Malaysia’s strategies as Asean chair in 2025 focuses on regional value chains, says Anwar

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VIENTIANE: Malaysia has outlined three corporate objectives for Asean when it assumes the team’s chairman in 2025, including strengthening regional value chains and governmental assistance, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Addressing the 44th Asean Summit Plenary Session on Wednesday ( Oct 9 ), the Prime Minister stressed the importance of expanding trade and investment linkages and fostering digital transformation in the region.

ALSO READ: Asean had proudly display cohesion to a divided earth, says PM

The other methods include reinforcing part countries ‘ economic fundamentals and reinventing, restructuring, and recalibrating their markets while leveraging each other’s capabilities.

” Asean needs to secure the local provide network and enhance its global economic links.

” I believe that with dedication and determination, Asean can obtain financial endurance and be on record to become the fourth-largest business by 2030,” Anwar said.

ALSO READ: Anwar joins major officials at Asean Summit in Laos

As the approaching Asean head, Anwar was the next president to address the full treatment, following Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.

Officials from all 10 Asian member states attended the conference at the National Convention Center (NCC).

Anwar noted that intra-Asean industry has remained low for centuries despite Southeast Asia’s substantial economic growth.

” There is vast potential for enhancement, particularly with the upcoming upgrade of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement ( ATIGA ) to be signed in 2025,” he said.

ALSO READ: PM Anwar arrives in Vientiane for Asean Summits and Associated Summits

However, Anwar urged Asean to discover and expand financial partnerships beyond provincial borders.

” Malaysia’s plan for the Asean-GCC China Summit in 2025 aims to achieve this growth. I appreciate the help of Asean member state for this plan,” he said.

Anwar furthermore commented on Timor-Leste’s looming addition, highlighting that it will increase the region’s business and contribute to Asean becoming a more financially resilient union.

ALSO READ: Asean purchase website shows growth prospects

Timor-Leste was granted standard observer status and received in-principle assent to meet Asean during the 40th and 41st conferences in Cambodia in 2022.

The 44th and 45th Asean Summits and Related Summits officially began in the Lao capital on Wednesday and will conclude on Friday ( Oct 11 ).

Anwar, who arrived on Tuesday evening, may even go the Plus One Summits with speech associates such as Australia, China, Japan, India, South Korea, the United States, and Canada, as well as the Asean Plus Three Summit, East Asia Summit, and Asean-United Countries Summit.

Another Asean officials and speech partners, including Taiwanese Premier Li Qiang and United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken, are expected to participate.

The conferences will argue on Oct 11, with Laos turning over the Asean chair to Malaysia during the final service.

Wisma Putra confirmed that Anwar is scheduled to give a statement outlining Malaysia’s perspective as Asean head during the festival, with Malaysia actually assuming the chair on Jan 1, 2025. – Bernama

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Indonesia introduces visa-free travel for Singapore PRs visiting Bintan, Batam, Karimun Islands

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In a bid to boost tourism and investment in the regional economic zones, permanent residents ( PR ) in Singapore can now travel without a visa to Bintan, Batam, and the Karimun Islands.

According to Indonesia’s director-general of emigration, foreigners with PR status can be for up to four times under the new regulations. &nbsp,

In a statement on Tuesday ( October 8 ), Mr. Silam stated that by providing BVK ( free visit visas ) for Singapore PRs to travel to Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, it will be simpler for them ( Singapore PR holders ) to spend the weekend or just a short break, such as enjoying nature, culinary tourism, or shopping.

He added that BVK buyers can provide via the crossings at Bintan Island, Batam Island, and the Karimun Regency place.

The Riau region’s interface points will be covered by the rules. The ships that serve the complimentary attend visas for Singapore PR buyers include Nongsa Terminal Bahari, Marina Teluk Senimba, Batam Centre, Citra Tri Tunas, Sekupang, Sri Bintan Pura, Bandar Bentan Telani Lagoi and Tanjung Balai Karimun.

Mr. Silmy also praised the potential for tourism in the Riau Islands, as well as the numerous special economic zones in the area, including Batam’s Nongsa SEZ and Bintan Resorts, which are integrated hubs for online business, innovative economy, and tourism.

