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The Asean Morning News Roundup presents a selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Asean Morning News

Compiled by AEC News Today @aecnewstoday

IoT developments in ASEAN highlight economic potential in the region
The 12th edition of the Asia IoT Business Platform 2017 held in Singapore for the first time, emphasised ASEAN’s economic potential and urged stakeholder to explore the region.
— Deal Steet Asia

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Smart launches tech incubator program
Mobile network operator Smart Axiata has launched a nine-month incubator program aimed at fostering technology-related business ideas in partnership with four top Cambodian universities, the company said in a press release.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

Industry leaders voice concern over sky-high cost of electricity
Private sector industry leaders speaking at an investment conference yesterday in the capital railed on the high cost of electrical power, which they said was sapping their competitiveness, while state officials offered assurances that state-backed power generation schemes would soon bring prices down.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

Electronics Get Manufacturing Sector Buzzing
The country’s manufacturing sector is experiencing a significant shift as the dominance of the garment industry wanes and the assembly of other products—notably electronics—booms, a National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) official said on Wednesday.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Investors need stable, quality electricity
Stable and quality electricity is needed to attract additional high-value-added manufacturing to Cambodia, but the quality of electricity in the kingdom remains a challenge for investors as the manufacturing sector continues to diversify.
— Khmer Times

S Korea Gives US$3M for Cambodian Health Care
South Korea has donated about US$3 million for a U.S.-led project to improve Cambodia’s laboratories, immunization program and health care workforce, officials said on Wednesday.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

Hun Sen issues a clarion call
As Cambodia prepares to host the World Economic Forum (WEF) on Asean in May, Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday made a global call for more investment flows into the region that he said was safe and secure for investors, and fast becoming a manufacturing powerhouse in the Asia-Pacific.
— Khmer Times

Ministry working on labor laws
The draft law on the minimum wage for garment and footwear industry workers will be completed and approved this year, according to Labor Minister Ith Samheng.
— Khmer Times 

Governments target trafficking
Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos are joining forces to boost their fight against human trafficking in the region, the kingdom’s National Police chief said yesterday.
— Khmer Times

Thai passport offices get OK
The Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training (MLVT) yesterday announced the green light had been given on new offices in Thailand designed to hasten the issuing of passport and travel documents for Cambodian migrants working there illegally.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

Farm machines to replace labor
Agricultural production, especially in the rice sector, is becoming increasingly mechanized due to a shortage of labor caused by a sharp migration of youth to the cities and the rise in prices of commodities, said a Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) official yesterday.
— Khmer Times

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Vat Vin    @vin_vat

Indonesia c.bank seen holding key rate, hoping past cuts can aid growth
Indonesia’s central bank is expected to hold its benchmark interest rate steady again on Thursday and rely on last year’s rate cuts to help boost economic growth.
— Nasdaq

Singapore firms eye Indonesia for growth
Indonesia has jumped to top spot as the most attractive overseas destination for Singapore companies looking to spread their wings.
— The Straits Times

Indonesia explores options to ease industrial loans
With relatively stagnant growth in the manufacturing sector, the government is considering assigning a special institution to provide long-term financing for industrialists, who used to provide a major boost for economic growth.
— The Jakarta Post

Malindo allocates $50 million in capex in 2017
Publicly listed poultry feed producer PT Malindo Feedmill will allocate up to US$50 million in capital expenditure (capex) this year to build a new factory and other production facilities.
— The Jakarta Post

Jokowi digs in heels over 100% electrification deadline
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo remains adamant on his plan to supply electricity to all parts of the country by the end of his term in 2019.
— The Jakarta Post

Government invests Rp 7.6t in infrastructure in Papua, W. Papua
Public Works and Public Housing Minister Basuki Hadimuljono says the government has invested Rp 7.6 trillion (US$371 million) to develop infrastructure and housing in Papua and West Papua, including roads to improve
access to isolated areas.
— The Jakarta Post

SOEs join hands in micro-loan cooperation
Three state-owned enterprises (SOEs) – financing firm PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM), lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) and telecommunications company PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia (Telkom) – are teaming up in supporting PNM’s efforts to ease loan payment procedures for its customers in rural areas.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia urges Facebook to open local office
The Communications and Information Ministry has urged Facebook to open a proper local office to enable it to adequately tackle complaints about fake news and negative content that spreads through the social media platform.
— The Jakarta Post

