Latest news with #economic cooperation
SBS Australia
8 hours ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
China and Australia reaffirm trading ties
China and Australia reaffirm trading ties with a number of agreements Childcare centres under review as sex offence charges widen Wallabies brace for Lions chaos as Brisbane prepares for Test series opener Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Chinese Premier Li Qiang have signed several agreements in Beijing, under a new trade deal with China including one allowing Australian apples into China for the first time. Mr Albanese also met President Xi Jinping and Chairman Zhao Leji during his six-day visit, which focused on boosting trade and stability in the relationship. Premier Li says China and Australia have highly complementary economies and urged closer co-operation. Mr Albanese says the agreements represent both the strong cooperation between Australia and China and a shared ambition to do even more. "This round table is a symbol of cooperation, but it's also a sign of ambition, the cooperation that has delivered profound economic benefits for the people of both of our nations, and the ambition to build on those complementary strengths and go beyond them, to deepen and diversify our trade and business links." Childcare record-keeping is under fire as police link more centres to accused sex offender Joshua Dale Brown. More than 800 children are being urged to undergo infectious disease testing after authorities identified four additional Affinity Education-run centres where Brown previously worked. He faces over 70 charges involving eight children under two at a Point Cook centre between April 2022 and January 2023. The new sites include Kids Academy in Mickleham and Milestones Early Learning in Tarneit, Greensborough and Braybrook. Education Minister Jason Clare tells Channel 7 there must be a register tracking where educators have worked. "The company should have picked this up in the first place where this worker was. The Victorian Government and Authorities are doing everything they can to track the details of where he worked. But this highlights an example of why you need a database or a register so you know where all childcare workers are and where they're moved from centre to centre. That's just one of the things that we need to do Parliament starts again next week, I'll introduce legislation next week that will cut off funding to childcare centres that aren't up to scratch." Police have also updated Brown's employment dates at Papilio Early Learning in Essendon and removed Hoppers Crossing from the list. Bradley John Murdoch, the man who murdered British backpacker Peter Falconio in the Australian outback, has died of throat cancer aged 67. He was serving a life sentence without parole at Darwin Correctional Centre. Murdoch was convicted in 2005 of killing Mr Falconio and assaulting his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, near Barrow Creek in 2001. Ms Lees escaped and later gave key evidence, but Mr Falconio's body was never found. The case shocked both Australia and the UK. Murdoch maintained his innocence and lodged multiple failed appeals throughout the years. His death leaves the mystery of Mr Falconio's final resting place unsolved, for now. In a move to speed up housing construction, the New South Wales government has launched what it calls a pattern book of pre-approved home designs that could see new builds approved in just 10 days. The scheme offers eight low-rise designs - terraces, townhouses, and manor houses - normally worth $1000 each, but subsidised to just $1 per design for the first six months. Premier Chris Minns says the initiative aims to encourage homebuilding, particularly for young families, and promote fairness in the housing market. "I genuinely hope that we can encourage people to look at this as an option for their next home, or perhaps their first home. If you're a builder, if you're a homeowner, it can save you a lot of time and a lot of money. For too long, it's been way too hard to build in this state, and it's young families in particular who have paid the price. And that's not fair, particularly for those who are being locked out of the housing market." Urban planners have welcomed the initiative as a practical, design-led step toward easing Sydney's housing crisis, though they warn change will be gradual, not instant. In Rugby, The Wallabies are bracing for another fiery British and Irish Lions Test in Brisbane. A packed Suncorp Stadium will host Saturday's series opener, with thousands of travelling Lions fans expected to bring the noise and intensity. Brisbane clashes have a dramatic history, including the brutal 1989 Battle of Ballymore, described by Lions flanker Mike Teague as the most violent game of rugby ever played. The Wallabies are still recovering from a difficult couple of years and a World Cup group-stage exit in 2023.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Ras Al Khaimah Chamber, Kyrgyzstan discuss frameworks for trade cooperation
Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and expand trade and investment partnerships between the two sides, to support sustainable economic growth in the coming period. This came during the visit of Saliev Aman Akylbekovich, Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the UAE, who was received by Mohamed Musabbeh Al Nuaimi, Chairman of the Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The meeting was held at the headquarters of Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce in the presence of the Commercial Counsellor of the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan and Youssef Mohamed Ismail, First Vice Chairman of the Chamber and Head of the Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Foundation for Youth Project Development; and Dr. Ahmed Al Shemeili, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce. Al Nuaimi affirmed the robust bilateral relations between the UAE and Kyrgyzstan, which have witnessed remarkable development across various sectors, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment fields. He also highlighted the exchange of official visits between the two countries during the past period, in light of the keenness of the wise leaderships in both countries to reinforce relations and enhance collaboration. The two parties proposed the formation of a joint team in the future to coordinate meetings and workshops for investors, businesspeople, and representatives of the private sector from the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. This initiative aims to strengthen communication channels between the business communities in the UAE and Kyrgyzstan and keep them regularly informed about investment opportunities and key commercial projects. Al Nuaimi also invited the Kyrgyz business community to participate in the trade exhibitions and events organised annually by the Chamber and the Saud Bin Saqr Establishment. Akylbekovich emphasised Kyrgyzstan's strong interest in strengthening cooperation with the UAE in general, and with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in particular, to further enhance the growing partnership between them. He also welcomed joint efforts with the UAE to explore and unlock new opportunities for collaboration, especially in the field of direct investment. He also affirmed Kyrgyzstan's keenness to boost investment flows across various vital sectors in both countries.
