Indonesia exempts four countries from export earnings rule

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on July 24 that the exemption applies to nations with existing bilateral trade agreements with Jakarta, offering flexibility to preserve key diplomatic and economic partnerships.

Indonesian rupiah banknotes are counted at a foreign exchange office. (Photo published by VNA)
Indonesian rupiah banknotes are counted at a foreign exchange office. (Photo published by VNA)

Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia has granted exemptions to four trading partners, including the US, China, Canada, and Australia, from regulations governing Foreign Exchange Proceeds from Natural Resource Exports (DHE SDA), according to the Indonesian news agency Antara.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said on July 24 that the exemption applies to nations with existing bilateral trade agreements with Jakarta, offering flexibility to preserve key diplomatic and economic partnerships.

The exemptions fall under Government Regulation (PP) No. 21 of 2026, an update to earlier 2023 legislation regulating export proceeds from natural resource management and processing.

Enacted on June 1, the updated framework permits targeted flexibilities to honour specific international commitments.

Under standard DHE SDA protocols, natural resource exporters must deposit 100% of their export earnings into accounts held with the Association of State-Owned Banks (Himbara).

Exporters are further required to retain a minimum of 30% of export proceeds from the oil and gas sector, and 100% from non-oil and gas sectors, within special Himbara accounts. These funds must remain placed for at least three months for oil and gas commodities, and 12 months for non-oil and gas goods./.​

VNA

See more

Malaysia steps up drive to build world-class startup ecosystem

Malaysia steps up drive to build world-class startup ecosystem

For KL20 2026, four new priority areas have been added, aligning with Malaysia's 13th Malaysia Plan (2026–2030), which seeks to increase economic complexity, strengthen high-value industries and expand domestic production of value-added goods and services.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (front, right) and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (front, left) at their meeting in Bangkok on August 6, 2026 (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Thailand, Myanmar jointly tackle cross-border pollution

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Thai Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Suchart Chomklin described the TOR signing as an important milestone in bilateral environmental cooperation, saying it would enhance water resource management, protect ecosystems and improve life quality for those living in border areas.

Thailand, Japan deepen cooperation in smart agriculture

Thailand, Japan deepen cooperation in smart agriculture

The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in smart agriculture through the application of automation, the Internet of Things (IoT), advanced technologies and innovation, while promoting the use of modern agricultural machinery and expanding workforce training.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul (left) and Myanmar President Min Aung Hlaing (centre) at the official welcome ceremony for the latter in Bangkok on August 6, 2026. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

Thailand, Myanmar promote economic, space technology cooperation

At the Thailand-Myanmar Business Forum in Bangkok, attended by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, President Min Aung Hlaing and more than 700 representatives from government agencies, businesses and the business communities of both countries, the two leaders outlined orientations for boosting economic cooperation and expanding bilateral ties.

At least four killed in Philippines landslides

At least four killed in Philippines landslides

Philippine authorities said four days of heavy rain on the island of Luzon have triggered multiple landslides. In Benguet province, a hillside collapsed onto a small restaurant on August 6, burying three employees working in the kitchen.

Thai rice exports decline nearly 19% in first half of 2026

Thai rice exports decline nearly 19% in first half of 2026

DFT Director-General Arada Fuangthong attributed the decline to abundant global rice supplies, which have intensified price competition. In addition, conflicts in the Middle East disrupted Thai rice exports to Iraq – one of its key markets – from March.

Buildings in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Illustrative photo: AFP/VNA)

Malaysia businesses thrive on AI boom

Nineteen Malaysian companies enter Forbes Asia’s 2026 list of the 200 best companies with annual revenues of less than 1 billion USD, more than double the number from the previous year.

An electric vehicle on display at an auto exhibition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in June 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia considers levy on EV sales to fund public charging infrastructure

Speaking during a question-and-answer session in the Senate on August 5, Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry Johari Abdul Ghani said the proposal followed the government's loss of 3.3 billion MYR (825 million USD) in tax revenue through incentives for imported EVs, while investment in public charging infrastructure had fallen short of expectations.

Drought-hit farmland in Cibarusa, Bekasi, Indonesia. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Indonesia takes drastic measures to respond to strong El Niño

Under its response plan for agriculture and forestry, Indonesia is stepping up forest and peatland fire prevention and firefighting, deploying weather modification technology, improving irrigation systems, putting boreholes into operation, distributing drought-resistant crop varieties, and expanding agricultural insurance. These measures aim to mitigate the impact of drought on rice, palm oil and coffee production.

Goods are loaded at a port in Bangkok, Thailand. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Thailand's exports to US, Europe surge in fiscal 2026

Data from the Thailand Customs Department show that the country's total international trade reached approximately 21.4 trillion THB (660 billion USD) during the period, approaching the 22 trillion THB recorded for the whole of the previous fiscal year.

Malaysia, Thailand step up efforts to restore seafood trade

Malaysia, Thailand step up efforts to restore seafood trade

The inspections focus on biosecurity measures at farms, production systems, and related documentation, including laboratory analyses of chemical residues and the use of prohibited substances. Authorities are also assessing farms, hatcheries, laboratories and border inspection facilities in both countries.

Indonesia steps up response to forest fires

Indonesia steps up response to forest fires

Indonesia's National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) is preparing to deploy two water-bombing helicopters to accelerate firefighting efforts in the Mount Bromo area. Ground crews are continuing to battle the flames, although many fire hotspots remain in steep, hard-to-reach locations.