Indonesia steps up support for textile industry
Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto held a close-door meeting with several ministers on Tuesday to discuss the current situation of Indonesia's textile industry, particularly focusing on textile giant Sri Rejeki Isman (Sritex).
A worker works on a piece of clothing at a small-scale manufacturing in South Jakarta on September 30, 2024. Photo courtesy of Antara.
Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the President aimed to gain insights into the textile industry's difficulties.
According to Airlangga, as an initial step, the government plans to ensure that Sritex can maintain its import-export activities.
The meeting also discussed emergency funding sources for Sritex after it was declared bankrupt by the Semarang Commercial Court.
Airlangga said that by keeping Sritex operational, jobs for the company's 50,000 workers can be preserved.
Recent survey results show that the industrial confidence index in September reached above 50 points, meaning that it is recovering positively. Indonesia's manufacturing sector secured a reading of 52.48 in September, up slightly from 52.4 in August.
Meanwhile, Febri Hendri Antoni Arie, spokesperson for Industry Ministry, said that the textile industry has not yet fully recovered from the influx of imports goods. Although the confidence index exceeded 50 points, the number of workers have been laid off in the industry is still high.
According to the Manpower Ministry, 42,863 individuals were laid off in Indonesia as of the end of July this year, with 22,356 of those coming from the processing industry, including textiles, garments, and footwear.
The Indonesian Filament Yarn and Fiber Producers Association (Apsyfi) noted that around 30 textile factories have shut down, causing 10,800 layoffs in the first five months of this year, compared to 7,200 layoffs in 2023.
- Read More
Thailand speeds up plans to construct six new airports
Thailand’s Transport Ministry is accelerating development and construction projects on six airports with an aim to become the region's transportation hub.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 6:00 pm GMT+7
Thailand develops eco-friendly seaport model
Thailand is striving to implement environmental protection and social sustainability solutions in developing the country’s major infrastructure projects, such as the development of Phase 3 of Laem Chabang Port, Thailand's only deep-sea port.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 5:58 pm GMT+7
Indonesia intensifies oil palm cultivation to meet biodiesel demand
Indonesia is expanding its oil palm cultivation to increase crude palm oil (CPO) production as a raw material for 50% biodiesel (B50), according to the country’s Ministry of Agriculture.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 5:56 pm GMT+7
Malaysia’s first domestic EV model opens for booking
The Malaysian multinational automotive company Proton's first electric vehicle (EV), the e.MAS 7, is now open for booking.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 5:54 pm GMT+7
Thailand aims to become emerging leader in AI
Thailand is positioning itself as an emerging leader in artificial intelligence (AI) regulation and development, thanks to policies that support an approach that balances technological innovation with ethical considerations and workforce protection.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 5:53 pm GMT+7
Vietnam PM calls for more investment from Qatar’s $475 bln sovereign wealth fund
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Qatar's sovereign wealth fund with total assets amounting to $475 billion as of 2023, to ramp up its investment in Vietnam.
Industries - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 4:43 pm GMT+7
FPT Retail earns $6.5 mln in Q3 profit, to expand FPT Shop chain
Vietnamese retail major FPT Retail made a profit after tax of VND165 billion ($6.52 million) in the third quarter of this year, while it incurred a loss of VND13 billion ($514,000) in the same period last year.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 3:56 pm GMT+7
Germany’s PNE opens rep office for $4.6 bln offshore wind project in central Vietnam
Germany’s PNE AG, a leading developer of renewable energy projects, has shown its determination to proceed with a mega offshore wind power project in central Vietnam by opening a representative office there.
Energy - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 2:43 pm GMT+7
Saudi Arabian energy giant ACWA Power ready to invest $5 bln in Vietnam
Saudi Arabian private energy giant ACWA Power stands ready to invest up to $5 billion in Vietnam, a senior executive said Wednesday.
Industries - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 2:39 pm GMT+7
Effective M&A deal depends on thorough understanding, value addition potential: Kido exec
An effective M&A transaction depends on fully understanding the company being acquired in order to create added value, says Kido Group CEO Tran Le Nguyen.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 1:22 pm GMT+7
No budget apartments in Vietnam, chronic supply-demand gap widens
Vietnam saw no supply or transaction of low-cost apartments priced below VND25 million ($988) per square meter in the third quarter, says a real estate report by the Ministry of Construction.
Real Estate - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 1:10 pm GMT+7
Vietnam steel major SMC remains bogged down with difficulties
Steel manufacturer SMC Trading Investment JSC has been actively selling assets to generate cash for debt repayment and maintain operations since the beginning of this year.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 10:41 am GMT+7
Vinhomes’ earnings fall 39% to $777 mln in Jan-Sep
Vinhomes, the largest residential housing developer in Vietnam, booked a net profit of VND19,642 billion ($777 million) in the first three quarters this year, down 39.2% year-on-year.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 9:58 am GMT+7
AI cannot replace customer service staff: MoMo exec
AI cannot replace customer service staff, but it can give them more time to prepare and provide better care for customers, says Thai Tri Hung, senior deputy general director and chief technology officer of e-wallet app MoMo.
Companies - Thu, October 31, 2024 | 8:11 am GMT+7
Vietnam property developer Novaland posts skyrocketing Q3 profit
Novaland, a leading real estate developer in Vietnam, reported its after-tax profit hit VND2.95 trillion ($166.62 million) in the third quarter of this year, a 21.6-fold rise year-on-year.
Companies - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 10:59 pm GMT+7
Thailand fruit prices increase at the end of successful season
Thailand’s fruit season is wrapping up this year with a notable surge in prices for durian, mangosteen, rambutan, longkong, and mango.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 30, 2024 | 10:30 pm GMT+7
