In both countries, production of japonica rice, which is the same short-grain variety as that produced in Japan, has been expanding amid a boom in washoku Japanese cuisine.
The Prime Minister emphasised the importance of the council representing the private sector, driving economic integration, strengthening supply chains, and advancing digital and green transformation, in line with the ASEAN Community Vision 2045.
In Q1 2025, RMB transactions between China and Malaysia reached 102 billion yuan ($4 billion), up 27 per cent, while those with Cambodia hit five billion yuan ($686 million), a 45 per cent rise.
The agreement is seen to enhance business opportunities across a free trade area of over 703 million people, with a combined gross domestic product of more than US$5.6 trillion (S$7.3 trillion).
The panic buying comes as South Korea was slapped with a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff rate – among the worst-hit of countries with existing free trade agreements with the US.
The programme, with support from more than 35 public and private sector organisations led by the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, seeks to empower over 1 million Thais by the end of 2025.
There are currently 28 electric vehicle production projects by 22 companies in Thailand, with a total investment of approximately 78 billion baht and a combined production capacity of over 880,000 units.
Djoko Siswanto, head of SKK Migas, says that the two fields are located offshore in the Northwest of Java and are expected to commence operations by the end of this year.
Federal Express Corporation has further enhanced service between Southeast Asia and the US with the launch of its first direct flight from Singapore to Anchorage.
Zhang Yiming''s, 41, personal wealth has reached $57.5 billion, surpassing Zhong Shanshan, founder of bottled water company Nongfu Spring and Tencent Chairman and CEO Ma Huateng.
Despite robust development in their trade ties, Việt Nam''s Hà Giang province and Wenshan in China’s Yunnan province have not yet capitalised on their immense potential, making trade revenue lagging behind expectations.
Japan argued that the Asian country should be exempted from the tariffs as the investments by Japanese companies in the US contribute to the economy and job creation.
The Investment, Trade and Industry Minister said this includes upgrading the Asean Trade In Goods Agreement (Atiga), continuing discussions on the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (Defa) and Timor Leste''s membership into the grouping.
First launched in 2021, Climate Hack aims to equip individuals in Asia with digital skills to develop and accelerate tech-driven solutions for climate change.
