Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
ASEAN foster cooperative ties with Italian locality
A delegation of ambassadors of Southeast Asian nations recently visited Parma province, Italy, to promote exchanges and cooperation as part of the work of the ASEAN Committee in Rome (ACR).
— Vietnam Plus
ASEAN’s Free Trade Agreements With The Asia-Pacific Region’s 5 Biggest Economies
Apart from the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) between ASEAN member states, the regional trade bloc has signed several FTAs with some of the major economies in the Asia-Pacific region. These include the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA), the ASEAN-China FTA (ACFTA), the ASEAN-India FTA (AIFTA), the ASEAN-Korea FTA (AKFTA), and the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP).
— Frontera
Asean and EU: Love is in the air
At the East Asia Summit lunch held on the sidelines of the Asean gathering last month in Manila, an additional place was kept at the table for a non-EAS leader – Mr Donald Tusk, president of the European Council.
— The Straits Times
Smart Education and Learning Market in ASEAN will exhibit a CAGR of 20.3% between 2016-2020
The “ASEAN Smart Education and Learning Market” report provides analysis of the ASEAN smart education and learning market for the period 2014–2020, wherein the years from 2016 to 2020 is the forecast period and 2015 is considered as the base year.
— Open PR
ASEAN-Hong Kong SAR – Free Trade Agreement: A win-win for business
A new Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a related Investment Agreement are set to create fresh opportunities for business collaboration between Hong Kong and Myanmar.
— Myanmar Times
India looks to set up more land ports to tap potential: MoS Kiren Rijiju
The Land Ports Authority of India has taken up expansion of the Integrated Check Post (ICP) at Moreh in Manipur for expansion of trade with Myanmar, India’s gateway to the ASEAN, and it will be inaugurated soon.
— The Indian Express
Hitachi Promotes ASEAN Business Strategy at Board of Directors Meeting in Singapore
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) announced today that it held its Board of Directors Meeting in the Republic of Singapore where Hitachi’s headquarters for the ASEAN region is located. This is Hitachi’s first Board of Directors Meeting in the ASEAN region, and the fifth outside of Japan.
— Asia One
Malaysia Airlines named leading Asean airline in Indonesia
Malaysia Airlines was named the leading Asean Airline in Indonesia at the recent 8th Indonesia Travel Tourism Awards (ITTA) 2017/18.
— Malay Mail Online
Support of Asean dialogue partners sought for UNESCO nomination
ASEAN is seeking the advice and assistance from its Plus Three dialogue partners of China, Japan and Korea to nominate the region’s intangible cultural heritage for the upcoming UNESCO Convention, said Datin Paduka Dr Hajah Norlila binti Dato Paduka Haji Abdul Jalil, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports in her opening remarks yesterday morning, at the 13th Asean Senior Officials Meeting on Culture and the Arts Plus Three (SOMCA+3).
— The Borneo Bulletin
For Asean at 50, the fate of democracy hangs on the failings of its strongman leaders
Mark R. Thompson says its brief foray into openness over, Asean appears to have returned to being a bloc of ‘strong leaders’, with democracies breaking down or becoming highly illiberal. Cronyism and incompetence among its strongmen is the only hope
— South China Morning Post
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Government hopes decentralisation boosts business registration
To promote the registration of small- and medium-size enterprises (SMEs), the Ministry of Industry and Handicraft will begin early next year to decentralise the process by granting provincial government officials the authority to register businesses.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia Opposition Chief Kem Sokha Calls on Court to Drop ‘Treason’ Charges
The head of Cambodia’s now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) requested that a court in the country’s capital drop all charges against him during a hearing Thursday in which he was questioned over allegations he colluded with the U.S. in a bid to topple the government.
— Radio Free Asia
Controversial Trade Union Law having desired effect?
Along Phnom Penh’s infamous Veng Sreng Boulevard, 27-year-old garment worker Houn Ean was on strike yesterday for the second week in a row.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Why Bank Indonesia Keeps Its Benchmark Rate at 4.25 Percent
Bank Indonesia (BI) has kept its benchmark interest rate at 4.25 percent. Indonesia’s central bank does not follow the US Federal Reserve’s policy to raise its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points.
— Netral News
Indonesian tea mission to revive flagging exports to Europe
The Indonesian government and tea industry representatives have embarked on a mission to Europe in attempt to reduce trade barriers and boost tea exports.
— Food Navigator
Nobody safe in Indonesia’s ‘trial of the century’
The corruption trial of ex-House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto threatens to rock the entire political establishment.
— Asia Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Uplands agriculture advanced as Swiss provide 58b kip boost
The Swiss government has granted more than 58 billion kip (CHF 7 million) to improve farming practices in the uplands of Laos.
