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Qatar Chamber acting director general Ali Bu Sherbak al-Mansouri held a meeting with Linda Sultan, director general of the Tripoli and North Lebanon Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, to review trade and economic co-operation relations and ways to enhance them.The meeting, held in the presence of Ali Hamad al-Marri, director of the Department of Committees and Business Councils Affairs at the chamber, also reviewed means to promote joint and mutual investments that contribute to increasing trade exchange between Qatar and Lebanon.Al-Mansouri emphasised the depth of fraternal relations between Qatar and Lebanon, saying Qatari businessmen are keen to expand their investments in Lebanon. He also cited the ongoing co-operation between the business sectors of both countries.He stressed the chamber’s commitment to encouraging Qatari businessmen to explore investment opportunities in Lebanon, noting the strong and long-standing relations between the Qatar Chamber and the chambers of commerce in Lebanon.Similarly, Sultan praised the distinguished relations between both countries, expressing her aspiration to strengthen co-operation between the Tripoli and North Lebanon Chamber and the Qatar Chamber in various fields that serve the business communities in both countries.

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jasem Mohamed Albudaiwi met in Kuwait with European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic.The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 9th GCC-EU Economic Forum. During the meeting, several economic and commercial topics were discussed, along with ways to enhance GCC-European relations in areas and priorities of common interest. Both sides affirmed their aspiration to strengthen relations and build numerous partnerships in various fields between the Cooperation Council and the EU.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong agreed Sunday to establish a strategic partnership between their countries and expand cooperation across various sectors, including defense and trade.The two leaders announced the launch of the strategic partnership during a joint press conference at the presidential office following their summit talks, which took place as part of Prime Minister Wong’s official visit to South Korea.“Our two countries share many similarities. We have both achieved remarkable growth based on human capital and an open, free-trade order despite limited land, scarce resources, and a challenging geopolitical environment,” President Lee said.According to Yonhap News Agency, the two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the areas of security, defense, artificial intelligence, advanced technology, people-to-people exchanges, and combating transnational crimes such as online scams.Under the new strategic partnership, South Korea and Singapore will also strengthen collaboration to address global challenges, including climate change and cross-border crimes, amid a shifting international order that has long underpinned global growth and prosperity, according to the presidential office.Prime Minister Wong highlighted significant potential for collaboration in the green economy, digital innovation, security, and defense, and expressed his full support for South Korea’s efforts to promote peace on the Korean Peninsula.

President Xi Jinping said China has reached a consensus with the United States on economic and trade issues, state media reported, after meeting Thursday with US leader Donald Trump. Trump and Xi met for the first time since 2019 in Busan, South Korea, engaging in closely-watched talks, as their two countries remain locked in a blistering trade war.The tussle between the world's top two economies, which encompasses everything from rare earths to soybeans and port fees, has rocked markets and gummed up supply chains for months. On Thursday, Xi told Trump that the two countries "should have positive interactions on the regional and international stage", Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported.Xi said that teams from both sides had "exchanged in-depth views on important economic and trade issues and reached a consensus on resolving them", according to the Xinhua readout which offered no details on specific agreements reached."Both teams should refine and finalise follow-up work as soon as possible, maintain and implement the consensus and provide tangible results to set minds at ease about the economies of China, the United States and the world," he added.

US President Donald Trump affirmed the strength of relations between his country and South Korea, noting that Seoul is a valued friend and ally of Washington. Trump made this statement during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit, held in Gyeongju, South Korea.The US president indicated that a trade agreement with South Korea would be finalized very soon, amid reports that negotiations over the details of the agreement had reached an impasse.For his part, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung asked his US counterpart to allow South Korea access to fuel for its nuclear-powered submarines and pledged to increase defense spending to bolster the country's military capabilities.The South Korean president made these remarks at the start of their summit talks in Gyeongju, southeast of Seoul, where Seoul is seeking to amend the bilateral nuclear energy agreement with Washington to gain greater flexibility in reprocessing spent nuclear fuel and uranium enrichment.The visit marks the US President's first trip to South Korea during his second term in office. The two-day state visit began today as the President arrived in the South Korean city of Busan.

