Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
World’s biggest trading bloc ‘substantially’ complete this year: Singapore FM
What could be the world’s biggest trading bloc, which would link Southeast Asia to some of the world’s largest economies, could be “substantially” complete by the end of the year, the top diplomat of this city state said Monday.
— ABS-CBN News
23% of Southeast Asia’s bat population nears extinction
Nearly a quarter of the bat population of Southeast Asia, where about 30 percent of the world’s bats are found, is threatened with extinction, a US-based conservation expert said here Monday.
— The Daily Guardian
Asean deserves the Nobel peace prize
Today, 630 million people celebrate the 51st anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
— The Nation
Capturing elephants from the wild drastically shortens their lives, study finds
Around the world elephants are kept as tourist attractions, for religious purposes and even as part of the workforce, but a new study shows taking these majestic animals from the wild cuts their lives short.
— Independent
A hard tackle against illegal fishing
In soccer, the yellow card is a warning for a player to behave himself as he may get sent off the pitch if he receives a second one.
— The Asean Post
AirAsia to bid for Clark, Philippines concession
AirAsia Group intends to submit a bid in the upcoming tender for a 25-year operation and maintenance contract at Clark, chief executive Tony Fernandes has said.
— Ch-aviation
HCM City builds sustainable relations with ASEAN members
Right after Vietnam became a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 1995, Ho Chi Minh City has carried out a line-up of activities to bolster trade, investment, culture and people diplomacy cooperation with ASEAN member states, playing an important role in the Vietnam-ASEAN relations.
— Vietnam Plus
Asean Concerned about Regional Security
The Foreign Minister said that Asean member states expressed their concerns about the Korean peninsula, South China Sea and US-China trade war which are threatening the regional security.
— Khmer Times
New Business Models Stoke Growth Opportunities in the ASEAN Automotive Industry, finds Frost & Sullivan
Sustained economic growth, infrastructure developments, and automotive original equipment manufacturers’ (OEMs’) periodic introduction of models are giving a huge boost to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) automotive industry.
— Markets Insider
Philippine business optimism slips but still SE Asia’s second best
BUSINESS OPTIMISM in the Philippines slipped last quarter as against the year-ago level, although the country was still second-best in Southeast Asia, according to new research from Grant Thornton.
— BusinessWorld Online
Vietnam committed to building strong ASEAN Community
Vietnam is committed to closely coordinating with the ASEAN Secretariat and other member states in building a strong ASEAN Community, said Vietnam’s new Permanent Representative to ASEAN Tran Duc Binh on August 6.
— NNT
India to form group of ministers to resolve issues regarding proposed RCEP agreement among ASEAN countries, FTA partners
The government will set up a group of ministers (GoM) to look into issues related to the proposed mega free trade agreement Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), official sources said.
— Firstpost
Towards a regional e-payment platform
AS Asean seeks to establish Southeast Asia as a regional trade bloc, connectivity and seamless movement of trade are requisites.
— The Business Times
Where are all the women in e-commerce? Shopping, apparently
WITHIN the span of less than a year, both Singapore and Malaysia made history in the political arena with women appointed at vital governmental positions for the first time.
— Asian Correspondent
Huawei’s gaming smartphone Honor Play launches in Southeast Asia
Honor, Huawei’s subsidiary smartphone brand, has officially launched its game-centric Honor Play smartphone in Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines, the company has announced at a launch event in Kuala Lumpur.
— ZDNet
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Financial Firm Says Cambodia Could Face Economic Hardship if West Cuts Aid, Imposes Sanctions
Financial analysts at a leading credit rating agency have reported that last month’s election has increased the risk of economic decline in Cambodia.
— VOA Cambodia
Rainsy Not Dares to Swear with PM Hun Sen
Former opposition leader Sam Rainsy, through Radio Free Asia (RFA) on Tuesday, dared not to swear for death with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
— Fresh News
How Chinese money is changing Sihanoukville – ‘No Cambodia left’
The once-sleepy beach town of Sihanoukville has been transformed by Chinese investment – and the sheer speed of development has divided locals.
— South China Morning Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Lombok quake may inflict Rp1 trillion in losses
The West Nusa Tenggara Provincial Disaster Mitigation Board (BPBD) has predicted the powerful magnitude-7 earthquake which rocked the province on Sunday night may inflict about Rp1 trillion in material losses.
— Antara News
Government allocates funds to assist Lombok earthquake victims
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati assured that the government would allocate a budget to help victims of an earthquake in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara.
— The Jakarta Post
Scared tourists leave Lombok as earthquake toll rises to 105
Terrified holidaymakers rushed to boats and planes to leave Indonesia’s Lombok island Tuesday after it suffered a second deadly quake within a week, as rescuers scrambled to reach remote areas where survivors are in urgent need of food and shelter.
— Manilastandard.net
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Govt to inspect all dam standards, shelve new hydro projects
The government has announced it will examine the safety standards applied to the construction of hydropower dams across the country following the deadly disaster caused by the collapse of a dam in Attapeu province.