More lawmakers reject SOE regulation
More lawmakers have expressed their rejection of Government Regulation (PP) No. 72/2016 on the procedure for capital injection into state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the management of state capital.
— The Jakarta Post

Govt credit program fails to reach farmers, minister admits
Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution has admitted that the government-sponsored People’s Business Credit (KUR) scheme has not reached farmers, who actually needed such a soft loan facility to boost agricultural productivity.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia Holds Simultaneous Regional Elections Peacefully
Indonesia held simultaneous direct regional head elections in 101 regions across the country, covering the regions from the westernmost province of Aceh to the easternmost province of Papua on Wednesday, Feb 15, 2017.
— Tempo.Co

Garuda to Launch Jakarta-Moscow Flight in August 2017
The Indonesian flag carrier, Garuda Indonesia, will launch its Jakarta-Moscow direct flight route A330-200 aircraft, which is expected to be operational in August this year.
— Tempo.Co

Lao PDR Morning News

 Compiled by Vat Vin    @vin_vat

Khammuan Grants Licence to Racitar to Build Dam
Khammuan Province has granted a licence to the Chinese company Racitar to build a hydropower dam with generation capacity of 15 MW on the Nam Hinboun River in Khammuan Province.
– Lao News Agency

First Lao ODOP Exhibition to Take Place Next Week in Vientiane Capital
The first Lao National One District One Product (ODOP) exhibition will be held next week, from Feb 22-26, at the Lao-ITECC in Vientiane Capital, a press conference was told in Vientiane Capital yesterday.
– Lao News Agency

Laos to build first vehicle quality inspection centre
Laos plans to construct the nation’s first vehicle quality inspection centre aiming to scrutinise and ensure the safety of road transport in the country.
— Vientiane Times

Govt enters discussion on new legislation
The government held an uncommon meeting in Vientiane yesterday to discuss nine newly and amended draft laws before submitting to the upcoming session of the National Assembly for debate and approval.
— Vientiane Times

Six Northern Provinces Discuss Sustainable Tourism Links
Representatives of six northern provinces met last week in Bokeo Province to discuss the promotion of sustainable tourism links in the northern provinces and between them and neighboring countries.
– Lao News Agency

Xayaboury banana farms ordered to cease operations
Five companies with banana plantations in Xayaboury province have been ordered to stop growing the fruit, but can still plant other replacement crops in compliance with regulations.
— Vientiane Times

USC Students Head to Laos to Build Bridges for Bears
Six engineering students from the University of the Sunshine Coast will design and build shelters to help rescued sun bears rehabilitate as part of the expansion of the Free the Bears Sanctuary in Luang Prabang Province.
– Lao News Agency

Singapore Helps Lao Govt Officials Improve English Abilities
The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded a three-week training course on Basic English Language and Communication Skills for 27 Lao officials from various government agencies from January 23 to February 10, 2017.
– Lao News Agency

Drug lords arrested, multi-million dollars in assets impounded
Multiple drug lords have been arrested after police officers launched a major crackdown on the illegal drug trade across the country with 33 suspects in total having been arrested, a senior police general told local media yesterday.
— Vientiane Times

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @Estee

Infra Rakyat contributes to economic growth, raises quality of life, says PM
Infrastructure projects for the people (Infra Rakyat) will spur economic growth in the long term while improving the people’s quality of life, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
— Malay Mail Online

Malaysia’s Digi.com to raise $1.12b via sukuks to fund network upgrade
Malaysia’s mobile service provider Digi.Com Bhd is raising $1.12 billion (MYR5 billlion) through sukuks – by establishing two Murabahah sukuk programmes – raising funds for its long term growth plan and capital requirement that includes a network upgrade this year.
— Deal Street Asia

KPKT to extend rental period of Pinggiran Bukit Jalil RT1M homes, says minister
The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry (KPKT) is willing to extend the rental period for the first batch of tenants of Rumah Transit 1Malaysia (RT1M) Pinggiran Bukit Jalil here till the end of the year, said its minister Tan Sri Noh Omar.
— Malay Mail Online

Cabinet sets up special task force to probe Bank Negara’s forex losses in 90s
The Cabinet today agreed to set up a special task force (STF) to conduct a probe into the losses suffered by Bank Negara due to foreign exchange (forex) trading in the 1990s.
— Malay Mail Online

