42nd ASEAN Summit

The National Bank of Cambodia and the Payments Japan Association signed an agreement to promote cross-border QR payments. This will support digital payments, enhance transaction security and facilitate seamless cross-border payments.

2.THAILAND TO PROCURE MORE CASSAVA, RED CORN -- FRESH NEWS

Thailand will purchase 300,000 metric tonnes of cassava and 100,000 metric tonnes of red corn annually from Cambodia. Both countries also discussed market access and the supply chain of processed agricultural products.

INDONESIA

1.GOVT GETS US ‘ATTENTION’ IN BILATERAL TALKS ON TARIFFS -- THE JAKARTA POST

The government says the United States has expressed appreciation for Indonesia’s position on bilateral trade and lauded Jakarta’s decision to get into negotiations early, as a high-ranking delegation wraps up talks in Washington, DC.

2.INDONESIA’S DEREGULATION PLAN NOT ONLY MEANT FOR US COMPANIES: GOV’T -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Indonesia’s plan to simplify state restrictions for a better business climate is not only intended to cater to US companies, but the entire private sector, regardless of where they come from, according to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani.

MYANMAR

1.RELIEF SUPPLIES TO BE EXPEDITED FOR VICTIMS - - THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The government has instructed domestic and international relief supplies to be quickly distributed directly to victims affected by the earthquake. The March 28 earthquake damaged houses, schools, monasteries, nunneries, pagodas and other religious buildings.

 2.RUSSIAN EYES MYANMAR MANGOES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Myanmar Trade Promotion Organisation said Russia has expressed interest in purchasing Myanmar’s fresh and dried mangoes. Myanmar produces over a hundred varieties of mangoes and its annual production is over two million metric tonnes.

SINGAPORE

1.GE2025: HOW ARE HUSTINGS SHAPING UP WITH A WEEK TO POLLING DAY? -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Where will the battle lines be drawn in the May 3 general election With more than half of the nine-day campaign to go, it is perhaps too early to say which issues will catch fire, and which will fall flat.

2.GE2025: PM WONG WARNS OF STORM AHEAD IN PAP POLITICAL BROADCAST, PLEDGES TO FOCUS ON ISSUES THAT ‘MATTER MOST’ -- CNA

The People’s Action Party (PAP) will continue to focus on issues that matter the most to Singaporeans even as the election plays out amid an incoming “storm”, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Friday (Apr 25).

THAILAND

1. 3-CAR PILE-UP ON SAMUT PRAKAN MOTORWAY LEAVES 8 DEAD -- THE NATION

A car reportedly stopped on the motorway to change a baby's diaper and was rear-ended by a truck.

2. CASH HANDOUT FACES LEGAL HURDLE -- BANGKOK POST

The government faces a new legal challenge after a petition was submitted to the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC), asking it to investigate a 35-billion-baht sum used to finance its 10,000-baht cash handout.

-- BERNAMA