42nd ASEAN Summit

The Ministry of Technology and Communications launched “Lao Digital Week 2025” in Vientiane yesterday. The government has charted a national digital transformation strategy based on three core pillars --digital government, digital economy and digital society.

2.PROMOTING GENDER EQUALITY IN COFFEE, TEA SECTORS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and the French Development Agency jointly hosted a gender workshop under the Green Cup initiative to address gender disparities in the coffee and tea sectors by developing strategies to enhance gender inclusion in development projects.

MYANMAR

1.MYANMAR LEADER ATTENDS BANGKOK BIMSTEC SUMMIT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR 

Myanmar's leader, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, is attending the Sixth Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) Summit in Bangkok from April 3 to 4. He will update the leaders about the earthquake that occurred on Friday.

2.RELIEF AGENCIES TOLD TO GO VIA OFFICIAL CHANNELS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The government announced it accepts aid from international organisations to carry out rescue work in powerful earthquake-hit areas. However,  the government advises organisations to inform their respective embassies and military attaches for security reasons. 

THAILAND

1.  PAETONGTARN VISITS FAMILIES OF COLLAPSED BUILDING VICTIMS -- THE NATION

PM Paetongtarn visits families of SAO building collapse victims, pledging full support as rescuers search for 72 missing workers in the quake-hit site.

2. SENATE PANEL TO STUDY GOVT'S PROPOSED CASINO PROJECT'S IMPACT -- BANGKOK POST

The Senate will set up a committee to study the impacts of the proposed casino-entertainment complex project after the House examines the Casino and Entertainment Complex Bill, which is tentatively scheduled for next week.

VIETNAM

1.SEAFOOD EXPORTS HIT RM11 BILLION IN Q1 -- VIETNAMPLUS

Seafood exports reached about RM11 billion (US$2.45 billion) in the first quarter of this year due to strong demand from China, the United States and the European Union. Officials said shrimp and tra fish remained top earners.

2.VIETNAM EXPO 2025 PROMOTING DIGITAL ECONOMY -- VIETNAMPLUS

The 34th Vietnam International Trade Fair kicked off in Hanoi yesterday, where major brands in digital transformation and technology solutions are showcasing their products. This year’s edition themed “Step together in a digitised world,” has attracted around 500 booths.

-- BERNAMA