Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Southeast Asia a ‘hot spot’ for antibiotic abuse
Overuse and misuse of antibiotics in food is rife in Southeast Asia, a Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) official said Jan. 31, warning of serious risks for people and animals as bacterial infections become more resistant to treatment.
— Manitoba Co-operator
ASEAN’s role in Japan’s Indo-Pacific strategy
From Saturday to Monday, Foreign Minister Taro Kono was on a brief Southeast Asian tour to both Brunei and Singapore. Beyond the bilateral and regional issues Kono touched on during both legs of his visit, it was also a demonstration of the emphasis Japan is placing on Southeast Asia as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations within the broader context of its own Indo-Pacific strategy.
— The Japan Times
The Washington Post to open Hong Kong bureau, up Southeast Asia coverage
The Washington Post on Tuesday (Feb 13) said it is broadening its international coverage, and this includes setting up a new Hong Kong bureau and hiring a correspondent there that will cover Southeast Asia.
— Channel NewsAsia
Why press freedom is at risk across Southeast Asia
Myanmar has closed off an entire section of the country to reporters. Cambodia is shutting down news organizations. The Philippine president has casually discussed murdering journalists. And the Thai government has suggested the press needs some “attitude adjustment.”
— Nikkei Asian Review
Thailand hosts Cobra Gold 2018 in eastern region
The 2018 Cobra Gold joint military exercise has kicked off in the eastern seaboard of Thailand, with attendance of troops from 29 countries worldwide.
— News Today (video)
The limits of minilateralism in Asean
Within the region, though the bigger institutions within the Asean-led framework tend to get the most attention, there have been minilateral institutions emerging as well over the decades.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Funding coal in Southeast Asia is ‘collective suicide’ say experts
Experts at the Unlocking capital for sustainability forum observed that the finance sector, hampered by a short-term approach to investing, is lagging on sustainability, and that the financing of coal should be phased out as soon as possible.
— Eco-Business
Asean, EU confer on higher education qualifications standards
Education officials of Laos, Asean and the European Union are examining higher education qualifications frameworks and quality assurance standards to develop the sector across the region.
— Vientiane Times
Catcha Group offers 8 two-year predictions for Southeast Asia’s tech scene
2017 ended with a bang: Uber closed a major deal with Softbank. Fake news dominated social media. Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies went mainstream. Initial Coin Offerings surpassed early-stage venture capital funding for internet companies.
— e27
Southeast Asia trading platform simplifies multi-asset trading
The commencement of the new fiscal year 2018 brings about new enhancements to the official trading website of MBAex – www.mbaex.com, whereby deployment of the website with new layout, newly enhanced features and the integration of Coin-to-coin (C2C) transactions greatly improved user experience.
— Digital Journal
Money troubles compound Southeast Asia’s press woes
“Melt down the presses and auction off the metal,” said Todd Ruiz during a recent media panel in Bangkok. “Thailand’s fourth estate crisis is a self-inflicted wound.”
— Nikkei Asian Review
Singapore’s Sunseap in pact with InfraCo Asia for solar power plant in Vietnam
Sunseap International, the international arm of Singapore’s leading clean energy provider Sunseap Group, has signed an agreement with InfraCo Asia Development Pte Ltd (InfraCo Asia) to jointly develop a 168 MWp utility-scale solar power project in Vietnam.
— DealStreetAsia
SE Asia Stocks-Muted ahead of U.S. inflation data
Southeast Asian stock markets were subdued on Wednesday ahead of U.S. inflation numbers, with Thailand recording its lowest close in three sessions weighed down by financials and energy stocks.
— Reuters
How Asia’s population is aging, 2015-2030 scenario
The proportion of people aged 60 and over is projected to grow in all Asian countries with Japan and South Korea aging faster than their neighbors. Laos will remain the youngest nation in Asia.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia remains lucrative market for Singapore tourism
Singapore saw tourist arrivals grow by a modest 6.2 percent to 17.4 million visitors in 2017, with Indonesia ranking second after China as the largest contributor of tourists, the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said Tuesday.
— The Jakarta Post
Catcha’s Patrick Grove predicts SE Asia will get its first decacorn in next 2 years
2017 ended with a bang: Uber closed a major deal with Softbank. Fake news dominated social media. Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies went mainstream. Initial Coin Offerings surpassed early-stage venture capital funding for internet companies.
— DealStreetAsia
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia’s Investment Outlook for 2018
Cambodia is among the fastest economies in the world, registering a stable economic growth rate of 6.9 percent to 7.6 percent every year, over the last 10 years.
— Asean Briefing
GMAC asks for delay on truck ban
The Garment Manufacturers Association in Cambodia (GMAC) has appealed to Prime Minister Hun Sen to delay a crackdown on oversized trucks, which has already forced more than half of the vehicles serving the garment industry off of the roads since it was called for by the premier on Friday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Japan firm eyes stake in local MFI Chamroeun
Cambodian microfinance institution (MFI) Chamroeun Microfinance Plc is negotiating with Japanese firm Renet Japan Group to sell a 90 percent stake in the MFI to the Japanese used goods dealer, according to Nikkei Asian Review.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Four sub-holdings established under oil and gas holding company
The government is going ahead with its plan to establish an oil and gas holding company, marked by the reorganization Wednesday of state-owned energy company Pertamina, a move that resulted in the removal of the gas directorate, an official has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Widodo woos Japan as infrastructure ambitions stall
Amid major delays in his trademark infrastructure program, Indonesian President Joko Widodo is working to strengthen ties with Japan in hopes of building a legacy ahead of the 2019 presidential election.
