Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Maritime disputes best settled through negotiations: Singapore on filing UNCLOS declaration
Maritime boundary delimitation disputes are best settled through negotiations, said Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Thursday (Dec 13) amid an ongoing maritime dispute with Malaysia.
— Channel NewsAsia
S&P economists trim GDP outlook for Asean emerging markets
STANDARD & Poor’s economists have trimmed their growth outlook for the Asia-Pacific, with regional economies expected to cool by between 0.1 and 0.2 points in the next three years.
— The Business Times
India-ASEAN Nations Keen To Re-Build Historical Ties By Unrestricted Movement Across the Border
India-ASEAN relations are rooted in shared heritage and civilizational linkages.
— The EurAsian Times
Singapore: ASEAN Insights: Singapore’s Role In Regional Trade And Supply Chains
Singapore has a significant role to play in the success of The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) economic community.
— Mondaq
Asean should be self-reliant, members help one another
It is natural for a country to look after its own interests in the rough and tumble of regional politics.
— The Straits Times
ASEAN, EU firm on safe migration
Southeast Asia and Europe’s premier regional organizations have reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the safe movement of labor across borders, just as a recent effort to strengthen global migration governance faced growing opposition driven by anti-immigration populism.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
AEC has progressed, but more needs to be done — Ideas
Significant achievements have been made in progressing Asean integration, the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas) said, but noted that in most areas, implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) Blueprint is behind schedule.
— The Edge Markets
Crazy rich ASEAN should take charge
A major achievement of the European Union (EU) has been the freedom that it has provided for its citizens to travel across borders and live and work together.
— The Asean Post
Thai group eyes ASEAN solar plants after first ‘green bond’
The power generating arm of Thailand’s oldest industrial group, B. Grimm, has issued 5 billion baht ($152 million) in “green bonds” to raise funds for further investment in its renewable energy business.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
2019: The year of Timor Leste in ASEAN?
Much has happened in Southeast Asia this year.
— The Jakarta Post
P2P Lending and Digital Lending Fintechs Active in Southeast Asia
The size of the Southeast Asian alternative financing market grew from US$46.65 million in 2015 to a whopping US$215.9 million the following year.
— Fintech Singapore (blog)
What HR professionals in Southeast Asia can expect to earn in 2019
With the year coming to an end, it’s time to start planning for 2019.
— Human Resources
ASEAN+3 Young Entrepreneurs Forum kicks off in HCM City
The ASEAN +3 Young Entrepreneurs Forum opened in Ho Chi Minh City on December 13, with its agenda focusing on the role of young businesses in high-tech agriculture startup and innovation.
— Vietnam Plus
Asean’s cyber defences in need of more guards
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/aseans-cyber-defences-in-need-of-more-guards
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Weaning ASEAN from coal reveals climate risks and rewards
Climate change is a pressing global issue that countries need to combat not only in their individual capacities but also at an intergovernmental level.
— GreenBiz
Sunway University Hosts Inaugural ASEAN Emerging Researchers Conference
The inaugural ASEAN Emerging Researchers Conference (AERC) 2018 was recently held at Sunway University with more than 300 participating researchers from around the region.
— Markets Insider
Why Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing company is on a mapping spree
In 2017, many months before its merger with Uber made it Southeast Asia’s biggest ride-hailing app, Grab realized it had a “rendezvous” problem.
— Quartz
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Markets in Cambodia cheer first bond issue
The Cambodian financial markets have welcomed with gusto the first issue of a corporate bond in the country, with a Phnom Penh-based microfinance institution, Hattha Kaksekar, listing its bonds on the Cambodia Securities Exchange (CSX) on Dec 6.
— The Business Times
PM open to wage demands
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Wednesday asked the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training to consider the request of six union groups who have petitioned the government to set a minimum wage for workers in the construction and service sectors.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Hun Sen clarifies amendment of law on political parties
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said former opposition party members banned from politics can only be allowed back if they each make a request to either himself or the Interior Minister.
— The Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia’s 2018 FDI seen falling to US$11b to US$13b, says investment board
Incoming foreign direct investment to Indonesia is expected to be around US$11 billion to US$13 billion this year, less than the average in recent years of $20 billion per year, a senior official said on Thursday.
— The Star Online
German allocates 25 million euro for redevelopment programs in C Sulawesi, W Nusa Tenggara
The Federal Republic of Germany, through the KfW Development Bank, has allocated 25 million Euros or around Rp413 billion to rebuild important infrastructures and facilities in Central Sulawesi and West Nusa Tenggara
— Antara News
Indonesian Court Orders Legislators to Raise Minimum Age for Girls to Marry
Indonesia’s Constitutional Court on Thursday ordered lawmakers to increase the minimum marriageable age for girls, in a ruling that could pave the way for ending rampant child weddings in the country.
