BMW will integrate artificial intelligence (AI) technology from Chinese tech startup DeepSeek into its newest cars in China later this year, said Oliver Zipse, chairman of the board of management of BMW AG, at the Shanghai auto show on Wednesday. “This will enhance our Intelligent Personal Assistant with DeepSeek functionality. It will also complement our existing AI capabilities and enable access to information that goes well beyond the vehicle itself,” Zipse said. Previously, a number of Chinese carmakers had signed up to integrate DeepSeek’s popular large language model (LLM) into their own systems. Zipse stressed China’s importance for innovation, including in AI, saying BMW is “bringing breakthrough technologies from pioneering local players quickly to the road.” The German automaker has been accelerating collaboration with Chinese technology partners. Last week, it announced a plan to deepen collaboration with ByteDance to enhance AI applications in marketing and customer service. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE amount of payments made electronically in the Republic of Korea reached a record high last year, central bank data showed Thursday, as a growing number of people engaged in contact-free commerce.
The daily average amount of electronic financial transactions came to 959.4 billion won (US$657.4 million) in 2024, up 9.6 per cent from a year earlier, according to the data from the Bank of Korea (BOK).
The reading marks the highest amount since the central bank began collecting data on electronic payments in 2007. The daily average number of electronic financial transactions jumped 12.3 per cent on-year to 30.7 million in 2024. — ANI

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

A year after ousting ArcelorMittal, Italy moved Thursday to start handing over control of its giant ex-Ilva steelworks — one of Europe’s largest — to Azerbaijan’s Baku Steel.
State commissioners running the plant in the southern city of Taranto asked the government to authorise “preferential negotiations” with a consortium led by Baku Steel and the state-owned Azerbaijan Investment Company.
Industry minister Adolfo Urso said it was deemed to have made the “best offer” among three bids, with the others made by India’s Jindal Steel and US holding company Bedrock Industries.
The commissioners said in a statement that the decision was based on factors including the financial viability of the bidders, the “industrial sustainability” of their plans and “benefits in terms of employment and for the local communities”.
The amount of the offer from Baku Steel has not been disclosed, and the commissioners said the talks would be carried out “with the necessary confidentiality”.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government placed the plant under state administration in February 2024 in a bid to protect its thousands of employees after it was declared insolvent by a Milan court. — AF

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE Lao government, together with representatives from countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and development partners, officially launched the ASEAN Policy Guidelines on Agroecological Transition, marking a significant step towards strengthening sustainable and resilient food systems in the region.
According to a report from the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry on Wednesday, the guidelines were launched during a meeting on implementing the Policy Guidelines on Agroecology Transition and linking to green finance, held in Lao capital Vientiane from Monday to Tuesday.
The launch marks a significant milestone in promoting agroecology across ASEAN, paving the way for a more sustainable agricultural future.
The meeting also brought together policymakers, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss actionable steps for implementing agroecology in the region, reinforcing ASEAN’s commitment to sustainable agriculture.
Discussions focused on the importance of multi-stakeholder engagement and green investments to support farmers in adopting sustainable practices, further highlighting ASEAN’s dedication to a resilient, sustainable agricultural future. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

IN 2024, renewable energy sources such as wind power, solar energy, biogas, and hydropower accounted for 59.4 per cent of Germany’s electricity production, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said on Wednesday.
Renewable electricity generation reached an all-time high of 256.4 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), marking a 2.3 per cent year-on-year increase, according to Destatis.
Despite a slight decline in output, wind power remained Germany’s largest electricity source. Generation from wind fell by 1.4 per cent compared to 2023, totaling 136 billion kWh. However, its share of total electricity production rose from 30.8 per cent in 2023 to 31.5 per cent in 2024.
Solar energy saw a significant surge, with electricity generation from photovoltaics increasing by 10.4 per cent to 59.5 billion kWh. This brought solar power’s share of Germany’s total electricity supply to 13.8 per cent, the highest level recorded since data collection began in 2018. — Xinhua

