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Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

G20, EU, Asean urged to commit to Paris Agreement despite US withdrawal
Over 300 civil society groups held the Civil20 (C20) Summit to urge the G20 governments to commit to addressing global challenges like climate change and regulation of financial markets.
— Sun Star

Japan, Thai firms in crane JV
TADANO, a Japanese manufacturer of lifting equipment, has set up a joint venture with Italthai Industrial for the distribution of cargo cranes, aiming to cash in on the logistics growth and rising infrastructure investments in Asean, especially in the CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam).
— The Nation

Asean’s strategic diplomacy underpins regional stability
Try imagining a world where the Middle East is at peace. The thought seems almost inconceivable.
— Today Online

What it takes for the internet of things to take off in ASEAN
In the movie Fast and Furious 8, scores of connected vehicles parked on kerbsides and multi-storey carparks were successfully directed by a supervillain to block a government official’s motorcade.
— ComputerWeekly.com

Exclusive: Fintech startup Akulaku bags funding from DCM Ventures, attracts Chinese investors
South-East Asian e-commerce and online financial services company, Akulaku is understood to have raised between $5-10 million in funding from a few overseas venture capital investors, according to three people aware of the development.
— Deal Street Asia

Digital Economy Seen Presenting New Opportunity for US-ASEAN Engagement
Countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be a wellspring of opportunity for the United States because of growth in the region’s digital economy and its young population, researchers say.
— Voice of America

Vietnam extends visa-free
Travellers from five European countries can continue to enjoy visa-free travel to Vietnam through to June 2018.
— TTR Weekly

ASEAN, China seek to increase tourist arrivals
ASEAN and China have sought to increase respective tourist arrivals in their markets, viewing tourism links as an important part in cultural exchanges and cooperation and helping promote the sector’s growth and inclusive socio-economic development.
— Vietnam Plus

ASEAN, Australia reaffirm commitment to strengthen strategic partnership
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Australia have reaffirmed their strong determination to further strengthen strategic partnership.
— Antara News

LT Group eyes Asean expansion
LT Group (LTG), the listed holding company of taipan Lucio Tan, is looking to set up beverage manufacturing facilities in the Asean region as part of its growth strategy.
— The Philippine Star

Japan Ministry of Defence conducts Japan-Asean Ship Rider Cooperation Programme
THE Japan Ministry of Defence is conducting its first Japan-Asean Ship Rider Cooperation Programme on board the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Ship IZUMO until June 23 in international waters surrounding the Republic of Singapore (aboard the JS IZUMO).
— Borneo Bulletin

PH hosts ASEAN electronics Dialogue
The Philippines concluded its hosting of the ASEAN Dialogue with Asian Electronics Forum Partners Tuesday (20 June 2017) at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, bringing together key experts and movers from ASEAN Member States (AMS) in the electronics and semiconductor industry to share industry updates and initiatives in their respective electronics sectors, learn from each other, and foster greater collaboration in the region.
— Philippine Information Agency

Lao tourism sector urged to improve competitiveness, integrate with ASEAN
Lao tourism sector should work hard to improve its competitiveness and integrate more with other ASEAN countries in order to attract more international visitors, an official said Tuesday.
— Xinhua

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

World Bank Subsidiary to Train 2,000 Contract Rice Farmers
A World Bank subsidiary will soon start training 2,000 farmers contracted to supply a leading Cambodian rice exporter on how to meet an international farming standard.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Shaky outlook for black pepper
The rapid expansion of pepper cultivation in Cambodia coincides with the spice’s plummeting world prices, creating concerns that the glut of pepper ripening on vines across the Kingdom could further erode next season’s market prices and push the sector toward a collapse.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

Commuter train hopes for route expansion to SEZ
A commuter rail service that runs from Phnom Penh’s central district to beyond its airport has slowly gained traction since it launched three months ago, raising the possibility that it could be expanded to connect the capital’s biggest industrial park.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News >>>

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Lion Air Places $6.2b Order for 50 Cutting Edge Boeing Passenger Jets
Lion Air Group, Indonesia’s largest budget airline, announced a purchase agreement with US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing for 50 737 Max 10 passenger jets at the 2017 Paris Air Show on Monday (19/06).
— Jakarta Globe

TABLE-Indonesia sells 14.65 trillion rupiah of bonds, above target
Indonesia’s finance ministry sold 14.65 trillion rupiah ($1.10 billion) of bonds at an auction on Tuesday, above the indicative target of 12 trillion rupiah.
— Reuters

Tourists tricked into eating dog meat in Bali
Holidaymakers are unwittingly eating dog meat on the Indonesian island of Bali, according to an Animals Australia investigation, raising questions about food safety and animal abuse.
— Jakarta Globe

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News >>>

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro   @cara_nav

Tourism officials share experiences for sectors development
Tourism officials of Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism met yesterday to go through the Asean tourism strategic plan 2016-2025 and discuss tourism priorities for Laos, with the aim of attracting more visitors to the country.
– Vientiane Times

