Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
New opportunities for China from Russia-ASEAN ties
At the ASEAN Summit in the Philippines earlier this month, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said that cooperation between Russia and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has great potential.
— Global Times
ASEAN, S. Korea open to Indo-Pacific, but cautious over ties with China
Southeast Asian countries welcome a push by U.S. President Donald Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe for “a free and open Indo-Pacific region” based on the rule of law, as long as the concept is not intended to alienate China, a major aid provider for developing Asia, according to a Philippine scholar.
— ABS CBN
The Philippines records highest foreign investment growth in ASEAN
On the back of efforts to encourage more international business activity, the Philippines registered the highest rate of foreign direct investment (FDI) growth in the ASEAN region last year, with the country hoping to capitalise on the global attention generated by hosting the bloc’s most recent summit to enhance trade and investment flows.
— Oxford Business Group
U.S.-China Summits Point to Shift Toward Economic Statecraft
During President Trump’s trip to Beijing and the ASEAN Summit in November 2017, President Trump and President Xi confirmed that the future of U.S.-Chinese relations will focus largely on opportunities for U.S. and Chinese businesses, potential security cooperation, and ongoing points of friction.
— The Jamestown Foundation
Human Rights In ASEAN: Cambodia’s Race To The Bottom – OpEd
Cambodia, a country that has not been blessed with long periods of peace and political stability throughout its modern history, is rapidly sliding into authoritarian rule again.
ILO to review ASEAN consensus on migrant workers next year
The International Labor Organization (ILO) is set to review next year the progress in the implementation of the newly signed consensus of the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to boost the protection of its migrant workers.
— Manila Bulletin
ASEAN industry players to adopt document boosting printing sector
Printing industry players in the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will adopt a document to boost the sector in the region.
— Inquier
Thailand hosts ASEAN Environment Conference in Phuket
The Reducing Marine Debris in ASEAN Region 2017 hosted by Thailand is being held at JW Marriott Phuket Resort & Spa today (November 22).
— Phuket Gazette
ASEAN on women’s empowerment
Of great importance to women is the 31st ASEAN Summit’s adoption on Nov. 13, 2017 of the Action Agenda on Mainstreaming Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) in ASEAN.
— Philstar
Asean armies shoot for trophies – and closer defence ties – at annual rifle competition
As he set aim in the men’s pistol championship, Third Warrant Officer Ross Li Jin Jie stayed focused and trusted in his training and abilities.
— The Straits Times
Report calls for ASEAN to appoint permanent chief exec and staff
The Association of South East Asian Nations should increase its funding by a factor of ten and adopt a permanent staff led by a chief executive, according to a new report co-written by the World Economic Forum and Asian Development Bank
— Global Government Forum
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Old Tricks at Play in Cambodia’s New Repression
Cambodia’s descent into the ranks of the world’s less savory countries appears all but complete with the dissolution of the main opposition party marked by a diplomatic twist toward Russia and the prospect of U.S. and European-imposed sanctions.
— The Diplomat
Royal Academy of Cambodia director says CNRP’s dissolution a boon to democracy
The Royal Academy of Cambodia director and representatives of smaller parties have hailed the dissolution of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) by the Supreme Court a boon to democracy in the kingdom, The Phnom Penh Post Online reported on Wednesday (Nov 22).
— Thai PBS
World Bank sees no slowing in Cambodia’s strong growth
Cambodia’s economy is forecast to grow 6.9% next year, compared with a projected 6.8% pace in 2017, despite risks including uncertainties over next year’s election, the World Bank said on Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Indonesia’s New Mining Holding Company to Control $6.6b in Assets
Jakarta. Indonesia’s plan to establish a holding company for state-owned miners could create a new giant with Rp 90 trillion ($6.6 billion) in assets, putting the miners in a better position to raise new funding to manage the country’s natural resource wealth.
— JakartaGlobe
Indonesia and Malaysia fire back at the EU over palm oil
Indonesia and Malaysia are considering joint action to counter possible European Union restrictions on the import of palm oil.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Indonesia’s Go-Jek launches Go-Bills
INDONESIAN on-demand transportation provider, Go-Jek introduces Go-Bills, a new feature on its platform.
— Digital News Asia
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
PM encourages Thaxang community’s organic farming
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called on residents of Thaxang village in Vientiane’s Pakngum district to expand their organic vegetable farming, which has succeeded in contributing to improved community livelihoods.
— Vientiane Times
China, Asean agree to boost media exchanges, deepen strategic partnership
Information ministers have exchanged views with the aim of strengthening the China-Asean strategic partnership for peace, prosperity and boosting media exchanges and cooperation.
