Asean Morning News For December 1

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1

Former ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan dies aged 68
Former ASEAN secretary-general Surin Pitsuwan died aged 68 on Thursday (Nov 30). Dr Surin, who was also a former Thai foreign minister, died of an acute heart attack, Thailand’s Democrat Party said.
— Channel NewsAsia

Investing in ASEAN: Best Move of The Decade?
Moving part of your assets abroad generally leads to lower risk and higher returns. But not all global investments are equal.
— Invest Asian

Myanmar, N.Korea issues S’pore will have to tackle with Asean
Singapore has two missions of critical import when it becomes Asean chair next year. One is getting Myanmar to move towards national reconciliation quickly and refocus on rebuilding the nation. And, second, easing North Korea’s fears and getting it to open up and join the international community.
— The New Paper

Asean should unify efforts to combat terrorism, says expert
Expert says if there is no unity in efforts, an Asean counterterrorism coalition would be just another bureaucracy to draw funds away from practitioners on the ground.
— Free Malaysia Today

Biggest Entrepreneurial Conference Promoting Trans East ASEAN Collaboration Successfully Held in Kuching
Businesses in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines – East ASEAN Growth Area to facilitate collaborative framework for encouraging joint ventures and partnerships
— Asia One

ASEAN Financial Innovation Network to support financial services innovation and inclusion
IFC, a member of the World Bank Group; the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the ASEAN Bankers Association (ABA), today introduced, an industry FinTech sandbox for financial institutions and FinTech firms as part of the ASEAN Financial Innovation Network (AFIN), at the sidelines of the 2017 Singapore FinTech Festival.
— New Kerala

Philippines attracts most investment
IN AN effort to encourage more international business activity, the Philippines registered the highest rate of foreign direct investment growth in the ASEAN region last year.
— PNG Industry News

Why Indonesia matters in US ties with South-east Asia
United States President Donald Trump’s recent visit to Asia must be accounted as a high water mark of his foreign policy.
— The Straits Times

ASEAN IT firms recognised for outstanding contribution
The Lenovo Platinum Partners profiled met the highest standard of certification from Lenovo DCG (Data Centre Group).
— MIS Asia

Higher passenger service charges for ex-Asean trips from klia2
Travellers using the klia2 to head for destinations beyond Asean will have to pay RM73 as passenger service charge (PSC) with effect from Jan 1, 2018.
— The Star Online

ASEAN’s FTAs and Opportunities for Foreign Businesses – New Issue of ASEAN Briefing Magazine
The latest issue of ASEAN Briefing Magazine titled, “ASEAN’s FTAs and Opportunities for Foreign Businesses“, is out now and available to subscribers as a complimentary download in the Asia Briefing Publication Store.
— Asean Briefing

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FROM THE ASEAN-HONG KONG FREE TRADE AGREEMENT
The two agreements, the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Free Trade Agreement (AHKFTA) and the ASEAN-Hong Kong, China Investment Agreement (AHKIA), were signed at the 31st ASEAN Summit in Manila.
— CFC Innovation

5 facts about Duterte’s ASEAN chairmanship
Earlier this month, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte officially passed down the baton to Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as the new rotational chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— GMA News Online

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Cambodian Opposition Sees Revocation of Diplomatic Passports as Further Harassment
Lawmakers from Cambodia’s main opposition party said on Thursday that a move by Prime Minister Hun Sen’s government to rescind the diplomatic passports of 56 party officials and parliamentarians was another attempt to harass them following their party’s dissolution.
— Radio Free Asia

OPEN LETTER: US Ambassador Should Avoid Using Hated – Incited and Destructive Rhetoric Language !
Recently, US Ambassador to Cambodia, Mr. William A. Heitd, provided an exclusive interview with radio the Voice of America (VOA). Using the VOA for such an interview is not a coincidence.
— Fresh News

Government creates logistics council to help sector stay competitive in the region
The Cambodian government recently laid out the framework for the creation of a National Council of Logistics, a specialised interministerial team designed to tackle the high costs of the Kingdom’s logistics sector to promote the efficient flow of exports, according to a royal decree issued on November 24 and obtained by The Post yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Government holds final evaluation for tax boss candidates
Representatives of several government institutions held a meeting on Wednesday to carry out final evaluations for the candidates of several high-ranking positions in the Finance Ministry, including for the people nominated for the position of director general of taxation.
— The Jakarta Post

Google Pays 2015 Back Taxes Owed to Indonesia in Full
Global technology giant Google has paid back taxes it owned the Indonesian government since 2015 in full on Thursday (29/11), marking a new milestone in the country’s efforts to rein in digital companies.
— JakartaGlobe