The BVK facility for Batam, Bintan, and Karimun “aside from encouraging tourism growth,” he said in the statement.” It also makes it easier for Singapore PR holders who are interested in business or investment in ( the ) KEK ( special economic zone ) in Batam. &nbsp,

He even warned that the peaceful requirements also require a careful selection of visitors. &nbsp, &nbsp,

However, he added that this plan also applies to incoming foreigners in order to lessen possible disruptions to safety and order. &nbsp,

Mr Silmy’s speech did not elaborate on the selection process. &nbsp,

The new legislation particularly targets Singapore PRs, providing a more simplified visa-free solution with a focus on specific regions, in contrast to the current visa-free access plan for ASEAN part states, which applies widely to tourism and short stays.

According to Singapore’s statistics ministry, there are around 545, 000 Submission living in the Lion City. &nbsp,

These are foreign nationals who have received a continuous residency that makes it possible for them to live in Singapore permanently.

Indonesia, Southeast Asia’s largest economy, has introduced various initiatives, such as” second home” and golden visas for wealthy global citizens and foreign investors.

Bintan and Batam have recently started efforts to make it easier to go in the area. In 2022, during the COVID-19 crisis, Indonesia launched the travel bubble area, which included Bintan, Batam and Singapore. The procedure was only used at Bandar Bentan Telani dock at the time. &nbsp,

According to local media, Indonesia’s president Joko Widodo released the most recent record of 13 nations and regions that are eligible for visa-free entry to the island earlier this year. &nbsp,

It included Hong Kong as one of the three areas outside ASEAN and Timor-Leste to be granted an provision, along with two South American nations, Suriname and Colombia.

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ChatGPT-maker OpenAI to open Singapore office this year to support regional expansion

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Additionally, OpenAI and AI Singapore partnered to expand the use of sophisticated AI in Southeast Asia.

” Through the collaboration, OpenAI may provide up to US$ 1 million to help build resources, including open datasets, to maintain AI models are better suited to Southeast Asia’s different languages and cultures”, the company said. &nbsp,

This initiative will increase the availability and quality of East Asian information, according to Dr. Leslie Teo, senior director of AI items at AI Singapore, and encourage the growth and deployment of AI versions and solutions in our area.

According to OpenAI, its presence there will also make it easier to collaborate with government partners like the Economic Development Board ( EDB).

Jacqueline Poh, the managing director of EDB, praised OpenAI’s decision to establish a reputation in Singapore as evidence of the country’s expanding AI habitat. &nbsp,

” We anticipate the multiple implications of this decision.”

Oliver Jay has been appointed managing director for worldwide to help the company spearhead its regional efforts in Singapore and throughout the region. &nbsp,

Based in Singapore, he may oversee OpenAI’s worldwide operations and international expansion. &nbsp,

On November 21, OpenAI may sponsor its second Developer Day in Singapore.

The event, according to the business, will “unite the country’s vibrant community of programmers and start-ups who are building the future of AI.” &nbsp,

The company gained acclaim from the government after ChatGPT’s people release in late 2022.

OpenAI raised US$ 6.6 billion in cash and secured a US$ 4 billion credit collection earlier this month, propelling it to a reported US$ 157 billion pricing.

It has already opened offices in Dublin and London.

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ChatGPT parent company OpenAI plans to open Singapore office this year to support regional expansion

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Singapore: ChatGPT parent company OpenAI announced plans to open an office in Singapore later this year on Wednesday ( 9 October ), adding that it has begun establishing a team there.

Singapore will be a hotspot from which OpenAI will help customers and partners throughout the Asia Pacific region, and the group around will help to&nbsp, develop relationships with local and regional governments, companies and institutions, said the business. &nbsp,

In its news at&nbsp, Tech Week Singapore, OpenAI said its ideas reflect Singapore’s “leadership place” in technology and artificial intelligence, as well as the growing demand for innovative AI tools across the Asia Pacific region.

OpenAI CEO&nbsp, Sam Altman&nbsp, said that Singapore “has emerged as a chief in synthetic knowledge”.

Mr. Altman continued,” The firm is excited to partner with the state and the country’s flourishing AI habitat” as it grows in the region. &nbsp,

Additionally, OpenAI and AI Singapore teamed up to expand the use of innovative AI in Southeast Asia.

” Through the partnership, OpenAI will provide up to US$ 1 million to help develop resources, including open datasets, to ensure AI models are better suited to Southeast Asia’s diverse languages and cultures” .&nbsp,

” This effort may increase the availability and quality of East Asian information, and encourage more development and adoption of AI types and options in our place,” said Dr. Leslie Teo, top director of AI products at AI Singapore.

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China’s e-payment systems WeChat, Alipay dominate its cashless society. Can they repeat their success in Southeast Asia?

