AEC Feed

India and Malaysia are likely to deepen their defence ties as Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak's begins a six-day visit to India. 
The countries are expected to sign a series of accords to deepen their defence and security ties. The visit is expected to boot India’s “Act East” policy.
Official sources said the two sides are still giving final touches to the agreements to be signed after talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Razak tomorrow.
However, the agreements would cover several subjects like business and investment, defence, health, traditional medicine, sports, tourism and education. There would be nearly 15 business agreements between the two countries. Apart from this, Malaysia is expected to announce deals with the governments of Rajasthan and other states.
Razak’s visit would provide an opportunity to the Indian leadership to leverage synergies with Malaysia across the spectrum and explore practical ways in which Malaysia can link up with India’s development agenda, as reflected in interlinked programmes of Make in India, Digital India and the Smart Cities mission, sources said. – The Statesman

Indonesian films gaining ground
Indonesia is maintaining its efforts to lure audiences to the country’s movies. Yesterday’s National Film Day has the ultimate goal of encouraging Indonesians to watch Indonesian movies.
An initiative from the government, filmmakers and the film industry has given people living in far-flung regions without a cinema the chance to watch movies for free by sending mobile cinemas or setting up makeshift outdoor cinemas.
While the movies screened nationwide were selected to fit in with the main theme of Celebrating Indonesian Diversity, some film communities have also held free screenings of arthouse works by homegrown talent or classics such as Sjuman Djaya’s 1982 film RA Kartini at Kineforum and the digitalised Bulan di Atas Kuburan (Moon over the Graveyard), a 1973 film directed by Asrul Sani, at cinemas in Jakarta.
An exhibition will be open until tomorrow at the State Film Company building in East Jakarta, showcasing the history of Indonesian films and the industry as well as holding free screenings.
The annual month-long celebrations seem to have had some level of success, as last year Indonesia recorded 34.5 |million people going to cinemas to watch Indonesian movies, a jump from 16.2 |million in 2015. – The Jakarta Post

VN confectionery trade on growth path
Vietnam’s confectionery sector has experienced a relatively high growth rate and it is forecast to earn revenue of 40 trillion dong (Bt62 billion) next year, according to the Business Monitor International.
Market observers see a positive outlook in the long term for Vietnamese confectionery exports.
Their optimism is based on a steady double-digit growth in export value |for several years and an upward tick |in investment and production |expansion by local firms. – Viet Nam News