Latest news with #Defa
BBC News
4 days ago
- General
- BBC News
Plan to protect Isle of Man's heritage landmarks revealed
The Legislative Chambers and Douglas Railway Station Workshops are among thirteen Manx landmarks proposed for protection under registered building month, the Department for Environment, Food and Agriculture issued proposals to register notices, the first step in protecting buildings or structures under Manx their potential architectural or historical interest, other structures include the Royal Chapel in St John's, the former Peel Railway Station which is now part of the House of Manannan and Moore's Bridge in Minister Claire Barber said: "Registration plays an important role in recognising and preserving the character of our communities." Registered buildings are protected by law from demolition or alteration affecting their character unless specific consent is than half of the proposed sites are part of the island's heritage rail network, with others including former railway station - Kirk Michael fire station, Douglas railway station's signal box, Groudle viaduct and the Laxey and Ballure Manx Electric Railway viaducts. "These proposals reflect the depth and diversity of the Island's built heritage, from the grandeur of the Legislative Chambers to the engineering legacy of our historic railways," Barber Former School of Art in Douglas, which is now Kensington Arts along with the stone bridge in Ramsey and monk's bridge in Malew are also among the proposed public is able to submit their views on the proposals to the building conservation team until 15 August. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
The Star
7 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Powering trade and economic prosperity through data free flow
When considering the free flow of data, a common misconception is that it comes at the expense of data sovereignty and security. — 123rf MALAYSIA is helming the Asean chairmanship this year, marking a significant milestone for the nation, with a clear opportunity to chart shared prosperity for the bloc. In light of geopolitical tensions and tariff uncertainties globally, fostering stronger partnerships in this environment would pay dividends in continuing to lift regional economies. One way to tackle both objectives is by facilitating trade – perhaps not in the traditional sense of import and export of goods as most would think, but instead through cross border data flows, which is increasingly the invisible lifeblood of economies in the region and beyond. The upside of open data flows is compelling – the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) indicates global GDP can expand by 1.77% and exports by 3.6% if open data flow is adopted around the world. The catch? To get there requires clarity and collaboration across borders. When considering the free flow of data, a common misconception is that it comes at the expense of data sovereignty and security. In practice, this is not the case. The Covid-19 pandemic disruption to global supply chains offers a pertinent case-in-point: interconnectivity, be it of goods or data, drives growth. It is possible to advocate for data free flow while also having regard to data privacy, security, and intellectual property concerns. At its core, data security is dependent on how data is maintained and not the location where it is stored. This highlights the importance of governments in establishing robust privacy and data security regulations as well as appropriate infrastructure to ensure responsible use of data. It is possible to advocate for data free flow while also having regard for data privacy, security, and intellectual property concerns, says Cen. Another arena is around trade agreements – which have historically helped facilitate collaboration and boost economies of nations involved. Digital trade has overtaken traditional trade in economic value for more than a decade now, highlighting the growing need for trade policy to include guidance on robust treatment, security, and sharing of cross-border data. Regulatory progress notwithstanding, advocating for data free flow should continue to be a priority for markets throughout the region, including Malaysia, who stands to benefit. This opportunity comes down to trust and collaboration between states – including their respective governments, regulators, and businesses. The good news is that we're seeing the region chart progress in this respect, particularly with Asean's new Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa) currently under negotiation. The Defa's mandate is to create an open, secure, and inclusive digital economy of tomorrow for the nearly 680 million people in South-East Asia, and cross border data flow is a critical element in achieving this ambitious goal. With the right checks and balances, it is possible to establish data free flow with trust that can establish greater openness that powers markets and, ultimately, creates greater prosperity for the greater good. The digital economy is projected to reach US$16.5 trillion (RM70.6 trillion) and capture 17% of global GDP by 2028. South-East Asia is best positioned to capitalise on this growth with one of the world's highest mobile penetration rates at 136%, and with its digital economy projected to double to US$2 trillion (RM8.6 trillion) by 2030. Markets and venture capital already see the unique opportunity here: digital economy-related investments make up 71% of deals in Asean – 10% higher than the global average. The situation on the ground in Malaysia is equally promising, with investor confidence, innovation and a strong ecosystem pushing digital investments by 125% to RM29.47bil in the second quarter of 2025. All the signs are that the digital economy will facilitate the next wave of prosperity for the region – and the ways in which data is shared and managed have an outsized impact in shaping that wave. Malaysia has a unique opportunity to drive the data agenda that simultaneously benefits the country and the wider region. It can make its mark as Asean Chair by advocating for cross-border data flows on behalf of the bloc. — Bloomberg Kelvin Cen is the Head of South-East Asia at Bloomberg. He oversees 11 markets across the region, driving strategy and business development and strengthening the firm's key client relationships in the region. In his 14-year career with Bloomberg, Cen has held several leadership roles, including co-leading the APAC Corporations and Commodities business and, most recently, serving as the COO for Asia Pacific. The views expressed here are solely the writer's own.
