Hi all,  In today’s bulletin: China overtakes US to become EU’s largest trading partner; Myanmar’s military promises elections as second case is filed against Suu Kyi; updates on the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine; Singapore’s Budget, Thai PM faces no-confidence vote, and more.  Reading this on the web or know someone who might enjoy receiving Asian Insider? Our sign-up […]

SINGAPORE – Some $60 million will be set aside for a new fund to help farmers better harness technology in local food production, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Tuesday (Feb 16). “Technology is (a) game changer and will open new possibilities. We harnessed technology to overcome our water and land constraints, and […]

SINGAPORE – Singapore’s Budget seeks to build on the country’s capabilities and competitiveness because the country must keep an eye on the future even amid a pandemic, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. “When the sun shines again, we must be ready to seize the new opportunities,” he said, commenting on the Budget in a […]

SINGAPORE – Singapore’s Budget seeks to build on the country’s capabilities and competitiveness because the country must keep an eye on the future even amid a pandemic, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. “When the sun shines again, we must be ready to seize the new opportunities,” he said, commenting on the Budget in a […]

SINGAPORE – The Asean states – including Singapore – have discussed the political crisis in Myanmar intensively among them and they can play a discreet role in helping Myanmar return to stability, Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told Parliament on Tuesday (Feb 16). However, the bloc stands firm on its policy of not interfering in the […]

SINGAPORE – The SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package is being revved up to support the hiring of 200,000 locals and provide up to 35,000 traineeship and training opportunities this year. The initiative – launched last year to tackle the anticipated labour market fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic – is a key pillar in the country’s […]

SINGAPORE – Locally-inspired snacks such as salted egg fish skin have found their way into more stores and homes around the island – and even beyond Singapore, to countries such as the United States. This is all thanks to the digitalisation efforts of local firm Cocoba, which owns the popular brand Irvins, famous for its salted egg […]

DHAKA (REUTERS) – A court in Bangladesh sentenced to death five members of an Islamist militant group on Tuesday for killing a US blogger critical of religious extremism six years ago. Avijit Roy, a US citizen of Bangladeshi origin, was hacked to death by machete-wielding assailants in February 2015 while returning home with his wife […]

SINGAPORE – Should the public health and economic situation deteriorate, and the need arise, the Singapore Government will seek President Halimah Yacob’s consideration for the use of past reserves to support economic investments to ensure the Republic emerges stronger from the crisis of the Covid-19 pandemic. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat […]

SINGAPORE – The authorities here have three measures in place to safeguard against the risks related to securities trading like those fuelled by online discussion forums and social media chat groups. These measures are to provide market transparency, curb any sharp price movements and take enforcement action against market misconduct, said Transport Minister Ong Ye […]