Brunei ratifies economic partnership agreement

Brunei Darussalam ratified the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on October 12, becoming the sixth member country to ratify the deal, after Thailand, Singapore, China, Japan and Cambodia.
Brunei ratifies economic partnership agreement ảnh 1Leaders attend the 3rd RCEP Summit in Bangkok, Thailand on Nov. 4, 2019. (Photo: Information Dept)
Hanoi (VNA) - Brunei Darussalam ratified theRegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement on October 12, becoming the sixth signatory country to ratify the deal, after Thailand, Singapore, China, Japan and Cambodia.
Ina press statement, Brunei's Ministry of Finance and Economy (MoFE) said, "Brunei's timely ratification of the RCEP, the world's largestfree-trade deal, signals our strong commitment to support the region's post-pandemicrecovery efforts, strengthening our economic and trade linkages, creating newopportunities for our businesses as well as support for an open, inclusive,rules-based multilateral trading system."

The RCEPmembers have expressed their resolve to ratify the agreement before the endof this year in order for the deal to take effect on Jan. 1, 2022 as targeted.
The RCEP agreement, gathering the 10 ASEAN member nations and Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand and the Republic of Korea, will make up nearly 30 percent of the world’s gross domestic products and create a market covering nearly one-third of the global population.

It was signed last November and will come into effect 60 days after it is ratified by at least six ASEAN members and three other signatory countries./.
VNA

See more

Fire destroys one of the 11 PTT petrol stations that were attacked across three southern border provinces on January 11 (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand imposes curfew in southern province

The Thai military confirmed that multiple petrol stations in Thailand's southern border provinces were hit by arson attacks and explosions on late January 11, leaving one police officer injured, with five petrol stations in Narathiwat among the targeted sites.

A photo of Lirang Island in the newly designated marine conservation area by the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries in the waters of West Wetar (Photo: antaranews.com)

Indonesia establishes new marine protected area

This area forms part of a vast ecosystem and serves as an important migratory corridor for many large marine species. The move aims to safeguard high-value biodiversity while ensuring the long-term sustainability of local coastal livelihoods.

Semiconductor wire production at an industrial park in former Hoa Binh province (now Phu Tho province). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam’s GDP growth impressive amid global headwinds: Chinese media

It said with these results, the Vietnamese Government still has ample room to adjust monetary policy, unleash market vitality, and push ahead with institutional reforms. This, the paper noted, could enable Vietnam to achieve double-digit economic growth during the 2026-2030 period.

A voter casts her ballot in the general election at a polling station in Yangon, Myanmar. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar begins second round of general election

This is the first election in Myanmar since the military government assumed power five years ago. A total of 57 political parties are participating in the election, including six parties running nationwide, with around 5,000 candidates vying for seats in the parliament.

A healthcare worker performs a swab test on a patient during influenza symptom screening at a community health centre in Banten, on January 7, 2026. (Photo: antaranews.com)

Indonesia reports first death related to so-called super flu

Yovita Hartantri, head of the New and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases Team at Hasan Sadikin Regional Hospital in Bandung, said the hospital treated 10 patients with influenza A subclade K between September and November last year. The patients exhibited a range of symptoms, with at least three developing severe complications.

Thailand enters technical deflation: Expert

Thailand enters technical deflation: Expert

Associate Professor Thanavath Phonvichai, President of the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and Chairman of the Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting, attributed the current bout mainly to lower production costs, particularly cheaper fuel and persistently low agricultural prices.