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Foreign ministers back Timor-Leste entry, push for stronger trade and energy links at Asean meet
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Asean leaders and foreign ministers also pledged to deepen regional economic integration and energy cooperation at talks in Kuala Lumpur on July 9. KUALA LUMPUR – Asean foreign ministers reaffirmed plans to admit Timor-Leste as the grouping's 11th member, and pledged to deepen regional economic integration and energy cooperation at talks in Kuala Lumpur on July 9. During the 58th Asean Foreign Ministers' Meeting, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and his regional counterparts discussed and expressed enthusiasm for Timor-Leste's upcoming accession to the group, said the Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA). The South-east Asian nation of 1.3 million people has been waiting to join the grouping since it formally applied for membership in 2011. This is due to take place at the 47th Asean Summit in October, following a decision in May to endorse the move in principle. MFA said that Dr Balakrishnan reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to support Timor-Leste's development through capacity-building courses under the Singapore-Timor-Leste Asean Readiness Support (Stars) package and the Singapore Cooperation Programme. The Stars package, launched in 2022, trains Timor-Leste officials in support of the country's bid for full Asean membership. Singapore has conducted courses for about 800 officials. At their meeting, held at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, the Asean ministers had a wide-ranging discussion on deepening Asean's economic integration, enhancing supply chain resilience, and harnessing the potential of the digital and green economies, MFA said. The group aims to achieve these goals through initiatives such as the upgrading of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (Atiga) and the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa). The Atiga, a key free trade agreement for the region, was signed in 2009 and came into force a year later. Negotiations to upgrade this agreement were concluded in May. The Defa, was introduced in 2023 to boost the growth of digital trade and services in the region. Studies suggest it could double the projected value of Asean's digital economy from US$1 trillion (S$1.3 trillion) to US$2 trillion by 2030. The ministers also agreed on the importance of accelerating the establishment of the Asean Power Grid to advance the region's clean energy transition efforts and strengthen its collective energy security, said MFA. 'The AMM also reaffirmed Asean's commitment to uphold an open, inclusive and rules-based regional architecture, including through ongoing efforts to expand and strengthen cooperation with its external partners,' added the ministry. With Malaysia chairing Asean this year, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on July 9 urged Asean to 'act with purpose' and enhance trade among each other in the face of global uncertainty. In his opening remarks, Datuk Seri Anwar described tariffs, export restrictions and investment barriers as 'the sharpened instruments of geopolitical rivalry'. He did not mention the United States specifically. US President Donald Trump on July 8 announced hefty levies of between 25 per cent and 40 per cent on six Asean nations. Singapore has not received any formal notification from the White House. Mr Anwar said: 'As we navigate external pressures, we need to fortify our internal foundations. Trade more among ourselves, invest more in one another, and advance integration across sectors with resolve. 'As global conditions remain uncertain, there is no overstressing the need to act with purpose in our own region.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio is set to join the meeting of Asean ministers and other international leaders in KL on July 10. 'In his first trip to Asia as secretary of state, Secretary Rubio is focused on reaffirming the United States' commitment to advancing a free, open and secure Indo-Pacific region,' US Department of State spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said on July 9. The MFA also said that Singapore welcomes the signing of the instrument of accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in South-east Asia by Algeria and Uruguay. This document lays the groundwork for closer ties between the two nations and South-east Asia. On the sidelines of the meetings in KL, the Asean foreign ministers paid a courtesy call on Mr Anwar. Separately, Dr Balakrishnan also met Norwegian State Secretary for Minister of Foreign Affairs Andreas Motzfeldt Kravik.
