“The China-ASEAN Expo has become an indispensable catalyst for economic vitality and improved wellbeing across China and ASEAN.”
— Bui Lien Thao, a Vietnamese economist, said on September 19
“The expo will highlight Southeast Asia’s economic potential while paving the way for sustainable cooperation with China.”
— Klaus Heinrich Raditio, a lecturer in international relations at the Driyarkara School of Philosophy in Jakarta, told Xinhua in a September interview when speaking about the 22nd China-ASEAN Expo
“The CAFTA 3.0 will serve as a strong starting point for developing the digital economy, e-commerce, the green economy, and sustainability, ultimately fostering connectivity among small and medium-sized enterprises across participating countries.”
— Suwat Techawatanawana, executive vice president of leading Thai bank Kasikornbank, said in a recent interview with Xinhua
120
Myanmar displayed local products with 120 booths at the 22nd ChinaASEAN Expo (CAEXPO), which was held from September 17 to 21 in Nanning, capital of south China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, state-owned daily The Global New Light of Myanmar reported on September 20.
The booths showcased highquality gems and jewelry, clothes, local and natural products, traditional products and handicrafts, the report said, citing U Myo Thant, joint general secretary of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI).
Myanmar’s products sold well, and the expo would create great opportunities for Myanmar business entities, he said.
The country also promoted Myitkyina, the capital city of northern Myanmar’s Kachin state, as the city of charm at the expo, the report said.
US$359million
The Philippines’ balance of payments (BOP), which accounts for the transactions of the country with the rest of the world, registered a surplus of US$359 million in August 2025, higher than the US$88 million recorded in August 2024, the Philippine central bank said.
In a statement issued on September 29, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the surplus reflected income from its investments abroad and helped narrow the year-to-date deficit to US$5.4 billion from US$5.8 billion in January-July.
The deficit was mainly due to the trade in goods gap, partly offset by remittances, foreign borrowings, investments, and services trade, the BSP added.
According to the BSP, the BOP position mirrored the increase in the gross international reserves (GIR), which rose from US$105.4 billion as of end-July 2025 to US$107.1 billion as of end-August 2025.
US$604 US$604million
Indonesia has allocated 9.9 trillion rupiahs (around US$604 million) to strengthen the downstreaming of key plantation commodities and improve farmer welfare, Agriculture Minister Andi Amran Sulaiman said September 19.
The budget will support replanting and expansion of coconut, cocoa, cashew, coffee, pepper and nutmeg across 800,000 hectares nationwide, focusing on regions with suitable agroclimatic conditions, the minister told a press conference in Jakarta.
The program is expected to generate 1.6 million jobs within two years while raising the added value of Indonesia’s agricultural products in domestic and global markets, he said.
Amran added that the downstreaming initiative forms part of government efforts to ensure food security, expand employment opportunities, and promote sustainable plantation development.