Singapore to ink free trade deal with Pacific Alliance by 2021 end

Singapore will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Pacific Alliance (PA), a trading bloc of four Latin American nations - Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, at the end of this year.
Singapore to ink free trade deal with Pacific Alliance by 2021 end ảnh 1Container loading and unloading at Pasir Panjang port in Singapore. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)
Singapore (VNA) - Singapore will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Pacific Alliance (PA), a trading bloc of four LatinAmerican nations - Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru, at the end of this year.

Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan said theagreement will enable businesses on both sides to access market opportunitiesand foster greater cooperation in areas such as e-commerce, customs, tradefacilitation and maritime services.

In 2019, the total value of Singapore's goods trade with PAreached 6.1 billion SGD (4.5 billion USD), accounting for 33.2 percent ofSingapore's total merchandise trade turnover with countries in the Latin American region.Meanwhile, the turnover for service trade with the PA in 2018 reached 2.6billion USD, accounting for 28.2 percent of Singapore's total service tradeturnover with this region.

The PA was formally established in June 2012. Singapore became anObserver State to the PA in 2014 and a Candidate Associate State in 2017.

Singapore already has existing agreements withthree of the four PA countries - Chile, Mexico and Peru - that are also memberstates of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership./.
VNA

See more

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim (sixth from left) poses for a photo with foreign ministers of ASEAN countries, Timor Leste and ASEAN Secretary-General Dr. Kao Kim Hourn at the opening ceremony of the AMM-58 on July 9. (Photo: VNA)

AMM-58, related meetings open in Kuala Lumpur

AMM-58 is the largest gathering of ASEAN foreign ministers and senior diplomats from around the world to discuss pressing global and regional issues, promote cooperation, and advance the security and sustainability agenda in ASEAN.

(Photo: nationthailand.com)

Thailand hopes to conclude US trade talks before new deadline

The Southeast Asian country has offered to cut import duties on most US goods to zero, expand access for US agricultural and industrial products, and increase purchases of energy and Boeing jets. It also pledged to reduce its 46 billion USD trade surplus with the US by 70% within five years.

A resident buys vegetables at a Bangkok supermarket. (Photo: bangkokpost.com)

Thailand’s CPI falls for 3rd straight month in June

Thailand’s consumer price index (CPI) declined for a third consecutive month in June, attributed to lower energy and food prices, though there are no signs of deflation, according to the country’s Commerce Ministry.

Jirayu Huangsap, Spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s Office (Photo: The nation)

Thai cabinet approves withdrawal of entertainment complex bill

The bill, which had previously been proposed by the Ministry of Finance, outlined mechanisms for regulating entertainment businesses through a two-level committee system: the Comprehensive Entertainment Policy Committee and the Entertainment Business Control Board. The goal is to establish standards and regulatory measures for the industry.

Illustrative image (Photo: https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/)

Southeast Asia seeks additional tariff negotiations with US

The US decided to keep unchanged tariff rates on certain countries in Southeast Asia, such as 32% for Indonesia and 36% for Thailand, effective from August 1. Malaysia faces a 25% rate, up from the 24% that the US threatened in April.

A screenshot of the article.

Mexican media praises Vietnam’s development achievements

Since initiating the Doi Moi (Renewal) reforms in 1986, Vietnam has maintained strong momentum. In 2024, the country posted a GDP growth rate of 7.09%, placing it among the fastest-growing economies globally. Forecasts suggest it could join the world’s top 20 economies by 2029.

Newly installed Labour Minister Pongkawin Jungrungruangkit on his first day at the ministry. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand prioritises AI training, job creation

The new Thai Labour Minister's five policies include equipping Thai workers with AI skills by focusing on developing AI curricula aligned with the manufacturing and service sectors and providing all worker groups with skill training through cross-sector collaborations.

Electric vehicles inside BYD's factory in Rayong, Thailand. (Photo: Reuters/VNA)

Thailand’s electric vehicle market heats up

Hyper-competition in China's electric vehicle sector is spilling over to its biggest market in Asia, Thailand, as smaller players struggle to compete with dominant BYD, putting ambitious local production plans at risk.

Laos steps up biodiversity conservation efforts

Laos steps up biodiversity conservation efforts

Laos is home to over 500 fish species, which play a vital role in maintaining the country's ecological balance and represent an important part of its natural heritage. Each year, nationwide activities are held to raise public awareness, especially among young people, about the importance of conserving aquatic life and protecting ecosystems.

This photo provided by the Geological Agency of Indonesia's Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry shows volcanic materials spewing from Mount Lewotobi Laki-Laki at East Flores regency in East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, on July 7. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Indonesia: Flights to Bali cancelled amid volcanic eruption

Mount Lewotobi, standing at 1,584 metres, last erupted in November 2024, claiming nine lives and displacing thousands. It is one of Indonesia’s 127 active volcanoes, as the country lies on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a region known for intense tectonic and volcanic activity.