Indonesia and Russia signed the Agreed Minutes of their 14th Joint Commission Meeting on Trade, Economic and Technical Cooperation in Kazan, Russia. Convened on May 12, the meeting was held on the sidelines of the 17th International Economic Forum “Russia – Islamic World: KazanForum”.
Author: Elisabeth Xaviera
Business and Economy Correspondent, SEA Daily
US corporate giants gather in Singapore to deepen tech partnership
The US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) successfully facilitated the 2026 Singaporean Business Mission, bringing together 21 US companies and the Singaporean government in an effort to expand technology partnerships.
Jakarta intervenes in bond market as rupiah weakens to historic low
On 12 May, Indonesia’s Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed that the government would enter the bond market the following day to assist Bank Indonesia (central bank) in stabilising the exchange rate.
Hanoi to launch HalalViet Centre, eyeing global halal supply chain
Vietnam is set to debut the HalalViet Promotion and Experience Centre on May 15 in Hanoi. Organised by the Vietnam Institute of Strategy and Policy for Industry and Trade (VIOIT) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the launch will serve as a platform for business networking and Halal cultural experiences.
Indonesia’s Danantara buys intro ride-hailing giant GOTO to cut driver fees
Indonesia’s investment management agency Daya Anagata Nusantara (Danantara) has officially entered the stock market as a shareholder of the country’s leading ride-hailing and e-commerce firm, PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk (GOTO), with the move aimed at improving the welfare of drivers.
South China Sea and Strait of Hormuz dominate discussions at 48th ASEAN Summit
The 48th ASEAN Summit in Cebu, Philippines, culminated on May 8 with member states’ leaders formally signing outcome declarations throughout the plenary and retreat sessions, concluded by a symbolic gala dinner.
Myanmar’s MAGDPL commits US$3.7 million on agri-warehouses in Thilawa
On 10 May, Myanmar Agricultural and General Development Public Co Ltd. (MAGDPL) announced a plan to invest 3.7 million US dollars to construct three modern warehouses, aimed at expanding both production quantity and quality.
Malaysia to restrict EV imports from July 2026
Malaysia will curb electric vehicle (EV) imports starting July 2026 to protect local carmakers, declared the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI) in a statement on May 6.
Indonesia’s Dukono Volcano eruption leaves one dead, two Singaporeans missing
The National Research and Rescue Agency immediately deployed a joint search and rescue (SAR) team in response to the eruption of Dukono Volcano, Maluku, Indonesia, on May 8.
Forum of “underserved areas” meets on sidelines of ASEAN summit
As part of the 48th ASEAN Summit, Special Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines East ASEAN Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) Summit took place on May 7 and yielded BIMP-EAGA Vision (BPEV) 2035—a strategic roadmap for the coming decade, envisioning a more resilient, inclusive, sustainable and economically competitive subregion.