Hadi’s Bill will hurt economy, says ex-MOF secretary-general
Former Finance Ministry secretary-general Tan Sri Mohd Sheriff Mohd Kassim urged the prime minister today to oppose a PAS Bill to enhance Shariah punishments, saying it would weaken the economy and the ringgit.
— Malay Mail Online

FT mufti urges end to ‘prayer valet’ services
Federal Territories mufti Datuk Dr Zulkifli Mohamad has urged for a controversial service called “Valet Doa”, or “prayer valet”, and others similar to it to halt operations today, to prevent any exploitation of religious deeds.
— Malay Mail Online

Sabah hits record tourist numbers for 2016
Sabah’s tourism industry had its best year ever in 2016, achieving record tourist arrivals and tourism receipts despite headwinds.
— Malay Mail Online

Cuepacs denies civil servants financially draining Putrajaya
The Congress of Unions of Employees in the Public and Civil Services (Cuepacs) today rejected calls for the civil service to be downsized in order to reduce the financial burden on Putrajaya.
— Malay Mail Online

Malaysia Arrests Suspect in Airport Assassination of Kim Jong Nam
Malaysian police said Wednesday they had arrested a woman carrying a Vietnamese passport and were looking for five other suspects in the alleged murder of the half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un.
— Radio Free Asia

YTL hotels backs sporting event
The Chapman’s Challenge 2017 – a biathlon run sponsored by Pangkor Laut Resort, returns for its second year, with its race day on 13 May.
— TTR Weekly

MACC arrests GM of government agency for allegedly giving projects to wife’s companies
The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) has arrested a general manager of a government agency here on suspicion of having abused his power in giving over 50 projects worth almost RM1 million to two companies belonging to his wife.
— Malay Mail Online

Courts cannot compel AG to commence criminal proceedings against anyone, says judge
The courts cannot compel the Attorney-General (AG) to institute any criminal proceedings against an individual.
— Malay Mail Online

Kelantan declares Sunday holiday for Shariah rally
The Kelantan state government announced today that Sunday will be a state holiday in conjunction with a PAS rally to advocate enhancing Shariah punishments.
— Malay Mail Online

Sarawak party says no to Islamic teachers at Christian-majority schools
Parti Bansa Dayak Sarawak (PBDS Baru) will submit a memorandum urging the Education Ministry not to post religious teachers from Peninsular Malaysia and Sabah to rural schools where all the students are Christian Dayaks.
— Malay Mail Online

MACC busts express health checks syndicate, arrests seven doctors
Seven doctors and one clinic assistant here have been arrested in an “express health check” sting by anti-corruption officials.
— Malay Mail Online

Gov’t willing to extend rental of Bkt Jalil RT1M homes – Noh
The Urban Wellbeing, Housing and Local Government Ministry is willing to extend the rental period for the first batch of tenants of Rumah Transit 1Malaysia (RT1M) Pinggiran Bukit Jalil here till the end of the year, said its minister Noh Omar.
— Malaysiakini

1MDB-IPIC talks deadlocked, say sources
Private talks in which Abu Dhabi state fund International Petroleum Investment Co (IPIC) is seeking US$6.5 billion from Malaysia’s troubled 1MDB fund have reached deadlock, sources familiar with the negotiations told Reuters.
— Malaysiakini

‘M’sia should go beyond providing aid to Rohingya’
Malaysia should extend its role beyond providing aid to Rohingya refugees in the country, as well as those still under persecution in Myanmar, local filmmaker Mahi Ramakrishnan said today.
— Malaysiakini

A Cameron Highlands farmer shows pesticide not the only way
Pesticide and agrochemical advertising along the winding roads of Ringlet, the farming hub of Malaysia’s top vegetable producing region Cameron Highlands, indicates the high use of chemicals by farmers.
— Malaysiakini

Orang Asli march to Forestry Dept to protest against logging
About 50 Orang Asli marched from Wisma Tani to the Forestry Department in Kuala Lumpur today to protest against logging activities in Gua Musang.
— Malaysiakini

Bursa Malaysia Announces Changes To Organisational Structure
Bursa Malaysia Bhd has announced changes to its organisational structure which are aimed at transforming it into a high-performance organisation with improved efficiencies.
— Bernama

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @Estee

Myanmar to Take Action Against Illegal Chinese Farmers in Kachin State
The Myanmar government will take legal action against Chinese farmers who cross the border and work illegally on farms in the Man Waing Gyi area of Mansi township in Kachin state, a home affairs ministry official said on Wednesday.
— Radio Free Asia