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In May, the lodge started accepting digital payments on WeChat Spend and Alipay in its bars, restaurants, resort resort and gift shop – as well as for suite stays. The hotel confirmed there had been a rise in the number of customers using Taiwanese e-payment techniques, despite declining to disclose official statistics.

Another Taiwanese firm that has benefited is nearby bike-sharing controller Anywheel, whose fresh “mini-app” registered over 4, 500 new customers from China within its first quarter of launching in September. There were” three times more people registered with 86 amounts over a period of six times”, the company said, referring to China’s region code.

However, it has n’t just been big-name businesses that have been accepting digital yuan. Around 10,000 hawkers were accepting payments on WeChat, according to official records from the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). &nbsp,

Ms. Rachel Chua, 50, who runs a consume stall in the Maxwell Food Centre, claimed that Taiwanese tourists may use Alipay “even for something as little as 30-cent cell boxes.” To draw their attention, she displays important WeChat Spend and Paypal evidence at the front of her barn, she said. &nbsp,

But some Taiwanese visitors, like Ms Li Xiang, 36, from Guangxi, who travelled to Singapore with her partner during Golden Week, also rely on cash and cash to pay for their little payments”. Just in case, we exchanged some cash. We can use WeChat and Alipay in the shopping malls but smaller places, like some hawker stalls, do n’t accept it,” Ms Li told CNA. &nbsp,

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India-US partnership has deepened long-term under Biden – Asia Times

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This content was first published by Pacific Forum. It is republished with authority.

The September attend of India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the United States for meetings, both unilaterally as well as a piece of the&nbsp, 2024 Quad Summit, has drawn the spotlight to the&nbsp, state of US-India relations&nbsp, under the Biden administration.

In guiding India and the United States on a multi-generational partnership that required many administrations and many years of diligent work, the Trump presidency has proven to be fairly epochal. Alterations have to do with

  • US aid for India’s rapid industrial development and significant expansion of its tech partnership,
  • India is recognized as a significant person in the Indo-Pacific area and a key player in the US Indo-Pacific method.
  • combination of&nbsp, Quad&nbsp, as an essential gathering for regional and global great
  • calling for the shaping of the diplomatic agreement to involve both public and private players.
  • keeping the agreement on course despite significant difficulties.

The US drive for India’s ability building in the field of crucial and emerging technologies is arguably the most complete and forward-looking effort of the Trump era. The two countries signed an&nbsp, Initiative for Essential and Rising Technology&nbsp, (iCET ) in May 2022 that has opened a wide range of areas for bilateral cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum systems, area, 6G smart tech and semiconductor supply chain.

The US-India Climate and Clean Energy Agenda 2030 partnership, which would help India meet its 450 GW of solar energy goal for 2030, and support the US carry out its international climate efforts, has been established between the two nations.

India’s ability in&nbsp, classical technology is extremely minimal and therefore the US push including&nbsp, diplomatic quantum initiatives&nbsp, greatly benefits New Delhi’s modern rise.

India and the United States have also established really specific, meaningful projects involving visible outcomes and the exchange of high-end technologies to the American business habitat, further bolstering the diplomatic technology partnership. These efforts include

  • combined production of flight engines&nbsp, for fighter flights,
  • setting up a&nbsp, semiconductor processing flower and
  • the creation of high-performance processing facilities in India.

The Biden administration has also played a key role in allowing India to join a number of software venues:

  • the 14-member&nbsp, Mineral Security Partnership&nbsp, and
  • the US-based&nbsp, Quantum Economic Development Consortium&nbsp, ( QED-C), a consortium of institutions headquartered in 39 countries.

The US symphony to share&nbsp, essential and emerging technologies&nbsp, essential for India’s national security amplifies the country’s political importance in the US corporate calculus and the willingness to create a powerful tech-centric alignment with India.

India and the US continued to make headway in the security industry with the 2023 bilateral deal over combined creation of GE414-INS6 jet engines, the flagship initiative of the Biden administration. It is estimated that the deal would lead to roughly 80 %&nbsp, transfer of engine technology. However, the deal is likely to remain unrealized during the Biden presidency since it remains in the&nbsp, negotiation stage&nbsp, more than a year after its announcement.

Other significant announcements from the Biden administration have been made.

  • the development of India’s defense-industrial complex through the India-US Defense Acceleration Ecosystem ( INDUS-X),
  • agreement to establish a new&nbsp, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul ( MRO ) facility&nbsp, in India for the American C-130 Super Hercules aircrafts for India and other operators, and
  • the&nbsp, Indian procurement of MQ-9B drones&nbsp, that are expected to upscale India’s multi-domain capabilities in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance ( ISR ).

