MARCHASIA BUSINESS OUTLOOK8NEWSROOMJAPAN AND PHILIPPINES ENHANCE DEFENSE TIES FACING INDO-PACIFIC SECURITY RISKSMalaysia Aviation Group (MAG) and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) have revitalized their strategic alliance to boost travel from Malaysia to Singapore.In a statement issued today, MAG announced that the partnership would emphasize collaborative marketing strategies and tailored offerings to increase Singapore's attractiveness as a destination for Malaysian tourists while also elevating tourism expenditure and visitor counts at major attractions.MAG mentioned that to celebrate the third anniversary of the partnership, both organizations would offer improved travel advantages for MAG customers, such as boarding pass perks in Singapore."These efforts are carefully planned to take advantage of high travel seasons, such as year-end holidays, school vacations, and festive times, providing enhanced accessibility and benefits for travellers."MAG's chief commercial officer, Dersenish Aresandiran, stated that the company is delighted to maintain its collaboration with the STB to enhance Singapore's status as a key location within the MAG network.At the same time, STB's executive director for Southeast Asia, Terrence Voon, mentioned that the board was happy to enhance its partnership with MAG to provide unique promotions in Singapore."We eagerly anticipate receiving additional visitors from Malaysia to Singapore, where they can uncover distinctive experiences and appreciate the benefits our lively city presents," he stated. Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani announced that Japan and the Philippines had agreed to strengthen their defence cooperation in the face of an "increasingly severe" security environment in the Indo-Pacific region. Nakatani held discussions with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro in Manila, where the two ministers addressed regional security issues, particularly the maritime conditions in the East and South China Seas."The security environment surrounding us is becoming increasingly severe and that it is necessary for the two countries as strategic partners to further enhance defence cooperation and collaboration to maintain peace and stability in Indo-Pacific," Nakatani said.Nakatani stated that Japan and the Philippines have decided to enhance collaboration on military exchanges, create a high-level strategic dialogue within their armed forces, and improve information sharing. The security relationship between the two US allies has grown stronger in the last two years, as Japan and the Philippines express mutual concerns regarding China's more assertive behavior in the region. The Philippines and China have often been in conflict in the South China Sea over disputed shoals and atolls located within Manila's exclusive economic zone.On Sunday, Nakatani visited military installations in the northern Philippines, including a naval base that features a coastal radar donated by Japan as part of its 600 million yen ($4 million) security aid in 2023. Manila was among the initial beneficiaries of Tokyo's formal security support, a program designed to enhance the deterrence abilities of partner nations. In December, the two nations entered into a second security agreement where Japan agreed to supply the Philippine navy with rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIB) along with extra coastal radar systems. MALAYSIA AVIATION & SINGAPORE TOURISM JOIN FORCES AGAIN TO ENHANCE TOURISM
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