Many Vietnamese garment brand names have gradually gained back local market share in low-cost product segments targeting average-income consumers, which used to be dominated by Chinese products.

Bank of Thailand Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul today urged Thai banks to learn more about Asean market ahead of full liberalisation of the regional financial market in 2020.

In spite of the successful outcome of the Asean Leaders Summit in Bali last week, the association and its key trading partners are expected to strengthen cooperation on peace, social security and intra-regional trade to ensure a smooth integration into a single community by 2015.

Asean ends forum highlighted by Burma's re-emergence; PM backs US non-proliferation drive, TPP trade pact

The 19th Asean Summit officially began on Thursday morning (Nov 17) on the Indonesian resort island of Bali, with high hopes towards an economic community in 2015.

In early 1979, then Indonesian Information Minister Harmoko called on senior Indonesian journalists and urged them to set up a regional media group including journalists from the - at that time, four - other Asean countries. His intention was simple: to prevent negative reports characterising Indonesia as the group's "big brother". Its size and influence, it was felt, coupled with the strong leadership of then president Suharto, could attract criticism from non-Indonesian journalists. Therefore, related issues must be reported and treated with the greatest care.

Laos has agreed to swap with Burma for the chairmanship of Asean in 2014, The Nation has learned.

Laos has agreed to swap with Burma for the chairmanship of Asean in 2014, The Nation has learned.

Textile and garment manufacturers have been urged to improve their technology, production capability and regional logistics system to take advantage of the Asean Economic Community.

Assessing socio-economic development in 2010, the Plenum concluded that the national economy is recovering quickly and many industries are regaining their own impetus.