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Accordingly, the lender forecast that the Philippines’ gross domestic product (GDP) will decrease from 5.9 percent in 2019 to 3 percent in 2020. Consumption was predicted to fall strongly in the first half of this year while public transport works and investment in the private sector would slow down. … [Read more...] about WB revises down growth forecasts for Philippines, Malaysia

Hanoi (VNA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo on March 31 declared a national public health emergency over the COVID-19 pandemic and announced measures to help people with lower incomes. The measures included expanding social welfare, food assistance and giving electricity tariff discounts and waivers, he said. Besides, the country is set to release about 30,000 prisoners early in order to avoid a possible surge in coronavirus infections in its overcrowded prisons. On the same day, the General Elections Commission (KPU) decided to postpone the regional elections slated for September as an effort to curb the spread of the COVID-19 to rural areas. As of March 30, Indonesia reported 1,414 cases of SARS-CoV-2 infection, including 122 deaths./. … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Indonesia declares national public health emergency

The same day, Singaporean authorities said they could force companies to suspend operations if they do not do more to ensure employees can work from home to reduce the risk of coronavirus infections. … [Read more...] about Singapore reports 47 new COVID-19 cases, total reaches 926

It noted the ability of the Communist Party of Vietnam to mobilize society, isolate individuals with symptoms and track their second- and third-hand contacts, the quarantining of incoming travelers, and the enlistment of the services of medical students, retired doctors, and nurses. The government has also been predictably effective at policing bans on business closures and large gatherings, and it has relied on its network of informants to help monitor and surveil citizens and report suspected cases. … [Read more...] about International media praise Vietnam’s success in COVID-19 fight

Manila (VNA) - The central bank of the Philippines (BSP) is ready to increase the purchasing value of government bonds to 500 billion PHP (9.846 billion USD) in order to provide extra lifeline to the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic, said a banking official.   According to BSP Governor Benjamin Diokno, the central bank has been authorised to buy government bonds from the Bureau of Treasury with a maximum repayment period of six months. The fund raised through this activity will be used to finance the government's programmes to counter negative impacts on the economy caused by the epidemic. … [Read more...] about Philippine central bank to buy nearly 10 bln USD of government bonds