— Vientiane Times
4th Lao Wood Furniture Fair to Be Held Next Month
The 4th Lao Wood Furniture Fair 2018 will be held at Lao ITECC (old building) next month with an aim to promote value creation of wooden products and welcome Visit Laos Year 2018.
— Lao News Agency
Power, development insights gained via Japan study shared
Insights into renewable energy, hydropower, biomass and inter-regional electricity network connectivity were among those shared as officials from the Ministry of Energy and Mines and Electricite Du Laos (EDL) met with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) representative and expert on Tuesday to exchange lessons acquired via study programmes in Japan.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia issues draft regulations for crypto currency businesses
Malaysia’s central bank on Thursday said it had issued draft regulations for digital currency businesses, but said that such currencies were still not legal tender in the country.
— Reuters
Restricting US investments is not a wise move for Malaysia: Najib
Although Malaysia condemns United States’ stance in recognising Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, restricting investments from US investors is not the wisest of move.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia’s trade deficit with China narrows
The trade deficit between Malaysia and China narrowed to RM31.32 billion from January to October 2017, compared with RM36.87 billion in the same period last year, said the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.
— Malay Mail Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
At least 6,700 Rohingya killed in Myanmar
International aid group Doctors Without Borders said its field survey has found at least 6,700 Rohingya Muslims were killed between August and September in a crackdown by Myanmar’s security forces.
— Bangkok Post
U.N. chief says arrest of Reuters journalists shows erosion of press freedom in Myanmar
The arrest of two Reuters journalists in Yangon this week was a signal that press freedom is shrinking in Myanmar and the international community must do all it can to get them released, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Thursday.
— Business Insider
Chinese-backed Megaprojects in Myanmar Continue to Raise Ire of Residents
Myanmar activists and the leader of the country’s Catholic Church on Thursday hit out at two controversial Chinese-operated infrastructure megaprojects that they say have caused environmental damage and subjected local residents to land expropriations without adequate compensation.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Martial law spread to entire PH feared
COMMUNIST leader Jose Maria “Joma” Sison yesterday said the martial law declaration covering Mindanao, whose effectivity was extended by Congress to a year starting January 1, may be expanded to cover the entire country.
— Malaya
Government infrastructure push to boost GDP growth for next year
The government’s rollout of 12 big-ticket infrastructure projects, which would create more jobs and spur consumption, would allow Philippine GDP to expand by 7 percent next year, the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) said on Thursday.
— BusinessMirror
Noy on vaccine: We wanted to save lives
They were presented with an opportunity to save lives, and they took it.
— Philstar
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore firms need to improve on cash management
Half of Singapore’s business sectors need to improve their cash management to free up an additional $8.7 billion of liquidity that is tied up, according to a new study. It found that the drag in performance was due to a rise in the time taken to collect cash from sales and an increase in inventory
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Singapore’s latest demographics: what it means for housing
he best property analysis released these days is not about the red-hot en bloc fever, or the optimistic projection of possible growth for the property market in 2018.
— The Online Citizen
SINGAPORE HOSTS ASIA’S FINEST ARTISAN FOOD AND DRINK EXPOS
Thousands of chefs, restaurateurs, publicans and leading figures in artisanal food flocked to Singapore this year for the launch of Speciality & Fine Food Asia and Restaurant, Pub & Bar Asia fairs.
— The Drinks Business
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Labor Ministry to review proposed revision of migrant labor law
The Ministry of Labor has accepted a petition from the private sector for an amendment to the new law on migrant workers, of which punishment clause is claimed to be too harsh
— News Today (video)
Private sector optimistic about renewed Thai-EU relations
The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has expressed confidence that trade and investment negotiations between Thailand and the European Union will make significant progress, following the recent decision by the European Council to conditionally restore full political contact with the Kingdom.
— NNT
Study results for BKK-Chiang Mai high-speed train to reach Cabinet in 3 months
Thailand has received a full study report from Japan on the high-speed rail cooperation project for the Bangkok-Chiang Mai route, which is expected to be proposed to the Cabinet in three months’ time.
— NNT
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Is the electricity price in Vietnam too low or too high?
Southeast Asia Energy Outlook 2017 commented that the price in Vietnam is relatively low compared with other regional countries.
— VietamNet Bridge
Vietnam plans to scrap over 40% of business rules in construction
The Ministry of Construction (MOC) has unveiled an ambitious plan to abolish 41% of the current business regulations under its jurisdiction and simplify another 44% in a move to improve the business environment in Vietnam.
— Nhan Dan Online
No daylight for Vietnam solar energy
Some here are calling it a gold rush. From Thailand to the United Arab Emirates, global players with experience in solar energy are sending representatives to Vietnam in search of the next big alternative energy boom.
— Asia 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.
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