World

Countries from the Greater Mekong Subregion convened the first Destination Mekong Summit via video conference on August 26 to discuss ways to revive tourism during and after the COVID-19 crisis.

Vietnam is considered one of the success stories in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, and represents an ideal economic partner for Australia, said Dr Jeffrey Wilson, Research Director at the Perth USAsia Centre.

At least 15 people were killed and 75 others wounded in twin explosions that rocked the southern Philippine province of Sulu on August 24, accoring to the latest announcement of the local military and police.

Japan and Laos have agreed to resume travelling between the two nations for long-term residents from September, which has been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Indonesian government is committed to accelerating a “national digital transformation” through five priority programmes, Indonesian Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate has said.

The Asian Development Bank has pledged to double loan commitments to Indonesia this year to facilitate economic recovery in one of its biggest client countries.

Vietnam calls on international partners to assist the Somali Government in easing socio-economic difficulties and coping with humanitarian needs.

The Indonesian Government has unveiled a new microcredit program (KUR) for laid-off workers and housewives who own micro-sized businesses to help them recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, affirmed support for the three-point peace plan submitted by the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen on August 18.

Indonesian Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati recently adjusted the country’s GDP growth goal for 2020 down to -0.2 to -1.1 percent from the previous 2.3 percent, and 4.5 to 5.5 percent for the next year.

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries has urged Thailand to increase food exports to prevent global shortage.

Indonesia’s foreign debts in the second quarter of 2020 were recorded at 408.6 billion USD, consisting of debts of the public and private sectors, according to the Bank of Indonesia.