Top News Headlines In Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand & Vietnam: April 22, 2025
The government announced the abolition of civil servants managing public institutions. A new law will appoint professionals from the private sector to leadership roles in state-owned enterprises and the state will oversee through a board of directors.
Prime Minister Hun Manet reiterated the Kingdom's foreign policy that maintains relations with all nations. Cambodia's foreign policy is based on respect for sovereignty, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and mutual respect.
1.THAI PRINCESS ON FOUR-DAY VISIT TO LAO -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn arrived in Laos on Monday for a four-day visit to strengthen relations between the two countries. She will attend the opening ceremony of a public health conference to mark the 25 years of Lao-Thai cooperation.
2.WORKERS SEEK OVERSEAS JOBS FOR SURVIVAL -- VIENTIANE TIMES
Lao workers continue to seek overseas employment to escape financial woes despite the government revising the minimum wage last year. Workers are unable to cope with low income and rising living costs. Even vocational training does not help workers to improve their income.
MYANMAR
1.INDONESIA MAIN IMPORTER OF MYANMAR RICE -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
Indonesia has emerged as the leading importer of Myanmar's rice with over 605,000 metric tonnes in the 2024-2025 financial year. China is the second largest, followed by Belgium and the Philippines. Myanmar's rice and broken rice exports touched 2.48 million tonnes.
2.FOREIGN AID POURS IN FOR EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR
International humanitarian aid continues to arrive in Myanmar following the March 28 earthquake that devastated parts of the country. Medical supplies, hygiene kits, tents, sleeping bags, food, essential goods and generators are being sent to disaster-hit areas.
SINGAPORE
1.PUAN NOOR AISHAH, WIFE OF SINGAPORE'S FIRST PRESIDENT YUSOF ISHAK, DIES AT 91 -- THE STRAITS TIMES
Puan Noor Aishah, Singapore's former first lady and the widow of the country's first president Yusof Ishak, died on April 22.
2.PUAN NOOR AISHAH, WIFE OF SINGAPORE'S FIRST PRESIDENT YUSOF ISHAK, DIES AGED 91 -- CNA
Puan Noor Aishah, the wife of Singapore's first president, Mr Yusof Ishak, has died.
THAILAND
1. PM TO ROLL OUT 12-BILLION-BAHT SML PROJECT TO BOOST GRASSROOTS ECONOMY -- The Nation
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to announce a policy aimed at supporting and enhancing the potential of village and urban community funds on Monday afternoon.
2. CALL FOR NEW INSTANT VAT REFUND SCHEME -- Bangkok Post
The Thai Retailers Association (TRA) wants the government to introduce an instant VAT refund scheme for tourists and set up a free-trade-zone sandbox in tourist destinations such as Phuket, with the aim of positioning Thailand as an ASEAN shopping hub.
VIETNAM
1.AVIATION SECTOR ON BULLISH TRAJECTORY -- VIETNAMPLUS
Vietnam's aviation industry is showing impressive growth, with over 20 million passengers flying in the first quarter of this year. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam said domestic travel recorded over nine million passengers, while international travel rose to 11.7 million.
2.DURIAN PRICES DIP AS CHINA TIGHTENS QUALITY CONTROL -- VIETNAM NEWS
As China tightens quality control procedures and delays customs clearance, durian prices dropped in the Mekong Delta region. Farmers are only able to sell the fruit at one-third of the price compared to last year. This may stifle Vietnam's ambition to earn $3.5 billion from durian exports in 2025.
-- BERNAMA
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Asean nations brace for Trump tariffs with bold stimulus packages
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Laos records US$56mil trade surplus in April
FILE PHOTO. Aerial photo taken on March 11, 2022 shows a view of the China-Laos Railway's Muangxay Station in Muangxay, northern Laos. - Photo: Xinhua file VIENTIANE: (Xinhua) Laos has recorded a trade surplus of US$56 million in April, with total imports and exports exceeding US$1.5 billion. In April, the country's exports were worth about $813 million, while imports were valued at $757 million, Lao national TV reported on Tuesday (June 3) . Laos' main export products included electrical appliances and equipment, potassium salt, mixed and bar gold, cassava, paper and paper products, copper ore, rubber, wood pulp and paper waste, banana, and cassava starch. The country's main imports included instant mixed chemical products, diesel fuel, land vehicles, mechanical equipment, electrical and electronic equipment, iron and steel equipment, plastic equipment, sugar, fertiliser, and farm tractors. China was the largest export market for Laos in April, followed by Vietnam and Thailand. Meanwhile, China was also Laos' largest source of imports, followed by Thailand and Vietnam. - Xinhua