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan agreed to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework and affirmed mutual desire to strengthen trade and investment relations to serve their common interests.In a joint statement released today, the Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Pakistani Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif agreed during their meeting held in Riyadh yesterday (Monday) to launch an Economic Cooperation Framework between the two countries.As part of the framework, the statement said, several strategic and high-impact projects will be discussed in the economic, trade, investment, and development fields that will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two governments, enhancing the pivotal role of the private sector, and increasing trade exchange between the two countries.Priority sectors include energy, industry, mining, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and food security.Both sides are currently studying several joint economic projects, including signing a memorandum of understanding for the electricity interconnection project between the Kingdom and Pakistan, in addition to signing a memorandum of understanding for cooperation in the field of energy between the two nations.This framework reaffirms the two countries' shared vision toward building a sustainable partnership across various economic, trade, and investment fields.

Chinese Premier Li Qiang expressed support for the development and integration of East Asia, calling for greater openness and global governance during a Leaders' Meeting on East Asian cooperation in the Malaysian capital.Li urged all parties to adhere to openness and cooperation, and safeguard free trade and multilateralism.In his speech at the fifth Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Leaders' Meeting, Li noted that the current international economic and trade landscape is undergoing complex changes, with rising unilateralism and protectionism, posing significant risks to the region.He also called on all parties to cooperate more closely to jointly address challenges and work collectively to advance development.The Chinese Premier added that China will continue to support the centrality of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and work with all parties to maintain the stability of the regional multilateral trading system.In turn, Malaysian Member of Parliament and member of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Yuneswaran Ramaraj said, "the RCEP has proven strong results in boosting intra-regional trade and foreign direct investment, even in a climate of global trade fragmentation."He noted the successful completion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-China Free Trade Area, which is set to integrate the digital economy, green transition, supply chain connectivity and production networks.He also urged continued commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and consultation, preserving free trade and the multilateral trading system, opposing all forms of protectionism, and steadily advancing regional economic integration.

Donald Trump arrived in Japan on Monday, on the next leg of an Asia tour that could see the US president and China's Xi Jinping end their bruising trade war. Speaking on Air Force One, Trump said he was hopeful of a deal when he sees Xi on Thursday, while also indicating he was willing to extend his trip in order to meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un."I have a lot of respect for President Xi and we are going to I think... come away with a deal," Trump told reporters en route from Malaysia, where comments from US and Chinese negotiators raised hopes of an accord.As dozens of people gathered at Haneda Airport to take photos, the presidential plane -- also bearing Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent -- touched down at sunset. Sporting a golden tie, Trump then boarded a helicopter to take him into the bright lights of the Japanese metropolis in time for an evening audience with the emperor. On Tuesday, Trump is expected to meet new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and make a speech on the USS George Washington aircraft carrier, docked at the US naval base Yokosuka."I hear phenomenal things. (Takaichi) was a great ally and friend of Shinzo Abe, who was my friend," Trump said, referring to the assassinated former premier."That really helps Japan and the United States, I think she's going to be great."Markets watchingTrump's Asia trip, his first tour of the region since returning to office, kicked off in Malaysia on Sunday with a flurry of agreements. That included rewarding neighbours Cambodia and Thailand with trade agreements after co-signing their ceasefire pact on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit. He also agreed a trade and minerals deal with Malaysia, and moved to mend fences with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.But the greatest prize for Trump-and for global markets remains a China deal.Trump is due to meet Xi on Thursday in South Korea for their first face-to-face talks since the 79-year-old Republican's return to the White House. Before Trump's arrival in Malaysia, Bessent and China's Vice Premier He Lifeng held two days of trade talks. China's vice commerce minister, Li Chenggang, said a "preliminary consensus" had been reached.Bessent said on Air Force One on Monday that they had agreed "a framework for President Trump (and) President Xi to decide". "It's going to be great for China, great for us," Trump told reporters in Kuala Lumpur.Hot trucks On Friday, Takaichi announced in her first policy speech that Japan would be spending two percent of gross domestic product on defence this fiscal year. But Washington, which has around 60,000 military personnel in Japan, wants Tokyo to spend even more, potentially matching the five percent of GDP pledged by NATO members in June. Most Japanese imports into the United States are subject to tariffs of 15 percent, less painful than the 25 percent first threatened. But Trump also wants Japan to import more American products, including rice, soybeans and cars, as well as "hot" Ford F-150 pickup trucks.Questions also surround Japan's commitment to invest $550 billion in the United States, as specified in their July trade deal."What I expect is that, since he (Trump) is someone who acts decisively, things might move in a positive direction for Japan," said Tokyo resident Sayaka Kamimoto, 45.Kim meeting? Trump is due in the South Korean port city of Busan on Wednesday ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, and will meet President Lee Jae Myung. Trump has also fuelled speculation that he could meet North Korea's Kim while on the Korean peninsula. The two leaders last met in 2019 at the Demilitarised Zone (DMZ), the border area separating the two Koreas."I would love to meet with him if he'd like to meet. I got along great with Kim Jong Un. I liked him. He liked me," Trump said on Air Force One.Asked if he would extend his trip to enable a meeting, he said: "Well, I hadn't thought of it, but I think the answer would be yeah, I would, I would do that, sure."

