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New Straits Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Asean calls for deeper US ties amid tariff tensions
KUALA LUMPUR: Asean has emphasised the urgency of diversifying trade beyond traditional markets, including strengthening Asean–United States (US) economic engagement in high-value sectors. In a joint statement following the 46th Asean Summit, the economic bloc said this includes leveraging the Asean–US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) and the Expanded Economic Engagement (E3) initiative to deepen economic ties with the US amid the imposition of unilateral tariffs on Asean members. "We expressed deep concern over the growing geoeconomic uncertainties, including the imposition of unilateral tariff measures, which pose complex and multidimensional challenges to Asean's economic growth, stability and integration. "We emphasised the urgency of diversifying trade beyond traditional markets and deepening economic engagement between the two sides in high-value sectors through the Asean–US TIFA and E3," the statement read. In response to the tariffs, Asean also reaffirmed its collective commitment to predictable, transparent, non-discriminatory, fair, inclusive, sustainable and open regional economic development, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core. "We're committed to refraining from imposing retaliatory measures in response to unilateral tariff actions, as expressed in the joint statement of the Asean Economic Ministers on the Introduction of Unilateral Tariffs by the United States. "We underscored the importance of enhancing Asean's economic resilience and long-term competitiveness through the upgrade of the Asean Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), the strengthening of our free trade agreements, cooperation in mutual areas of interest, and the effective implementation, utilisation and expansion of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)," it said. Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had said Asean has agreed that any decisions regarding tariffs must be guided by a collective understanding within the regional bloc, particularly in response to the US' imposition of unilateral tariffs on Asean member states.
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
US tariff expected to have limited direct impact on Sarawak's economy, says deputy minister
Mussen speaks during the DUN sitting today. – Photo by Sarawak Public Communications Unit KUCHING (May 20): Sarawak is adapting its economic policies to navigate the challenges posed by the recent introduction of reciprocal tariffs by the US, said Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh. The International Trade Industry and Investment Deputy Minister stated that the new 24 per cent reciprocal tariff on Malaysian imports into the US, set to take effect after a 90-day postponement from April 9 to July 8, 2025, has raised concerns but is expected to have a limited direct impact on Sarawak's economy. 'Sarawak's exports to the US amounted to RM1.2 billion in 2023. These total exports only contributed 0.9 per cent to Sarawak's total exports, with the main product being ferro alloy,' he said in response to a question from Johnical Rayong Ngipa (PDP-Engkelili) during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Mussen stated that Sarawak's main exports consist of liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum, palm oil and aluminium. 'The exports amounted to RM102.6 billion in 2023 which contributed 78.4 per cent to Sarawak's total exports. 'Our main export market is Asia, which contributed 73.4 per cent to the overall export market. This new tariff is expected to have minimal direct impact on Sarawak,' he said. Mussen emphasised that Sarawak will continue to refine its economic policies by adapting to global trade dynamics, in line with proactive measures taken by the federal government to address the impact of the reciprocal tariff. Among the measures are strengthening trade partnerships, diversifying export markets while enhancing supply chain resilience, investing in strategic industries, and exploring bilateral trade agreements to safeguard economic stability. Mussen also said that a National Geoeconomic Command Centre (NGCC) has also been established to formulate a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of the US tariff on Malaysia's economy and key sectors. 'Malaysia will continue strategic high-level engagement with the US, and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) will utilise the Malaysia-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to address these concerns. 'Sarawak will continue to capitalise on its strengths and foster deeper partnerships to enhance resilience and sustain growth despite market uncertainties,' he said. economic policies lead Malcolm Mussen Lamoh US tarrifs
Borneo Post
20-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
US tariffs expected to have limited direct impact on Sarawak's economy, says deputy minister
