Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Remove trade barriers to transform Southeast Asian agriculture
Did you know 98% of trucks exporting pepper from Cambodia to a processing facility in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam must stop at the border and unload their contents into identical Vietnamese trucks to cross the frontier?
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
ADB invests $50 m in private equity fund to support biz in SL, other Southeast Asia countries
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has signed an agreement to invest $50 million in equity to Creador IV L.P. (Creador IV), a private equity fund to be managed by Creador Management IV Ltd. (Creador).
— Daily FT
Digital ethics, modern workplace and immersive experiences to top list of imperatives for ASEAN companies in 2019
Taking action on digital ethics, combining intelligence and design, and preparing for experiences without boundaries are key trends companies in ASEAN need to focus on in 2019 to keep pace in an accelerating digital world, according to new Trendlines research from Avanade.
— Enterprise Innovation
This Southeast Asian country has the most holidays – sadly not Indonesia
Indonesia sits in the sixth spot in a list that ranks the number of public holidays designated for 2019 across Southeast Asian countries.
— The Jakarta Post
VN to become major source for Asean buyers
As more export orders shift from China to other countries, Vietnam will become one of the next major sourcing destinations for buyers from Asean-member countries, experts said at a meeting on Friday in Ho Chi Minh City.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Thailand calls for ASEAN to unite around SEZs
The Thai government is encouraging four neighbouring countries to seize opportunities from the Asean single market and collaborate with all 10 member nations to build up the regional economy in a sustainable manner.
— Myanmar Times
ASEAN peace registry to advance women, security in the region
Around 60 women leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member- states gathered in Mactan Island, Cebu, on Thursday, December 13, to share their narratives, knowledge, and experiences in gender mainstreaming as well as hone women’s capacities in their respective countries to contribute in building sustainable peace within the ASEAN.
— Manila Bulletin
As ASEAN chair, Thailand must support states to address regional rights issues
As the 2019 chair of ASEAN, Thailand hopes to push an agenda focused on economic cooperation and regional security.
— Asean Today
Chinese FM lauds Lancang-Mekong sub-regional cooperation
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) not only adds momentum to China-ASEAN cooperation but also makes the regional and state relations better and closer, Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Monday during the Fourth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Luang Prabang.
— CGTN
The rise of ASEAN’s financial services
Ever since the financial crisis of 1997 swept Asia, many observers felt that some of the affected countries would never fully recover.
— The Asean Post
Upbeat forecasts for ASEAN stocks
With an improving global macroeconomic backdrop and relatively cheap valuations after a torrid 2018, the omens are looking better for Southeast Asian stocks next year.
— The Asean Post
Chinese tech start-ups are turning away from the US and towards Southeast Asia amid trade war, NYSE executive says
Chinese technology start-ups are pivoting to Southeast Asia and away from the United States in their expansion plans, in a clear bid to avoid getting in the midst of a trade war that is intensifying.
— South China Morning Post
3 of the best Southeast Asian countries to buy real estate
REAL estate investment remains one of the most reliable and lucrative investment options going.
— Asian Correspondent
How Instagram is changing advertising in Southeast Asia
Instagram has disrupted the realm of social media in a lot of good ways. It’s changed the way that brands connect with their followers, and, most importantly, the way they advertise with them.
— e27
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia hails opening of country’s largest dam despite opposition
Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Monday opened the country’s largest hydropower scheme, swatting aside dire warnings about the environmental impact of the $780 million project and its affect on local communities.
— Phys.org
Union leaders at risk of imprisonment if they take part in protests
Six trade union leaders in Cambodia received two and a half year suspended prison sentences on 11 December. They were also fined the equivalent of $8,600 after being convicted of “instigating intentional acts of violence” among other offences.
— The Canary
Chinese security delegation aims to open training centre
Siem Reap provincial police on Sunday held talks with a delegation from China’s Shanghai Security and Alarm Association to establish a private security training centre in Cambodia.
— The Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Trade Balance Indonesia: $2.05 Billion Monthly Deficit in November 2018
Concern about Indonesia’s Q4-2018 current account deficit as well as the value of the rupiah exchange rate should increase now the country posted a big USD $2.05 billion monthly trade deficit in November 2018.
— Indonesia Investments (media release)
Manufactured goods largest contributors to export earning
Exports of manufacturing industry were valued at US$10.
— Antara News
Indonesia seen keeping key rate on hold whatever action Fed takes: Reuters Poll
Indonesia’s central bank is expected to keep interest rates unchanged at its final policy meeting of 2018, which will end hours after the Federal Reserve is expected to again raise U.S. rates, a Reuters poll showed.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
Six Mekong countries agree to deepen cooperation
The foreign ministers of the six Mekong countries met here yesterday to deepen cooperation and discuss the latest developments and implementation of previous meeting outcomes at the 4th Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.
