World

ASEAN, Hong Kong revise investment pact to strengthen protection

The protocol provides for fair treatment of businesses, free movement of investment capital and profits, and compensation for losses caused by war, conflict or other circumstances. It is expected to strengthen legal protection, improve the investment environment and encourage greater investment flows.

Hong Kong (VNA) – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China have signed the First Protocol to Amend the ASEAN–Hong Kong Investment Agreement (AHKIA), activating provisions on fair treatment, expanded benefits and compensation to further promote investment cooperation.

The protocol was signed in Manila, the Philippines, on September 20 by Philippine Secretary of Trade and Industry Cristina A. Roque, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Commerce Suphajee Suthumpun, and Under Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development of Hong Kong Bernard Chan, on the sidelines of the 10th ASEAN Economic Ministers–Hong Kong Consultation.

The protocol provides for fair treatment of businesses, free movement of investment capital and profits, and compensation for losses caused by war, conflict or other circumstances. It is expected to strengthen legal protection, improve the investment environment and encourage greater investment flows.

According to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau of Hong Kong (CEDB), ASEAN has been among Hong Kong's major investment partners and the world's third-largest destination for the Chinese region's outward direct investment over the past four years, with total investment exceeding 671 billion HKD (85.5 billion USD).

Hong Kong and 10 ASEAN member states, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, will implement the amended protocol first, with its application to later extend to Timor-Leste, the 11th member of the bloc.

Hong Kong is currently Vietnam's fifth-largest foreign investor, with more than 38 billion USD in registered capital across around 2,200 projects, mainly in manufacturing and processing, real estate and energy infrastructure./.

VNA
#ASEAN #Hong Kong #ASEAN–Hong Kong Investment Agreement #ASEAN Economic Ministers–Hong Kong Consultation Hong Kong ASEAN
Follow VietnamPlus

ASEAN

Related News

AI exhibition areas at CAEXPO 2026 attract the attention of both businesses and visitors. (Photo: VNA)

CAEXPO highlights China–ASEAN AI cooperation

Wang Jicai, Secretary General of the CAEXPO Secretariat, said exhibition space for AI increased 60% from the previous edition, while the number of participating companies rose 48% year on year to 296.

Delegates attend the ceremony in Beijing on September 15 marking the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN-China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and the 35th anniversary of ASEAN-China Dialogue Relations. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN, China seek more substantive, effective cooperation

Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress Peng Qinghua said China and ASEAN are good neighbours, friends and partners sharing a common future. Since the establishment of dialogue relations in 1991, ties have developed strongly and become one of ASEAN’s most substantive and dynamic dialogue partnerships.

See more

Malaysia targets 250,000 international students by 2030

Malaysia targets 250,000 international students by 2030

Around 170,000 international students from 180 countries are currently studying in Malaysia, Minister of Higher Education Zambry Abd Kadir told the media after the closing ceremony of the International Young Future Leaders Summit 2026 (iFuture 2026).

Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, speaks at the general debate held by the Economic and Financial Committee (Second Committee) of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on October 14, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN reaffirms commitment to poverty eradication, food security

Facing challenges from climate change, biodiversity loss, rising food demand, and price fluctuations, ASEAN is actively implementing its Vision for Food, Agriculture and Forestry towards 2045 and the relevant 2026–2030 action plan to build food systems that are sustainable, inclusive and resilient, said Ambassador Do Hung Viet.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung and his spouse pose for a photo with delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

ASEAN Culture Day 2026 in US promotes friendship, peace

Vietnam added a distinctive touch to the event with a Dong Ho-inspired ao dai presentation, combining the elegance of the traditional Vietnamese long dress with motifs rooted in the country’s folk culture. The Vietnamese booth also displayed silk products and traditional handicrafts, helping promote the refined and diverse beauty of Vietnamese culture to international friends.

Timor-Leste speeds up participation in ASEAN digital economic framework

Timor-Leste speeds up participation in ASEAN digital economic framework

For Timor-Leste, joining the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement will require improvements in institutional capacity, digital infrastructure and public digital skills, while offering domestic businesses opportunities to access broader markets. The move also represents a concrete step towards translating the country's ASEAN membership into tangible economic benefits.

Cambodia pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Cambodia pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions

Cambodia has reaffirmed its firm commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and addressing climate change through technological modernisation, and pledged to work with the international community to cut emissions to the lowest possible level.

Cambodia steps up crackdown on online scam networks

Cambodia steps up crackdown on online scam networks

The national campaign against online scams has taken legal action against suspected operations, including raids, prosecutions and ongoing investigations into cases before the courts, according to a Cambodian official.

Cambodia spends over 70 mln USD on coffee bean imports

Cambodia spends over 70 mln USD on coffee bean imports

According to the Cambodian Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, the country imports around 10,000 tonnes of coffee annually, mainly from Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, France, Italy, the US, Malaysia, Singapore, the Republic of Korea and Australia.

IMF-World Bank meetings give Thailand fresh year-end tourism boost

IMF-World Bank meetings give Thailand fresh year-end tourism boost

The events provide an opportunity to showcase Thai culture, performing arts and attractive destinations to international delegates, especially those visiting the country for the first time. The government hopes these experiences will encourage delegates to return to Thailand in the future, helping to raise the country’s international tourism profile.

A corner of Phnom Penh (Photo: Pexels)

Cambodia optimistic about economic prospects

Cambodia’s national treasury currently held at least 2.5 billion USD in reserves. In the first nine months of 2026, its state budget revenue exceeded 5 billion USD, averaging 500-600 million USD per month.

(Photo: pib.gov.in)

India, ASEAN step up talks to upgrade trade in goods agreement

India and ASEAN signed AITIGA in 2009 to promote trade liberalisation and expand economic ties. However, changes in trade patterns, supply chains and the global economic environment have created a need to update the agreement to reflect current conditions.