Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
India’s Act-East policy can deter Chinese aggression
Recently the ASEAN India Connectivity Summit (AICS) on the theme of “Powering Digital and Physical Linkages” for Asia in the 21st century was held in New Delhi. Since the unveiling of India’s Look East Policy in 1992 and then its transformation into “Act East Policy” in 2014, India has endeavoured to strengthen connectivity to ASEAN in a variety of ways.
— DNA
Vietnam takes actions to realise ASEAN common tourist visa
A range of activities have been carried out by Vietnam tourism sector and other related authorities to realise the single ASEAN visa policy.
— Nhan Dan
AJWELP Empowers Women Entrepreneurs in the ASEAN Member States
The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) organized the 2nd ASEAN-Japan Women Entrepreneurs’ Linkage Program (AJWELP), a program to empower start-up women entrepreneurs, in Jakarta, Indonesia on December 3-6, 2017.
— Business Wire
Iran’s mutual trade with ASEAN witnesses significant rise
Iran’s mutual trade with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has witnessed a significant rise during the current fiscal year (started March 20, 2017).
— Trend News Agency (paywall)
Indian Northeast policy to act as catalyst for trade with ASEAN countries
The Indian government is planning to engage Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) in a big way as the new industrial policy being framed for the development of industries in northeast India would prove to act as a catalyst with the trade with ASEAN.
— Connected to India
Experts to China: cooperate or South China Sea fisheries may collapse
For years, sovereign rights in the South China Sea have been an object of fierce contention among the states that border it: the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and Vietnam (all members of the 10-nation ASEAN group), China, their giant neighbor to the north, and Taiwan as well.
— Mongabay
Asia Trade In The New Global Order
As the “spiritual home of borderless trade,” it was fitting that Hong Kong was chosen as Asia House’s first overseas signature event outside London, according to Asia House Chairman Lord Stephen Green, the former HSBC Group Chairman.
— Thailand Business News
ASEAN giants to return to growth in 2018
Asia Pacific will be the third-fastest growing region for vehicle sales in 2018, according to BMI Research forecasts, which show sales for the region rising 4.7%, ahead of the 3.6% forecast for global sales growth.
— Automotive World (paywall)
ASEAN Summit soon, pollution body calls for immediate steps
At 7.30 pm on Thursday, the levels were 276 micrograms per cubic metre and 419 micrograms per cubic metre respectively. On Thursday, the air quality index for Delhi at 4 pm read 469 of a maximum of 500. Continuous emergency level air quality is noted since 7 am on December 21 and the IMD has forecast low winds and moderate/dense fog in the morning.
— Nyoooz
Indo-Asean Summit on January 25: India ready to play host to 10 Asean leaders
The central government is preparing for the mega Indo-ASEAN show which will be attended by all the 10 leaders from SE Asia in January amid growing demand for Delhi to play a bigger role in the region to counter the hegemony of China
— The Economic Times
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Hun Sen Claims Cambodia Can Survive Without ‘Oxygen’ of Trade With West
Hun Sen said his government was working to resist “negative influence” from the west while developing its agricultural sector, industry, and manufacturing.
— VOA
Insiders say new concrete factories not enough to stabilise local sector
Four new Cambodian cement factories are set to come online in the near future, tripling the number of local producers, but insiders and officials this week maintained that even increased capacity will not significantly lower rates of cement imports to Cambodia due to prevailing high costs of local production.
— The Phnom Penh Post
PM Hun Sen Eases Garment Workers with Electricity and Water Prices
Prime Minister Hun Sen has urged both the electricity and water authorities to provide these utilities to the workers’ renting rooms for the government’s favor.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Business & Politics: Eyeing Indonesia’s 2019 Presidential Election
Investors will need to keep an eye on Indonesia’s political years of 2018 (regional elections) and 2019 (legislative elections) as the outcomes can have a big impact on the investment climate and business climate of Indonesia.
— Indonesia Investment
Indonesia relaxes import regulations for 6 commodities
Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said on Wednesday he had signed six regulation drafts to relax import procedures and requirements for six types of commodities in a bid to help small and medium enterprises (SMEs) procure raw materials.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia’s mega fast-rail project runs into trouble
The $5.9bn Jakarta-Bandung link has been plagued by problems to the frustration of its Chinese consortium partners.
— Asia Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Thailand, Laos discuss border cooperation at GBC Meeting
The 24th Thai-Lao General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting discussed bilateral cooperation and security issues. The meeting was held in Vientiane, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, on December 20th and 21st, 2017.
— NNT
Illegal Logging Continues in Laos’ Attapeu, Despite New Governor’s Pledge
Authorities in southern Laos’ Attapeu province continue to turn up caches of illegally logged timber, despite a pledge by the governor to eradicate the trade when he took over administration of the region a month ago from his predecessor, who was removed because of ties to lumber smuggling.
