to India for RCEP dialogue in Bali next month

The RCEP is a proposed pact between 10 Asean economies and six others (New Zealand, Australia, China, India, Japan, and South Korea) with which the grouping currently has free-trade agreements

India opts out of RCEP: Axe on Chinese imports, trade deal with US likely

The latest twist in India's policy on foreign trade may, however, benefit the US

What's the RCEP and what does India's exit mean for the trade deal?

India pulled out of the deal saying it wanted to protect service workers and farmers

India to review Asean free-trade agreement amid rising imports fear

The decision was taken during a meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Jurin Laksanawisit, representing Asean, in Bangkok

Top diplomats reach Bangkok for key Asia-Pacific talks on trade, security

The meetings in Bangkok are hosted by the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, chaired this year by Thailand