TOP NEWS HEADLINES IN INDONESIA, PHILIPPINES, SINGAPORE & THAILAND: MARCH 14, 2026

INDONESIA 

1. RI'S EXPORTS TO MIDDLE EAST CONTINUE DESPITE HIGHER FREIGHT COST: GOVT -- ANTARA

Trade Minister Budi Santoso announced that Indonesian exports to the Middle East are still proceeding normally, despite the challenges of rising freight costs.

2. MINISTRY WARNS REGIONS OF LOOMING WATER CRISIS -- ANTARA

The Ministry of National Development Planning has warned of a looming water crisis across several regions, particularly on Java Island, as water demand is expected to increase significantly.

PHILIPPINES

1. ASEAN ECONOMIC MINISTERS RETREAT ENDORSES PH ECONOMIC DELIVERABLES -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Secretary and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers (AEM) Chair Ma. Cristina Roque said the AEM Retreat endorsed the Philippines' priority economic deliverables.

2. OIL IMPORTS FROM RUSSIA 'BEING CONSIDERED’ – DFA CHIEF -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The importation of oil from Russia following the temporary lifting of sanction on Russian crude oil in transit at sea is “being considered” by the Philippines, Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro said on Friday.

SINGAPORE

1. IRAN WAR UNLIKELY TO HAVE PROLONGED IMPACT ON STOCK MARKETS, ANALYSTS SAY -- CNA

Staying invested in the stock market is likely the best strategy for investors amid volatility arising from the war in the Middle East, according to analysts.

2. SINGAPORE NAMED IN SECOND US UNFAIR TRADE PRACTICES PROBE; MTI TO ENGAGE US TRADE REP’S OFFICE -- THE STRAITS TIMES

The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) said on March 13 that it will engage the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) over a second unfair trade practices probe the American agency has initiated.

THAILAND 

1. THAILAND'S OIL RESERVES RISE TO 98 DAYS, EYES RUSSIAN CRUDE TALKS -- THE NATION

Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Transport, in his capacity as director of the Joint Management and Monitoring Centre for the Situation in the Middle East, briefed the media on the outcome of a meeting on the conflict in the Middle East, expressing confidence in Thailand’s energy security.

2. TOURISM STIMULUS EYED TO ADDRESS SLOWDOWN -- BANGKOK POST

To mitigate the tourism impact from the Middle East conflict, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to propose to the cabinet a stimulus measure for the short-haul and domestic markets, as well as setting up a "war room" in collaboration with private operators.

-- BERNAMA