Asean Morning News For April 9

Asean Morning News For April 9
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Asean morning newsAsean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

China’s Belt and Road Money Floods Environmental Concerns Over Mekong Dam Construction
The prime ministers of the four countries in the downstream Mekong River basin agreed this week to boost collaboration for sustainable development, but turned noticeably quiet about the environmental impact from hydropower dam projects that have increased thanks to Chinese help.
— Chiang Rai Times

Belt and Road Initiative reshaping Asia’s int’l relations: report
The Belt and Road Initiative has injected fresh vitality to Asia’s economic cooperation and helped the continent to reshape its international relations, according to a report released on Sunday at the Boao Forum for Asia 2018 annual conference.
— Shine News (media release)

Rendang-gate: Crispy Skin Criticism Steams Asean Netizens, Fuels Mems (video)
Netizens from Malaysian, Indonesia and Brunei reacted with furore on social media during the week after Zaleha Kadir Olpin was eliminated in the quarter-final of the latest episode of the BBCs MasterChef UK programme for presenting a chicken rendang without crispy skin.
— AEC News Today (video)

‘Everyone has a role in conservation’
Aiming to inspire people to take action for biodiversity by sharing noteworthy stories about biodiversity conservation, the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) held the first leg of the Asean Biodiversity Heroes (ABH) Regional Forum in Hanoi, Vietnam, on March 26 and 27.
— Business Mirror

US-China trade row spells pain and gains for ASEAN
The tit-for-tat trade dispute between the U.S. and China is generating a mix of fear and hope across Southeast Asia and Oceania, which export large volumes to the two countries.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)

ANALYSIS-Obesity among Asia-Pacific children is a growing health crisis – researchers
Obesity rates among children in Asia-Pacific are rising at a rapid rate, and more action is needed to encourage healthier lifestyles and ease pressure on fledgling healthcare systems, researchers said.
— Reuters

APCAC 2018: A bold future for US businesses in Asia
One of the most anticipated business summits has wrapped up with new resolve for business engagement between Asia and the United States, despite recent announcements on international trade and tariffs.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

B Grimm set for largest solar plant in Asean
B GRIMM Power Plc has taken another step towards internationalisation, expanding its power generation and distribution business in CLMV.
— The Nation

5 Philippine cities among 10 safest in Southeast Asia
Five cities in the Philippines have been named among 10 safest in Southeast Asia.
— Philippine Star

First Class of Asian Entrepreneurs Graduates from UNCTAD and Alibaba Business School’s eFounders Fellowship Program
The first class of Asian entrepreneurs have graduated from the eFounders Fellowship at a ceremony in Hangzhou, China. The program, a joint initiative by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Alibaba Business School, aims to enable young entrepreneurs to unlock their full potential and to bridge the digital divide.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Going electric in Southeast Asia
Imagine a skyline of futuristic high-rise buildings with 21st century robots assisting us in the workplace.
— The Asean Post

More infra investmentsneeded in Asean — ADB
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is planning to boost infrastructure investments in ASEAN, in a bid to capitalize on the economic growth in the region.
— Philippine Star

Interview: AIIB helps accelerate sustainable infrastructure, regional connectivity: bank official
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), a multilateral development bank, has helped many Asian countries have better infrastructure, deeper regional integration and accelerated poverty reduction, an AIIB official told Xinhua here recently in an exclusive interview.
— Xinhua

The rise of Asean digital companies
Grab’s acquisition of the Southeast Asian business of California-based ridesharing services provider Uber highlighted the emergence of Asean digital companies with global aspirations.
— Manila Standard

Southeast Asia’s idyllic islands buckle under tourism strain
The six-month closure of the Philippine tourism island of Boracay for a revamp after the country’s president branded it a “cesspool” reflects the growing pressures on beach resorts across Southeast Asia as visitor numbers surge.
— Bangkok Post

Securing the future prosperity of the Greater Mekong Subregion
The Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries have made stunning progress over the past quarter century. Once plagued by poverty, they are now economic success stories.
— Modern Diplomacy

Grab-Uber merger makes patchy debut in SE Asia
Uber Technologies on late Sunday simultaneously ceased its ride-hailing operations in Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia and other regional markets.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Singaporean Ambassador: Sectoral Dialogue Partnership will deepen Turkey’s cooperation with ASEAN
This January Singapore took over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Daily Sabah

