Asean Morning News For August 16

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

New smart driving licences to be valid across Asean
Thailand’s paper driving licences will be replaced with smart cards starting on September 4, the Land Transport Department has announced.
— The Nation

More ASEAN-member states urged to join OGP
Open Government Partnership (OGP) Deputy Chief Executive Officer Joe Powell has urged eight other ASEAN member states to join Indonesia and the Philippines in participating the OGP.
— Philippine Canadian Inquirer

ASEAN countries urged to boost spending on social protection
Civil society organizations (CSOs) from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have come together to push their respective governments to increase budget allocation for social protection.
— Rappler

Spurred on by AEC, ASEAN capital flirts with Vietnam
To demonstrate the less-restricted capital flows currently streaming through the region following the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in late 2015-which committed to promoting free investment flows and freer capital flows – Sumit Dutta, CEO of HSBC Indonesia, gave an example of one of the lender’s biggest clients in Indonesia.
— VietNamNet Bridge

ASEAN’s fatal blind spot: human rights
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is known for promising shocking solutions in his war on drugs, and the recent announcement to offer “dead or alive” bounties for each policeman accused of helping a narco-politician only adds another unsettling dimension to his conduct.
— Asia Times

Inclusive businesses key to Asean economic growth
MORE inclusive businesses (IBs) are contributing to economic growth in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) by providing income opportunities and affordable services and, a trade official said.
— The Manila Times

Make CoC negotiations count
IN 1986, then Philippines President Corazon Aquino met with China’s paramount leader Deng Xiaoping to discuss the South China Sea issue.
— The Star Online

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1

Report shows need for Cambodia to diversify exports
Global credit rating agency Moody’s Investors Services said yesterday that while it has retained Cambodia’s B2/stable sovereign rating alongside Vietnam’s B1/positive rating, the Kingdom’s low diversification of exports has put it at higher risk from external shocks than its eastern neighbour.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Ban, Millions in Timber Continue to Cross Border
Vietnam imported $142 million worth of timber from Cambodia during the first half of the year, according to the latest customs data from Hanoi, adding to the mounting evidence that Cambodia’s nominal timber export ban is being widely ignored.
—The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Thai trade grows on increasing imports
Trade between Cambodia and Thailand reached $2.9 billion in the first half the year, a 10 percent increase compared to the same period in 2016, according to statistics from the Thai Embassy in Cambodia.
—The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Rama Ariadi @AriadiRama

Indonesia’s oil and gas sector slumps, falling to 3% of nation’s GDP
Hit by a drop in global prices, changing regulations and competition from neighbours that are proving more attractive to international energy companies, South-east Asia’s biggest economy is facing a decline in oil revenue and steadily rising fuel imports.
— Straits Times

Indonesia’s Trade Balance Swings To Deficit In July
Indonesia’s trade balance showed a deficit in July on a surge in imports, data from the Central Statistical Agency showed Tuesday.
— Markets Insider

Government debts reach Rp3,779.98 trillion as of July 2017
In July 2017, the amount of net debts rose Rp73.47 trillion, resulting from net state securities worth Rp65.50 trillion, and net new loans worth Rp7.96 trillion.
— Antara

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Lao firm Kolao breaks ground with Thai bond issue
LAOS-BASED Kolao Group has become the first private company from that country to tap the Thai corporate bond market, raising US$25 million in a private placement today.
— The Nation

NA, Govt discuss development impacts, compensation
The impacts on residents of government-approved development projects and concession projects by domestic and foreign investors were on the top of the agenda for discussion between National Assembly (NA) and government at a joint meeting yesterday.
— Vientiane Times

Govt officials discuss land management and development
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment is focusing on land management and development around the country with aims to better manage land and prevent spread out land use.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1

Third 2017 BR1M payment starts today
The third and final phase of the 2017 1Malaysia People’s Aid (BR1M) payment will be made from today in conjunction with Hari Raya Aidiladha celebration, which falls on Sept 1.
— The Sun daily