Fed widely expected to cut interest rate amid moderate inflationBank of Japan likely to maintain current policy rateTrump set to meet Xi at APEC summitThe US dollar rose to a more-than-two-week high against the yen on Monday at the start of a packed week of global trade negotiations and central bank meetings.The Australian dollar climbed as signs of progress in trade talks between the US and China bolstered demand for higher-yielding assets. The Japanese yen slid to record lows against the euro and Swiss franc.US President Donald Trump is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea on Thursday, where the pair will decide on the framework of a trade deal hashed out over the weekend. And while Trump is travelling in Asia, the US Federal Reserve is widely expected to cut its policy interest rate after moderate inflation figures on Friday."Looking ahead we think that dollar firmness is likely to remain in the near term," Mahjabeen Zaman, head of foreign exchange research at ANZ, said on a podcast. "Fed cuts are fully priced in for October and December meetings. So if anything, any cautious communication from the Fed would likely be more supportive for the US dollar."The dollar rose 0.1% to 153.03 yen and touched 153.26, the strongest since October 10. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against select peers, was little changed at 98.90.The euro was steady at $1.163, while the common currency strengthened to as high as 178.13 yen, an all-time high. The Swiss franc reached 192.27 yen, also a record.Sterling strengthened 0.1% to $1.3327. The Aussie gained 0.4% versus the greenback to $0.6541.US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said trade talks on the sidelines of a summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur have eliminated the possibility of the US imposing 100% tariffs on Chinese imports starting November 1.Bessent also said he expects China to delay implementation of its rare earth minerals and magnets licensing regime by a year while the policy is reconsidered."We've obviously had a pretty risk-positive start to the week, given the weekend news on the various trade discussions," said Ray Attrill, head of foreign exchange research at National Australia Bank. "At the moment, I'd say positive risk sentiment is still, at the margin, playing negatively for the US dollar."Trump and Xi are due to meet on Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, to sign off on trade terms. Ahead of that, Trump visits Japan from Monday and will hold a summit the following day with the nation's new prime minister, Sanae Takaichi.The Fed is widely expected to lower its current benchmark interest rate of 4% to 4.25% by another quarter percentage point when it decides on policy on Wednesday, a view supported by tamer-than-estimated inflation data on Friday.With that rate move already factored into asset prices, markets are likely to be more sensitive to any forward-looking language from Fed Chair Jerome Powell, with the central bank expected to cut rates further at its next meeting in December.In Japan, the central bank is likely to debate this week whether conditions are ripe to resume rate hikes as worries about a tariff-induced recession ease.Most analysts expect the Bank of Japan to keep its policy rate steady at 0.5% at the October 29-30 meeting. Prime Minister Takaichi has called for BOJ cooperation in achieving inflation driven more by gains in wages.