ASEAN finance ministers, central bankers reaffirm commitment to international trade, investment
Finance ministers and central bank governors of ASEAN on Friday (Apr 6) reaffirmed their commitment to international trade and investment as they remained “vigilant against risks”, according to a joint statement released after a meeting held in Singapore.
— Channel NewsAsia

Li tells Singapore’s prime minister China will work with ASEAN
China is willing to bring benefits to surrounding countries through its own development and build a community of both shared interest and shared destiny with countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries, Premier Li Keqiang said.
— Ecns

Vietnam co-hosts ASEAN Family Day 2018 in Mexico
The ASEAN Family Day 2018 was held in Mexico on April 7 with a view to fortifying the traditional friendship and cooperation between nations in the bloc as well as with the host country.
— Nhan Dan Online

Amal Clooney no match for Trump and China in Southeast Asia press clampdown
Australia must be feeling more lonely in its part of the world as increasingly authoritarian governments across Southeast Asia use claims of fake news to clampdown on media freedoms and wind back democratic gains.
Lowy Institute 

Google is investing on Australia and Southeast Asia submarine communications
Last week, Google revealed that is increasing the connectivity between Southeast Asia and Australia with an investment in the Japan-Guam-Australia (JGA) Cable System.
PPC Land 

SE Asia confident of growth despite trade tenions: ASEAN
Southeast Asia will maintain robust economic growth despite rising tensions as tit-for-tat tariffs between the US and China stoke fears of a damaging trade war, regional finance ministers said Friday.
Mizzima 

Tourism arrivals in Brunei soar an unexpected 18%
Brunei recorded an 18.3-per cent increase in tourist arrivals in 2017, exceeding the projected ten per cent growth set for last year, the country’s Tourism Development Department said in a statement on April 7. The data, however. only counts arrivals through Brunei’s international airport in Bandar Seri Begawan.
investvine 

Mekong River leaders grow hushed on hydropower fears at summit
The prime ministers of the four countries in the downstream Mekong River basin agreed this week to boost collaboration for sustainable development, but turned noticeably quiet about the environmental impact from hydropower dam projects that have increased thanks to Chinese help.
Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)

 

Cambodia morning newsCambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Court officials give The Post extension on judgment
Police and court officials entered the offices of The Phnom Penh Post on Thursday morning to enforce a court judgment in an ongoing civil suit, but offered a 20-day extension after meeting with members of senior management.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Japan, Cambodia sign $90m aid agreement
Japan signed a grant and loan agreement with Cambodia on Sunday totalling over $90 million, despite concerns from the international community over Prime Minister Hun Sen’s crackdown on government critics ahead of a July general election.
— Bangkok Post

NEC Announces Procedures on Press Cards Issue
The National Election Committee (NEC) called for national and international journalists to get press card issued in order to cover news in the upcoming electoral process, according to NEC’s media advisory released on Saturday.
— Fresh News

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

GATF Day 2, Garuda Books Hundreds of Billions Transaction Value
PT Garuda Indonesia again held the Garuda Indonesia Travel Fair (GATF) 2018 at Jakarta Convention Center, Senayan, South Jakarta. As of Saturday April 7, 2018, Garuda Indonesia has recorded transactions valued approximately IDR 200 billion.
— Tempo.co

Pertamina Oil Spill May Lead to Possible Ecological Disaster
Pertamina crude oil spill off of the Balikpapan Bay has spread across an area measured to be 20,000 hectares from previously 12,000, just three days earlier.
— Tempo.co

Rendang-gate: Crispy Skin Criticism Steams Asean Netizens, Fuels Mems (video)
Netizens from Malaysian, Indonesia and Brunei reacted with furore on social media during the week after Zaleha Kadir Olpin was eliminated in the quarter- final of the latest episode of the BBCs MasterChef UK programme for presenting a chicken rendang without crispy skin.
— AEC News Today (video)

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

How women are leading a rugby revolution in Laos, with the help of Hong Kong
One of those countries would most certainly be Laos. However, if you want to find the true soul of this game then look no further than this landlocked country in the middle of the Indochinese peninsula.
South China Morning Post

Vietnam arrests 2 Lao drug traffickers
Vietnamese border guards have detained two Lao young men who transported five cakes of heroin and nearly 27,000 pills of lab-made drugs for sale in Vietnam.
Xinhua Net 

HCM City leaders extends New Year greetings to Lao officials
A delegation of Ho Chi Minh City led by Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Tat Thanh Cang on April 6 visited and extended greetings to the Lao Consulate General’s staff in the city on the occasion of the traditional New Year of Laos – Boun Pi Mai.
Vietnam Plus 