— Vientiane Times
Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway works expected to start early 2018
Construction of the Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway is expected to begin early next year after the governments of Laos and China signed a joint-venture investment deal on the project last week.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia, Indonesia say EU palm resolution will affect millions
Millions of people running small-time oil palm plantations will suffer if the European Parliament goes ahead with “unfair” measures that could curb palm oil use, the world’s two largest palm oil producers said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
Malaysia could lose RM1.5 billion a year, warn aviation bodies
Two aviation bodies said Malaysia could lose up to US$362 million (RM1,491 million) in revenue annually if it proceeds with its plan to impose a new charge on airline passengers.
— Free Malaysia Today
Bank Negara to enforce crypto regulation in 2018
Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) will designate persons converting crypto currencies into fiat money as reporting institutions under the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 beginning next year.
— The Borneo Post
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Myanmar: US says situation in Rakhine State ‘constitutes ethnic cleansing’ against Rohingya
The United States has labelled the Myanmar military operation against the Rohingya population “ethnic cleansing”, and threatened targeted sanctions against those responsible for what it described as “horrendous atrocities”.
— ABC News
Ethnic cleansing in Myanmar threatens Chinese investments. Beijing is taking action
The world’s second-largest economy raised its hand this week to help halt the ongoing ethnic cleansing in Myanmar. But it’s not just altruism: China has an eye on ensuring stability for its hefty investments in the region.
— CNBC
Million arrivals from Myanmar pose increasing humanitarian challenge
Crowded into sprawling camps of polythene sheeting, around a million people who have sought safety in Bangladesh amid violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state are now facing a future of uncertainty and need.
— Relief Web
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
PH internet becoming more affordable
The country’ mobile and fixed broadband services have become more affordable in recent years, according to the latest report released by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
— Malaya
Smuggled agri products worth $217,000 confiscated in the Philippines
An estimated P11 million (US$217,251.87) worth of smuggled agricultural products were seized by the Bureau of Customs (BOC) in Cebu City last October.
— Fresh Plaza
Islamic State’s new frontline in the Philippines
The Philippine military is in hot pursuit of the Islamic State (IS)-aligned Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) amid concerns the militant group aims to launch an urban siege akin to the recent devastating assault on the city of Marawi.
— Asia Times
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore revises up growth forecast for 2017 as Q3 GDP grows 5.2%
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Thursday (Nov 23) said the Singapore economy is expected to grow by 3 to 3.5 per cent for 2017, an upward revision from its initial range of 2 to 3 per cent.
— Channel NewsAsia
Singapore makes a ‘good start’ on its debt restructuring ambitions
Singapore has made “a good start” in its bid to become a debt restructuring hub in the region, with six workout cases filed before its courts after it adopted U.S. Chapter 11-like incentives in local company laws this year, a senior government official said.
— The Jakarta Post
MyRepublic to launch mobile services in Singapore in Q1 next year: CEO
Internet service provider MyRepublic on Wednesday (Nov 22) announced it secured S$70 million in funds from Makara Capital, which it will use to “accelerate” plans to launch mobile services, including in Singapore, “next year”.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
‘Super board’ will combat security risks
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has invoked his sweeping powers under Section 44 to amend the internal security legislation and set up a security “super board” to help the Internal Security Operations Command (Isoc) deal with domestic threats.
— Bangkok Post
Gulf Energy raises $733 mln, biggest Thai corporate IPO in over a decade
Thailand’s Gulf Energy Development Pcl has raised $733 million after its initial public offering priced at the top end of expectations – marking the country’s biggest corporate IPO in more than ten years.
— Reuters
Tackling poverty tops ministry agenda
Addressing poverty’s root causes will remain high on the agenda of the Finance Ministry, which is seeking to balance the budget within five to 10 years, as Thailand’s economic recovery gains speed, says…
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Convenience stores aid growth of Vietnam’s retail industry
The country is attractive to retailers, with a market of more than 93 million people, relatively young population and an estimated GDP of 220 billion USD.
— VietnamNet Bridge
VN to build upscale coffee brand
Viet Nam has set up a project to promote high-quality Vietnamese coffee backed by about VND170 billion (US$7.5 million).
— Bizhub
Asian investors compete to build up stakes in Vinamilk
The race to build up stakes in Vinamilk, Vietnam’s largest listed company, is likely to see Hong Kong’s diversified group Jardine Matheson square off against Singapore-listed Fraser and Neave (F&N).
— DealStreetAsia
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.