Malaysia recorded RM15.2 million in losses due to illegal logging
llegal logging activities in Peninsular Malaysia between 2006 to 2016 led to losses totaling RM15.2 million.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia second-quarter GDP growth seen slowing on weaker private consumption: Reuters poll
Malaysia’s economic growth is expected to have slowed slightly in the second quarter as weaker private consumption partly offset a boost from resilient manufacturing and trade, a Reuters poll showed.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Tariffs and policies: The crux of Myanmar’s power problem
In 2017, Myanmar is projected to generate a maximum of 2,700 megawatts of electricity, up from around 2,500 MW in 2016, as the population expands and demand for power in the country continues to rise.
— Myanmar Times

Agricultural exports down by $32 million this FY
AGRICULTURAL exports were estimated at US$1.1 billion in trade value between 1 April and 4 August, nearly $32 million less than the same period last year, according to Commerce Ministry statistics issued Friday.
— The Global New Light Of Myanmar

Rakhine to get country’s second offshore oil-supply base
The country’s second offshore base for the supply of oil and gas will be implemented on Maday Island in Rakhine State, with private investment worth 130.8 trillion kyats, according to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC).
— Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Remittances hit 3-month high of $2.47B in June
Filipinos working and living abroad sent more money home in June, a three-month high of $2.47 billion, partly as the peso slid to nearly 11-year lows and in time for the opening of classes that month.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippines regulator denies Uber’s appeal on one-month suspension
The Philippines’ transport regulator on Tuesday denied an appeal by Uber Technologies Inc against its order suspending the ride-hailing firm’s services for a month in the Southeast Asian nation.
— Deal Street Asia

Economy likely grew 7-7.2% in Q2 — DOF
The economy likely expanded within the seven percent to 7.2 percent range in the second quarter on the back of strong exports and agricultural output, as well as improved public spending, the Department of Finance (DOF) reported yesterday.
— Philippine Star

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Meet Goh Eng Lim – the Singaporean behind the most powerful supercomputer sent into space
When a SpaceX rocket docks at the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday (Aug 16), it will deliver, among other items, a supercomputer billed as the most powerful ever sent into orbit.
— Channel NewsAsia

Buying momentum buoys July sales of private and EC homes
DEVELOPERS sold almost twice as many private homes and executive condominiums (ECs) in July than they did in June amid two project launches – reflecting a buoyant buying momentum that analysts believe will continue for the rest of this year and the next.
— The Business Times

Private home sales continue upward climb in July
A total of 1,108 private home units – excluding executive condominiums (ECs) – were sold last month on the back of more project launches, according to the latest figures from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) on Tuesday (Aug 15).
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

E-commerce sees gain in popularity
E-commerce is one of the top five most popular activities of Thai mobile users, according to a survey by the Electronic Transactions Development Agency (ETDA).
— Bangkok Post

Rainfall forecasted in most regions of Thailand in next 24-hours
The Meteorological Department is forecasting extensive rainfall in the southern region, as well as scattered rain the northern, northeastern, central, and eastern regions, including Bangkok.
— NNT

34 districts in 8 provinces still flooded
Only 34 districts in eight provinces are still affected by flooding, Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Department reported on Aug 15.
— Thai PBS

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Competition heats up in the Vietnam soft drink market
According to a report released by the Vietnam Beverage Association, the foreign sector has surpassed the 50% benchmark and is gradually edging out all the domestic competition.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Bac Ninh attracts almost 3 billion USD in investment
The northern province of Bac Ninh has drawn nearly 3 billion USD in investment capital since the start of the year, reported the provincial Management Board of Industrial Parks.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam pushes divestment in state-owned firms to counter rising public debt: HSBC
There is a new sense of urgency in Vietnam to equitize state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and use the money raised from public offerings to alleviate the government’s fiscal burden, HSBC said in a new report on the country’s economic prospects for August.
— VnExpress

See here for more of today’s Vietnam Morning News

Asean Morning News is the most comprehensive selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. All articles are hand curated by the team at AEC News Today. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.