Singapore becomes third country to ratify CPTPP

Singapore has become the third country to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), according to a statement by its Ministry of Industry and Trade on July 19.
Singapore becomes third country to ratify CPTPP ảnh 1Singapore Trade Minister Chan Chun Sing. (Photo: AFP/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Singapore has become thethird country to ratify the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement forTrans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), according to a statement by its Ministry of Industryand Trade on July 19.

“Against the current backdrop of global tradetensions and protectionism, the CPTPP sends a strong signal of our commitmentto trade liberalisation and a rules-based trading system,” Singapore Trade MinisterChan Chun Sing said.

He added that Singapore welcomes other like-minded countries to join the freetrade framework after it takes effect.

Before Singapore, the agreement was ratified byMexico and Japan. 

The pact will enter into force 60 days after sixof the signatories have ratified it.

The original Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) wassigned by 12 countries in February 2016, but US President Donald Trump pulledhis country from the deal upon his inauguration in January 2017.

The remaining 11 countries – namely Australia,Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore,and Vietnam – signed the pact and renamed it the CPTPP during their meet-up inMarch 2018 in Chile.

The pact is expected to boost economic growth,create more jobs, reduce poverty, and improve the quality of life for people inthe member countries.

The deal will create one of the world’s largestfree trade blocs with a combined market of 499 million people and GDP of around10.1 trillion USD, accounting for 13.5 percent of the global GDP. -VNA
VNA

See more

Two foreign tourists buy curry puffs at the popular Khun Phu shop in the Talat Noi community in Bangkok on Monday. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand revises tourism strategy after earthquake

Minister of Tourism and Sports Sorawong Thienthong said that a tourism risk and crisis management team will be established to support the industry, with representatives from organisations in the tourism supply chain, such as the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Roads Authority.

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP. (Source: VNA)

Former Lao President Khamtay Siphanone passes away

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, former President of Laos and senior revolutionary of the LPRP, passed away at 10:30am on April 2 at the age of 102.

Rescue teams search for victims after the earthquake in Mandalay, Myanmar, on March 31, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Relief efforts face major challenges

The 7.7-magnitude earthquake has caused widespread destruction in central Myanmar, displacing tens of thousands. The situation has been further complicated by ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Sagaing region, making it extremely difficult to deliver aid to affected areas.

At the explosion site (Photo: Facebook/Anwar Ibrahim)

Malaysia investigates gas pipeline explosion

The incident destroyed 78 houses and 10 shop lots, while also damaging 237 other houses and numerous vehicles. An estimated 364 people were affected, including 63 injured.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra listens to a briefing by a team of Israeli rescuers who are part of an international contingent working at the collapsed building site in Bangkok. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand works to restore global trust after Myanmar quake

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra underscored Thailand's commitment to restoring its image and ensuring public confidence, noting that a thorough investigation into the project's approval, design and construction materials is underway.

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

Thailand speeds up investigation into Bangkok building collapse

The SAO building, valued at 2.1 billion THB (61.4 million USD), had been under construction for approximately five years and was nearing completion. It was the only building in Bangkok to collapse as a result of the powerful earthquake in Myanmar.

Delegates at the event (Photo: kpl.gov.la)

Laos aims for sustainable infrastructure development

Laos' Enabling Environment Roadmap for Infrastructure Asset Management (IAM EE) outlines strategies for the effective management of public infrastructure, including roads, schools, and hospitals, with a focus on resilience, inclusivity, and sustainability.

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia (Photo: scienceexchange.caltech.edu)

Strong earthquake strikes eastern Indonesia

A 6.0-magnitude earthquake occurred at 5:15 pm, with its epicenter located 93 km northeast of Indonesia's Maluku Barat Daya district and a hypocenter at a depth of 157 km beneath the seabed. No tsunami warning has been issued.

Rescue forces are racing against time to search for victims of the earthquake that hit Myanmar on March 28, 2025. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Myanmar earthquake: Devastation’s full extend is not clear

Myanmar's state media quoted military government leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as saying the earthquake death toll had reached 2,065, with more than 3,900 injured and some 270 missing. Aid agencies forecast these numbers will rise significantly due to information blackouts in remote areas.

File - Passengers pass through the automatic immigration checkpoint (auto gate) at Terminal 3 of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, Indonesia, January 3, 2024. (Photo: ANTARA)

Indonesia operates auto gates at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport

According to Johanes Fanny Satria Cahya Aprianto, head of the airport's immigration office, immigration services are fully prepared for the surge in passengers. Currently the office has deployed 531 personnel to ensure smooth and efficient immigration processing at the airport.