US President Donald Trump arrived in Malaysia on Sunday on the first leg of an Asian tour that will include high-stakes trade talks with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.US-China trade talks in the Malaysian capital entered a second day on Sunday, ahead of Trump's meeting with Xi in South Korea, in a bid to seal a deal to end the bruising trade war between the world's two biggest economies.Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One that he hoped for a "comprehensive deal" with Xi, adding that he expected China to make a deal to avoid further 100 percent tariffs that are due to come into effect on November 1."We're moving forward to the final details of the type of agreement that the leaders can review," US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told reporters in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.As he left Washington, Trump added to speculation that he could also meet North Korean leader Kim Jong Un for the first time since 2019 while on the Korean peninsula, saying he was "open to it".The US president will also visit Japan, on his first trip to Asia since returning to the White House in January in a blaze of tariffs and international dealmaking.It is Trump's first visit as president to Kuala Lumpur, where his flight was escorted on its final approach by two Malaysian F-18 jets.Greeted with a red carpet welcome and a sea of Malaysian and US flags, a grinning Trump responded with his trademark arm-waving dance to cultural performers.Trump, who is expected to sign a trade deal with Malaysia, rode with Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in his armoured Cadillac -- nicknamed "The Beast".A small group of protesters, including some holding placards reading "Dump Trump", rallied elsewhere in the city.The US president is also expected to witness the signing of a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, a truce he helped broker after the deadliest clashes between the neighbours in decades.Tariff talksAfter Malaysia, Trump is expected in Tokyo on Monday, where the following day he will meet Japan's new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.The US leader said he had heard "great things about her" and hailed the fact that she was an acolyte of assassinated former premier Shinzo Abe, with whom he had close ties.Takaichi said she told Trump in a phone call on Saturday that "strengthening the Japan-US alliance is my administration's top priority on the diplomatic and security front".Japan has escaped the worst of the tariffs Trump slapped on countries around the world to end what he calls unfair trade balances that are "ripping off the United States".The highlight of the trip is expected to be South Korea, where Trump will meet Xi for the first time since his return to office.Trump is due to land in the southern port city of Busan on Wednesday ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, and will meet South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.On Thursday, global markets will be watching closely to see if the meeting with Xi can halt the trade war sparked by Trump's sweeping tariffs, especially after a recent dispute over Beijing's rare-earth curbs.Trump initially threatened to cancel the meeting and announced the fresh 100 percent tariffs during that row, before saying he would go ahead after all.South Korea's reunification minister has said there is a "considerable" chance that Trump and North Korea's Kim will also meet.The two leaders last met in the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) separating the two Koreas during Trump's first term.Kim has said he would also be open to meeting the US president if Washington drops its demand that Pyongyang give up its nuclear arsenal.

Chinese and US delegations convened in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday for talks on economic and trade issues, according to Xinhua news agency.China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement that both sides would hold consultations on key matters concerning China-US economic and trade relations, in line with the important consensus reached between the two heads of state during their phone calls earlier this year.The Chinese delegation was led by Vice Premier He Lifeng, accompanied by Vice Minister of Commerce Li Chenggang and Vice Minister of Finance Liao Min. The US delegation was headed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.Bessent and He Lifeng are negotiating to ease the recently escalated trade measures imposed by both countries on each other. The discussions are also expected to lay the groundwork for a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, scheduled for next Thursday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in South Korea.

The dollar drifted higher against its major peers on Thursday as traders waited for the delayed release of US consumer inflation data on Friday, while digesting trade threats between Washington and Beijing. The yen weakened to a one-week low against the dollar as the market awaited details of a big stimulus package from new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, widely viewed as a fiscal and monetary dove. Sterling remained under pressure after British data on Wednesday showed consumer inflation held steady at 3.8% last month, defying economists' estimates for it to accelerate. The US dollar index, which measures the currency against the yen, sterling, euro and three other peers, edged up 0.5% to 98.979. The dollar added 0.17% to 152.21 yen, and earlier touched 152.26 yen for the first time since Oct. 14. Sterling sagged 0.09% to $1.3345. The euro eased 0.06% to $1.1604.