— Vientiane Times
Lao ministry, WHO warn of health dangers of floodwaters
As water levels continue to rise in many parts of the country, the Lao Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) are urging people to avoid wading through floodwaters.
— Xinhuanet
Laos Shelves New Hydropower Projects Pending Policy, Safety Reviews
Laos has suspended consideration of new hydropower projects in the country pending reviews of development policy after the breach of a dam last month left at least 34 dead with 100 still missing, Lao sources say.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s former PM Najib to be charged under anti-money laundering act: agency
Malaysia’s former prime minister, Najib Razak, will be charged in court on Wednesday under the anti-money laundering act, the anti-graft agency said in a statement.
— Reuters
Super yacht at centre of graft probe arrives in Malaysia from Indonesia
A US$250 million super yacht owned by a fugitive Malaysian billionaire and at the centre of a major graft inquiry arrived in Malaysia this afternoon after an approximately 20-hour journey from Indonesia, according to the New Straits Times.
— Thai PBS
Equanimity was properly seized under the laws of Malaysia, says AG
The Equanimity was properly seized under Malaysian laws, says Attorney General Tommy Thomas.
— The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Myanmar seeks Thai investment in entire fisheries value chain
The fishing industry is a key economic driver in both Thailand and Myanmar. Now, new opportunities are open to Thai investors as Myanmar is seeking advance fishing technology and financial assistance from foreign countries, especially Thailand. Our correspondent Sirakij P. has more details.
— News Today (video)
Myanmar’s captured elephants ‘die younger’ than domestic-born
Asian elephants snatched from the wild and conscripted to haul logs in Myanmar’s timber industry live on average five years less than working elephants born in captivity, researchers said Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
Singapore Pledges Continued Support for Myanmar
Singapore’s foreign minister said the city-state and current ASEAN chair would continue to support Myanmar’s economic development and peace process through its many challenges.
— The Irrawaddy
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Over P16B from Train to fund 2019 infra projects
MORE than P16 billion of estimated total revenues from Republic Act 10963, or the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion (Train) Act, will partially finance a number of infrastructure projects next year, Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno said on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times
Government to spend P43.7 billion for solar irrigation systems
The Duterte administration is planning to spend P43.7 billion to irrigate an additional 500,000 hectares of land over the next four years through solar-powered irrigation systems (SPIS) to improve farm productivity.
— Business Mirror
European Union earmarks P9.2-M to Filipino flood victims
The European Commission, the politically independent executive arm of the European Union (EU), is allocating EUR150,000 or about PHP9.2 million to Filipinos affected by the widespread flooding triggered by non-stop monsoon rains in the past few weeks.
— Philippine News Agency
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
U.S. prosecutors target Goldman Sachs in 1MDB probe: NYT
1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) is at the center of money-laundering investigations in at least six countries, including the United States, Switzerland and Singapore.
— Reuters
Singtel launches FutureNow Innovation Center
Singtel has announced the launch of its FutureNow Innovation Center, showcasing the potential of technologies such as 5G and the IoT to support the government’s Industry Transformation Maps for Singapore’s six key industry clusters.
— telecomasia.net
En bloc sales success rate dips below 2016-2017 levels
The success rate for a collective sale has fallen significantly compared to 2016 and 2017. This means that despite the high number of en bloc sales, more developments are failing to reach the stage of completion.
— Singapore Business Review
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Private sector fears trade war hit on exports next year
THE nation’s peak private-sector advisory grouping has voiced fears that the escalating trade conflict between the United States and China could harm the export sector – a standout performer in the Thai economy – next year.
— The Nation
Exports to see eased second-half growth
Thailand’s export activity is likely to slow slightly in the second half of 2018 after 11% growth in the first half and 12% in the second half of last year.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand braces for floods, residents lay bricks, sandbags
Businesses in Thailand’s southwestern Petchaburi province blocked doors with sandbags and bricks against possible flooding on Tuesday as heavy rains threatened to cause a dam to overflow.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam to invest US$645 million in road and railway projects
The Standing Committee of the National Assembly has approved a VND15 trillion (US$645 million) budget for four railway upgrading and 10 road projects, according to the government portal.
— The Hanoi Times
Challenges facing Việt Nam in ensuring energy security
Việt Nam needs an enormous amount of energy to feed its development, but relying on coal and hydropower is not the answer, and with new measures still at an early stage, experts are concerned about the future.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam Electricity to divest stakes at 5 companies
Vietnam Electricity (EVN) set priority to divest and equitize its subsidiaries in the remaining months of 2018, stated the electricity firm on its website.
— The Hanoi Times
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
The Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news round-ups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of news reports from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. We scour hundreds of local and international news and websites to find the things that you need to know to start your working week day.
We clearly identify the source of the story, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you. It’s all then packaged up in an easy to read format enabling you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original source, or keep on reading the headlines. AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.