Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Trump to miss East Asia Summit due to scheduling woes — Cayetano
Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano on Wednesday clarified reports that US President Donald Trump would skip the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila on November 14.
— The Nation
ASEAN entering the era of electric vehicles
Personal mobility has swiftly changed with the introduction of electric vehicles (EV) on the road, which is beginning to reshape the global transportation market. In 2016, EVs hit a new record with 750,000 units sold worldwide, bringing the total number sold to more than 2 million and marking a staggering increase after only crossing the 1-million threshold in 2015.
— The Jakatar Post
Assam presents itself as India’s Expressway to ASEAN
The strategic location of Assam in proximity of the growing ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) economies provides easy access to a market of over 800 million consumers. All major ASEAN cities are located geographically closer to Assam as compared to other states in India.
— Media India Group
SBY trumpets ‘ASEAN first’ policy stance
Southeast Asian nations must bolster their alliances amid uncertainty over America’s foreign policy plans, former Indonesian president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono says.
— News.com.au
Mattis: U.S., ASEAN Member Nations Address Shared Concerns
The United States is a firm supporter of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and its commitment to regional peace and stability, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said during a briefing with reporters traveling with him on his fourth trip to Asia during his current post.
— US Department of Defense
Experts call for ASEAN unity on South China Sea
Experts who gathered at a forum to discuss issues surrounding the South China Sea on Oct. 25 expressed concerns about increasing pressure from China. While they agreed on the importance of U.S. influence in the region, some called for unity within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations as the key to fending off Chinese aggression.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Blue skies ahead for Asean airlines with more flight options, transfers
Asean’s push to loosen protectionist chains that prevent the 10-nation bloc from operating as a single, wide open sky, gained good momentum when the region’s transport ministers and officials met in Singapore recently.
— Inquirer
ASEAN should recognize domestic work
Often called the largest invisible workforce, there are almost 10 million domestic workers in Southeast Asia and the Pacific. More than 2 million are migrant domestic workers. In fact, domestic workers make up nearly 20 percent of all migrant workers in the ASEAN region. The vast majority are women.
— The Jakarta Post
Hyundai creates task force for ASEAN market
Hyundai Motor has kicked off a task force to tap deeper into the ASEAN market in an apparent move to offset its sluggish sales in China amid the prolonged diplomatic tensions, according to Chosun Biz on Oct. 25.
— The Investor
Trade fair in Seoul features iconic ASEAN food
The annual ASEAN Trade Fair, themed “Taste the Happiness”, kicked off on Wednesday in Seoul, displaying food and beverage products from the ten ASEAN member states.
— Vietnam News
ASEAN – African manufacturers, tech firms to meet at Expo and Forum
Business delegates from the 10 ASEAN region nations will meet African buyers, importers and potential partners at the Sandton Convention Centre from 6 – 8 November, for an expo and summit designed to boost already thriving trade between African and ASEAN nations.
— Engineering News
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodian opposition member pardoned at PM’s request
PHNOM PENH (Reuters) – A senator from Cambodia’s main opposition party was pardoned on Wednesday from the seven-year jail sentence he had been given over a Facebook posting, in a conciliatory sign from Prime Minister Hun Sen towards his opponents.
— Business Insider
Garment exports to slow
Cambodia’s garment and footwear exports will likely see a slower percentage of growth this year at around 5 percent, compared with 7 percent in 2016, a trend that industry insiders dismissed as not being indicative of an overall decline or linked to the current political situation.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia’s King Sihamoni OKs Divisive Laws to Reallocate Opposition Parliamentary Seats
Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni has approved a set of controversial amendments to the country’s electoral law, paving the way for the dissolution of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and the reallocation of its parliamentary seats to government-aligned parties.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Airbus considers teaming up with Indonesia’s aircraft industry
European aircraft producer Airbus has expressed its interest in cooperating with its Indonesian counterpart, state-owned aircraft company PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PT DI), to establish an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facility in Indonesia, a senior minister has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Garuda Indonesia posts first profit in three quarters
Flag carrier Garuda Indonesia posted a jump in third-quarter profit thanks to aggressive cost cuts that offset higher fuel prices, providing relief for the airline’s turnaround efforts.
— Nikkei Asian Review
BlackBerry happy with Indonesian market
BlackBerry remains pleased with the performance of its handset Aurora – which in Indonesia has been licensed to PT BlackBerry Merah Putih (BBMP).
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Govt to give priority to hiring teachers, doctors: PM
The government has reaffirmed the new intake of civil servants for 2018 will be limited to 3,000, declining from the 5,000 employees recruited this year.
