During a press briefing, Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman announced that 25 of 27 rice brands marketed as fortified were fraudulent, undermining nutritional efforts for children and mothers. The government will remove these fake brands, revoke permits, and pursue legal action against the responsible producers, highlighting malpractice in public health.
Category: Business
Vietnam Anchors Global Space for Development and Resilience Network
Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam proposed the Space for Development and Resilience network at the International Summit on Outer Space in Paris. This initiative aims to foster collaboration with various partners to utilize spatial data for development while addressing challenges in space activities. Vietnam emphasizes peace, sustainability, and equitable benefits from space technology.
Thai Tourism Plus Initiative Set to Drive 20 Billion Baht in Economic Activity
The Thai government plans to launch the Thai Tourism Plus initiative on September 22, aiming to generate over 20 billion baht by boosting domestic travel in late 2026 and early 2027. The program offers accommodation support and coupons for various services, with strict anti-fraud measures to ensure fairness and transparency.
Russia Expanding Technological Collaboration with Strategic BRICS Initiatives
The BRICS framework aims to foster collaboration with the Russian Direct Investment Fund, focusing on joint projects, national currency settlements, and technological partnerships. Upcoming initiatives will be key topics at the New Delhi summit, attended by President Putin. Meanwhile, marine pasture fish farming stands out as the only sector with salaries exceeding one million rubles.
Visa-Free Travel Sparks Record Spending Across China
China’s rapidly growing service exports are transforming international interactions, driven mainly by tourism and transportation. Visa-free entry has boosted international arrivals and spending, while diverse experiences attract visitors. This surge in service exports, including travel and transportation, reflects China’s expanding role in global markets and fosters opportunities for collaboration and prosperity.
Vietnam and France Deepen Cooperation Across Trade and Security
General Secretary and President To Lam received the Grand Cross Medal of Merit from French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, highlighting the strong Vietnam-France relationship. Their discussions focused on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, with bilateral trade reaching 6.3 billion USD in 2025, and cultural exchanges like the return of the Dong Son Bronze Drum.
Indonesia Confronts Logistics Bottleneck as ASDP Strengthens Ketapang-Gilimanuk Route
PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry is addressing a 16 percent increase in vehicle traffic on the Ketapang-Gilimanuk route by enhancing operations. With traffic outpacing capacity, the company is expanding dock facilities, optimizing ship patterns, and deploying larger vessels. Collaboration with stakeholders is essential, despite temporary disruptions from ongoing infrastructure upgrades.
Electric Vehicle Surge Drives Thailand’s Push to Become a World‑Class Automotive Hub
The Federation of Thai Industries supports restructuring the automotive excise tax to enhance investment, boost domestic production, and strengthen supply chains, particularly for SMEs. A recent meeting discussed leveraging tax policy to position Thailand as a global automotive hub, capitalizing on the growing electric vehicle market and ensuring fair competition and technological advancement.
Malaysia Airlines Expands Asia Pacific Reach Through Seven Strategic Tourism Alliances
Malaysia Airlines has formed seven strategic partnerships with tourism boards in the Asia Pacific region to enhance cultural and economic connectivity. Signed during the 2026 MATTA Fair, these agreements aim to promote travel through joint marketing campaigns, focusing on destinations in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, and Australia.
Indonesia Secures Commanding Lead in ASEAN Aviation Market
Indonesia leads Southeast Asia’s aviation market with 10.8 million scheduled seats in September 2026, a 7.3% increase from the previous year, driven by domestic demand. Despite regional competition, Indonesia’s airlines like Citilink and Batik Air showed significant growth, while total regional capacity rose 2%, focusing on full-service carriers.