— Benar News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
No more unnecessary state investment projects, PM says
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told the National Assembly (NA) that the government will thoroughly scrutinise state investment projects to prevent money from being spent on highly unnecessary projects as was the case in past years.
— Vientiane Times
Improved Thai-Lao border trade sought in Vientiane
Thailand and Laos aim to increase bilateral cooperation in three areas — politics and security, the economy, and society and development — at the 3rd Joint Cabinet Retreat (JCR) on Thursday in Vientiane, the Lao capital.
— Bangkok Post
ADB Country Director Visit ADB-funded Projects
Asian Development Bank – ADB – Country Director Yasushi Negishi accompanied by a group of media professionals is visiting northern provinces to inspect the progress of development projects funded with ADB loans.
— KPL
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Salaries in Malaysia forecast to rise 5.2% next year: Survey
Malaysia’s overall salary increase is projected to remain stable at 5.2 per cent in 2019, said global consultancy firm Mercer on Thursday (Dec 13).
— Channel NewsAsia
Najib tops Google’s ‘trending people of 2018’ list
Former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak is Malaysia’s most searched name on Google this year, according to the company’s Year in Search 2018 report.
— Malaysiakini
Malaysia: Auction Falls Short of $130 Million Sought for Equanimity
A superyacht seized from fugitive financier Jho Low is back on the market after Malaysia’s government rejected secret bids that came in below a guiding selling price of U.S. $130 million (543.44 million ringgit), officials announced Thursday.
— Benar New
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
US House declares ‘genocide’ is occurring in Myanmar
In a near unanimous vote, House lawmakers passed a resolution calling the ongoing violence against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar ‘genocide.’
— Newsy
Three armed groups offer to stop fighting, enter peace talks
Three ethnic armed groups based in northeast Myanmar said they were willing to stop fighting and enter formal negotiations after meeting with members of the government’s Peace Commission on Wednesday in China’s Yunnan Province.
— The Irrawaddy
Authorities launch investigation into brides and surrogate mothers for Chinese men
Myanmar authorities have launched an investigation into an apparent human-trafficking operation that recruits women as brides and surrogate mothers for Chinese men through advertisements on the streets Muse on Myanmar’s border with China, RFA reported quoting an anti-trafficking official.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Congress fails to pass 2019 budget bill
Lawmakers adjourned their session for their month-long Christmas vacation without approving the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for next year.
— The Philippine Star
7.2-M foreign tourists seen by year-end–DOT
THE Department of Tourism (DOT) projects foreign visitor arrivals to reach only some 7.2 million this year due to the closure of Boracay Island.
— Business Mirror
Tax relief a signature away; to raise P41B
The government is expected to raise up to P41 billion from a tax amnesty program that grants those who have failed to pay for taxable year 2017 and prior years a one-time opportunity to settle tax obligations including estate taxes, general taxes and delinquent accounts.
— Malaya
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
Singapore asked to help facilitate on key issue at international climate talks
The presidency of UN climate talks being hosted by Poland has asked Singapore to play a lead role in resolving a key topic of contention among countries working to hammer out a deal to limit global warming.
— The Straits Times
China’s Zhoushan to go after Singapore marine hub’s top billing
China’s port city of Zhoushan is planning to challenge Singapore’s dominance of the multi-billion dollar shipping fuel industry, relying on proximity to some of the world’s biggest ports and Beijing’s support to give it an edge.
— Channel News Asia
Singapore has ‘alternative sources’ for eggs: AVA says after Malaysia warns may limit exports
Singapore has a “wide range of alternative sources” for eggs, in line with its food diversification strategy, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority (AVA) said on Thursday (Dec 13).
— Channel News Asia
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Tham Luang cave rescuers named Time’s heroes of the year 2018
Rescue volunteers involved in the dramatic and complex rescue operation to extract 12 boys and their football coach trapped deep inside the Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district have been named among Time magazine’s heroes of the year 2018.
— Thai PBS World
Baht set to top 2018’s emerging-market list
The Thai currency has declined 0.3% to 32.672 against the dollar this year as of 1.11pm, the best performance among 22 major developing-economy currencies tracked by Bloomberg.
— Bangkok Post/ Bloomberg
Court fines mining firm B15m
The Loei Provincial Court yesterday ordered Tungkum, a gold mining company, to pay about 15 million baht in compensation to families affected by its mining activities.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
E-passports for Vietnamese citizens expected by 2020: public security ministry
Vietnamese citizens are set to enjoy faster, more convenient and more secure border crossings with new biometric passports to be rolled out by 2020.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam rice prices dip as Chinese norms bite
Rice export prices fell for the fourth consecutive week in Vietnam on concerns of lower intake from China due to stricter norms in Beijing, while subdued demand weighed on the Indian and Thai markets.
— Bangkok Post
ADB’s $188m project to upgrade roads in northwest region
Some 198km of roads in the northwestern mountainous region will be upgraded under a project costing US$188 million, borrowed from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
— Viet Nam News
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.