— Vientiane Times
Top inspector urges tougher anticorruption measures
The top inspector has proposed using tougher measures against violations of planning and financial discipline in order to prevent further losses to the nation.
— Vientiane Times
City could have new bus service by year end
The Commuter Line and Airport Line under the Vientiane State Bus Enterprise (VSBE), forming a new division called City 2, are expected to open for public use within this year, while the Community Line is expected to start operation in early 2018.
— Vientiane Times
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Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
UPDATE 1-Japan’s JERA signs three-year LNG purchase contract with Malaysia
JERA Co, Japan’s biggest liquefied natural gas (LNG) buyer, said on Wednesday it signed a three-year LNG purchase agreement with a subsidiary of Malaysian state energy company Petroliam Nasional Bhd (Petronas) starting in 2018.
— Kitco
Malaysia gets its first eSports gaming hub
ONE of the most common piece of advice a gamer gets is to get up and leave the house once in awhile. Good news gamers, now you can do just that, and still not give up your gaming needs at The Pantheon in One City, Selangor.
— The Star Online
Malaysia’s passport as powerful as that of the US
Malaysia’s passport ranks at No 6 globally, and is as powerful as passports from Ireland, Canada, and the United States (US).
— Free Malaysia Today
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
UN must respect host country’s priorities: president
The United Nations must help member countries with nation-building and development while understanding local conditions, said Myanmar President Htin Kyaw.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar garment exports set to hit US$3bn in 2017
Myanmar’s garment exports could reach up to US$3bn this year, new estimates show, boosted by an increase in investment and orders, particularly from Europe.
— Just-Style
Myanmar to reap greater rewards in deep-sea port development project
Myanmar is set to receive a greater amount of the profit-sharing in a $7.2 billion deep-sea port development project in the town of Kyaukphyu in western Rakhine state, though negotiations with the main Chinese investor are ongoing, RFA reported on 24 October quoting a commerce ministry official.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
PH seeks market access for footwear exports
Trade officials are poised to meet with foreign buyers and brand owners of international garments companies to seek expanded access of markets and products which are outsourced in the Philippines.
— Malaya
Jack Ma keen on making Philippines internet faster
Alibaba founder and executive chairman Jack Ma looked upbeat after a meeting with President Duterte at Malacañang yesterday despite reports that he complained of the slow internet connection in the country.
— Philstar
Government vows to prioritize local contractors in infrastructure program
Despite the planned liberalization of the construction sector, the government will still prioritize Filipino contractors in its massive “Build, Build, Build” (BBB) program, which is seen to require an additional 2.5 million construction workers up to 2021.
— BusinessMirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore among top performers in new ADB regional integration measure
SINGAPORE is among the top performers in the Asia-Pacific Regional Cooperation and Integration Index, a new measure of the progress of regional cooperation and integration in the region.
— The Business Times
Hong Kong, Singapore to Collaborate on DLT Trade Finance Platform
Hong Kong’s banking regulator and de facto central bank has announced a new collaboration with Singapore aimed to digitize trade finance using distributed ledger technology (DLT).
— Coindesk
Important for Singapore to sustain good bilateral ties with US and for America to remain engaged in region: PM Lee
American companies and investments in Singapore generate tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of jobs, for Singaporeans, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday (Oct 25 US time).
— The Straits Times (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thailand kicks off sumptuous funeral of King Bhumibol Adulyadej
Thailand on Wednesday marked the start of a lavish, five-day funeral for King Bhumibol Adulyadej with a Buddhist religious ceremony attended by senior members of its royal family.
— Reuters
Junta leader to use absolute power to speed up EEC construction
The junta leader has announced that the regime will use absolute power to speed up the construction of the the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
— Prachatai English
Cabinet approves bill to encourage people in fight against corruption
The cabinet has approved in principle a draft bill that seeks to encourage and protect people who provide information about suspected corruption in government bureaucracy.
— Thai PBS
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Firms must adapt to FTA changes
As part of the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA), Việt Nam will cut 669 tariff lines to zero per cent starting in January 2018.
— Viet Nam News
Forum seeks to tackle bottlenecks to boost growth in Vietnam
Experts and policy makers gathered at a forum held by the Central Institute for Economic Management (CIEM) in Hanoi on October 24, to discuss policy solutions for 2018-2020 in order to boost growth model reform in Vietnam.
— Nhan Dan Online
Vietnam jails student activist six years for propaganda against the state
A Vietnamese student activist was jailed for six years plus four years of probation by a local court on Wednesday for conducting propaganda against the state, his lawyer said.
— Reuters/Business Insider
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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