One map to benefit natural resources management
Government and private sector representatives of Laos and Thailand have exchanged information on using a geographic information system (GIS) to build a single map for improved natural resources management.
– Vientiane Times

PM directs agro development projects in Vientiane province
Prime Minister ThonglounSisoulith and other senior government officials yesterday visited Vientiane province as the government aims to encourage more effective livestock breeding and organic vegetable projects in the province.
– Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News >>>

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Business travellers to Malaysia can now apply for eVISAs
According to Berry Appleman & Leiden’s latest advisory, Malaysia’s eVISA programme is now available for business travellers as well. Previously, the eVISA and VISA-free programme was launched in March 2016, for tourists from China and India to travel to Malaysia easily.
— Human Resources Online 

AirAsia named world’s best low-cost airline for 9th consecutive time
AirAsia has been named the World’s Best Low-Cost Airline for the ninth time in a row at the 2017 Skytrax World Airline Awards.
— The Star Online 

Wisma Selangor Dredging sold for RM480mil; special dividend in store
Selangor Dredging Bhd (SDB) is selling its headquarters Wisma Selangor Dredging, located in the city centre, for RM480mil in cash.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News >>>

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro   @cara_nav

Govt to spend Ks 107bn on new hydropower projects, extended electricity
The government will spend more than Ks 107 billion this fiscal year on building hydroelectric power plants and extending the generation of electricity of the existing hydropower projects, according to the budget for the Ministry of Electricity and Energy.
– Eleven Myanmar

Deposit rate reduction on gem purchases underway
Preparations are being made to scale down the euro deposit rate for gems purchased at the 54th Myanmar Gems Emporium in Nay Pyi Taw in order ease the purchase process, said U Tun Hla Aung, the secretary 2 of the Myanmar Gems and Jewellery Entrepreneurs Association to Myawady newspaper.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Compulsory monitoring of fishing boats soon
The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is to be fitted on all offshore fishing vessels operating in Myanmar territorial waters, said Deputy Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation Minister U Hla Kyaw.
– The Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News >>>

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Philippines outsourcing: ‘Customers want people, not robots’
In a Manila call centre, Sarah Prestoza spends hours helping exasperated callers on the other side of the world troubleshoot problems with their internet connections.
— BBC News

Transport dominates P738-B projects up for NEDA OK
Nine flagship projects, with a collective value of P738 billion, are slated for approval by the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) board by the end of the month, Socioeconomic Planning Secretary and NEDA chief Ernesto Pernia said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

ADB urged to expedite loan approvals
THE National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) is urging the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to fast-track the processing of loans and technical assistance to be a more effective multilateral institution to its member countries.
— The Manila Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News >>>

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Scoot to launch 5 new destinations in the next year
Low-cost carrier Scoot is set to launch five new routes in the next year, including a long-haul destination and four short to mid-haul routes, it announced on Tuesday (Jun 20).
— Channel NewsAsia

Property landmark: Geylang plot returns to state when lease expires
In three-and-a-half years, the 191 private terrace houses along Geylang Lorong 3 will be demolished to make way for public housing, as the land they occupy becomes the first residential plot to be returned to the state upon expiry of the 60-year lease.
— Today Online 

Barraged by allegations, Lee vows transparency
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong apologized to the nation on Monday evening as a family feud with his younger siblings continued to play out over social media. The rare public split between members of the country’s first family has captivated Singaporeans while raising hard questions about Lee’s style of governance.
— Asia Times 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News >>>

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

PM: No loan to be sought from China for high-speed rail project
The Prime Minister has denied reports that the government would obtain a loan from China to implement the Thai-Chinese high-speed train project, affirming that the project is in the best interest of the nation.
– NNT

Cheap rural net by 2018 
Thailand’s first state low-cost, high-speed fixed line-based broadband internet service will be offered to 3,920 border villages across 62 provinces by mid-2018 as the national telecom regulator attempts to bridge the digital divide.
– Bangkok Post

Cabinet endorses Article 44 for energy projects
THE CABINET yesterday endorsed a plan to exercise special power under Article 44 of the provisional charter to allow the farmland managed by the Agricultural Land Reform Office (ALRO) to be used for mining and the generation of energy, Government Spokesman Lt-General Sansern Kaewkamnerd said.

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News >>>

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro   @cara_nav

Eleven VN brands appear on Asia’s Top 1000 list
Eleven Vietnamese brands appear in the list of Asia’s Top 1000 this year, according to the annual Asia’s Top 1000 Brands survey, the region’s most comprehensive research on consumer brand perception, presented by Campaign Asia-Pacific and based on an exclusive survey conducted by Nielsen.
– Viet Nam News Bizhub

Vietnam’s inflation projected to drop to below 3 percent in 2017
Market research firm MarketIntello has forecast that Vietnam’s inflation may fall to below 3 percent, lower than the rate of 3.8 percent it predicted last month.
– VietnamNet Bridge

Vietnam visa exemption for visitors from 12 APEC member economies
Vietnam announced visa waiver programs for visitors from nine APEC economies bilaterally, and from three others unilaterally.
– Vietnam 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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