KUALA LUMPUR -- Economists have revised down Malaysia's full-year export forecasts after the steeper-than-expected export contraction in April.
UOB Global Economics and Market Research said in a note on Friday that the year-to-date export contraction of 2.6 percent in Malaysia suggests that its existing 2023 full-year export growth projection of 1.5 percent is no longer valid. (Malaysia-Export-Outlook)
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TOKYO -- A film event dedicated to screening a series of China-themed documentaries shot by Japanese director Ryo Takeuchi is currently underway in Tokyo. At the recent premiere of his documentary "The Yangtze River," Takeuchi expressed his intention to hold the documentary week in Japan.
"There are still many biased reports about China in Japan. So I hope that through these films, everyone can see an ordinary and real China that the media does not usually report, or that has not been reported," the documentary director said on Friday. (Japan-Director-China Film)
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SIHANOUKVILLE -- Cambodia celebrated the 10th anniversary of the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), highlighting its great contributions to the kingdom's socioeconomic development and poverty reduction.
Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen and Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian attended the celebration event, which was held at the Sihanoukville Special Economic Zone, a flagship project of the BRI. (Cambodia-China-BRI)
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MANILA -- Amid rising concerns about global food security, the legacy of Chinese agronomist Yuan Longping, also known as the Father of Hybrid Rice, continues at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines.
Yuan's hybrid rice was first introduced on the international stage at IRRI, which is located at the foot of the hills and inactive volcano in Laguna province, about 60 kilometers south of the Philippine capital Manila, even before his invention revolutionized global hunger, lifting billions of people out of poverty. (Philippines-Yuan Longping-IRRI-Rice)
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MANILA -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Monday said his country is looking at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for "crucial development interventions" as the Southeast Asian country faces twin challenges of post-pandemic recovery and climate crisis.
During his visit to the ADB headquarters in Metro Manila, Marcos said his administration has strategically integrated the climate agenda into its plan, ramping up annual public infrastructure spending to 6 percent of gross domestic product. (Philippines-ADB-Marcos)
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BANGKOK -- The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) launched a campaign on Monday to bolster market confidence among Chinese tourists, while emphasizing safety measures.
Under the theme of "Trusted Thailand," TAT aims to raise awareness of safety measures for Chinese tourists and promote enriched travel experiences in Thailand. (Thailand-Chinese Tourists-Safety)
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VIENTIANE -- Lao researchers are optimistic about the growth of the Lao economy, which is projected to expand 4.5 percent in 2023 amid global economic challenges.
The economic growth will be driven by the services sector in association with the growth of tourism and processing industries and agricultural production for export, according to the latest report from the Lao Academy of Social and Economic Science. (Laos-Economy-Forecast) ■