Mussen speaks during the DUN sitting today. – Photo by Sarawak Public Communications Unit KUCHING (May 20): Sarawak is adapting its economic policies to navigate the challenges posed by the recent introduction of reciprocal tariffs by the US, said Datuk Dr Malcolm Mussen Lamoh. The International Trade Industry and Investment Deputy Minister stated that the new 24 per cent reciprocal tariff on Malaysian imports into the US, set to take effect after a 90-day postponement from April 9 to July 8, 2025, has raised concerns but is expected to have a limited direct impact on Sarawak's economy. 'Sarawak's exports to the US amounted to RM1.2 billion in 2023. These total exports only contributed 0.9 per cent to Sarawak's total exports, with the main product being ferro alloy,' he said in response to a question from Johnical Rayong Ngipa (PDP-Engkelili) during the Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today. Mussen stated that Sarawak's main exports consist of liquefied natural gas (LNG), petroleum, palm oil and aluminium. 'The exports amounted to RM102.6 billion in 2023 which contributed 78.4 per cent to Sarawak's total exports. 'Our main export market is Asia, which contributed 73.4 per cent to the overall export market. This new tariff is expected to have minimal direct impact on Sarawak,' he said. Mussen emphasised that Sarawak will continue to refine its economic policies by adapting to global trade dynamics, in line with proactive measures taken by the federal government to address the impact of the reciprocal tariff. Among the measures are strengthening trade partnerships, diversifying export markets while enhancing supply chain resilience, investing in strategic industries, and exploring bilateral trade agreements to safeguard economic stability. Mussen also said that a National Geoeconomic Command Centre (NGCC) has also been established to formulate a comprehensive strategy to mitigate the impact of the US tariff on Malaysia's economy and key sectors. 'Malaysia will continue strategic high-level engagement with the US, and the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (Miti) will utilise the Malaysia-US Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) to address these concerns. 'Sarawak will continue to capitalise on its strengths and foster deeper partnerships to enhance resilience and sustain growth despite market uncertainties,' he said. economic policies lead Malcolm Mussen Lamoh US tarrifs
Qatar Tribune
15-05-2025
- Business
- Qatar Tribune
US President's visit to Doha to boost bilateral ties: Experts
QNA Doha US President Donald Trump's visit to Doha will further reinforce Qatar and the United States of America's multifaceted partnership and solid ties. Economic experts and analysts have described the visit as a pivotal moment in the trajectory of Qatar-US relations, calling it a historic event that confirms the strength of the partnership and propels it toward broader horizons across all sectors. Speaking to Qatar News Agency (QNA), the experts and analysts noted that the visit comes at a time when Qatar-US relations are witnessing notable expansion in energy, aviation, infrastructure, security, and defense, as well as emerging areas such as the green economy, digital transformation, and renewable energy. According toNational Planning Council's figures, the trade volume between Qatar and the US reached about QR 20 billion in 2024, with Qatari exports to the US amounting to about QR 5.2 billion, while imports totalled QR 14.8 billion. The experts and analysts said that both countries' economic relationships are underpinned by trade agreements and mutual investments across various sectors, with the pace of commercial relations in both directions accelerating significantly since the signing of the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) in 2004, rendering Doha a trusted trading partner to the US. In this context, economic expert and director of the Center for Community Service and Continuing Education at Qatar University, Dr Rajab Al Esmail, said that the US President's visit to Qatar enhances the strategic partnership and opens new horizons for economic cooperation and joint investments within the framework of the long-standing bilateral relationship. He added that the visit represents a strategic event that underscores the importance of deepening cooperation between the two countries, particularly in economic and investment fields. The United States is among the top foreign investors in Qatar, as American investments play a central role in the country's development, through more than 800 US companies operating in the Qatari market, including more than 120 wholly US-owned firms, according to the latest official data, he added. Al Esmail noted that the US President's visit comes amid rapid growth in Qatar-US relations and that Qatari investments in the US are a key component of bilateral ties, exceeding in recent years tens of billions of dollars across sectors such as technology, energy, real estate, and financial services. He added that the visit would be an opportunity to enhance cooperation in the green economy, digital transformation, and renewable energy, and to explore mutual investment opportunities in infrastructure and major development projects in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030. He highlighted the commitment to broadening economic cooperation through promoting public-private partnerships, facilitating capital flow, and encouraging the exchange of expertise and technology, adding that a number of agreements and memorandums of understanding (MoUs) are expected to be signed, creating new opportunities for