Singapore

The decision was made after the wealthy city-state agreed to waive corporal punishment if he is found guilty. Canadian David Roach is accused of having stolen S$30,000 ($22,758) from a branch of Standard Chartered bank in 2016 by handing a threatening note to a teller. He then fled to Thailand with the money. “All challenges fail,” said district judge N Tempia of the Westminster magistrates’ court. Roach’s lawyer had appealed against the extradition, in court documents seen by Reuters, citing Singapore prison conditions, the fact that his client was jailed in Thailand, and concerns that Singapore would not keep its promise. The case sparked debate at the time about whether Singapore, which has a very low crime rate, had become too complacent on security. The decision on Roach’s extradition has now been passed to Britain’s secretary of state. “Singapore authorities are working closely with the UK authorities on the next steps in this … [Read more...] about Court rules Britain free to extradite Singapore bank robbery suspect

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (Source: AFP/VNA) Singapore (VNA) - Negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have reached a “critical stage” and a conclusion is “finally in sight”, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on August 29. In his opening speech at the 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers’ Meeting (AEM) and related meetings on August 29, strengthening regional economic cooperation and integration is key for ASEAN to fully realise its potential.  This includes pressing on with the implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint 2025, as well as supporting an open and inclusive multilateral system amid growing trade conflict, he said. The Singaporean PM noted that escalating trade tensions between the US and its key trading partners have put the rules-based multilateral trading system, which has underpinned ASEAN’s growth and prosperity, under pressure. Each ASEAN member state is … [Read more...] about Singapore PM: RCEP negotiations likely to be concluded this year

Delegates take a photo at the opening (Photo: VNA) Singapore (VNA) – The 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers (AEM 50) Meeting and Related Meetings kicked off in Singapore on August 29 with the participation of economic leaders from 10 ASEAN member states and partner countries. The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Quoc Khanh, participated in the meetings. In his speech at the opening ceremony, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the establishment and development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He said the bloc has tremendous economic potential with a strong market of over 630 million people.  The grouping’s GDP growth has averaged 5.4 percent in recent years, well above the global average, and is projected to expand around this rate over the next five years, he noted. ASEAN is forecast to become the fourth-largest economy in the world by 2030, just behind the US, China and the European … [Read more...] about 50th ASEAN Economic Ministers Meeting opens in Singapore

At the signing ceremony of the protocol (Source: India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry)  New Delhi (VNA) – India and Singapore signed the second protocol amending their Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) in New Delhi on August 24. According to a statement released by India’s Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the protocol is expected to boost bilateral between the two countries. The CECA is the first comprehensive agreement between the two countries covering trade in goods, services and investment, which India has signed with any of its trading partners. The deal was signed on June 29, 2005 and its first review was concluded on October 1, 2007. The two countries are exploring the possibility of launching the 3rd Review of India-Singapore CECA in September, 2018.  Singapore is the second largest trading partner of India within ASEAN and India is the largest trading partner of Singapore in South Asia, with bilateral trade of 17.7 … [Read more...] about India, Singapore sign second protocol amending bilateral economic agreement