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

Senior General Min Aung Hlaing expressed his confidence that the successful economic discussions held together with Belarus would lead to greater future collaboration and an enhanced partnership between the two countries.
Chairman of the State Administration Council Prime Minister Senior General Min Aung Hlaing delivered a speech at the opening of the Myanmar-Belarus Business Forum at the Hotel President in Minsk on the evening of 6 March.
In his speech, the Senior General said that Myanmar established diplomatic relations with partner countries and has overcome various challenges together through cooperation.
Similarly, Myanmar initiated diplomatic relations with Belarus in 1999 and has successfully built strong mutual trust and understanding.
At present, he continued, mutual trust will be further strengthened through the implementation of people-to-people relations, business-to-business relations, intergovernmental departmental relations, and government-to-government relations between the two countries.
The Senior General expressed his confidence that the successful economic discussions held together would lead to greater future collaboration and an enhanced partnership between the two countries. He underlined that economic cooperation, trade, and investment-related connections lead to the starting point for stepping toward a shared future.
He recounted that more than a decade ago, a draft agreement was sent from Belarus regarding commitments for investment cooperation, to which Myanmar responded with interest. At this moment, Myanmar has been making efforts to revive its commitment to investment cooperation in alignment with the renewed interest of Belarus.
Currently, he underscored that although a joint commission has not yet been established between the two countries to define and outline areas of cooperation, discussions between the two nations have reached a certain level of progress in the time of the State Administration Council. Efforts are being made to strengthen friendly relations between the two governments, enhance bilateral cooperation and diplomatic relations, and promote progress in trade and investment sectors.
He noted that it is gratifying to learn that discussions have begun on enhancing cooperation between Myanmar and Belarus in the fields of education, agriculture, livestock, pharmaceuticals, industry, and tourism, as well as on sending students to Belarus to study science and modern technologies. The Senior General expressed his thanks to Belarus for Belarus’s consideration and support for Myanmar.
The Senior General highlighted that Myanmar will have the opportunity to closely observe and learn from Belarus’s efforts and experiences in private sector development for its path to progress through such ceremonies.
He underscored that Myanmar is keen to study ways to develop the manufacturing sector, create more job opportunities and income for the people, reduce poverty, and enhance food security. By sharing your valuable experiences, both countries can also strengthen trade and investment cooperation.
He emphasized that the bilateral trade has been progressing to a certain extent. In particular, Belarus is recognized as a leading country in the production of fertilizers, which are essential for an agricultural nation.
Being an agriculture-based country, he spotted that Myanmar aims to primarily enhance the importation of fertilizers. The Senior General invited business partners from Belarus to invest in Myanmar’s fertilizer production sector, which is one of its prioritized investment areas.
He unveiled that Myanmar, due to its favourable natural conditions for land and water, has elevated agriculture and livestock-based industries as the country’s main production sectors. Myanmar wishes to cooperate closely with Belarus, which has reached the forefront in terms of information and technology, in order to produce value-added products and to upgrade its agricultural production to Smart Agriculture through a mechanized farming system.
He added that Myanmar is providing job opportunities in relevant areas and is making efforts to develop human resources. Thanks to the support and modern technology from its partner country Belarus, the capabilities of the workforce in Myanmar will improve, and it will help strengthen the cooperation between both sides, leading to a more sustainable and productive partnership.
The Senior General recounted that on 10 January 2025, during the Myanmar-Belarus Business Forum, officials from both countries shared the potential of various sectors, including the energy sector, automotive manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, higher education, agriculture and livestock, veterinary medicine, food products, and water extraction industries.

The Senior General expressed his deep honour and pleasure to have the opportunity to share information about the potential cooperation and investment opportunities between the two countries. He said he believes that the signing of trade and investment agreements, particularly the draft investment agreement, is an important step. Both sides need to re-initiate this draft agreement of investment. There will be numerous opportunities for mutual benefits and positive outcomes for both sides in the future.
The Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus extended greetings, saying that the Republic of Belarus is engaged in agricultural-based production industries and that it is important to collaborate on technologies to enhance agricultural production. He emphasized that hosting the Myanmar-Belarus Business Forum will bring significant benefits to both nations.
The president of UMFCCI and officials from the Republic of Belarus participated in the discussions in the first session of the forum. In the second forum, led by Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations Dr Kan Zaw, officials of both countries discussed relevant sectors.
Union Minister Dr Kan Zaw and the President of the Belarusian Chambers of Commerce and Industry extended greetings. The Myanmar Ambassador to Belarus, Myanmar businesspersons and officials of the Republic of Belarus signed Myanmar-Belarus economic cooperation agreements and exchanged notes.
The forum was also attended by SAC Joint Secretary General Ye Win Oo, Council Member General Nyo Saw, Union Ministers, Myanmar Ambassador to the Republic of Belarus U Thit Linn Ohn and senior officers of the delegation, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Mr Yuri Shuleiko, senior officers of the Belarusian Cabinet and guests. — MNA/TTA