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Ras Al Khaimah Chamber and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan discuss frameworks for trade cooperation
Ras Al Khaimah: Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan agreed to strengthen economic cooperation and expand trade and investment partnerships between the two sides, with the aim of supporting sustainable economic growth in the coming period. This came during the visit of His Excellency Saliev Aman Akylbekovich, Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the UAE, who was received by His Excellency Mohamed Musabbeh Al Nuaimi. The meeting was held at the headquarters of Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce in the presence of the Commercial Counselor of the Embassy of Kyrgyzstan and Youssef Mohamed Ismail, First Vice Chairman of the Chamber and Head of the Supreme Committee of Saud Bin Saqr Foundation for Youth Project Development; and Dr. Ahmed Al Shemeili, Director General of Ras Al Khaimah Chamber of Commerce. His Excellency Mohamed Musabbeh Al Nuaimi affirmed the robust bilateral relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan, which have witnessed remarkable development across various sectors, particularly in the economic, trade, and investment fields. He also highlighted the exchange of official visits between the two countries during the past period, in light of the keenness of the wise leaderships in both countries to reinforce relations and enhance joint collaboration. The two parties proposed the formation of a joint team in the future to coordinate meetings and workshops for investors, businesspeople, and representatives of the private sector from the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and the Republic of Kyrgyzstan. This initiative aims to strengthen communication channels between the business communities in the UAE and Kyrgyzstan and keep them regularly informed about investment opportunities and key commercial projects. Al Nuaimi also invited the Kyrgyz business community to participate in the trade exhibitions and events organized annually by the Chamber and the Saud Bin Saqr Establishment. His Excellency Saliev Aman Akylbekovich, Ambassador of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan to the UAE, emphasized Kyrgyzstan's strong interest in strengthening cooperation with the United Arab Emirates in general, and with the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah in particular, to further enhance the growing partnership between them. He welcomed joint efforts with the UAE to explore and unlock new opportunities for collaboration, especially in the field of direct investment. He also affirmed Kyrgyzstan's keenness to boost investment flows across various vital sectors in both countries.
LBCI
2 days ago
- Business
- LBCI
Lebanon's FM urges EU support on Israeli withdrawal in Brussels talks
Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji met with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas in Brussels to discuss a range of bilateral issues between Lebanon and the European Union, with a focus on regional stability and economic cooperation. During the talks, Rajji urged the European Union to increase pressure on Israel to withdraw from five disputed border points and other occupied territories in South Lebanon. He also emphasized the EU's key role in supporting the upcoming renewal of the U.N. peacekeeping force mandate (UNIFIL), whose presence remains critical in maintaining calm along the southern border. The foreign minister reiterated his government's commitment to the exclusive authority of the state over arms possession, in line with recent policy declarations. He also updated Kallas on Lebanon's reform trajectory, highlighting ongoing efforts in economic, financial, judicial, and administrative sectors. Another key topic on the agenda was Lebanon's plan to address the long-standing Syrian refugee crisis. Rajji stressed the importance of facilitating the safe return of Syrian nationals to their home country, a priority for Lebanese authorities amid mounting socio-economic pressure. For her part, Kallas reaffirmed the strength of EU-Lebanon relations, stressing the importance of reforms and an agreement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ahead of the upcoming EU-Lebanon Partnership Council meeting scheduled for later this year.
Times of Oman
6 days ago
- Business
- Times of Oman
Oman, Bulgaria explore enhancing economic, investment cooperation
Sofia: The Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Bulgaria discussed strengthening economic and investment cooperation between the two countries, leveraging experiences in creating investment-friendly environments, designing investor incentives, economic planning, and promoting innovation in economic analysis and studies. This came during meetings held by Dr. Said Mohammed Al Saqri, Minister of Economy, with several Bulgarian officials in the capital, Sofia. In his meeting with Tomislav Donchev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Innovation and Growth, Al Saqri reviewed the development of bilateral relations and the opportunities presented by economic and investment coordination. They also explored ways to empower economic institutions, business leaders, and investors in both countries, in addition to discussing Bulgaria's experience in fostering an innovation-driven economy and knowledge-based growth. During his meeting with Petar Deylov, Minister of Economy and Industry, Al Saqri discussed cooperation mechanisms in economic and industrial policies, digital transformation programs, best practices in export support policies, and the promotion of industrial investment. The Minister of Economy and Yulian Balchev, Secretary-General of the Bulgarian Investment Agency, also exchanged insights on attracting foreign investment, investment incentives, and the competitiveness of the investment climate. Al Saqri was briefed on advisory mechanisms for investors, facilitation of new projects, and ways to build strong ties with the international business community. As part of reviewing Bulgaria's approach to fostering collaboration between research institutions, academia, and economic policymakers, the Economy Minister and his accompanying delegation visited the Economic Research Institute at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences (BAS) and the Institute of Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, and Technology (INSAIT). Discussions covered priority research areas and their role in shaping government economic policies, as well as the scientific community's contribution to a knowledge-based economy. It is worth noting that the trade volume between Oman and Bulgaria reached approximately OMR11,496,850 by the end of 2024, with a trade balance of OMR5,039,832. Among Oman's key exports to Bulgaria are aluminium products, while Bulgaria's main exports to Oman include electrical control panels, distribution boards, and digital control devices.
