Japan, ASEAN seek to facilitate trade through digital shift
Japan will work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to promote the digital processing of import-export activities in an effort to facilitate bilateral trade, Nikkei Asia reported.
Tokyo (VNA) – Japan will work with the Association ofSoutheast Asian Nations (ASEAN) members to promote the digital processing of import-exportactivities in an effort to facilitate bilateral trade, Nikkei Asia reported.
It said that the two sides will agree on a digital roadmapas part of an action plan to be discussed at the Japan-ASEAN economicministers' meeting to be held in Indonesia at the end of this month.
The roadmap will include targets for the volume of trade tobe digitised, as well a goal of digitising customs procedures in each country.
Trade between Japan and ASEAN countries grew 17% to 240.2billion USD in 2021, according to ASEAN data, but much of this remains bound bypaper and email chains.
Each import and export transaction can involve dozens ofdocuments, including certificates of origin and payment information. The formatdiffers from company to company, making the process cumbersome.
Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will request1.5 billion yen (10.3 million USD) in funding for next fiscal year's budget tosupport expanding such private-sector services. METI aims to subsidisemanufacturers and trading companies that use these cross-border services on atrial basis.
The Japan-ASEAN roadmap will also include partnerships onextracting and recycling minerals from discarded products.
The move comes as nations seek stable sources of lithium,rare-earth elements and other critical minerals amid concerns of supplyshortages. Japan has invested in recycling critical minerals extracted fromdiscarded electronics. The Japanese government is looking to bring its homegrownrecycling technology to ASEAN./.
According to Japan’s Nikkei web, the country will propose sharing supply chain data with ASEAN member states, as part of the measures to strengthen economic ties with the region.
Vietnam’s merchandise trade with Asia reached 475.29 billion USD in 2022, increasing by 9.6% compared to 2021 and accounting for the highest proportion (65.1%) in the country's total import-export value.
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.
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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.
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.
Illustrative image (Photo: AFP) 
