ASEAN and the world

(CPV) - Improved trade facilitation — the simplification, modernization, and harmonization of export and import processes — can reduce trade costs by up to 9% in Asia and the Pacific, according to a new joint report by ADB and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) launched today on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Trade Facilitation Forum in Yogyakarta

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has named Nirmala Sitharaman, a female legislator, as India’s Defence Minister.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 5th arrived in Myanmar, beginning an official visit to the country for two days.

Singapore’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI), an early indicator of manufacturing activity, posted a reading of 51.5 points in August, the highest figure since November 2014, reported the Singapore Institute of Purchasing and Materials Management (SIPMM).

Hurricane Irma is strengthening and is expected to strike the east coast of the United States.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has warned of a looming humanitarian catastrophe in western Myanmar due to recent violent conflicts in Rakhine state that forced 18,500 to evacuate to Bangladesh and left more than 100 dead.

The National Election Committee (NEC) of Cambodia on September 1st began voter registration nationwide for the 6th National Assembly election, which is scheduled for July 29th, 2018.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Lao counterpart, Thongloun Sisoulith, on Sept. 1st agreed to speed up negotiations and complete settlement of border issues between the countries.

Berlin-Brandenburg Airport will open in June 2018 after six years delay.

On August 30th, the Queensferry Crossing over the Firth of Forth, north of Edinburgh, opened.

On August 29th, US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump arrived in Corpus Christi, Texas, to assess damage from Hurricane Harvey.

President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in has appointed ambassadors to the US, China and Japan, the presidential Blue House said on August 30th.

On August 31st, the Washington Post reported that Venezuela has offered USD5 million in aid to victims of Hurricane Harvey.

British Prime Minister Theresa May will arrive in Japan for her visit from August 30th - September 1st.

At least three people were killed in a fire at a retirement home in the city of Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, Russia.

Angolans voters took part in the General Election Day to elect 220 members of the National Assembly and President for the 2017 - 2020 term.

China has appointed General Li Zuocheng, 63, as the new Chief of Staff of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), according to Defence Ministry.

Hurricane Harvey hit the US State of Texas with torrential rain and heavy winds, killing at least two persons.

British Police on August 26th said a man was arrested under the Terrorism Act after deliberately driving at police outside Queen Elizabeth II's Buckingham Palace residence in London.

The development of the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP) and cooperation in trade facilitation between the Pacific Alliance (PA) and APEC member economies were the main focus of a workshop in Ho Chi Minh City on August 26th.

The 11th Autumn Melodies Art Festival is taking place in Ho Chi Minh city from August 19th – 27th.

The "Eurasian Week" annual international exhibition forum, organized by the member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and the Eurasian Economic Commission (EEC), has opened in the capital of Kazakhstan on August 24th.

US Defence Secretary James Mattis on August 23rd began a visit to Kiev, capital of Ukraine, following the trip by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson in July.

The Czech Republic Senate has set the date for the first round of the Czech presidential election, to be held January 12th - 13th next year.

Kyrgyz Prime Minister Sooronbay Jeenbekov has resigned to run in the Presidential election in October.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Anatoly Antonov has been appointed as the new Russian Ambassador to the US.

US, Mexican and Canadian officials have concluded the first round of talks on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

Singapore and Turkey have ratified the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) on August 21st, hitting a new milestone in their relationship.

An earthquake registering 3.6 on the Richter scale on August 21st hit the Italian resort island of Ischia, killing at least one person and leaving seven missing.

Three leading Australian Ministers including Foreign Minister Julie Bishop; Defence Minister Marise Payne and Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo have visited Singapore from August 21st - 22nd to attend a high-level bilateral dialogue.