Trade between Cambodia and Vietnam reached $7.08 billion in the January to November period of the year, a rise of 20.6 percent, even as the neighbouring country consolidated its position as the second-biggest export market of the Kingdom, next only to the United States.

The bilateral meeting between the General Department of Vietnam Customs (GDVC) and the General Department of Customs and Excise of Cambodia (GDCEC) was held by the GDVC on December 9.

ASEAN commenced the signing process of the 5th Protocol to Amend ASEAN Comprehensive Investment Agreement (ACIA) with signatures from some Member States. The Protocol enhances certainty and transparency to investors on the investment regime in ASEAN. It aims to ensure that the ACIA remains relevant, modern, forward-looking and more adaptive to business landscape.

Vientiane, 10 October 2024 – Members of ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Investment (CCI) attended “ASEAN FDI Policy Workshop Series 2024: Strengthening Regional Connectivity and the FDI Ecosystem through Industry Catalysts” in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This workshop aims to consult industry experts on the specific challenges and actions required to enhance regional connectivity to facilitate FDI and to translate policy recommendations of ASEAN Investment Report (AIR) 2024 into actionable programmes aimed at attracting, retaining and facilitating FDI in ASEAN. The Workshop was held immediately after the launch of ASEAN Investment Report 2024 on 9 October 2024 during the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit 2024.

Two options are proposed for carbon trade exchange design. The first is to establish an exchange based on the infrastructure system of the stock exchanges. The second option is to build an independent exchange of stock exchanges which will be run by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

On October 25, 2023, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) withdrew U.S. support for digital trade proposals currently under negotiation at the Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce (JSI), one of the few active plurilateral negotiations at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Vietnam’s central bank has signed an MoU to develop its cross-border payments service system together with five other ASEAN member countries. We discuss the benefits for Vietnam’s payments ecosystem and prospects for the financial services sector.

The signing of a historic free trade agreement (FTA) between the Philippines and South Korea marks a significant milestone in their relationship. This agreement, which was formalized during the 43rd ASEAN Summit in Jakarta, Indonesia, has the potential to strengthen economic ties and foster closer cooperation between the two nations.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is confident Vietnam’s growth will exceed expectations this year, and retain the title of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economy through next year, as it emerges from the pandemic.

General Secretary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Kao Kim Hourn affirmed that since joining ASEAN in 1995, Vietnam has been making important, proactive and positive contributions.