Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
ASEAN’s Role in Japan’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
From February 10 to 12, Japan’s Foreign Minister Taro Kono was on a brief Southeast Asian tour to both Brunei and Singapore.
— The Diplomat
Malaysia’s RHB Bank to acquire remaining 51% of Vietnam Securities Corporation
RHB Bank Bhd, Malaysia’s fourth-largest lender by assets, has announced that it plans to acquire the 51 per cent stake in Vietnam Securities Corporation (VNSEC) it does not currently own for VND121.63 million ($5.37 million) in cash.
— DealStreetAsia
SEZs in sumatra to compete with Singapore, Malaysia
The Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Sumatra, particularly along the Malacca Strait, will face competition from those established in Singapore and Malaysia.
— Antara
Malaysian SMEs at Singapore airshow record RM14 million in potential sales
THE 18 Malaysian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that participated in the Singapore Airshow 2018, held on February 10 and 11, recorded RM14 million in potential sales.
— The Malaysian Insight
BMW’s PH unit seen favoring Asean suppliers
The country’s official distributor and importer of BMW cars is considering getting its units from sources in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), much closer than its production facilities in the US and Germany, to make prices more “competitive.”
— Inquirer.net
Taxman bites SEAsia’s e-commerce unicorns
Southeast Asian governments almost universally praise the rapid expansion of e-commerce, a new driver of entrepreneur-led growth in several regional economies.
— Asia Times
French FDI in ASEAN Part II: Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia
In the first part of this two-part article, we discussed France’s investments in Singapore, Malaysia and Vietnam. Reiterating the continued importance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as a FDI destination for European investors, we look at French FDI in Thailand, Philippines and Indonesia in this concluding part.
— Asean Briefing
Bigger fish to fry than militias in the South China Sea
Fishing incidents have emerged as a major threat to peace and stability in the South China Sea. Incidents involving fishing vessels and maritime law enforcement vessels occur regularly — sometimes with serious consequences.
— East Asia Forum
FAO addresses threat of animal-to-human diseases and AMR across Asia-Pacific
The UN FAO has warned that Zoonotic diseases and misuse of antibiotics in animals and humans resulting in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are converging in Asia-Pacific countries with potential deadly effects
— Far-eastern Agriculture
What’s Next for Japan-Brunei Relations in 2018?
A recent visit offered some indications as to what we might expect for ties for the rest of the year and beyond.
— The Diplomat
Southeast Asia weighs tax on e-commerce
With Singapore set to announce a new budget next week, it could likely include a tax on e-commerce services such as Amazon and Lazada, in what could become a region-wide trend of levelling the field for brick and mortar retailers.
— WARC
Nissan study reveals 75% of ASEAN buyers open to EV purchase, but want more incentives, infrastructure
Last week, Nissan held a symposium in Singapore to discuss the future of mobility in the fast-growing Asia and Oceania region. The fourth edition of Nissan Futures focused on areas of electrification, autonomous driving, connectivity and sustainable mobility.
— Paultan
Asean and the Digital Economy
As Asean chairman this year, Singapore is focusing on the digital economy. How can the digital economy become a key driver to achieve a highly integrated and dynamic Asean Economic Community (AEC)?
— Financial Tribune
Asean SMEs to invest more in tech to boost business
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Singapore and the Asean region see the need to invest more in technology in order to succeed under increasingly challenging conditions.
— The Borneo Post
5 in 10 ASEAN SMEs expect revenue growth this year
More than half of small and medium enterprises in ASEAN region (52%) are expecting revenue growth this year, with 26% projecting a double-digit growth.
— Singapore Business Review
Singapore’s Asean tests: twists and turns
Judging from the well-crafted statement on the Asean foreign ministers’ retreat in the Lion City last week, Singapore as the current chair of the regional grouping has its work cut out for it.
— Bangkok Post
Asean must keep pressing North Korea, says Japan minister
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono urged South-east Asia not to let up its pressure on North Korea, during his visit to Singapore yesterday.
— The Straits Times
Workshop aims to limit digital crime
Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Ministry and Digital Economy and Society (DE) Ministry is collaborating with Australia to co-host the Asean-Australia Cybersecurity Workshop entitled, “Strengthening Legal Implementation in Tackling Cybersecurity Challenges in the Region” today.
— Bangkok Post
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Details of ruling party’s five-year plan to minimise opposition revealed
Cambodia’s ruling party will increase surveillance, shut out any opposition “force” and prevent the spread of information that “twists the truth”, according to their five-year political plan, obtained yesterday by The Post.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Taking Full Credit for Robust Economic Growth, Hun Sen Shrugs Off Western Influence
Cambodia’s growing economy is a source of pride for Prime Minister Hun Sen, who has said his leadership has fostered an unprecedented development and has rejected the influence of foreign powers in steering Cambodia away from decades of conflict.
— VOA
Ministry meets with protesting garment workers following factory closures
Officials from the Ministry of Labour met with former workers from three garment factories in the capital’s Por Senchey district this morning after the owner absconded without warning last week, leaving 2,000 workers without their severance or salary for the month of January.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Buffalo meat import far exceeds set quota in 2017
The State Logistics Agency’s (Bulog) procurement director, Andrianto Wahyu Adi, said in Jakarta over the weekend that the agency had obtained a permit from the Trade Ministry to import 100,000 tons of buffalo meat this year, exceeding the 2017 quota set by the government by 81 percent.
