Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
First Steps Taken to Improve Natural Disaster Preparedness
Senior policy makers from across the Asia-Pacific have taken the first steps in improving the regions preparedness to meet natural disasters with the establishment of the Asia-Pacific Disaster Resilience Network (APDRN).
— AEC News Today
ASEAN Counter-Terrorism Weaknesses – Analysis
Since 2016, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS), or Daesh, has sustained a propaganda offensive directed at Southeast Asian Muslims as they recruit Indonesians, Malaysians and Filipinos to join the war effort in Iraq and Syria, or to wage armed jihad in their own region.
— Eurasia Review
Malaysia offers ‘test-bed’ for startups seeking to scale: MDEC
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), the government backed agency trying to create a digital ecosystem in the country is unfazed by China emerging as the next technical power, with a senior executive from the firm stressing on the opportunity to collaborate between companies from both countries.
— DealStreetAsia
Japanese boost for property market
JAPANESE property firms have expanded their investment in Thailand’s residential market by over Bt100 billion since 2013, recognising the nation’s potential as a gateway to expanding their investment in Asean.
— The Nation
Europe’s open borders hold lessons for Asean
While the signing of the Facilitation of Cross-Border Transport of Passengers by Road Vehicles is a laudable boost to cooperation among Asean member states (Asean to boost land, sea, air links in region; Oct 13), there is a danger that it may pose a security threat.
— The Straits Time (paywall)
MMDA appeals for understanding as ASEAN convoy dry runs continue
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has appealed for understanding as more convoy dry runs for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit will be conducted in the succeeding days.
— Manila Bulletin
BSP prods local banks to expand into Asean
Philippine banks can start establishing presence in Southeast Asian countries over the next few years with the full rollout of the ASEAN Banking Integration Framework (ABIF) by 2020, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said.
— Philstar
Malaysian coconut company seeks uniform Asean policies
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of a successful coconut-product company in Malaysia has called for rationalisation of Asean government policies and duties to allow businesses to flourish.
— The Nation
Breaking the barriers in ASEAN Finance
Tun Dato Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, former prime minister of Malaysia was keynote speaker at the Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) 49th Anniversary and Annual Conference on Friday, Oct. 13. The theme “Breaking Barriers to Competitiveness in the ASEAN Financial Sector” was defined and drawn by Dr. Mahathir — as he spoke of “individual economies [which must] decide for themselves how to improve competitiveness despite the mantra of globalization that had held sway over nations in the past two decades (BusinessWorld, 10.14.2017).”
— Business World
ASEAN Media and Marketing workshop concludes in Bangkok
The management and implementation of crisis communication strategies were cast in the spotlight at the inaugural Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Media and Marketing Workshop for ASEAN Member Associations which concluded in Bangkok, Thailand on Sunday.
— Ghana Soccernet
Rohingya shadow on South Asia free trade pact
A flood of Rohingya refugees into Bangladesh threatens to hold captive India’s efforts to cobble together a Bimstec free trade pact which would cover nations with combined GDP of over $3 trillion.
— The Telegraph
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia’s Increasing Prosperity: Domestic Hurdles Ahead
Cambodia recently made the transition from a low income to a lower middle-income country, according to the World Bank’s rankings. This is good news, but it poses a question: does Cambodia need to rethink its model of export-driven economic growth, as preferential access for its exports to developed countries is gradually reduced, or as aid flows diminish?
— AEC News Today
Cambodia’s political prince submits to its strongman
With Cambodia’s opposition warning of the imminent death of its democracy, the historic rival who once beat Prime Minister Hun Sen in an election said there was no option but to work with the strongman.
— Bangkok Post
AS ANTI-US FEELING GROWS IN CAMBODIA, CHINA CASHES IN
Chinese businesses are quietly expanding their footprint in Cambodia as relations between the Southeast Asian nation and Washington worsen and the din of anti-American sentiment grows louder.
— South China Morning Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Indonesia set for trillion US dollar economy in bittersweet triumph
Indonesia is on track to become a trillion US dollar economy and should be the envy of South-east Asia. Yet on some key measures, the region’s biggest economy is falling behind.
— Malay Mail Online
Indonesia AirAsia flight turns back due to technical issue
“Flight QZ535 with 145 passengers on board, landed safely at Perth International Airport at 12:40pm local time,” AirAsia said in a statement.
— The Star Online
Qatar’s Emir to Visit Indonesia to Strengthen Business Relationship
Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani is scheduled to visit Indonesia on Oct. 17-18 to try to strengthen relationship between the two countries, especially in the business sector, an Indonesian official confirmed on Friday (13/10).