— Nikkei Asian Review
E-commerce contributes 0.75 percent to GDP
The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) has estimated that e-commerce contributes just 0.75 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Experts discuss measuring environmental impacts on women
The International Union for Conservation for Nature (IUCN) in cooperation with UN Environment and government officials is holding a two-day workshop in Vientiane to consider how best to measure environmental impacts on women.
— Vientiane Times
Thailand to provide phone registration system to Lao PDR
Thailand and the Lao PDR have agreed to adopt additional requirements for those registering for mobile phones to prevent cybercrime and to ensure border safety.
— News Today (video)
Laos: Temporary Suspension of Business Licenses in Certain Industries
Laos has attracted substantial foreign investment in recent years, which has contributed to a surge in the establishment of legal entities, both local and foreign.
— Lexology
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysian palm oil price snaps winning streak to fall over 1%
Malaysian palm oil futures on Tuesday snapped four days of gains, as the market corrected lower after a rally ahead of the Lunar New Year holidays, traders said.
— The Star Online
China and Malaysia joint shrimp venture to create 1,000 jobs
An aquaculture project between a Chinese chemical firm and a Malaysian property cooperative is set to make Langkawi — an archipelago off the Malaysian state of Kedah — a major producer of South American white shrimp.
— Food Navigator
Malaysia GDP rose 5.9% in 2017
The Central Bank of Malaysia reported that the country’s GDP increased from 4.2% in 2016 to 5.9% last year.
— Singapore Business Review
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Myanmar’s Investment Outlook for 2018
Myanmar is among the fastest growing economies in Southeast Asia with significant market potential for the growth and expansion of foreign companies. Some of the strategic advantages that the economy offers include its large youthful population and workforce, its low-cost base, natural resources, and its strategic location between two of the largest economies in the world – India, and China.
— Asean Briefing
US Asks UN to Appoint Special Envoy for Myanmar
US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley called on the UN secretary-general on Tuesday to appoint a special envoy to investigate what she called the Myanmar military’s “cruel and barbaric” actions in Rakhine State.
— The Irrawaddy
Myanmar’s cellcos reach a combined 50m subs
Myanmar’s mobile operators – MPT, Ooredoo Myanmar and Telenor Myanmar – have announced they have reached a collective 50 million subscribers.
— Telecom Asia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Killing prompts return of Philippines workers from Kuwait
As many as 10,000 Filipino workers in Kuwait are expected to take up the Philippines government’s offer of a free flight home after the body of their compatriot was found stuffed in a freezer.
— CNN
Can the ICC probe end Duterte’s deadly war on drugs?
For the first time in history, the International Criminal Court (ICC) has opened a preliminary probe against an incumbent Southeast Asian leader.
— Al Jazeera
Philippines resorts given two months to clean up ‘cesspool’ island
Scores of holiday resorts on the Philippines’ famous white-sand island Boracay have been given two months to clean up or face closure, officials said on Wednesday (Feb 14), after President Rodrigo Duterte warned tourists were swimming in waters polluted by faeces.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore’s productivity push still a ‘work in progress’ despite 2017 growth spurt
Labour productivity growth in 2017 may have risen to its highest in seven years, but the consensus appears to be that Singapore’s goal to boost productivity remains a “work in progress”.
— Channel NewsAsia
Singapore is replacing an abandoned parking lot with a stunning skyscraper containing thousands of plants — take a look inside
In an effort to raise employee productivity and happiness, a growing number of companies are incorporating greenery into their workplace designs.
— Business Insider
Singapore takes 9th spot in global intellectual property index
Singapore came in at 9th place on global intellectual property (IP) index, Create, released by the US Chamber of Commerce Global Innovation Policy Centre (GIPC).
— Open Gov Asia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
BoI told to fit policy to changing times
The Board of Investment (BoI) has been instructed to rejig its investment promotion policies to make them reflect technological changes, environmental impact reduction and Thailand’s ageing society.
— Bangkok Post
Govt improves business service quality to attract foreign investors
The government is enhancing the quality of its business service to attract more foreign investors, said Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak.
— NNT
Keeping track of foreigners in Thailand – new e-passport data to be used
The Immigration Bureau and the Interior Ministry have been instructed to speed up the implementation of a single-platform online database of foreigners entering and leaving the Kingdom.
— Phuket Gazette
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Plastics export turnover to increase by 15%
Exports of plastics are expected to grow by 12–15 per cent this year, according to the Viet Nam Plastics Association (VPA).
— Viet Nam news
Vietnam: Minimum Wages on the Rise in 2018
In 2018, Vietnam along with several ASEAN countries will see a rise in their minimum wages to support the rising costs of living.
— Vietnam Briefing
FDI attraction, highlights and inadequacies
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflows to Vietnam advanced spectacularly in the last two quarters of 2017, bringing the total amount of FDI pledges for 2017 to a 10-year record high.
— Nhan Dan Online
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.