Singapore promotes Asian infrastructure construction
Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the launch of Infrastructure Asia at the eighth Asia-Singapore Infrastructure Roundtable on October 23.
Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat (Source: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) – Singaporean FinanceMinister Heng Swee Keat announced the launch of Infrastructure Asia at theeighth Asia-Singapore Infrastructure Roundtable on October 23.
In his opening address, Heng said the newgovernment agency will serve as a bridge for different industry players across theinfrastructure ecosystem, multilateral development banks, and the publicsector.
It will work closely with the private sector,governments, and commercial and multilateral development banks to provide customisedsolutions to meet the specific needs and requirements of each local market.
The agency is also expected to be a one-stopplatform for the information exchange and sharing of best practices in Asia.
At the roundtable, Infrastructure Asia signedtwo memoranda of understanding with the World Bank (WB) and the SingaporeBusiness Federation.
According to a publication released by theAsian Development Bank (ADB) in June, the infrastructure needs of developingcountries in Asia will reach nearly 26 trillion USD from 2016 to 2030, or 1.7trillion USD per year.–VNA
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) wants to work with Ho Chi Minh City in tacking urban issues, such as traffic congestion and waste treatment, said President of the bank Jin Liqun.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will coordinate with Malaysia to support infrastructure development in the ASEAN region, said the bank's president Jin Liqun on February 6.
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral development bank, has helped many Asian countries have better infrastructure, deeper regional integration, and accelerated poverty reduction, said an official from the bank.
Ho Chi Minh City and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) hope to enhance their ties to facilitate infrastructure development in Vietnam’s southern economic hub.
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.
The World Bank will provide a 2.1 billion USD financing package for Indonesia, focusing oncreating jobs, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing access to clean energy across the country.
Member states also reviewed progress on six priority areas for 2025, including the development of an underground cable framework, the follow-up agreement to the ASEAN Petroleum Security Agreement (APSA), the launch of the ASEAN Energy Efficiency Database, and the rollout of an investment platform for sustainable building initiatives.
In March, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met with Formula 1 chief Stefano Domenicali and said Thailand would commission a feasibility study into hosting a Grand Prix on a Bangkok street circuit from 2028.
The proposed giant sea wall aligns with bilateral cooperation and has been designated a national priority, considering that several regions in Indonesia are experiencing land subsidence of 10–15 centimetres per year.
International flights were cancelled including Jetstar and Virgin Australia flights to cities across Australia, and flights of Air India, Air New Zealand, Singapore's TigerAir and China's Juneyao Airlines.
The partnership aims to strengthen collaboration in the exploration and exploitation of mineral resources, including gold, copper, and manganese, as well as in the development of steel, aluminum, and renewable energy industries.
The Thai cabinet has approved a seven-year EV bus leasing scheme proposed by the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) for the capital, with an estimated cost of 15.35 billion THB (over 470 million USD).
Aircraft are prohibited from flying below 6,000 metres in the vicinity of the volcano, and should also remain alert to the presence of volcanic ash, which can disrupt flights.
Laos declared the transfer of the press management functions of five key media agencies and associated personnel to the Propaganda and Training Board of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee.
Univers said in a statement that the new centre will serve as a hub for innovation, bringing together digital intelligence and climate ambition to accelerate Sarawak's transition toward a low-carbon, tech-enabled economy.
The target is to be completely free from plastic waste within two years. This can only be achieved if all parties implement the initiative with strong discipline.
Indonesia is taking new steps to improve protections for fishery workers, amid concerns over low wages, harsh working conditions, and limited access to social welfare.
The 2025 ASEAN- the Republic of Korea (RoK) Connectivity Forum that opened in Jakarta on June 17 reaffirmed a shared commitment to shaping a connected, resilient future by advancing the ASEAN Connectivity Strategic Plan.
The desk will serve as a service centre providing market intelligence, business licensing guidance, facilitating business cooperation, identifying potential investment projects, and harmonising regulatory policies between the two parties.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim noted that the Asia-Pacific region accounted for half of global energy consumption and 60% of greenhouse gas emissions in 2024. Despite this, regional countries, including eight of ten ASEAN member states, remain committed to climate goals, including net-zero emissions and tripling global renewable capacity by 2030.
Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat (Source: AFP) 