investors on both sides. Al Esmail concluded his remarks to QNA by affirming that the US President's visit reflects the depth of strategic relations between Doha and Washington and represents a significant boost to expanding the bilateral economic partnership. For his part, businessman Ali Al Khalaf told QNA that Qatar-US economic ties go back decades, starting with investments in the oil sector and later expanding to gas industries, followed by fields such as technology, energy, aviation, and artificial intelligence. He hoped that the visit would encourage further investments and stimulate the bilateral trade flow, noting that commercial and investment cooperation would undoubtedly flourish, once existing bilateral agreements are revitalized and investors are directed to both countries' promising investment opportunities. In turn, economic analyst Tamer Hassan said that President Trump's visit stems from Doha's pivotal role as an active diplomatic mediator that contributed practically to resolving numerous regional and international conflicts. He stressed that the strong and long-standing US-Qatar friendship has proven very beneficial to both nations at various historical points, thanks to what this friendship has achieved and continues to give to the two friendly peoples in terms of gains and serving their interests, be it the immense benefits reaped from their economic partnership, joint investments, and cooperation in the field of energy, among other, or be it its role in ensuring regional security and stability, or in promoting peace and prosperity globally. Hassan pointed out that Qatar is a major non-NATO ally of the United States, a designation that is the natural result of both countries' strong ties, strategic partnership, and joint remarkable achievements in upholding stability and ensuring mutual security. The last example of which is Qatar's large role in leading evacuation efforts from Afghanistan, in addition to its successful mediation role in several regional and global issues, he added. Hassan predicted that the visit would include the signing of agreements and MoUs in various sectors, including in energy, aviation, and technology, noting the growing cooperation across all areas experienced by both countries' ties, particularly in defense, security, trade, and investment. Moreover, he underscored both Doha and Washington's will to advance their relations to new heights that meet both peoples' aspirations for greater prosperity, security, and peace.
Hans India
06-05-2025
- Health
- Hans India
Trust reborn: Rural hospitals record 33pc spike in deliveries in 3 months
Kothagudem: Where once there was a serious scarcity of specialised physicians, Vaidya Vidhana Parishad hospitals in isolated parts of the tribal district have now registered a sharp rise in the number of deliveries in the past few months. Notably, the hospitals across the district, including those at Bhadrachalam, Cherla, Aswaraopet, Manuguru, Burgampadu, Palvancha, and Yellandu, have recorded a major spike of a 33.33% rise in deliveries from February to April of the year. Not only that, pregnant women are lining up at the government hospitals. Dr Ravi Babu, the District Coordinator of Hospital Services (DCHS), speaking to The Hans India said, 'It is significant to note that 58 deliveries occurred at the Manuguru Hospital in April, compared to just eight in February. In the month of April, the district saw 400 deliveries, up from 300 in the month of February.' It is highly likely that this number will rise even more and it's not just because of the affordable pricing these hospitals offer. 'The high percentage of safe, incision-free births in government facilities is noteworthy. Compared to private hospitals, government institutions perform a relatively small proportion of caesarean sections,' said Dr Babu. But this isn't just a fluke. This was a well planned and meticulously executed strategy by the government. On multiple occasions, Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, district ministers, and public officials instructed District Collector Jitesh V Patil to give the doctor shortage extra attention. Patil in turn instructed Dr Babu to provide a notification and announce more incentives for doctors. What followed was numerous specialised physicians being hired by various Vaidya Vidhan Parishad hospitals in outlying locations drawn by the incentives and wages offered. Now there are obstetricians, paediatricians, anaesthesiologists, and radiology doctors nearby, who are treating patients well. Dr Babu is well aware of their efforts. In their appreciation, he added, 'The number of deliveries in government hospitals has increased due to the regular cooperation of local public representatives, official coordination, infrastructure establishment with the district collector's assistance, availability of doctors and medical staff around-the-clock, lab test and ANC/TIFA scan availability for pregnant women, availability of childbirth-related medications, and installation of air conditioners and coolers in maternity wards.' Of course, one cannot neglect the affordability factor. In private hospitals, a delivery typically costs between Rs 30,000 and Rs 40,000. 'Poor individuals would therefore have less financial burden from scanning, blood tests, surgeries, and other aspects associated with their delivery.
