Author: News Desk

Japan is planning to introduce a new pre‑travel screening system that would require foreign visitors to pay a fee of about 2,000 to 3,000 yen (approximately $13–$20) before entry. The scheme, called JESTA (Japan Electronic Short‑Term Travel Authorization), is slated to launch in fiscal 2028 as the country braces for a significant increase in international arrivals. With inbound tourism expected to surpass 40 million visitors next year, the initiative aims to manage the surge while ensuring safety and orderly travel. The JESTA program will apply to travelers from nations and regions that currently benefit from visa-free short-term visits to Japan.…

Vietnam and Uzbekistan have agreed to set up a Joint Trade Working Group aimed at strengthening bilateral trade, enhancing cooperation, and improving business connectivity. On Wednesday, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Phan Thi Thang, and Uzbekistan’s Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Ilzat Kasimov, jointly chaired the 8th session of the Vietnam‑Uzbekistan Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation. At the meeting, Kasimov emphasized that Uzbekistan regards Vietnam as a key priority partner in the region. He highlighted the importance of enhancing coordination between the ministries and sectors of both nations through the Intergovernmental Committee,…

Kenya is working on initiatives to grow its domestic pharmaceutical sector to significantly cut its dependence on imported medicines, which make up over 70% of the nation’s drug supply. The initiative, proposed at the recent investors’ forum in Nairobi, focuses on offering long-term financing and equity support to domestic drug manufacturers via the state-owned Kenya Development Corporation (KDC). The event brought together government representatives, industry leaders, and health specialists to boost local supply chains in response to increasing demand and escalating global risks. Officials contend that reducing imports will relieve strain on foreign exchange reserves, safeguard the health system from…

The Democratic Republic of Congo restarted cobalt exports following a 10-month suspension aimed at countering falling prices, the government stated on Tuesday. The DRC, the world’s largest producer of cobalt—a vital material for high-end batteries in smartphones and electric vehicles—initially imposed a four-month ban on exports to stabilize the market amid a global oversupply. “Since Friday, the Democratic Republic of Congo has resumed exporting its cobalt,” Finance Minister Doudou Fwamba said. He emphasized that the February suspension was intended to safeguard national control over raw materials. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, the DRC accounted for 76% of global cobalt…

Indonesia’s Finance Minister, Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa, has allocated Rp2 trillion (about $119.1 million) to provide export financing for the textile and furniture sectors, with the funds to be channeled through the Indonesia Eximbank (LPEI). “We have allocated Rp2 trillion for textile and furniture companies. They can access this through LPEI at a 6% interest rate,” Purbaya said on Tuesday. Purbaya noted that LPEI’s financing for the sector currently stands at just Rp200 billion, and furniture businesses have called for the overall support to be raised to Rp16 trillion. The initiative seeks to boost the competitiveness of Indonesian products in global…

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on Monday banned all newly manufactured foreign drones and components, citing that the equipment poses ‘an unacceptable risk’ to national security. The move primarily targets Chinese drone-maker DJI, following concerns that its technology could give Beijing access to critical U.S. infrastructure. The agency said that the move “will reduce the risk of direct attacks and disruptions, unauthorized surveillance, sensitive data exfiltration, and other threats to the homeland.” The technology was added to the FCC’s ‘Covered List’ in 2021, preventing DJI and other foreign drone makers from obtaining the agency’s approval to import or sell…

The European Union is planning inspections on imported plastics and introducing new measures to support its recycling sector, following a series of plant shutdowns caused by weak demand and low-cost imports, particularly from China, Financial Times reported. The industry is in ‘deep crisis’ and “it’s important to make some changes now,” EU environment commissioner, Jessika Roswall, said. She noted that 10 recycling plants had shut down in the Netherlands over the past 18 months. Across the EU, roughly 1 million tons of recycling capacity were lost during the same period, equal to France’s yearly output. In response, the EU intends…

Russia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) shipments to China reached a record level in November, as Chinese importers took advantage of discounted Russian supplies despite Western sanctions risks, Bloomberg reported. Russian LNG exports to China surged over 100% year-on-year to 1.6 million metric tons, according to Chinese customs data, enabling Russia to surpass Australia and become China’s second-largest LNG supplier after Qatar. The increase highlights Russia’s shift toward the Asian market after losing a significant portion of its European gas market following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. To remain competitive, Russia has significantly lowered its LNG prices. In November,…

China declared on Monday that it would impose temporary tariffs on ‘certain dairy products’ imported from the European Union, escalating a trade dispute that covers agricultural goods to electric vehicles. The decision follows China’s anti-subsidy investigation, launched in August 2024, into dairy products imported from the bloc. “Currently, preliminary evidence indicates that imported dairy products originating from the EU are subsidized, causing substantial injury to the relevant domestic industry in China, and that there is a causal link between the subsidies and the substantial injury,” a spokesperson for China’s Ministry of Commerce said. The Commerce Ministry revealed that ‘duty deposits’…

India is set to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) with New Zealand following multiple rounds of negotiations that began in March this year. According to CNBC, the deal could be signed ‘anytime now,’ after receiving approval from India’s Union Cabinet to advance bilateral ties. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged greater collaboration and investment in areas including dairy, food processing, and pharmaceuticals, along with renewable energy and critical minerals. “Joint work shall be done in forestry and horticulture. I am confident that the large business delegation accompanying the prime minister shall get an opportunity to explore and understand the…