A working group to study new issues related to intellectual property, labour, environment, and e-commerce is being set up by Asean, as the bloc is revving up new free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with non-Asean partners.

The Asean Economic Ministers' (AEM) Retreat is expected to see the signing of two vital agreements: the Asean Trade in Services Agreement (Atisa) and the fourth protocol to amend the Asean Comprehensive Investment Agreement (Acia).

JAKARTA: Indonesia will cut natural rubber exports by 98,000 tonnes this year under an agreement with top producers to prop up global prices, Oke Nurwan, Trade Ministry's director general of foreign trade told reporters on Wednesday.

Facebook will not allow foreign-funded advertisements for upcoming presidential and legislative elections in Indonesia

Experts are urging Thailand to use its position as Asean chair to push for further economic integration within the region and reduce the negative impacts of the US-China trade war by speeding up the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations.

JAKARTA: Inflation in Indonesia eased to a near-decade low, boosting odds that the next interest rate move by policymakers in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy could be down.

Thai businesses are being urged to take advantage of privileges offered under the Asean-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) to expand trade and investment in Hong Kong, especially for restaurants, content creation and construction.

The Finance Ministry will put cross-border payments and a standard for QR code payment on the agenda at the upcoming Asean Finance Ministers' Meeting (AFMM) held in Thailand.

JAKARTA: Indonesia plans to open a fishing zone within its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) at the southern edge of the disputed South China Sea, most of which is claimed by China, later this year, to prevent foreign encroachment, a cabinet minister said Wednesday.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index ended lower but other Southeast Asian stock markets closed higher on Monday, with Indonesia leading the pack boosted by gains in financial and telecom sector counters, as progress in US-China trade talks raised optimism among investors.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index ended lower, while other Southeast Asian stock markets closed higher on Thursday as a surprise jump in monthly Chinese trade data brought slight relief amid continued focus on Sino-US talks.

Thai stocks closed lower on Monday, falling most in the Southeast Asia region amid political uncertainty in the country, while Vietnam markets surged as trade resumed after a week-long holiday.

Thai shares lost slightly on Friday, while Malaysia stocks led losses, as investors were rattled after the United States dismissed the likelihood of a quick resolution to the long drawn Sino-US trade war.

The Stock Exchange of Thailand index dipped on Thursday, while Malaysia shares led the gains, as optimism over a trade deal between the United States and China were renewed following indications of further official talks in Beijing next week.

Indonesian stocks surged more than 1% to close at an 11-month high on Wednesday, after the country posted a faster-than- expected GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2018, while Thai shares added 5.62 points to close above the 1,6500 mark.

JAKARTA: Indonesia's economy grew more quickly than expected in 2018's fourth quarter and full-year growth was the fastest since 2013, government data showed on Wednesday.

Philippine shares rose 1.7%, helped by foreign investor buying and as the latest round of Sino-US trade talks kept hopes of a comprehensive trade deal alive, while Thai stocks closed 0.59% higher on Friday.

Indonesia’s pristine beaches and scattered islands drew a record number of foreign tourists last year with the Malaysians and Chinese topping the list.

JAKARTA: Indonesia intends to challenge an EU directive on renewable energy at the World Trade Organization, arguing the plan to curb the use of crops that cause deforestation will unfairly target palm oil, a senior Indonesian official told Reuters.