— Radio Free Asia
Health, information authorities discuss medicinal product advertising ban
Officials have confirmed that all advertising relating to medical products, and others making claims about improving people’s wellbeing, need to be approved by the health ministry.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia stands firm in rejecting US recognition of Jerusalem despite Trump’s threat: Zahid
Malaysia remains adamantly against the US recognition of Jerusalem as the Israeli capital notwithstanding a veiled warning by US President Donald Trump that he would “take names” of critics, said Mr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
— Today Online
Malaysia ranked 35th in Forbes’ ‘Best Countries for Business 2018’
Malaysia is ranked 35th out of 153 countries in Forbes’ “Best Countries for Business 2018”.
— The Edge Markets
Malaysia’s new tallest building to be completed in 2018
Malaysia’s soon-to-be tallest building – The Exchange 106 – is on its way to completion as its reinforced concrete core wall is now in place.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
US sanctions top Myanmar general, others under Magnitsky Act
The Trump administration on Thursday announced sanctions against a Myanmar general accused of ethnic cleansing, the first such move against the Southeast Asian nation since it began to democratize during the Obama administration.
— The Hill
Myanmar Blacklists a U.N. Rights Investigator as Genocide Accusations Intensify
Myanmar has barred an independent U.N. rights investigator and withdrawn any government cooperation for the rest of her tenure, prompting further indictments of the country’s backsliding on human rights. Observers say the move reflects a possible deepening of a bunker mentality as the country is besieged by international criticism over what the U.N. has labeled an ethnic cleansing campaign.
— Time (video)
Myanmar Says Two Reuters Journalists Remanded in Custody
The two Reuters journalists who were detained in Myanmar on Dec. 12 have appeared in court and been remanded in custody, a police spokesman said on Thursday.
— US News/Reuters
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Philippines boosts cybersecurity ahead of China Telecom entry
The Philippines is beefing up cybersecurity measures prior to the expected entry of Chinese firms in its telecoms industry, the president’s spokesman said on Thursday, amid concerns that national security could be at risk.
— ABS-CBN
Philippine Ferry Capsizes, but Vast Majority of Passengers Are Saved
At least four people died when a ferry capsized in the Philippines on Thursday morning, renewing concerns about maritime safety in the archipelagic nation.
— The New York Times
Filipino growers oppose testing GMO bananas in Mindanao
The Pilipino Banana Growers and Exporters Association (PBGEA) is not in favour of the field testing of genetically modified (GMO) bananas, as proposed by scientists from the Queensland University of Technology, Australia. The Association welcomes GMO breakthroughs but does not subscribe to the production of genetically modified bananas because it is unsure if there is a market for it.
— Fresh Plaza
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore officials rehearse for ‘inevitable’ terror attack
Singapore has been a safe harbor – to date – in the volatile Southeast Asian region, which has been plagued by intermittent terrorist attacks. But Lion City has been on high alert and a growing number of its citizens fear that the wealthy city-state may soon be targeted by extremists.
— Asia Times
Singapore rolls out 5-year sterilisation programme to manage stray dog population
To better manage the stray dog population in Singapore, the Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA) will be rolling out a five-year programme aimed at sterilising 70% of such dogs here.
— The Star Online
Things to Keep Kids Amused During The Singapore School Holidays (HD video)
For parents at a loss as to how to keep their children entertained, amused, and mentally stimulated during the Singapore school holidays Channel NewsAsia has produced a video and list of some of the most popular things parents can do with their children during the year-end school break.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
After delays, ground broken for Thailand-China railway project
Construction of a long-awaited Thai-Chinese railway line that will link Thailand, Laos and China officially began on Thursday with a ground-breaking ceremony in the northeastern Thai province of Nakhon Ratchasima.
— Reuters
Village internet scheme completed
State enterprise TOT has finished construction of the national broadband network for 24,700 villages nationwide (the Pracha Rat internet project), two weeks ahead of the deadline set by the government.
— Bangkok Post
Japanese flag interest in EEC
THAILAND has discussed with Japanese MPs and business people the possibility of a forum for the exchange of political ideas, Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak said yesterday.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam’s hydropower dam builder to raise $100m in IPO
Vietnam’s state-owned Song Da Corporation plans to raise some 2.4 trillion dong ($106 million) at its initial public offering on the Hanoi Stock Exchange on Dec. 25.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Vietnam’s seafood industry reacts to ‘yellow card’ from EU
Despite the European Commission having given Vietnam’s seafood industry a ‘yellow card’ in October – a warning to countries involved in illegal fishing – Vietnamese seafood exporters believe they can have the decision revoked, and avoid a more serious ‘red card.’
— Tuoi Tre
Toyota wants licence to import cars
Toyota Viet Nam is one of the first firms to ask the Ministry of Industry and Trade to issue business certificates in accordance with new Government Decree No 116/2017/ND-CP.
— Bizhub
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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