Indonesia maps out creative economy strategy through 2045
The Indonesian Government has launched the 2026–2045 Creative Economy Development Master Plan (Rindekraf), marking the country's first comprehensive long-term strategy dedicated to the creative economy.
Singapore reshuffles Cabinet23/07/2026 16:44Among the changes, Foo Cexiang and Shawn Loh, who entered politics in the 2025 General Election, will join the government for the first time as ministers of State. Laos economy faces challenges after salary increases23/07/2026 11:45According to the WB report, amid a fragile economic recovery, the salary increase is considered an important step to retain qualified civil servants while helping workers cope with rising living costs. Inflation in Laos remains high, reaching 10. 2% in April due to the impact of the global fuel price crisis, directly affecting people’s livelihoods and real incomes. Indonesia cuts over 2 billion USD in free meals programme budget23/07/2026 05:05Secretary of the National Nutrition Agency (NNA) Lili Khamiliyah said that the programme's budget has been cut from 268 trillion IDR (14. 9 billion USD) to 229 trillion rupiah (12. 8 billion USD). Thailand unveils strategy for workforce reskilling22/07/2026 23:26Thai Government efforts will focus on raising productivity per worker rather than expanding the workforce size. This will require workers across the industrial, services and agricultural sectors to acquire new skills and adapt to production systems increasingly driven by AI, automation and digital technologies. Indonesia’s trade surplus expected to rise nearly 635 million USD under ASEAN food agreement22/07/2026 16:32The agreement is expected to achieve this by harmonising food safety standards, thereby streamlining trade and investment flows across the ASEAN region. Indonesia prioritises energy independence, green transition under new policy22/07/2026 14:33The country's energy policy has been formulated in line with its national development agenda, with energy independence identified as a strategic priority alongside the goal of achieving food self-sufficiency. Lao police dismantle large online gambling, telecom fraud ring22/07/2026 14:09The operation targeted a rented building in Dong Phosy village of Hadxayfong district, Vientiane, where authorities alleged that criminal groups were operating online gambling platforms and conducting telecommunications and online fraud schemes. Dien Bien Phu campaign – Vietnam’s masterstroke in military strategy: Laos media22/07/2026 12:41The article states that the 1954 Dien Bien Phu victory stands as one of the defining military achievements of the 20th century. It not only brought about the collapse of old-style colonialism in Vietnam and across Indochina but also secured a place in world military history as the high point of the Vietnam People's Army’s strategic thinking under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President Ho Chi Minh. China ready to strengthen cooperation with ASEAN22/07/2026 11:49China stands ready to work with ASEAN to deepen mutual trust, enhance mutual understanding and mutual support, safeguard the common interests of China and ASEAN, uphold the legitimate rights and interests of the Global South, and advance the development of a more just and reasonable international order. Thailand, US step up cooperation against global scam networks22/07/2026 11:16Both sides agreed that future enforcement efforts should go beyond arresting individuals carrying out scams at the operational level. Cooperation will instead target those controlling criminal networks, their financial channels and supporting infrastructure, as well as their links to other forms of transnational crime. Thailand steps up sales of southern durian22/07/2026 05:41A Thai official attributed the early-season price decline to China's temporary suspension of orders over quality concerns related to unripe durians, along with increased competition from foreign suppliers and domestic output from Thailand's eastern and northeastern growing regions. Thailand welcomes 17. 36 million foreign visitors21/07/2026 23:11Minister of Tourism and Sports Surasak Phancharoenworakul said China was the largest source market, with 2. 86 million visitors, followed by Malaysia with 2. 25 million, India with 1. 31 million, Russia with 1. 06 million and the Republic of Korea with 631,777. Thailand’s exports benefit from growing use of FTA privileges21/07/2026 20:51Thailand’s use of export privileges under free trade agreements (FTAs) continued to expand in April 2026, with shipments claiming preferential treatment valued at 31. 77 billion USD, said the Thai Ministry of Commerce as cited by The Nation. Ambassador highlights Philippines' priorities for ASEAN Chairmanship21/07/2026 18:56Speaking ahead of Indian Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar's visit to Manila for the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings, Philippine Ambassador to India Josel F. Ignacio praised India for its role in advancing ASEAN's goals and its consistent support for the bloc's unity and centrality in the regional architecture. Australia highlights ASEAN partnership amid regional, global challenges21/07/2026 14:45Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong arrived in Manila on July 20 to attend the 59th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting and related meetings, reaffirming Australia's commitment to working closely with ASEAN in addressing growing regional and global challenges. Malaysia urged to prepare early for potential super El Niño21/07/2026 06:32To reduce the potential impact, a proactive and coordinated nationwide approach is needed, involving the government, businesses and the public, an expert has said. Thailand secures 2. 15 billion USD in investment from four leading Chinese tech firms21/07/2026 05:20The attraction of leading Chinese technology companies is expected to strengthen Thailand's high-tech manufacturing capabilities while reinforcing its ambition to become a regional industrial and technology hub. Malaysia to pilot UAVs to deliver medicine to remote areas21/07/2026 03:21UAV-based medicine transport is expected to help patients, especially those with chronic diseases, reduce travel time and costs while ensuring regular medication delivery. Indonesia expects B50 biodiesel programme to save 10. 8 billion USD in 202621/07/2026 02:12Under the B50 programme, diesel fuel is blended with 50% biodiesel produced from domestically sourced palm oil, reducing the country's dependence on imported fossil fuels while strengthening national energy security. Indonesia bets on AI to drive 600-billion-USD digital economy20/07/2026 16:42AI has the potential to generate around 400 billion USD in value for Indonesia’s economy by 2030 under a business-as-usual scenario. If implemented alongside the regional digital economy framework, that figure could climb to 2 trillion USD, an official has said.