Letpadaung Copper Project to bring in US$20m
The Letpadaung Copper Project, which is a joint venture between the Wanbao Mining Company from China, Myanmar Economic Holdings Limited and the Myanmar Government is expected to generate about US$20 million in its first 10 months for the State, said U Ohn Win, Union Minister for Natural Resources and Environment.
— The Myanmar Times

11,000 more nurses needed to provide adequate health services
Although the government allotted 21,407 nursing positions at medical centers under recent policy by Ministry of Health and Sports, only 10,195 nurses are being employed as of now. Over 11,000 still need to be hired, according to the Health and Sports Ministry.
— Eleven

Panglong postponed until March
The date of the second 21st Century Panglong peace conference has been postponed, according to Colonel Khun Okka, patron of the Pa-O National Liberation Organisation (PNLO).
— Eleven

Labour dept creates 28,000 jobs in January
Department of Labour said it had created more than 28,000 domestic and overseas jobs during January.
— Eleven

Myanmar CMP industry expected to earn US $ 2 billion
Myanmar is expected to earn about US$ 1.855 billion from CMP (cutting, making and packaging) garment industry which includes the manufacturing of shoes, garment and bags, according to Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven

Competing for World Heritage status
The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Culture will submit Shwedagon Pagoda and the primate fossil site in Pondaung in central Myanmar to be added to United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) World Heritage tentative list following a discussion with UNESCO officials and relevant departments.
— The Myanmar Times

Govt to issue stamp with Bogyoke’s image
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on February 13 that it will be issuing official stamps with the image of Bogyoke (General) Aung San to commemorate the ministry’s 70th Anniversary on March 17, 2017.
— The Myanmar Times

Lawyer says authorities violated student protester’s rights
High court lawyer U Robert San Aung who is representing Ko Nyan Myo Aung, a student who staged a one-man protest earlier this month, has applied to the court to take action against the authorities for allegedly violating the privacy rights of his client.
— The Myanmar Times

Legal action over seized timber
Nine months after the seizure of 489 tonnes of illegal timber in a forest area cordoned off for military research near Ban Thar village within the Ho Leik village tract in Mandalay Region’s Pyin Oo Lwin township, legal action is finally being taken against those responsible.
— The Myanmar Times

Pure-bred Myanmar bulls attracting more breeders as prices soar
The number of bull breeders has increased as pure-bred Myanmar bulls continue to sell at good market prices, according to cow breeders at a bull beauty pageant on February 12.
— The Myanmar Times

Kirin: joint venture but not ‘buying’ Mandalay Brewery
Hiroshi Fujikawa, resident director of Myanmar Brewery Limited, said Kirin will invest US$4.3 million for 51 percent of a joint-venture with Myanma Economic Holdings Limited (MEHL).
— The Myanmar Times

Military Led Investigation Team Visits Violence-Hit Rohingya Regions
The Myanmar military-led Investigation Team has recently visited Rohingya villages in northern Maungdaw and ‘Koetankauk’ village in Rathedaung Township to investigate into the crimes against humanity committed by its own troop members after October 9, 2016, sources have reported.
— Rohingya Vision

Myanmar says ex-army officer ordered murder of prominent rights lawyer Ko Ni
A former military officer in Myanmar is suspected of ordering the killing of a prominent human rights lawyer who was a top adviser to the country’s leader, the office of Myanmar’s civilian president announced Wednesday (Feb 15).
— The Straits Times

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Jose Rodriguez Senas    @15Souter

Remittances rise 5% in 2016, hit record $26.9 B
Remittances from overseas Filipino workers went up by five percent to a new record high of $26.9 billion last year from $25.61 billion in 2015, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.
— Philippine Star

Scrapped mining contracts seen to affect taxpayers
The country’s taxpayers may be the ones to shoulder the effects of Environment Secretary Gina Lopez’s order to cancel mining contracts and close down mine sites should stakeholders decide to take their last resort and sue the government.
— Philippine Star

Aguirre orders review of Duterte financier’s banana lease contract
The Department of Justice is planning to “revisit” the lease-property contract between the government and a Davao banana exporter owned by the biggest campaign financier of President Duterte for being unfavorable to the government.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippines eyes more airports to unclog Manila hub
The Philippine government is considering adding airports to serve the capital Manila and nearby areas, including a sprawling airport city complex that could handle 100 million passengers a year, officials said Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

