Scene at the signing ceremony of the ASEAN–Hongkong, China Free Trade Agreement and ASEAN-Hongkong, China Investment Agreement in Manila, the Philippines, in November 2017. (Photo: asean.org)
Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN – Hong Kong Free TradeAgreement (FTA) is now in its final stage and is hoped to take effect within2019, according to Xinhua news agency.
Xinhua quoted Law Kin-wai, director general of the Hong KongEconomic and Trade Office in Jakarta, Indonesia, as saying on February 12 that memberstates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are proceedingwith necessary domestic ratifications and procedures that would pave the wayfor the enforcement of the FTA.
Representatives from ASEAN member states and the specialadministrative region of China signed the pact and an investment agreement inNovember 2017.
Law said both sides wanted the FTA to come into force in2019, preferably in the middle of the year.
The agreement looks to offer more legal certainty and easiermarket access for goods flow between ASEAN and Hong Kong. Under the trade deal,Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand, agreed to cut customs duties of85 percent of goods listed in their tariff schedules within 10 years.
The ASEAN comprises 10 member states, namely Brunei,Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore,Thailand and Vietnam. -VNA
Officials of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Hong Kong ( China ) have agreed that an ASEAN-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) could yield mutual benefits, the ASEAN Secretariat said on April 2.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China’s Hong Kong on September 9 announced the conclusion of their negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a related Investment Agreement.
The ASEAN-Hong Kong free trade agreement, once taking effect, will help tighten relations between Hong Kong and ASEAN member states, including Vietnam, especially in economy and trade.
Pichai said the trade talks with the US are important and need to move forward professionally, without regard for any political changes in Thailand, believing that Thailand has clear principles, guidelines and procedures in place.
The tax adjustment supports the Malaysian Government’s strategy to reduce reliance on foreign food supply chains and to assist domestic farmers, a finance official has said.
The proposed venue is located in the Chatuchak area of Bangkok, featuring eight public sites, including Krungthep Aphiwat Central Terminal and several nearby parks.
Connectivity is expected to improve further with the completion of the fifth Laos–Thailand Friendship Bridge by the end of 2025, facilitating logistics and agricultural exports to Vietnam, Thailand, and China.
Two naval gunboats intercepted a fishing vessel carrying 1.5 tonnes of methamphetamine hydrochloride off the coast of the main island of Luzon just before dawn, in a joint operation with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In the today context of socio-economic development and growth, the professionalism of Vietnam’s revolutionary journalists continues to rise, guided by exemplary mastery of new information technologies and the modernisation of their founding principles to preserve the enduring values of revolutionary journalism.
Thai Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce Vuttikrai Leewiraphan Thailand's formal proposal will be substantial enough for the US to consider further detailed negotiations. He hoped for a tariff rate not exceeding 10% and suggested that the US might extend the negotiation period if an agreement is not reached by the July 8 deadline.
Organised by the Ministry of Culture and the Association of Thai Silk & Culture Promotions, the event honors Her Majesty the Queen on her 47th birthday anniversary and promotes Thai craftsmanship on an international stage.
Prensa Latina's recent article on Vietnam’s assurance of smooth and effective transition to a leaner structure highlighted Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s latest directions on implementing 28 resolutions regarding the decentralisation and delegation of authority.
The lab focuses on four key thematic areas: energy transition and green innovation, sustainable agriculture, circular economy and sustainable cities, and nature-based solutions and biodiversity.
The key content of the document titled "Accelerating Innovative Strategies: Addressing the OOSCY Challenges" will be refined further in a seminar preceding the 47th ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur this October.
This follows Telegram’s serious failure to address the content that has been repeatedly reported to them, despite various efforts of negotiation and cooperation made by MCMC, it said.
Efforts to empower women must transcend dialogue and translate into concrete commitments, including corporate pledges and government partnerships, according to the spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The forum featured two in-depth discussion sessions, engaging representatives from governments, think tanks, and businesses from both ASEAN and China, on how to forge closer ties for a common future.
The new FIFA Hub in Jakarta will not only support football development in Indonesia but also serve as a coordination centre for 21 football associations across Southeast and East Asia.
Minister Counselor Nguyen Hoang Nguyen reaffirmed Vietnam’s principled and consistent stance on the Palestine issue, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire across the entire Gaza Strip.
PM Anwar Ibrahim affirmed the determination of Malaysia, as ASEAN Chair for 2025, to utilise all viable regional mechanisms of the bloc and work with partners to de-escalate violence and restore a peace process led by Myanmar.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the Vietnam’s Revolutionary Press Day (June 21, 1925–2025), Nikulina, who is also a veteran journalist of Russia’s Sputnik News, emphasised the vital role of mainstream journalism in defending the truth and maintaining public trust.
The Ministry of Commerce reported that imports also rose 18% to 29.9 billion USD during the same period, resulting in a trade surplus of 1.1 billion USD. In May alone, Thailand posted a 4.6 billion USD trade surplus with the US and a 4.1 billion USD trade deficit with China.
Scene at the signing ceremony of the ASEAN–Hongkong, China Free Trade Agreement and ASEAN-Hongkong, China Investment Agreement in Manila, the Philippines, in November 2017. (Photo: asean.org) 