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

THE EU warned on Tuesday that US tariffs on Canada and Mexico threaten transatlantic “economic stability” and risk “disrupting global trade”, urging Washington to reverse course.
Stinging US tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods came into effect as a deadline to avert President Donald Trump’s levies passed without the nations striking a deal.
“These tariffs threaten deeply integrated supply chains, investment flows, and economic stability across the Atlantic,” European Commission spokesman Olof Gill said in a statement.
He noted that Mexico and Canada are the European Union’s economic partners through two separate agreements. In January, the EU announced that it would strengthen its trade relations with Mexico, an upgrade that had been eight years in the making.
“The EU stands firmly against protectionist measures that undermine open and fair trade. We call on the United States to reconsider its approach and work towards a cooperative, rules-based solution that benefits all parties,” he added.
The EU itself faces Trump’s extra levies.
His 25 per cent tariffs on US steel and aluminium imports will take effect from 12 March, affecting European industries. Brussels has vowed to retaliate with firm and proportionate countermeasures.
Tr ump has also signed plans for sweeping “reciprocal tariffs” that could hit both allies and adversaries. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

US President Donald Trump said Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company is investing an additional 100 billion dollars in the United States. He said the giant chipmaker will build state-of-the-art facilities to "boost America's dominance in artificial intelligence and beyond."

Trump made the announcement with CEO C.C. Wei at the White House on Monday. He described semiconductors as "the backbone of the 21st century economy."

Trump said semiconductors are essential to powering everything from AI to automobiles to advanced manufacturing. He added, "We must be able to build the chips and semiconductors that we need right here and American factories with American skill and American labor."

He said the world's largest contract chipmaker plans to make the major investment over the next four years. It supplies semiconductors to Nvidia, Apple, and other US clients.

TSMC announced a 65-billion-dollar investment last April for manufacturing operations in Arizona.

ကိုးကား-NHK

US President Donald Trump ordered a probe yesterday into potential tariffs on lumber imports — in his latest move threatening to stoke trade tensions — while also pushing for a domestic supply boost.
Trump signed an executive order instructing Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to start an investigation “to determine the effects on the national security of imports of timber, lumber, and their derivative products.”
The study may result in new tariffs being imposed, which would pile on top of existing levies. The investigation takes aim at exporters like Canada, Germany and Brazil, with White House officials earlier accusing these economies of “dumping lumber into our markets at the expense of both our economic prosperity and national security.”
Canada, for example, is among the world’s biggest exporters of softwood lumber,with its largest export market being the United States.
The probe under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act comes days after Trump used the same tool to study copper imports, and after he unveiled tariff hikes on steel and aluminium products.
Speaking to reporters ahead of the announcement, a White House official criticised “bad actors” globally who develop “massive overcapacity” with the help of government subsidies. — AFP

Source: The Global New Light of Myanmar

The Thai central bank has lowered its interest rate by a quarter percentage point in the face of US President Donald Trump's trade tariff measures.

The Bank of Thailand said on Wednesday it cut the rate to 2 percent in its first reduction in four months. Policymakers said the country's economy is subject to "heightened risk from trade policies of major economies," apparently with the US in mind.

They also projected slower economic growth, as Thai manufacturers, notably automotive and petrochemical makers, are facing intense competition from imported goods.

The Thai central bank had been cautious about rate cuts despite growing calls from political and business leaders.

Other central banks in Asia and Oceania have also cut rates due to growing worries about US tariffs as well as slowing inflation.

Source: NHK World