UN convention to enforce mediation settlements across borders named after Singapore
By Ivan Lim Contributor to AsiaN Singapore: An international rules-based mechanism for resolving commercial disputes between countries has been named after Singapore in recognition of the key role the republic played in drafting and winning consensus for the treaty. The convention will be signed in the city-state on August 7 at a ceremony which […]
President Mirziyoyev stresses need to develop Samarkand into tourism hub
Samarkand: Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has called for optimizing resources and facilities to enhance tourism and boost the economy. Mirziyoyev made his call as he visited a tourism center to be built along a rowing canal in Samarkand. The project allocates 360 hectares of land for the complex, while a congress center, five-, four-, three-star […]
Chinese firm to invest $20m in taxi, cargo services in Pakistan
By Nasir Aijaz AsiaN Correspondent Islamabad: A Chinese firm is working on comprehensive business plan to provide five important services in Pakistan, initially investing $20 million, with prospects of $600m in the future. Chinese company Time-saco intends to provide a rapid services platform to citizens by launching five special services including a taxi […]
MAHB’s success in Turkey shows Malaysian firms’ capability: Dr Mahathir
Istanbul: Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd’s (MAHB) success in managing Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen International Airport (ISGIA), Turkey’s second biggest airport, shows Malaysian companies’ capability as well as their ability to expand their operations abroad, Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad has said. The prime minister said although MAHB operates airports in several other countries as […]
IAEA chief Yukiya Amano dies at 72
Vienna: Yukiya Amano, the director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has died at age 72. The former Japanese diplomat who led the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog since 2009 had participated in several Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty Review Conferences over the last several years. The lifelong diplomat began his first term as IAEA Director […]
400,000 illegals expected to leave Malaysia under amnesty offer
Kuala Lumpur: Some 400,000 illegal immigrants are expected to leave Malaysia by December 31 under the Back For Good (B4G) programme introduced by the Malaysian Government to allow them to return to their countries of origin voluntarily. Foreigners who have committed offenses or have overstayed in the country can from August 1 obtain valid […]
S. Korea: exports down 16.6 pct in first 10 days of June
South Korea’s exports sharply fell 16.6 percent in the first 10 days of June mainly due to decreased shipments of semiconductors, one of the country’s key items, customs data showed Tuesday. The country’s exports stood at US$10.3 billion in the June 1-10 period, compared with $12.3 billion in the same period last year, according to […]
Regulator rejects 2 applications for online banks
In an unexpected turn of events, South Korea’s financial regulator on Sunday rejected applications by two consortia to set up the nation’s third and fourth Internet-only banks. One consortium is backed by financial technology firm Viva Republica and the other is led by brokerage Kiwoom Securities. The Financial Services Commission said it accepted a recommendation […]
Peaceful, vibrant South Korea marches to its own beat
Seoul: The eerie silence spoke louder than the years of the ominous standoff across the borders of the world’s last divided country, Korea. We were a small group of journalists walking in the barbed wire corridor in the Civilian Control Line alongside the Han River, escorted by army staff who were pleasantly friendly and surprisingly […]
China: An Unnoticed Giant
The relations between China and South Korea are bad. In March a poll indicated China overtook Japan as Korea’s most disliked foreign nation. The reason is simple: the South Korean decision to deploy the THAAD missile defense system annoyed China which reacted with introducing the “unofficial” but biting sanctions against South Korean companies. This is […]