Mount Agung’s Eruption Increases, Telkom Guarantees Communication Quality
Telecommunication operator, PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk or Telkom provides warranty for communications services in Bali Province to remain smooth despite the eruption of Mount Agung is increasing.
— Netral News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Vietnam’s company to plant 500 ha of rubber in Laos
Quang Tri Rubber Co. Ldt., a subsidy of the under the Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG), will plant 500 hectares of rubber and build a rubber processing factory in Saravane province, Laos under a land leasing contract signed on November 29 in Vientiane.
— Nhan Dan Online

ADB and World Bank Assistance Push GDP Growth at 7%
Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Bank (WB)’s financial support and technical assistance to Laos are considered as the key drivers and crucial contributions to stabilize the GDP growth at 7% in 2017, Vice Minister of Planning and Investment, Mr Kikeo Chanthabourly.
— Lao News Agency

Feasibility study completed for Laos-Vietnam railway
Feasibility study of a proposed railway to link Lao capital Vientiane with Vung Ang Seaport in Vietnam has been completed, officials said on Thursday.
— Xinhua Net

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1

Malaysia parliament removes mandatory death penalty for drug offenders
Malaysian lawmakers voted on Thursday (Nov 30) to remove the mandatory death penalty for drug offences, giving judges full power to decide sentences of drug offenders.
— Channel News Asia

Malaysia promotes role as gateway to region’s economy
The Malaysian government is urging foreign businesses to use the country as a launchpad into Asia, as the region’s economy is expected to grow further.
— Asian Nikkei Review

Malaysia and Indonesia may hold the key to saving the world from Bananageddon
The $12.4 billion global banana industry is at risk from an insidious fungus known as fusarium wilt, which has already destroyed tens of thousands of hectares of banana plantations across Southeast Asia and Australia.
— Southeast Asia Globe

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1

Israel says it stopped selling weapons to Myanmar months ago
The Foreign Ministry stated categorically on Thursday that it was no longer selling weapons to Myanmar, which has been accused of ethnic cleansing, amid an international outcry against the arms sales.
— The Times of Israel

Myanmar’s awful schools are a drag on the economy—and politics
ON THE first floor of a crumbling colonial building in Yangon, a teacher taps the words written on the board with a bamboo rod. “Repeat after me so you will remember this by heart,” she instructs. The whole class chants back in unison. The children have been regurgitating sentences all morning. No hands are raised, no questions asked.
— The Economist

China Draws Myanmar Closer as the World Turns Away
For the second time in a week, one of Myanmar’s top leaders is visiting Beijing, as international criticism over the brutal purge of Rohingya Muslims is bringing the neighboring countries together.
— The New York Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

US, PH begin FTA discussions
The Philippines and the United States have begun Wednesday discussions on negotiating and concluding a possible bilateral free trade agreement, according to Ceferino Rodolfo, undersecretary of the Department of Trade and Industry.
— Malaya

Realignments stall ‘pork-free’ 2018 budget
THE bicameral conference committee for the P3.77-trillion national budget for 2018 met for the first time Thursday and lawmakers from both chambers disagreed immediately over some realignments, as others pushed for a “pork free” measure.
— The Manila Times

Leni warns officials backing revolutionary government
Vice President Leni Robredo yesterday warned officials who would attend rallies supporting the revolutionary government that they may be held liable for rebelling against the 1987 Constitution.
— Philstar

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

S$500 million to be pumped into upgrading drains over the next 3 years: PUB
As part of ongoing efforts to shore up defences against floods due to increasingly frequent extreme weather conditions, the Government plans to spend S$500 million over the next three years to improve drainage across the island. Canals and drains at 16 locations will be upgraded next year.
—Today Online

Ministry of Health to introduce fee benchmarks for medical procedures
Patients can soon look up a recommended range of medical fees to help them decide where they should go for a procedure.
— Channel NewsAsia

ICA warns of imposters asking people to transfer money or data
The Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) has warned of a spate of recent calls from scammers claiming to be its officers.
— The New Paper

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Thai Oct factory output rises 0.48 pct y/y, well below forecast
Thailand’s annual industrial output rose for a fourth straight month in October, but much less than expected, as stronger production of rubber, car engines and processed food was offset by weaker output of air conditioners, jewellery and textiles.
— Reuters

More flooding, heavy rain in southern Thailand
Heavy rain has continued to pound many southern provinces of Thailand, as areas in Trang and Yala provinces have been declared flood disaster zones.
— NBT World (video)

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

November motor car imports at $200mn
Vietnam imported around 7,000 completely-built-up (CBU) motor vehicles worth $200 million in November, according to the latest report from the General Statistics Office (GSO).
— Vietnam Economic TimesPreview (opens in a new window)

Vietnam wooden furniture products now target high-end market
According to GDC (General Department of Customs), the export turnover of wood and woodwork in the first nine months of the year reached $5.55 billion, an increase of 11.3 percent over the same period last year.
— VietnamNet Bridge

VNA & Agribank sign cooperation agreement
Vietnam Airlines (VNA) and the Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank) have signed a cooperation agreement that marks the deepening cooperation between the two sides.
— Vietnam Economic Times

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.