Daily Express
19-06-2025
- Business
- Daily Express
Anwar: Malaysia-US tariff talks ‘going excellent', urges fair deal for Asean too
Published on: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Published on: Thu, Jun 19, 2025 By: Dhesegaan Bala Krishnan, Malay Mail Text Size: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim speaks during Malaysia Asia-Pacific Roundtable by Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia at Hilton Hotel in Kuala Lumpur June 19, 2025. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa Kuala Lumpur: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today said that Putrajaya's ongoing negotiations with Washington over unilateral tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump are 'going excellent'. He said two ministers — Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Zafrul Abdul Aziz and Finance Minister II Datuk Seri Amir Hamzah Azizan — held talks with US Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick yesterday to advance the tariff negotiations. Advertisement 'I said to them to secure what is fair for Malaysia but also present the case that is best for Asean too,' he said, during his keynote address at the 38th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) at Hilton KL, here, today. Malaysia currently faces a 24 per cent tariff on all goods entering the US, and is seeking to lower the rate to the 10 per cent baseline tariff. Anwar acknowledged the economic strain caused by the tariffs but stressed that Malaysia's bilateral relations with the US remain strong. 'Some of our differences in foreign policies cannot be too exaggerated because our bilateral relations with the US remains strong,' he said. Anwar added that Asean is working to upgrade trade agreements with member states and dialogue partners, as the US tariffs continue to cast a shadow over the region. He also said he was confident that the conclusion of the Digital Economic Framework Agreement (Defa) will help unlock the potential of the region's digital economy. The agreement is to be the world's first region-wide and legally binding agreement on digital economy governance. 'In the face of rising protectionism, we must remind ourselves that trade is not a sideshow to security — it is part of the scaffolding that holds the region together,' he said. 'When trade falters, fractures follow.' Anwar also defended Asean leaders' engagement with the BRICS bloc, saying it should not be seen as an anti-Western move but rather a means to tackle shared challenges. BRICS comprises Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. 'The recent reinvigoration of BRICS to include members and partner countries from the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Africa, and South America, is the very essence of bridging regions,' he said. 'It is an opportunity to build new partnerships and renew old ones,' he added. Malaysia formally applied to join BRICS in July 2024 and was admitted as a partner country in October. Indonesia and Thailand are also partner countries in the alliance. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Isle of Man's pregnant agency workers could get new rights
Pregnant agency workers on the Isle of Man who are not currently covered by health and safety legislation could see their rights improved. The government is consulting on plans to update regulations to cover new and expectant parents. The current legislation means that agency workers are not covered by the specific risk assessments that firms must do for women who are pregnant or have recently given consultation points out that "the UK version has included these agency workers for many years". 'Fair and just' The survey, run by the Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture (Defa), states that the department "feels that it is fair and just to extend these regulations to provide equal levels of protection for all workers".It outlines seven principles to "minimise workplace risks", which include "combating risks at their source" and "adapting work to the individual". It also includes the development of prevention policies and consultation also includes proposals to allow construction site operators to conduct fire safety risk assessments on urged "all stakeholders to participate in this consultation process". Feedback would "play a crucial role in shaping the future of workplace health and safety", it added. Read more stories from the Isle of Man on the BBC, watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer and follow BBC Isle of Man on Facebook and X.
