Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held a working session with newly appointed Ambassador of Australia to Vietnam Gillian Bird on July 2, during which the host called for stronger cooperation in trade, energy and industry.

The Asia New Zealand Foundation has maintained a long-standing and close partnership with the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, allowing both sides to exchange perspectives and learn from each other’s experiences.

Vietnam and Australia still hold great potential for economic, trade, investment cooperation, particularly in areas such as agriculture, food processing, renewable energy, and digital economy development, according to Nguyen Phu Hoa, trade councilor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Australia.

No visitor to Jakarta in 2023 could miss it: the Indonesian capital was festooned with the branding of the Indonesian ASEAN chair year’s slogan that spruiked Southeast Asia as the world’s ‘epicentrum of growth’.

The Twenty-Ninth AEM-Closer Economic Relations (AEM-CER Consultation was held on 21 September 2024 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. The Consultation was cochaired by H.E. Malaithong KOMMASITH, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Lao PDR; Senator the Hon Tim Ayres, Assistant Minister for Trade, Australia; and the Hon Nicola Grigg, Minister of State for Trade, New Zealand. The Meeting also welcomed the participation of H.E. Filipus Nino Pereira, Minister of Commerce and Industry, Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste as an observer.

Today Australia has made its first investment under the Australian Government’s $2 billion Southeast Asia Investment Financing Facility, announced by Prime Minister Albanese at the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit in March this year. Australia has approved a $75 million (US$50 million) equity investment in the Singapore Government’s Financing Asia’s Transition Partnership (FAST-P) initiative, which aims to support the region’s clean energy transition

According to the Import-Export Department - Ministry of Industry and Trade, on January 05, 01, the Government issued Resolution No. 2024/NQ-CP on signing the Second Protocol amending the Agreement to establish a AANZFTA.

Australia has doubled down on its focus on Southeast Asia after ties with China, previously one of its largest two-way trading partners, soured under geopolitical tensions.

The ratification is expected to boost foreign direct investment and economic growth in the Philippines. President Marcos Jr. expressed confidence in the adaptability of AANZFTA to address the changing business landscape and promote economic collaboration within the region.

During a recent visit to my hometown and Australia’s capital, Canberra, I couldn’t help but notice the cavalcade of motorcades, Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) flags and excitement in the air, as the leaders of ASEAN descended on Australia to celebrate the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Australia Dialogue.