The Biden era saw a constant push to establish India as a significant regional group and strengthen its leadership position within the Quad. The member-states agreed in 2o21 to elevate the Quad to a summit-level initiative. With six summit-level meetings and eight foreign ministers ‘ meetings, the grouping metamorphosed in four years into a high-profile leaders-led initiative with&nbsp, a robust agenda for cooperation&nbsp, in the Indo-Pacific region.

Keeping its central purpose of facilitating maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region, the Quad took a major step in May 2022 and set up the&nbsp, Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness&nbsp, ( IPMDA ) to “offer near-real-time, integrated, and cost-effective maritime domain awareness information to partners in the region”. Since then, the IPMDA has expanded its mandate to cover the entire Indo-Pacific, including the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, and Pacific Island countries.

Reinforcing its maritime security objective, the&nbsp, 2024 Quad summit&nbsp, has unveiled three important initiatives:

  • the Maritime Initiative for Training in the Indo-Pacific ( MAITRI),
  • a maritime legal dialogue, and
  • a first-ever Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission.

At least six crucial issues with the potential to derail momentum in bilateral cooperation have been raised in the Biden era: at least six important issues; and: controversies that have challenged India-US relations.

    Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act-related sanctions, &nbsp, until issuance of an&nbsp, India-specific waiver&nbsp, in 2022,

  • Indian abstentions&nbsp, in pro-Ukraine multilateral diplomacy,
  • Indian imports of Russian oil&nbsp, despite the US sanctions,
  • US withdrawal from Afghanistan,
  • alleged&nbsp, Indian extraterritorial operations&nbsp, in Canada and the US, and
  • US criticism&nbsp, of human rights situations in India.

These issues will continue to challenge the partnership, along with issues such as export controls, tech transfer, and India-specific legislative waivers.

The next US administration should prioritize the establishment of a semiconductor manufacturing plant and the joint production of a Jet Engine GE414-INS6 in order to advance the relationship.

Notwithstanding bipartisan consensus on India’s importance in the US Indo-Pacific strategy, Biden’s legacy lies in the seriousness and non-transactional approach with which his administration pushed India-US partnership.

Unabhängig of who occupies the White House starting in 2025, the real challenge for the governments of the two nations will be to maintain the high level of interest, trust, and political will that characterized the Biden-led India-US partnership. It’s one thing to spell out the intentions, and it’s another to put them into practice.

Vibhanshu Shekhar&nbsp, ( vshekhar@american .edu ) teaches at American University.

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Commentary: New slate of leaders will grapple with contentious issues at Laos ASEAN summit

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A Mirror OF International Democratic POLARISATION

ASEAN has taken measures to isolate itself from conflict between its speech lovers. Until 2022, companions had consider issue-specific East Asia Summit claims. However, negotiation of these statements ( one of which was proposed by Russia in 2022 on the seemingly innocuous topic of volunteerism ) became too contentious.

Although it is still possible for the East Asia Summit to publish at least one simultaneously negotiated speech in 2024, it reflects the polarization in international politics that the discourse partners are no longer able to make their preferred language on global issues.

Because Laos is a weaker Asian part, some will already be looking to Malaysia’s chairman in 2025.

With his help for Hamas and a bias toward China’s posts on Taiwan and the South China Sea, Prime Minister Anwar has drawn global controversies. But the ASEAN chair’s control is often limited, so Anwar’s personal views did not alter the path of the organisation.

Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, has already been invited to the 2025 ASEAN summits, which could give Moscow the chance to achieve complete proper companion status, which Australia, China, the United States, and Japan now possess ( South Korea will receive extensive proper partner status confirmed later this year ).

So the ASEAN show will travel to Laos and then resume. Real progress on pressing issues will be severely lacking. However, ASEAN’s convening power is perhaps more crucial than ever as the world environment becomes more contested and the scope for international consensus narrows.

Susannah Patton is the Lowy Institute’s Director of the Southeast Asia Program. This commentary first appeared on the Lowy Institute’s blog, The Interpreter.

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South Korea’s Yoon shops for a bigger role in SE Asia – Asia Times

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In addition to strengthening diplomatic ties with the Philippines and Singapore, President Yoon Suk Yeol’s planned vacation to Southeast Asia for the week of February has a goal to strengthen South Korea’s position there.