PLDT invests P1 B in Mindanao fiber backbone
Philippine Long Distance PLDT is set to complete its almost P1 billion fiber optic cable (FOC) linking Agusan to Davao this year, announced Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan.
— Manila Bulletin

Is it the end of road for Punjabi moneylenders in Philippines?
The future of 50,000-odd Punjabi-origin Indian moneylenders in the Philippines hangs in the balance following an ultimatum by the government of the South East Asian country last week asking them to either register with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) or risk arrest and deportation.
— Hindustan Times

Will New Regulations Help or Hurt Bitcoin Startups in the Philippines?
With everyone from Abra to ZipZap using it as either a launch market or a base of regional operations, the Philippines has long been the hub of innovation for bitcoin remittance companies.
— CoinDesk

PLDT-Smart, Huawei seal 5G partnership
The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), together with its wireless subsidiary, Smart Communications (Smart), and technology partner Huawei Technologies Philippines are jointly conducting research and development on 5G (fifth-generation wireless broadband).
— Manila Bulletin

Philippines’ BEC, Thailand’s VTE ink renewable energy business deal
Philippine-listed power firm Basic Energy Corp (BEC) and Thailand’s Vintage Engineering Public Company Ltd (VTE) signed a strategic partnership to pursue business opportunities in renewable energy.
— Deal Street Asia

Ex-DBP chair acquitted
The Sandiganbayan has reversed the graft and estafa conviction of former Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) chair Vitalino Nanagas over his alleged misrepresentations in his travel expenses in 2004.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Jose Rodriguez Senas    @15Souter

Faster, cheaper access to Singapore market soon for VC funds
VENTURE Capital (VC) funds looking to set up shop here can soon get approval in a matter of weeks and without capital requirements, as the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) proposed on Wednesday to relax some rules for VC managers.
— The Business Times

Singapore-based SportsHero debuts on the ASX following $2.44m IPO
Singapore-based SportsHero Limited (SportsHero.mobi), which operates what it claims to be the world’s first social network dedicated to sports prediction, commenced trading today on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) under the ticker code “SHO”.
— Deal Street Asia

To preserve social harmony, Singapore has racial requirements for its next president
At a time when right-wing nationalism is seeing a resurgence globally, Singapore’s move to ensure minority representation may seem almost progressive in comparison.
— Quartz

Singapore drops to 14th in global ranking of top cities for students
The Republic has dropped eight places to 14th in the latest international index that ranks the best cities in the world for students, with Singapore’s high cost of living cited as a major deterrent.
— Today

Singapore to ease rules to promote startup financing
Singapore is proposing to ease regulations for venture capital managers including shortening their application process in a bid to promote financing for startup development.
— Bangkok Post

Singapore Dec retail sales rise 0.4 pct from year earlier
Singapore’s retail sales in December rose from a year earlier, helped by a surge in sales of medical goods and toiletries, data showed on Wednesday.
— Reuters

DBS fourth quarter net profit falls to two-year low, bad debt charges jump
Singapore’s DBS Group Holdings (DBSM.SI) posted a 9 percent decline in quarterly profit and like rival OCBC (OCBC.SI) booked higher provisions for bad loans, underscoring debt payment stress among firms in the city-state’s oil services sector.
— Reuters

Singapore’s IEG to start trading crude, tap China demand
Singapore-based trading start-up International Energy Group (IEG) this year plans to expand its portfolio to crude oil from products such as gasoline and gasoil, looking to tap growing Chinese demand.
— Deal Street Asia

German businessman charged for organising sex tours involving minors
A 45-year-old German businessman was charged on Wednesday (Feb 15) for allegedly organising tours overseas involving sex with minors.
— Channel NewsAsia

Inspection of trees in Singapore in line with global standards: NParks
The inspection and care of trees in Singapore is in line with global standards, and in some areas exceed the best practices of the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the National Parks Board (NParks) said on Wednesday (Feb 15).
— Channel NewsAsia

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo-journ

Prayut hungry for foreign funds
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday called on foreign and Thai investors to rev up investing in its targeted industries, saying the government over the last two years has rectified and amended rules and regulations to promote and streamline private investment.
— Bangkok Post

Thai industry zone rolls out red carpet for global business
Thailand aims to woo foreign companies through a large-scale economic zone developed with 1.5 trillion baht ($42.8 billion) in public and private infrastructure funds.
— Nikkei Asian Review