— The Jakarta Post
Less headwinds for renewables now says Indonesia pioneer
The developer of Indonesia’s first commercial-scale wind farm says conditions for renewable energy investors are better now than ever before, but more work is still needed for the country to achieve its wind energy targets.
— Reuters
Rubber prices rise thanks to export restrictions: Trade Ministry
Global natural rubber prices have increased by 5 percent in January thanks to reduced supply from exporting countries, according to the Trade Ministry.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Government Considers, Approves 10 Draft Laws
The government approved in its extraordinary meeting held last week 10 draft laws and amendments to laws including draft laws on Public Debt Management;
Value Added Tax, Bank of the Lao PDR, Economic Dispute Settlement, Social Security, Signs, Military Officers of Lao People’s Army, Civil Aviation, Lao Front for National Development, and Veterans’ Federation.
— Lao News Agency
Health officials to develop network to tackle communicable diseases between Thailand, Laos
Health officials from the northern provinces of Phayao and Chiang Mai plan to develop a network for monitoring and preventing communicable diseases between Thailand and Laos.
— NNT
Laos-China co-produced TV program promoted in Lao university
A culture exchange program and Laos-China co-produced TV program promotion was held in Lao National University here on Monday.
— Xinhua Net
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s RHB Bank to acquire remaining 51% of Vietnam Securities Corporation
RHB Bank Bhd, Malaysia’s fourth-largest lender by assets, has announced that it plans to acquire the 51 per cent stake in Vietnam Securities Corporation (VNSEC) it does not currently own for VND121.63 million ($5.37 million) in cash.
— DealStreetAsia
Malaysia: Mandarin oranges costly this Chinese New Year
Mandarin oranges are costly this Chinese New Year due to a poor harvest in China.
— Fresh Plaza
Aerospace sector sees RM1b deals
Malaysia’s aerospace sector is expected to rake in RM1 billion in new investments and generate about RM12.7 billion in revenue this year.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Myanmar minister orders Rohingya to leave no man’s land
A Myanmar government minister has told Rohingya refugees living in a makeshift camp on the Bangladesh border they should take up a government offer to return, warning they will face “consequences” if they stay where they are.
— Channel NewsAsia
Local banks struggle to meet CBM regulations amid slower economy
Local banks are finding it difficult to meet a set of new regulations set by the Central Bank of Myanmar (CBM) in July 2017 to modernise the domestic financial sector and better attract foreign direct investments at a time of slower growth.
— Myanmar Times
Minister says Myanmar open to allow casinos: report
Myanmar’s minister for hotels and tourism, Ohn Maung, says the national government is not opposed to casinos being developed in the country, as a way to boost the tourism industry, reports Myanmar-based English-language Eleven Media.
— GGR Asia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Duterte: Shoot female rebels in their genitals
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has drawn condemnation from human rights watchdogs and women’s groups, after he said that female communist rebels in the country should be shot in their private parts as punishment for fighting the government.
— Al Jazeera
Alibaba steers the Philippines towards a cashless revolution
Alibaba has shaped the digital economy in China. Its finance arm, Ant Financial, leads the digital payment trend. It now sets its sights on the Philippines to usher in a new cashless society.
— Asean Today
Philippines looks to cut dairy imports through increased local production
The Philippines Department of Agriculture (DA) is aiming to cut dairy imports, and has given dairy farmers on the island of Bohol P30m ($580,000) in starter funds.
— Daily Reporter
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
EY survey: Singapore, global companies unprepared for GDPR compliance
Intensifying regulatory pressures are top of mind for business leaders, with 70% of Singapore respondents (global 78%) expressing increasing concern about data protection and data privacy compliance.
— Enterprise Innovation
Pan Pacific Hotel among 89 brands pledging to remove shark fin soup from menus
Following a long-running campaign by the World Wildlife Fund, nearly 100 Singaporean food brands and eateries have signed a public pledge to take the controversial dish shark fin soup from their menus.
— Mumbrella Asia
Looking ahead to Budget 2018: What it could mean for you
With economic transformation likely to remain in focus for Budget 2018, support for the Singaporean worker to undertake the journey will be high up on the Government’s to-do list.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thai central bank bans banks from cryptocurrencies
Thailand’s central bank said on Monday it had asked financial institutions not to get involved in cryptocurrency transactions for fear of possible problems from the unregulated trading.
— Reuters
Thai banks’ loans may rise 6-8 pct this year -c.bank
Thai commercial banks’ loans may increase 6-8 percent this year after rising 4.4 percent in 2017, reflecting the improving economy, a senior central bank official said on Monday.
— Reuters
Prachatai poll: a military party may not be as popular as Prayut hopes
After junta leader Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha announced that the election may be held in November 2018, various political groups, including the junta’s National Council for Peace and Order (NCPO) itself, have shown their political agenda to the public.
— Prachatai English
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Gov’t to allow food importers to self declare
In a policy turnaround, the Government has said it is determined to assist food and beverage importers and producers by reducing inspection times, costs and criteria, opting for businesses to make self declarations instead of being constantly watchdogged by officials.
— Bizhub
Textile exports to China growing
Though Vietnam remains a big importer of textile feedstock and accessories from China, its rising exports to China is a promising sign, according to the Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group.
— VietnamPlus
Seven investors registered to buy all Vinasugar II shares at auction
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) estimates to earn VND664 billion ($29.25 million) after the auction of Vietnam Sugarcane and Sugar Corporation II JSC (Vinasugar II).
— VietnamNet Bridge
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.