— Vientiane Times
ADB Helps Improve Living Standards Of Local Communities
ADB has provided a financial grant to help improve the living standards in Ban Yor, Beng district, Oudomxay Province through facilitating their access to vocational training and stable jobs.
— KPL
22kg of ivory seized from passenger on bus from Laos
Officials have seized 930 items of ivory from a Vietnamese woman attempting to bring them into the country from Laos.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia Files Criminal Charges Against Goldman Sachs Over 1MDB Scandal
Malaysia filed criminal charges against Goldman Sachs on Monday, accusing the giant Wall Street bank of making false and misleading statements.
— New York Times
Malaysia sees rise in cost of living survey
A survey on the global cost of living for expatriate workers shows that Malaysian cities have gone up the rankings, with Kuala Lumpur rising 24 places to 188th position.
— FMT
Malaysia to export RM50b in Halal export by 2020
Halal Industry Development Corp (HDC) is confident that Malaysia will be able to export as much as RM50 billion of home-grown halal products worldwide by 2020.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
UN Security Council mulls Myanmar action; Russia, China boycott talks
The UN Security Council is considering action to push Myanmar to work with the United Nations to address the Rohingya refugee crisis, although China and Russia have so far boycotted talks on a British-drafted resolution, diplomats said yesterday.
— Malay Mail
Myanmar law aims to settle land claims, but could cause conflict
Millions of people risk being forced off their land in Myanmar due to a recently-amended law, which campaigners and analysts warned could also undermine peace negotiations between the government and ethnic armed groups.
— Thomson Reuters Foundation
Myanmar seizes 12 tonnes of raw jade stones in northernmost state
Myanmar authorities have seized 12 tonnes of raw jade stones illegally transported to Myitkyina, Myanmar’s Kachin state, said a Home Ministry release late Saturday.
— The Sun Daily
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Remittances up 2.9% to USD26.5-B at end-October
Personal remittances from overseas Filipinos (OFs) for the first 10 months of the year reached USD26.5 billion, equivalent to a 2.9 percent year-on-year growth.
— Philippine News Agency
Bangko Sentral expects FDIs to top $10 billion in 2018
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Monday it expects a record net inflow of foreign direct investments this year and surpass the $10-billion net inflow last year.
— Manilastandard.net
Over 50% of flagship projects to be finished by 2022–NEDA update
THE National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) disclosed that more than half of the administration’s flagship projects are now in the implementation phase and on track to being completed either by 2022 or a few years after the President steps down from office.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
Singapore wants maritime dispute with Malaysia to be managed in peaceful, professional manner: Khaw
Two Malaysian ships remain in Singapore’s territorial waters, said Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan on Monday (Dec 17), reiterating that this is not conducive to next month’s discussions between the two countries.
— Channel News Asia
Malaysian government to prohibit export of 4 species of fish, shrimp from Jan 1 to Feb 28
The Malaysian government will prohibit the export of four species of wild-caught fish and shrimp to meet the shortage in the market during the monsoon and festive seasons, Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Salahuddin Ayub said on Monday (Dec 17).
— The Straits Times
Singapore’s private home sales soar 52% in November
Sales of private homes by developers in Singapore surged 52 per cent in November from a year earlier after a sharp increase in the number of new projects launched, official data showed on Monday (Dec 17).
— Channel News Asia
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thai central bank seen hiking key rate for first time since 2011
Thailand’s central bank is expected on Wednesday to hike its key interest rate from near-record lows for the first time in more than seven years, a Reuters poll survey showed.
— Business Recorder
Doomed ‘Phoenix’ substandard: international experts
Police and international specialists have concluded the sunken Phoenix boat was substandard and illegally approved, and many officials and others connected with the July 5 tragedy will lose their jobs, the immigration chief said.
— The Phuket News
Prayut says EC will decide whether to allow foreign observers to monitor election
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha made clear today that the Election Commission will be the sole authority to decide whether or not to allow foreign observers to monitor the forthcoming election tentatively scheduled for February 14.
— Thai PBS World
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnamese businesses sell products overseas via online retailers
Businesses can now see great opportunities to sell products internationally via online retailers such as Amazon.com or Alibaba.com.
— Vietnam Insider
Automated customs system connects around 280 firms
Nearly 280 businesses dealing in ports, warehouses and yards nationwide have been connected to the Việt Nam Automated System for Seaport Customs Management (VASSCM) a year since it was launched.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam needs more drastic reforms to bolster enterprise development
The Vietnamese government has been making significant efforts to improve the business environment, aiming to bring Vietnam into the group of ASEAN’s four most competitive economies.
— Nhan Dan online
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.
Asean morning news for December 18 added by Digital Editor on
View all posts by Digital Editor →