Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (Source: AFP/VNA) Singapore (VNA) - Negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have reached a “critical stage” and a conclusion is “finally in sight”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on August 29. In his opening speech at the 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) and related meetings on August 29, strengthening regional economic cooperation and integration is key for ASEAN to fully realise its potential. This includes pressing on with the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025, as well as supporting an open and inclusive multilateral system amid growing trade conflict, he said. The Singaporean PM noted that escalating trade tensions between the US and its key trading partners have put the rules-based multilateral trading system, which has underpinned ASEAN’s growth and prosperity, under pressure. Each ASEAN member state is … [Read more...] about Singapore PM: RCEP negotiations likely to be concluded this year
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Leading Asian medical exhibitions open in Singapore today
The ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the fairs Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry, attended the opening ceremony. Open to trade professionals and all those involved in the medical and healthcare sectors until August 31, 2018, the synergistic trade exhibitions for the medical, healthcare, and MedTech sectors are part of MEDICAlliance’s network of trade fairs—sharing the global expertise of MEDICA, REHACARE, and COMPAMED—by Messe Düsseldorf Group. Medical and healthcare advances reflecting industry trends The two exhibitions will showcase innovations and technology from the exhibitors. Medical Fair Asia will present its largest-ever line-up of national pavilions and groups: 23 in total, including first-time participants from Belgium, Brazil, Denmark, the European Union, Iran, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, and Spain. Singapore’s Senior Minister of State for Trade and Industry attended the opening ceremony Meeting … [Read more...] about Leading Asian medical exhibitions open in Singapore today
50th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting opens in Singapore
Delegates take a photo at the opening (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – The 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM 50) Meeting and Related Meetings kicked off in Singapore on August 29 with the participation of economic leaders from 10 ASEAN member states and partner countries. The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh, participated in the meetings. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the establishment and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He said the bloc has tremendous economic potential with a strong market of over 630 million people. The grouping’s GDP growth has averaged 5.4 percent in recent years, well above the global average, and is projected to expand around this rate over the next five years, he noted. ASEAN is forecast to become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2030, just behind the US, China and the European … [Read more...] about 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting opens in Singapore
India, Singapore sign second protocol amending bilateral economic agreement
At the signing ceremony of the protocol (Source: India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry) New Delhi (VNA) – India and Singapore signed the second protocol amending their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New Delhi on August 24. According to a statement released by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the protocol is expected to boost bilateral between the two countries. The CECA is the first comprehensive agreement between the two countries covering trade in goods, services and investment, which India has signed with any of its trading partners. The deal was signed on June 29, 2005 and its first review was concluded on October 1, 2007. The two countries are exploring the possibility of launching the 3rd Review of India-Singapore CECA in September, 2018. Singapore is the second largest trading partner of India within ASEAN and India is the largest trading partner of Singapore in South Asia, with bilateral trade of 17.7 … [Read more...] about India, Singapore sign second protocol amending bilateral economic agreement
US, Singapore real estate firms come to booming Vietnam
Singaporean real estate firm Propnex opened an office in HCMC last month with its eyes firmly fixed on the high-end segment of the country’s property market. Propnex has had a 30 percent share of the brokerage market in Singapore over the last five years. It also has offices in Malaysia and Indonesia. Last year U.S.-based Electronic Realty Associates (ERA) started operating in Vietnam through its franchise in Singapore. Together with property brokerage EuroCapital, it has incorporated ERA Real Estate Vietnam, whose major market is HCMC. ERA Vietnam, which has 800 employees and 600 potential staff and collaborators undergoing training, is also focused on the high-end segment. It aims to be one of the top real estate firms in Vietnam within five years with over 50 offices and 5,000 employees. Another Singapore firm, Huttons Real Estate Group, came to the country in 2016. For this third largest property company in Singapore, Vietnam is the third overseas market after … [Read more...] about US, Singapore real estate firms come to booming Vietnam