TikTok to invest 1.5 billion USD in Indonesia's GoTo group

Chinese short-video platform TikTok on December 11 announced an investment of 1.5 billion USD in GoTo technology firm of Indonesia following an agreement to restart its shopping app in the Southeast Asian country.
Hanoi (VNA) – Chinese short-video platformTikTok on December 11 announced an investment of 1.5 billion USD in GoTotechnology firm of Indonesia following an agreement to restart its shopping appin the Southeast Asian country.

Under the deal, the social media giant will combine itsIndonesian TikTok Shop business with GoTo’s e-commerce unit Tokopedia. TikTokgets a 75% stake in the combination, which will run the shopping features ofTikTok’s social media app in Indonesia.

A statement of GoTo said that TikTok has committed to investover 1.5 billion USD in the enlarged entity over time, to provide futurefunding required by the business, without additional dilution to GoTo. Goingforward, TikTok, Tokopedia and GoTo will transform Indonesia’s e-commercesector, creating millions of new job opportunities over the next five years.

The transaction, which is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, is inline with the GoTo Group’s strategy to strengthen its financial and strategicposition by growing its total addressable market, it said.

In October, TikTok was forced to shut down its e-commerceservice in Indonesia when authorities banned online shopping on social mediaplatforms, a move intended to protect small merchants.

Online commerce platforms such as Tokopedia, Shopee andLazada dominate the Indonesian e-commerce market. However, TikTok Shop hasgained significant market share since its presence in Indonesia in 2021. With125 million users, Indonesia is TikTok's second-largest market in the worldafter the US./.
VNA

See more

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.

Delegate pose for a photo before the opening of the ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on July 7. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends ASEAN Senior Officials' Meeting in Malaysia

Ambassador Binh and other representatives highly appreciated the role of the ASEAN Chair - Malaysia - in coordinating and leading ASEAN cooperation to achieve many advances, gradually concretising the orientation of "inclusivity and sustainability".

Sandbags are put up in flood-prone areas in Mae Sai district of Chiang Rai province on Friday. (Photo: Chiang Rai public relations office)

Thailand braces for floods, landslides

Thailand’s Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) has issued an urgent weather alert for 33 provinces across the North, Northeast, Central and South, warning of flash floods, forest runoff, landslides and rising water levels in major rivers, particularly the Mekong, between July 6 and 12.

Unmanned assassin: Air force officers test a 'Kamikaze' UAV made to boost their combat readiness. Royal Thai Air Force (Photo: Bangkokpost)

Thai air force develops squadron of 'Kamikaze' drones

The project is a collaboration between the Navaminda Kasatriyadhiraj Royal Air Force Academy, the Directorate of Armament of the RTAF and the RTAF's Research and Development Centre for Space and Aeronautical Science and Technology.

Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani arrives at the Naval Station Ernesto Ogbinar, previously known as Wallace Air Station, in San Fernando City, La Union province, Philippines, on February 23, 2025. (Photo: REUTERS)

Japan eyes export of used destroyers to Philippines

The Japanese Government hopes that the transfer of used destroyers to the Philippines will qualify as a form of defence cooperation, as the ships would be modified to meet the specific operational needs of the Philippine side.

(Photo: Screenshot)

Argentine media hails Vietnam’s growing contributions to int’l community

In its article published on July 6, Reporte Asia stated that Vietnam has held key international roles, including ASEAN Chair in 1998, 2010, and 2020; the host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forums in 2006 and 2017; and the member of the UN Human Rights Council in 2014–2016 and 2023–2025, demonstrating its commitment to dialogue and joint problem-solving.

ASEAN conducts technical review relating to SEANWFZ protocol

ASEAN conducts technical review relating to SEANWFZ protocol

Malaysia’s Foreign Ministry Secretary-General Datuk Seri Amran Mohamed Zin said the measure reflects ASEAN’s continued efforts to strengthen global commitment to the principle of nuclear non-proliferation and to make Southeast Asia a fully nuclear weapon-free zone.

Poder360 reports on the talks between Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Lula da Silva. (Screenshot of the article – VNA)

Brazilian newspapers highlight Vietnamese PM’s trip to Rio de Janeiro

According to the Brazilian government-run Planalto news site, during their talks on July 5 (local time), PM Chinh and President Lula da Silva celebrated the excellent status of the bilateral relations as well as the progress made since the latter’s state visit to Hanoi last April.

Brazil’s INVERTA Radio highlights Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: VNA).

Brazilian media praises Vietnam’s multilateral diplomacy

With a vibrant economy, a population nearing 100 million, and deep integration into global supply chains, Vietnam brings to Brazil the story of a nation that has evolved from isolation to becoming a trusted and active participant in shaping multilateral frameworks.

Thailand's digital GDP growth is being boosted by huge investments in data centres. (Photo: https://www.bangkokpost.com/)

Thailand's digital GDP expected to grow 6.2% this year

According to the official, the digital economy has played a key role in lifting the Thai economy. In the past five months, the value of digital exports tallied 860 billion THB (26.54 billion USD), up 35% year-on-year.