Indonesia

Jakarta (VNA) – The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) will shorten trading hours, starting March 30, as one among measures to reduce market volatility caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first time in history that the IDX has made such a move. It has suspended trading for a few days, but it has never shortened the trading hours before. In its announcement, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) said that stock trading hours will be shortened to four hours from five-and-a-half hours previously. The bourse will open from 9:00 – 11:30 and 13:30 – 15:00. The statement stressed that the move aims to support the Government’s efforts to curb the spread of the pandemic and to harmonise policies of the financial services sector. The OJK also limited the over-the-counter bond trading (SPPA) period from 9:00 to 15:00 and the securities reporting period from 9:30 to 15:30. It has also asked the Indonesian Clearing and Guarantee Corporation (KPEI) and the … [Read more...] about Indonesia shortens stock trading hours for first time in history

Meanwhile, four regional sport events will be delayed until later this year, beginning with the upcoming AFF Women’s Championship which had been scheduled to take place in the Philippines in May. Other events which will be changed include the AFF U18 Women’s Championship, the AFF U16 Boys’ Championship, and the AFF U19 Boys’ Championship, all of which had been set to take place in Indonesia during June, July, and August, respectively.  … [Read more...] about Vietnamese sides impacted by ASEAN Club Champs delay

"Therefore, I hope the government would consider it carefully, resume exports timely, not let the need to rescue rice farmers happen and prevent a repeat of the 2008 rice crisis," Xuan said. "To ensure food security, the government should strictly control exports and impose heavy penalties on speculation cases." … [Read more...] about Farmers big losers if Vietnam stops rice exports: experts

Hanoi (VNA) - Thailand on March 28 reported 109 new COVID-19 cases and one death, bringing the total to 1,245 infections and six deaths. A day earlier, the Thai government ordered the closure of more public facilities and businesses to curb the spread of COVID-19, and has extended the existing closures until the end of April. The southern provinces of Narathiwat and Pattani are in lockdown while several other provinces have issued orders to restrict the opening and closing times of 24-hour convenience stores. Also on March 28, the Cambodian Health Ministry announced four more infection cases, raising the total to 102, with 13 of them fully recovered. Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the government is drafting regulations allowing localities to impose lock-downs in case more infection cases are discovered. Speaking at an online interview on March 27, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Mahfud Mohammad said supermarkets and convenience stores could … [Read more...] about Thailand, Cambodia announce new COVID-19 cases