— Jakarta Globe
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Mekong countries seeking sustainable cultural tourism
Government officials charged with training specialist cultural heritage guides and developing relevant policies have joined tourism industry players from Mekong sub-region countries to discover the platform for national level training of specialist guides.
— Vientiane Times
‘Our Hand, Our Future’
Increasing awareness and understanding about the importance of handwashing with soap is an effective and affordable way to prevent diseases and save lives.
— Lao News Agency
JMAS, UXO Lao to accelerate explosive device clearance operations
The Japan Mine Actio
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia to build field hospital for Rohingyas
Malaysia has committed to build a field hospital in Cox’s Bazar with the aim of providing better health services for the Rohingya refugees who have fled persecution in the troubled Rakhine state of Myanmar.
— Prothom Alo
Budget 2018 to focus on well-being of rakyat
The 2018 Budget, which will be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat on October 27, 2017, will focus on the well-being of the people, especially in dealing with rising cost of living and giving Malaysians more opportunities to venture into entrepreneurial sector.
— The Borneo Post
Al Rajhi Bank eyes Asean expansion
Al Rajhi Bank Malaysia outgoing chairman Datuk Seri Dr Nik Norzrul Thani Nik Hassan Thani said his successor would continue with the plan to expand the bank’s operation into the region, targeting neighbouring markets like Singapore and Indonesia.
—The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Agricultural sector makes up 0.51 pc of total FDI
From 1988-1989 fiscal year until September this year, foreign direct investment (FDI) in the local agricultural sector exceeded US$380 million, which accounts for 0.51 per cent of total FDI, according to Directorate of Investment and Company Administration.
— Eleven Myanmar
RIL exits from overseas oil and gas block
Reliance Industries has exited the last of its overseas oil and gas assets after it relinquished two blocks in Myanmar.
— The Asian Age
Committee approves six foreign businesses with investment of over $9 million
The Yangon Region Investment Committee has allowed six businesses from Singapore, China and Hong Kong
to invest more than US$9 million (12.3 billion kyat) in the industrial sector prior to October 11.
— The Elevent Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Govt infra, capital spending up 18.1%
Infrastructure and other capital spending climbed in August, the Budget department said, with government resources having been used for priority public works, education and health projects.
— The Manila Times
PHL still playing catch-up in food sufficiency
Providing food for every Juan’s table remains a challenge, as the Philippine agriculture industry is yet to achieve fully the national food sufficiency goal.
— Business Mirror
Sale of military assets to fund pension reform, AFP modernization
The government is planning to sell or lease the military’s assets to help raise funds for the proposed reforms in the pension system of uniformed personnel and the military’s modernization program, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said.
— Philstar
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Changi Airport armed with $1.35b fund to export expertise
Changi Airport has set up a more than US$1 billion (S$1.35 billion) kitty – partly funded by external investors – to fuel ambitious plans to export its technical and operational expertise.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Blue Ice worth S$20,000 seized at Woodlands Checkpoint
A 23-year-old Malaysian woman was arrested at Woodlands Checkpoint on Friday (Oct 13) after authorities seized 208g of Ice from the car she was driving, a joint press release said.
— Channel NewsAsia
Record jumps in hospital and clinic attendances
Hospital admissions increased by a record 9 per cent last year compared with 2015. It is more than double the annual increases of up to 4 per cent in the past decade.
— The New Paper
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Tight Security For Second Dress Rehearsal For King Bhumibol (photo special)
The second dress rehearsal for the royal funeral of Thailand’s late King Bhumibol Adulyadej was held today, October 15, in near perfect weather conditions and amidst some of the tightest security Bangkok has seen.
— AEC News Today
Chao Phraya overflow wreaks havoc
People in several Central Plains provinces have begun bearing the brunt of the Chao Phraya River overflow.
— Bangkok Post
PM confident 2011 flood will not repeat itself
Prime Minister General Prayut Chan-o-cha has reassured the public of the government’s anti-flood measures, expressing confidence that this year’s water situation will not be as severe as that of 2011.
— NBT World (video)
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Can Vietnam avoid a crash this time?
Vietnam’s China-beating economic growth rate is the envy of Asia, as neighbors struggle to keep up with its 7.4% pace. That does not mean officials in Hanoi should be sleeping easy.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Death toll in Vietnam floods climbs to 68
The death toll in Vietnam from landslides and heavy rain triggered by a tropical depression earlier this week has climbed to 68, with another 34 people missing.
— Sky News
6.7 percent GDP growth rate within reach for VN
The General Statistics Office (GSO) announced that the GDP growth rate in the third quarter of the year reached 7.46 percent, a record high level that surprised all analysts.
— VietnamNet Bridge
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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