Indonesia steps up drive to strengthen rural economy through village cooperatives
The KDMP programme is one of the Indonesian government's strategic initiatives under a presidential instruction last year, which aims to develop and revitalise 80,000 village cooperatives nationwide in phases.
New species of long-necked dinosaur discovered in Thailand11/07/2026 06:33According to the latest announcement from the Phu Wiang Dinosaur Museum under Thailand's Department of Mineral Resources, the fossil of the newly identified dinosaur species was discovered at the Phu Noi fossil site in Kalasin province, embedded in rock layers of the Phu Kradung Formation dating to the Late Jurassic period, approximately 150 million years ago. Singapore remains world’s leading maritime centre in 202610/07/2026 22:36In 2025, the Port of Singapore handled a record 44. 66 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in container throughput and 3. 22 billion gross tonnage in vessel arrivals. Laos becomes dialogue partner of Shanghai Cooperation Organisation10/07/2026 21:17Laos pledges to actively promote cooperation with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), particularly in trade, logistics, transport, and tourism. Malaysia unveils strategy to counter future cyber threats10/07/2026 20:46Malaysia must shift from conventional security methods to a more comprehensive strategy to address rapidly evolving threats, including emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), post-quantum cryptography and drones. Lao National Assembly approves key agenda items at extraordinary session10/07/2026 19:48The five-day first extraordinary session of Laos’ 10th National Assembly (NA) concluded on July 10 after approving key economic, legal and development measures aimed at strengthening growth, improving public services and accelerating rural development and poverty reduction. Malaysia central bank upbeat on 2026 economic growth10/07/2026 16:26Domestic demand continues to be underpinned by a stable labour market, strong export performance and sustained investment activity. Rising exports are expected to support employment and private consumption, while growing demand linked to artificial intelligence and the electrical and electronics sector is expected to provide an additional boost. Thai court jails bank employees over mule account scam network10/07/2026 11:03The court in Pattaya province found that four employees of a commercial bank in Pattaya, including a branch manager, had facilitated the opening of bank accounts for Chinese nationals entering Thailand on tourist visas. The accounts were later used as mule accounts to receive funds fraudulently obtained by call-centre scam gangs. Philippines posts record rice imports in first half of 202610/07/2026 10:54According to the BPI, rice imports from January to June rose 20. 1%, or about 460,000 tonnes, from 2. 29 million tonnes in the same period last year. The first-half total already accounts for around 57% of the government's full-year import target of 4. 8 million tonnes. Indonesia eyes central role in global halal economy10/07/2026 10:39Indonesian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Anis Matta said promoting the D-8 Halal Economic Initiative is a concrete step towards strengthening Indonesia's economic integration with the Islamic world amid a volatile global economy. He added that the halal economy will become a new driver of Indonesia's economic growth and export expansion. Thailand busts fake birth certificate ring for foreign children10/07/2026 06:28According to the Royal Thai Police, the network recruited Thai men to pose as the fathers of foreign-born children in order to complete birth registration procedures and fraudulently secure Thai citizenship. Preliminary investigations found that 164 children had been registered through the scheme over the past five years. Malaysia sees rise in international tourist arrivals10/07/2026 05:31The growth was driven by strong demand from key source markets, including ASEAN member states, China, Japan, Australia, China's Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan. Indonesia develops breakthrough nickel ore processing technology10/07/2026 03:08Unlike conventional refining methods that typically process only one type of nickel ore, the new process developed by Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) can handle both saprolite and limonite ores within a single refining sequence. Lecture series on ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific launched09/07/2026 22:02ASEAN and Japan should continue promoting free trade, including by exploring the possibility of upgrading the ASEAN–Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) Agreement to facilitate trade and investment. Malaysia, Thailand aim to achieve 30 bln USD bilateral trade target09/07/2026 20:20The two countries agreed to continue developing special border economic zones and simplify immigration and customs procedures to facilitate trade and travel between the two countries. Indonesia, India launch Prambanan cultural heritage conservation project09/07/2026 16:15Speaking at the July 8 event, Prabowo described Prambanan as not only a historic monument but also a symbol of the great civilisation of the Indonesian archipelago. He noted that the Ramayana bas-reliefs adorning the temple walls stand as vivid testimony to the centuries-old cultural exchanges and enduring ties between the civilisations of Indonesia and India. India seeks to reshape ties with ASEAN09/07/2026 15:55Since launching its Act East policy and, more recently, the MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions) vision, India has shifted from merely "looking East" to actively “acting East”, placing ASEAN and the Southeast Asian region at the centre of its Indo-Pacific strategy. Indonesia’s Bali starts work on first waste-to-energy plant to tackle waste, boost green transition09/07/2026 14:08Designed to process more than 500,000 tonnes of household waste annually, the plant will generate enough electricity to supply around 100,000 households across the island. Thai commission strengthens trade competition framework09/07/2026 08:49Following its participation in negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN – Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA) in Seoul, the Republic of Korea, the TCCT underscored the growing importance of incorporating competition law cooperation into international trade agreements. Thailand to open new border checkpoint bordering Malaysia to boost trade, tourism09/07/2026 03:54According to the Thai Government, the new checkpoint is located between boundary markers 23/9 and 23/10 and will replace the existing crossing between markers 22 and 23. It will operate daily from 5:00 to 23:00. Malaysia in talks with Thailand on overland durian export to China09/07/2026 01:35Under the proposed plan, durians would be transported by rail and truck from Malaysia through Thailand before entering China, which is hoped to shorten delivery times, reduce logistics costs and enhance the price competitiveness of Malaysian durians in the Chinese market.