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

 

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

BN manifesto realistic and foward-looking, say economists
Barisan Nasional’s manifesto is a cornerstone in preparing Malaysia for the challenges ahead and positioning it to become one of the top 20 economies in the world, economists said.
— New Straits Times

Aluminum prices should stabilise despite uncertainties
Aluminum prices should stabilise as the research arm of Kenanga Investment Bank Bhd (Kenanga Research) does not expect further inventory buildup ahead despite the US-China trade disputes.
— The Borneo Post

Rendang-gate: Crispy Skin Criticism Steams Asean Netizens, Fuels Mems (video)
Netizens from Malaysian, Indonesia and Brunei reacted with furore on social media during the week after Zaleha Kadir Olpin was eliminated in the quarter-final of the latest episode of the BBCs MasterChef UK programme for presenting a chicken rendang without crispy skin.
— AEC News Today (video)

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

Myanmar not ready for Rohingya refugees to return, UN official says
Myanmar is not ready for the repatriation of Rohingya refugees, says the most senior United Nations official to visit the country this year, after Myanmar was accused of instigating ethnic cleansing and driving nearly 700,000 Muslims to Bangladesh.
ABC 

Myanmar earns 1.11 billion USD from rice exports
Myanmar has earned more than 1.11 billion USD from rice and broken rice exports in the fiscal year 2017-2018, the Myanmar Rice Federation said on April 7.
Vietnam Plus

Facebook apologizes after Myanmar groups blast Zuckerberg
Facebook apologized on Friday to Myanmar civil society groups who took issue with Mark Zuckerberg’s defense of the platform’s record on curbing hate speech roiling the country.
Coconuts Yangon 

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

Helicopter ride-sharing service takes off in Manila
TECH START-UP Ascent has introduced its helicopter ride-sharing service in Manila, targeting both local and foreign businessmen who are looking for a way to avoid the traffic in the Philippine capital.
— BusinessWorld Online

COA questions trade expo execs over P3 million in gadgets
The Commission on Audit (COA) has asked the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM) to explain its “unnecessary” purchase of high-end gadgets amounting to P2.957 million in 2017.
— Rappler

BIR ordered to refund nearly P900M to PAL
THE Court of Tax Appeals (CTA) ordered the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) to refund Philippine Airlines, Inc. (PAL) nearly P900 million in taxes on jet fuel imports.
— BusinessWorld Online

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore morning newsSingapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

 

UN, Singapore concerned about rising trade tensions
The U.N. secretary-general and the Singaporean foreign minister voiced concerns about global trade tensions and rising protectionism during back-to-back meetings in Beijing on Sunday.
Wtop 

StarHub accelerates mobile speeds to 1Gbps
Singapore’s StarHub has launched the city’s first commercial 1Gbps mobile speeds as part of its ongoing network modernization program.
Telecom Asia 

Pavilion Energy Imports First LNG Cargo for Use in Singapore
Singapore’s state-owned natural gas importer brought in its first cargo of a super-chilled form of the fuel for domestic use.
Bloomberg 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

 

Thailand morning newsThailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

 

U-Tapao International Airport’s Key Role in Thailand’s EEC Success (HD video)
The Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) is the great hope for Thailand to leap aboard the Industry 4.0 evolution, breaking it free from the middle income trap and propelling it to upper-middle-income status.
— AEC News Today (video)

11 drug plants ‘churn out 20m pills a day’
The Narcotics Suppression Bureau admitted Sunday that at least 11 drug manufacturing facilities were located “near Thailand’s northern border” with a combined daily production capacity of more than 20…
— Bangkok Post

SCB to close 200 branches
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) plans to shutter 200 physical branches this year as part of its three-year plan to cut operating costs by 30% by 2020 and move towards digital banking.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Fuel prices rise from April 7
The prices of all kinds of fuel increased as from 15:00 of April 7 following a joint decision of the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— VietnamPlus

Timber supply matters to Vietnam’s wood industry
Though forecasting a bright prospect for Vietnam’s wood industry this year, experts are concerned about a shortage of raw materials faced the industry.
— The Hanoi Times

Telecom revenues down in first quarter
The revenue of Vietnamese network operators has suffered an uncharacteristic low in the first quarter of this year due to new legislation reducing top-up promotions for pre-paid subscribers from 50 per cent to 20 per cent.
— Bizhub

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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