Southeast Asia's rubber producers brace for new EU rules
The European Union (EU)'s rules aimed at stopping deforestation threaten widespread disruption for Southeast Asia's rubber sector, from Cambodia's 30,000 small farmers to major exporters in Thailand and Malaysia, according to Nikkei Asia.
Hanoi (VNA) - The European Union (EU)'s rules aimed at stoppingdeforestation threaten widespread disruption for Southeast Asia's rubbersector, from Cambodia's 30,000 small farmers to major exporters in Thailand andMalaysia, according to Nikkei Asia.
The EU's deforestation regulation (EUDR) aimsto ban imports of seven commodities, including cattle, cocoa, coffee, palm oil,rubber, soy and wood items, if they come from land that was deforested afterDecember 31, 2020.
Accordingly, companies dealing in such imports will have to provide"conclusive and verifiable information" mapping their supply chains,including geolocation data for where products were grown, to ensure productsare compliant.
Compliance will become mandatory in December2024 for larger companies and in June 2025 for smaller enterprises.
Critics said the concern for Southeast Asia isthat these requirements will disproportionately hurt small farmers whilefailing to adequately address rubber's role in deforestation.
Thailand, the world's biggest rubber producerand exporter, is attempting to get out ahead of the new rules. Regulators therehave set up a national platform to help the country's more than 5 millionfarmers meet the impending traceability requirements.
Producers in Thailand are also grappling withincreased costs as sustainability becomes more of a concern for buyers and alegal requirement in more jurisdictions.
Thai Rubber Latex Group Chairman VorathepWongsasuthikul said building a system to allow customers to trace theirproducts' provenance would push production costs up by 10%./.
Thailand, the world’s top natural rubber producer, would delay its cuts in rubber exports till May 20 instead of the initially planned date of April 1 due to its general election, according to officials from Indonesia and Malaysia.
Thailand topped the list of rubber exporting countries in the first half of this year, with shipments of 2.19 million tonnes valued at 70.5 billion THB (2 billion USD), Advisor to Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives Alongkorn Ponlaboot revealed on August 12.
A scheme worth 7.6 billion THB (215 million USD) has been approved by the cabinet of Thailand to guarantee rubber prices for 1.6 million farmers registered with the country’s Rubber Authority.
Indonesia is seeking partnership with fellow rubber producer Thailand due to plummeting prices facing the country and the European Union's rollout of an anti-deforestation law.
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.
The new halal cooperation arrangement will streamline halal certification and product assurance processes, making it easier for New Zealand exporters to access the Indonesian market.
Illustrative image (Photo: //arc-group.com/) 
