ASEAN and the world

(CPV) - An improving global economic outlook and progress on coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccinations have pushed up bond yields in emerging East Asia. Local currency bond markets in the region expanded to $20.1 trillion by the end of 2020, according to the latest issue of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Bond Monitor. Investor sentiment and financial conditions also improved.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) new venture arm, ADB Ventures, has announced its first investments. ADB Ventures invests in early-stage technology companies globally that address urgent development challenges in emerging Asia and the Pacific.

The Philippines Department of Health (DOH) reported 3,045 new COVID-19 cases on March 5, the record number in four months, raising the total count in the country to 587,704.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has appointed Woochong Um as Managing Director General. Mr. Um will assume office immediately.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) priced a USD2 billion 10-year global bond, proceeds of which will be part of ADB’s ordinary capital resources.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo has said Indonesia will prove that its economic growth for 2021 will be higher than forecasts given by international economic and financial bodies.

Thailand’s food exports are forecast to recover to 7.1 percent growth this year, fetching 1.05 trillion THB (35 billion USD), driven by growing demand in the global market.

Malaysian Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin on February 15 launched the National Unity Blueprint for 2021-2030.

Exports from six Southeast Asian countries fell 2.2 percent in 2020 from a year earlier to a combined 1.35 trillion USD, a relatively marginal decline despite COVID-19, according to data from the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO).

(CPV) - Digital platforms and other technology-based tools are providing new growth opportunities for businesses of all sizes and across all industries in Asia and the Pacific—a trend which could contribute significantly to the region’s sustainable recovery from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a new report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

(CPV) - The successful term of office of long-serving President and CEO Joe Kaeser (63) will end today at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting of Siemens AG. As long planned, leadership of the Munich-based technology company will be transferred from Kaeser to his successor, Roland Busch (56) – a step that will mark the successful completion of Siemens’ leadership succession process. Due to the COVID-1

Singapore’s reciprocal green lane arrangements with Germany, Malaysia, and the Republic of Korea will be suspended for three months from February 1.

The Old Bailey Court in London on January 22 jailed four people-smugglers for a combined 78 years after 39 Vietnamese migrants smuggled to the UK were found dead in the back of a lorry.

(CPV) - Viet Nam needs to develop dedicated technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs to enable its transition to the fourth industrial revolution (4IR), increasing worker productivity and the country’s competitiveness, says a new study of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

Myanmar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on December 30 decided to extend temporary entry restrictions for all visitors to the end of January.

Secretary-General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Dato Lim Jock Hoi has commended Vietnam’s exemplary role as the Chair of ASEAN in a year full of challenges.

The 9th Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) Summit held via videoconference on December 9 has adopted a Phnom Penh declaration.

The Mekong – Republic of Korea (RoK) cooperation is of importance to boosting regional economic integration, innovation, and economic competitiveness of the two sides, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said at the 8th Mekong – RoK Business Forum on December 4.

Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza has reaffirmed his country's wish to join the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

(CPV) - Accommodative monetary stance sustained the growth of local currency bond markets in emerging East Asia, with currencies and equity markets gaining in early November, according to the latest quarterly issue of the Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Asia Bond Monitor.

Delegates at the 14th East Asia Summit (EAS) – Energy Ministers’ Meeting on November 20 reiterated the significance of ensuring stable supply and clean energy with affordable prices to support economic and daily activities.

The 27th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting opened on November 20 via video conference with leaders of 21 member economies taking part.

(CPV) - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has allocated $20.3 million in technical assistance to help its developing members access vaccines for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and establish systems to enable equitable and efficient vaccine distribution. 

Indonesia has highlighted relationship with the US, New Zealand and Australia at on summits on November 14.

Australian Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham has recently emphasised the importance of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement, which is expected to be signed on November 15 between 10 ASEAN countries and China, Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), New Zealand and Australia.

The Australian Government has pledged to provide AUD500 million for countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to access safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, the Australian Embassy in Vietnam announced November 6.

(CPV) – Democrat Joe Biden secured the 270 Electoral College votes needed to win the US 2020 presidential election and become this country’s 46th President, major US media like CNN and NBC reported on November 7.

The 24th meeting of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Council, the most important event of the ASCC this year, was held online on November 6 with the participation of 10 member countries’ officials, the ASEAN Secretary-General, and the bloc’s Secretariat.

Donald Trump and Joe Biden are vying for the presidency as a pandemic rages across the country. It has influenced every aspect of the campaign, from the conventions and debates to how voters cast their ballots. Millions have already voted, surpassing pre-election totals in 2016.

Culture ministers of the ASEAN Plus Three countries, including 10 ASEAN member states and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, have agreed to strengthen multilateral cultural and arts exchanges despite the COVID-19 pandemic.