‘Industry 4.0’ Thailand’s path to prosperity, seminar hears
THE FOURTH Industrial Revolution offers vast opportunities for businesses and Thais can reap its benefits to become richer than Singaporeans within a decade, Dhanin Chearavanont, chairman and chief executive officer of Charoen Pokphand Group, said yesterday.
— The Nation

Thailand to offer 13-year tax holiday to select hi-tech sectors
Thailand has said that India can be a “great partner” for the future in the country’s new strategy to drive growth through innovation with focus on hi-tech sectors.
— BusinessLine

Blockchain and IoT Trends Driving Thailand’s Digital Transformation
Microsoft (Thailand) has said that 2017 will see five digital technology trends – that includes blockchain tech – driving the country’s digital transformation, pushing organization’s capabilities to the next level.
—cryptocoins news

Tetra Pak to open £20m closures facility in Thailand
The facility is set to capture the region’s rapid market growth for packaging with closures, forecast to grow by more than 30% between 2015 to 2018.
—PackagingNews

Land shortage prompts turn to old buildings
Land scarcity in prime locations for new property developments and a surge in land prices have prompted investors to look at old buildings for turning or renovating them into new projects, according to property consultant CBRE Thailand.
— Bangkok Post

TCCtech expands in Thailand amid explosive data centre demand
Thailand’s data centre market is about to get bigger as T.C.C. Technology (TCCtech) announces it is nearing the opening of their $8.5m cloud-enabled data centre facility expansion in Bangna.
—Data Economy

British murder suspect arrested
Cambodian officials yesterday confirmed that British national Toby James Nelhams, wanted in connection with the murder of fellow Briton Tony Kenway last month in Thailand, is in police custody after his arrest “a few days ago” in the capital’s Por Sen Chey district.
—Phnom Penh Post

Contiki dishes out big Thailand savings as part of EB2 campaign
In its second phase of massive savings, Contiki’s 2017 EB2 campaign is spotlighting Thailand for the next two weeks with savings of up to $348 plus $150 off all Contiki trips throughout the destination.
—travelweek

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo-journ

VN among top five Asian exporters to Canada
Việt Nam remained the Asian fifth biggest exporter to Canada in 2016, after China, Japan, Republic of Korea and Taiwan.
— Viet Nam News

With Vietjet on deck, 2017 airline stocks could soar
Airline stocks may ride a rising wave this year with the debut of budget airline Vietjet on the HCM Stock Exchange later this month, in a scenario similar to the impact of Sabeco’s 2016 listing on of beer stocks in general.
— Viet Nam News

VN Index up for fourth day running
The VN Index on the HCM Stock Exchange conquered the resistance level of 710 points yesterday, driven by major large-cap stocks.
— Viet Nam News

New US visa policy worries Vietnamese travelers
The new US visa policy will have adverse effects on Vietnamese students and travelers who want to go to the US, experts have warned.
— VIETNAMNET Bridge

Transport ministry: Uber needs to complete business registration
The Transport Ministry has affirmed that Vietnam has not banned Uber but the company must work with ministries and agencies to complete business registration.
— VIETNAMNET Bridge

Vietnam vows to cut down the time for customs clearance
Ngo Minh Hai, deputy director of the Inspectorate and Supervision Department under the General Department of Viet Nam Customs, tells the newspaper Viet Nam Investment Review about Viet Nam’s resolve to simplify import-export procedures.
— VIETNAMNET Bridge

Growth remains without TPP
The demise of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) at the hands of US President Trump, though, will not be matched by a hit to Vietnam’s trade and investment boom.
— VIETNAMNET Bridge

Fruit and veg exports ripen for Vietnam in January
The country is hoping to reap $3 billion from fruit and vegetable exports in 2017. Fruit and vegetables are expected to be a major foreign currency earner for Vietnam’s agricultural sector this year.
— VnExpress.net

Vietnam plans to send more skilled workers abroad to curb unemployment
Vietnam’s labor ministry is outlining a new plan to send more skilled workers abroad in the next few years as the number of unemployed Vietnamese has surpassed the million mark.
— VnExpress.net

Japanese companies mainly positive about doing business in Vietnam
Nearly 70 percent of Japanese businesses plan to expand their Vietnam operations this year, according to the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO)’s annual business confidence survey, up from last year’s over 60 percent.
— VnExpress.net

The Asean Morning News Roundup is compiled by the editorial team at AEC News Today.

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