Yoon’s attend to the Philippines is especially important, marking the first state visit by a South Korean president in 13 times. The visit aims to deepen their previously solid partnership in conjunction with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The main goal is to strengthen financial relations. Yoon’s meeting with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr is expected to yield several agreements, including memoranda of understanding ( MOUs ) aimed at fostering cooperation in energy, supply chains, maritime affairs and various industries.

This coincides with South Korea’s wider desire to secure its financial future by forming alliances in sectors crucial to addressing global supply chain problems. South Korea can benefit from diversifying its strength and raw material sources thanks to the Philippines ‘ swiftly expanding economy and abundance of natural resources.

Also, the visit emphasizes the significance of private-sector engagement. Yoon will participate in the Korea-Business Philippines Forum, which is anticipated to get around 40 Asian companies. This business-focused view demonstrates South Korea’s devotion to expanding its economic relations with the Philippines beyond traditional political programmes.

The website is expected to create opportunities for Asian enterprises to discover new ventures in the Philippines, particularly in technology, system, and natural power.

Deepening diplomatic ties with Singapore

Singapore, the most advanced sector in Southeast Asia, is a vital prevent on Yoon’s political trip. This attend coincides with Singapore’s upcoming 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which highlights the significance of their long-standing relationship.

President Yoon’s discussions with President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong may center on improving and expanding diplomatic assistance in response to changing global dynamics as Singapore continues to be a key player in world trade and technical development.

Technology is expected to be a significant area of collaboration. South Korea, a global leader in advanced manufacturing and digital innovation, stands to gain a lot from strengthening ties with Singapore, which is renowned for its progress in developing smart cities and digital economies.

During Yoon’s visit, treaties and memoranda of understanding will be signed to formalize this cooperation, paving the way for both countries to explore new opportunities in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the digital economy.

Additionally, Yoon’s participation in the Singapore Lecture series will offer a vital platform for outlining his vision for regional security and unification.

For the first time, he will make a presentation about the” August 15 Unification Doctrine” of his administration, which envisions a unified Korean Peninsula contributing to regional harmony and stability.

In light of the rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, Yoon’s address is anticipated to address the strategic implications of unification. Yoon hopes to position South Korea as a leader in fostering peace and prosperity in the region by encouraging more international cooperation and solidarity.

Elevating Korea-ASEAN relations

Yoon’s participation at the Korea-ASEAN Summit in Laos will be his most significant and significant diplomatic tour. South Korea and ASEAN are anticipated to formally establish their relationship in this regard as a long-term strategic partnership.

Building on more than three decades of cooperation, South Korea’s relationship with ASEAN is significantly improved by this milestone. The elevation of this relationship reflects ASEAN’s growing importance as a strategic partner for South Korea, particularly in the realms of economic cooperation, regional security, and cultural exchange.

The market for South Korean goods and services is rapidly expanding thanks to ASEAN, which consists of ten member states and has a combined population of over 650 million. Its strategic location within the Indo-Pacific strengthens its position as a crucial partner for South Korea in efforts to uphold regional stability and security.

The comprehensive strategic partnership focuses on deepening cooperation in green growth, digital transformation, and sustainable development, aiming to promote mutually beneficial growth in both regions.

South Korea’s participation in the ASEAN Plus Three Summit, which features leaders from China and Japan, underscores the value of trilateral cooperation in addressing regional issues.

Yoon’s expected summit with Japan’s likely next prime minister, Shigeru Ishiba, could signal a new phase in South Korea-Japan relations. Both nations share concerns about regional security, which could encourage greater collaboration despite the country’s historically contentious relationship and grievances that have not been resolved.

South Korea hopes to play a more proactive role in shaping the Indo-Pacific’s security landscape by engaging with Japan and China.

South Korea’s commitment to boosting its involvement in the region is reflected in the formalization of a comprehensive strategic partnership with ASEAN while strengthening bilateral ties with nations like Singapore and the Philippines. However, to fully leverage this enhanced partnership, South Korea must broaden its focus beyond economic trade and agreements.

South Korea needs to play a more active role in regional security issues, particularly those involving the South China Sea, where several ASEAN members are currently at odds with China over their territorial disputes. South Korea could act as a mediator by utilizing its diplomatic contacts with both ASEAN and China to promote dialogue and conflict resolution.

South Korea should also invest in ASEAN nations ‘ educational and cultural exchanges, as these initiatives can help establish long-term relationships that go beyond government agreements. By nurturing people-to-people ties, South Korea can ensure that its partnerships with ASEAN are resilient and sustainable.

Former Indonesian Foreign Ministry diplomat Simon Hutagalung The views expressed in this article are his own.

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