Used Japanese cars dominate Myanmar market

Old Japanese cars have overwhelmed the Myanmar auto market due to its Government’s tax reduction policies and relaxed regulations on used cars, according to Kyodo News.
Old Japanese cars have overwhelmed the Myanmar auto market due toits Government’s tax reduction policies and relaxed regulations on usedcars, according to Kyodo News.

The Japanesenews agency quoted statistics from the Myanmar Ministry of Transportwhich showed that the number of pre-owned vehicles from Japan isestimated to account for more than 90 percent of cars on Myanmar 'sroads.

The country had around 390,000 carsregistered as of October 2013, up about 50 percent from the number of260,000 in April 2012.

Kyodo News said automakers also see strong potential demand for new cars, reporting thatSuzuki Motor Corp. returned to Myanmar last year to resume itsproduction of small trucks. Meanwhile, Nissan Motor Co. has alsoannounced it will start manufacturing cars in Myanmar in 2015. MazdaMotor Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. also plan to sell new cars inthis market.

At the same time, Japanese automakerswill also face increased competition by those from Europe and theUS , the news agency said, noting that Ford Motor Co. and GeneralMotors Corp. have opened showrooms in the Southeast Asian country, andGerman luxury car brands such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz are also enteringthe market.-VNA

See more

At Pulau Seraya power station (Photo: Straitimes)

Singapore begins construction on hydrogen-fueled power plant

Singapore on October 23 began the construction of an 800 million USD power plant that has the capability to use hydrogen to generate electricity, as part of a push to utilise the fuel to reach Singapore’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050.

Delegates at the event (Photo: VNA)

125th anniversary of Permanent Court of Arbitration celebrated

The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations and missions of the Philippines, Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hungary, Thailand, France, Eritrea and Austria, organised a ceremony on October 22 to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA), as part of the International Law Week at the UN General Assembly's Legal Committee (Sixth Committee).

CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation Anuar Fariz Fadzil (Photo: focusmalaysia.my)

Malaysia continues placing emphasis on digitalisation

The Budget 2025 provides significant support to further accelerate Malaysia’s digitalisation, encourage adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and drive inclusive growth, further positioning Malaysia as a leading digital hub within the ASEAN region, according to CEO of the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) Anuar Fariz Fadzil.

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow (Photo: thestar.com.my)

Malaysia's economic reforms boost investment inflow

Malaysia has attracted substantial foreign investments, reaching 22.2 billion MYR (5.16 billion USD) in the third quarter of 2024, the highest level for the same period since 2012, according to UOB's Global Markets and Economics report.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN speaks at the debate (Photo: VNA)

Maintaining peace, stability a must for progress on human rights: Ambassador

Progress in human rights can only be achieved by maintaining peace and stability, respecting the rule of law at both the international and national levels, and ensuring respect for the principles of national sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs, said Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN.

A visitor browses travel promotions at a travel fair in Nonthaburi province. (Photo: Bangkok Post)

Thailand plans enhanced support for domestic tourism

Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports is aiming to increase subsidy to local tourists in the upcoming stimulus scheme to 50% and would like to change the criteria for online travel agents, mandating them to register in Thailand to avoid losing income to foreign companies.

Oil field offshore Indonesia. (Photo: thejakartapost.com)

Indonesia begins major oil, gas exploration in Sulawesi

Indonesia's state-owned oil company Pertamina, along with foreign partners Sinopec from China and Kuwait’s Kufpec, has signed a contract to explore the Melati oil and gas block, located off the coast of Sulawesi. The block is estimated to contain trillions of cubic feet of gas reserves.