Malaysia, China sign deals on economic, trade cooperation
Malaysia and China signed a slew of deals on Wednesday, renewing a five-year economic co-operation pact and allowing export of fresh durians, during a visit by Chinese Premier Li Qiang to mark 50 years of diplomatic ties, according to Reuters.
China's Premier Li Qiang (L) shakes hands with Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at their meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, on June 19, 2024. Photo courtesy of Reuters.
Li Qiang met Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in the administrative capital of Putrajaya, following his arrival in Kuala Lumpur the same day.
After the meeting, they witnessed the signing of more than a dozen pacts on co-operation in areas ranging from the digital economy to green development, housing, tourism, and communications, among others.
The new five-year pact that runs to 2028 provides for strategic collaboration in areas such as trade and investment, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, and financial services.
China also agreed to allow the import of fresh durian from Malaysia after it meets sanitary requirements.
Malaysia, one of the world's biggest producers of the fruit, was previously allowed to ship only the whole frozen fruit and its products to China, with export valued at 1.19 billion MYR ($253 million) in 2023.
China has been Malaysia’s largest trade partner since 2009, and the total trade was valued at $98.9 billion in 2023.
On the same day, Li Qiang is also expected to meet Malaysia's King, Sultan Ibrahim, and attend a ground-breaking ceremony at a construction site for the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL), part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.
The 665-km, 50-billion-MYR (11-billion USD) railway will link peninsular Malaysia's east and west coasts by the end of 2026.
- Read More
Vietnam mulls opening door for private investment in small modular reactors
Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has drafted a parliamentary resolution that, for the first time, would allow private companies to participate in the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).
Energy - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:37 pm GMT+7
Kido seeks buyer for remaining 49% stake in frozen food affiliate
Kido Group (HoSE: KDC), a leading food company in Vietnam, has approved a plan to divest the firm's remaining 49% stake in its affiliate Kido Frozen Food JSC (Kido Foods).
Companies - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:25 pm GMT+7
Le Ngoc Quang appointed Danang city's Party chief
Le Ngoc Quang, a Party Central Committee member and Party chief of Quang Tri province, has been appointed Party chief of Danang for the 2025-2030 term - the highest position in the city, central Vietnam's economic hub.
Politics - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:17 pm GMT+7
T&T Group seeks to reshape north-central Vietnam’s urban landscape with major projects
Multi-sector conglomerate T&T Group is developing a model eco-urban complex in Ha Tinh province and plans to build a massive 236-hectare urban area in neighboring Nghe An, with an aim to reshape north-central Vietnam's urban landscape.
Investing - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 2:44 pm GMT+7
Toyota plans $359 mln plant expansion in northern Vietnam
Toyota Motor Vietnam (TMV) plans to invest about VND9.46 trillion ($359.2 million) in the first phase of its plant expansion project in Phu Tho province.
Investing - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 2:09 pm GMT+7
PVI Insurance sees 9-month profit before tax more than doubling
PVI Insurance has reaffirmed its position as the No. 1 non-life insurer in Vietnam, with total revenue increasing nearly 1.4 times in the first nine months of 2025 and pre-tax profit more than doubling year-on-year - surpassing its full-year targets for both revenue and profit.
Companies - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 9:08 am GMT+7
Vingroup to develop 4,600ha coastal urban project in northern Vietnam
A consortium of Vingroup (HoSE: VIC) and its real estate arm Vinhomes (HoSE: VHM) will develop a 4,600-hectare coastal urban complex in Ha An ward, Quang Ninh province, following local authorities’ approval of a zoning plan.
Real Estate - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 8:30 am GMT+7
Indonesia resumes int’l carbon trading after 4-year hiatus
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued a new decree to restart international carbon emissions trading after a four-year hiatus.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:23 pm GMT+7
Investors seek 2-year delay for $2.56 bln LNG power project in northern Vietnam, citing equipment hurdles
Investors of a $2.56 billion LNG-fired power plant in Hung Yen province have proposed delaying the project’s commercial operation schedule by two years due to difficulties securing key equipment.
Energy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam to soon raise taxpayers' personal deduction: official
The personal income tax deduction in Vietnam is "very likely" to increase to VND21.7 million ($823,940) per month, including VND15.5 million (588,530) for the taxpayer and VND6.2 million ($235,410) for each dependent.
Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 6:25 pm GMT+7
Business confidence climbs as reforms gain traction amid global headwinds: EuroCham Vietnam
The index climbed to 66.5, surpassing pre-tariffs level and reaching its highest in three years – showcasing resilience and adaptability amid global headwinds and evolving U.S. tariff pressures.
Economy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 4:36 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's stock market watchdog suspends two Grant Thornton auditors
Vietnam's State Securities Commission (SSC) has suspended two auditors from Grant Thornton Vietnam after determining that the 2024 audited financial statements of Saigon Water Infrastructure Corporation (HoSE: SII) failed to meet required standards.
Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 3:35 pm GMT+7
Law No. 56 a major policy breakthrough for Vietnam's stock market development
The Law No. 56, effective January 1, 2025, is one of the major legal breakthroughs in recent years that will enhance the transparency and operational efficiency of the Vietnamese stock market.
Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:30 pm GMT+7
WHA Group breaks ground on smart technology industrial zone in central Vietnam
Thailand's WHA Group on Tuesday broke ground on a world-class, modern, and environmentally friendly industrial zone in central Vietnam, namely the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone-Thanh Hoa.
Real Estate - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global strategy: exec
Vietnam remains a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global business strategy, said Eric Hambly, the U.S. corporation's president and CEO.
Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 12:06 pm GMT+7
VNPT, Qualcomm debut Vietnam’s 1st original design-based excellence center
State-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Qualcomm have officially launched the VNPT-Qualcomm Excellence Center (VQEC), the first facility in the country to operate under an original design co-development model using Qualcomm’s core technologies.
Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 8:41 am GMT+7
