Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
One in Three in Southeast Asia Considers Making the Switch to Electric Cars: Study
One in three people in Southeast Asia admit they consider making the switch to electric cars, a study by Frost & Sullivan has revealed.
— Jakarta Globe
Trump engages Asia, but gives unclear message: former US officials
President Donald Trump’s strategy toward Asia remains murky a full year into his term, hindered by a dearth of diplomats to carry out policy, but the American leader has shown a willingness to engage with the region, former U.S. officials said Tuesday at an Asia Society event here.
— Nikkei Asian Review
China investments boosting Asean e-commerce
THE entry of Chinese tech giants is likely to bring capital and know-how into the Asean e-commerce sector, while also easing constraints on logistics and e-payment adoptions holding back e-tailing, global research firm Credit Suisse said in a recent research report.
— Digital News Asia
What is the state of cybersecurity in ASEAN?
Following the release of a new report commissioned by CISCO and written by Global management consulting firm, A.T. Kearney, which analyzed the current state of cybersecurity in ASEAN, ESET’s senior research fellow Nick FitzGerald shares his perspective on ASEAN cybersecurity with Enterprise Innovation.
— Enterprise Innovation
Indonesia to ratify ASEAN act to liberalize banking
The government and the House of Representatives have agreed to swiftly ratify a protocol to implement the Sixth Package of Commitments on Financial Services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS).
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia collaborates with other ASEAN countries to protect children
The Indonesian government is committed to protecting children against cybercrimes by teaming up with other member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), an official stated.
— Antara News
US Promises Full Support to ASEAN To Confront China on South China Sea Dispute
During a trade show in Singapore, a senior US representative has urged Southeast Asian nations to maintain a strong stand on the South China Sea issue. Tina Kaidanow, who is visiting Singapore for the Singapore Airshow encouraged the ASEAN nations to use the ‘collective ability’ of all nations to uphold the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
— The EurAsian Times
Why Asean wants a code of conduct for the skies over the South China Sea
Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen expressed the hope that Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries could expedite negotiations at a meeting of defence ministers on Wednesday.
— South China Morning Post
UAE Seeking Closer Ties With Southeast Asia
Improvement in global economic indicators and oil prices open up promising opportunities for partnerships between Malaysia and the UAE, the country’s economy minister, Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, said on Tuesday while emphasizing that the UAE is intensifying its efforts to promote its relations with the Southeast Asian countries.
— Financial Tribune
Grab aims for self-driving taxis in Southeast Asia before 2022
outheast Asia’s streets could soon be filled with driverless cars as Grab takes the initiative on developing self-driving vehicles in the region
— Southeast Asia Globe
Asian manufacturers make strong start to 2018
Asian manufacturers started the year strongly as global trade picked up in January, the latest Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) survey shows.
— Nikkei Asian Review
AIIB, Malaysia to support ASEAN infrastructure development
The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) will coordinate with Malaysia to support infrastructure development in the ASEAN region, said the bank’s president Jin Liqun on February 6.
— VietnamPlus
Asean nations unite in fighting terrorism
Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwon has joined his Asean counterparts in a fresh regional move to fight terrorism in the region and conduct a joint naval military drill with China.
— Bangkok Post
Vietnam, Indonesia step up cooperation in coffee sector
The Embassy of Indonesia in Hanoi and the Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association on February 6 hosted a workshop to boost Indonesia – Vietnam cooperation in the coffee sector.
— VietnamPlus
Laos, Thailand agree to fight drug trade, boost connectivity
Fighting drug and human trafficking as well as boosting connectivity and economic cooperation are among the most significant agreements reached by Laos and Thailand at their latest meeting.
— VietnamPlus
Indonesia strives for conclusion of RCEP talks
Indonesia is committed to accelerating negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), said Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita said at the 21st round of RCEP negotiations, recently.
— The Jakarta Post
ASEAN Hopes to Expedite Code of Conduct on South China Sea
The Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) is hoping to expedite negotiations on a code of conduct with China for the South China Sea but it is not realistic to expect an agreement within a year, Singapore`s defense minister said on Wednesday, Feb. 7.
— Tempo
Malaysia well poised to take Asean lead in creating a greener future: CBI
Malaysia is well poised in taking the Asean lead in creating a more sustainable and greener future.
— New Straits Times
Indonesia to ratify ASEAN act to liberalize banking
The government and the House of Representatives have agreed to swiftly ratify a protocol to implement the Sixth Package of Commitments on Financial Services under the ASEAN Framework Agreement on Services (AFAS).
— The Jakarta Post
Timber trade to Vietnam up – again
Despite a ban on timber exports and the government’s repeated declaration that “large-scale” logging has been stopped, Vietnamese customs data compiled by watchdog Forest Trends show a significant increase in the import of Cambodian logs and sawn wood in 2017.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
The State of Human Security in Cambodia
Violence in Cambodia has escalated in recent months with Prime Minister Hun Sen’s attempts to quash competition ahead of the upcoming elections on July 29, 2018.
— The Diplomat
Government solicits help in crafting policy for startups
The Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) will craft a new startup-specific policy to boost the growth of the Cambodian startup scene and requested insight from the sector’s stakeholders at a workshop yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Timber trade to Vietnam up – again
Despite a ban on timber exports and the government’s repeated declaration that “large-scale” logging has been stopped, Vietnamese customs data compiled by watchdog Forest Trends show a significant increase in the import of Cambodian logs and sawn wood in 2017.
— The Phnom Penh Post
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Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Indonesian-made solar panels exempt from US tariffs
The Trade Ministry’s international trade director general, Oke Nurwan, said on Wednesday that Indonesian solar panel exports to the United States would not be subject to a 30 percent import tariff that the country recently imposed.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia eyes South Asia to expand and diversify its exports
Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi)`s recent tour of five South Asian nations has significant meaning not only to foster friendship but also to increase trade with the countries.
— Antara
Two Indonesian companies said to be part of $1.5b Go-Jek funding round
Two Indonesian companies, Astra International and Grup Djarum, have reportedly participated in the $1.5-billion funding round for ride-hailing app GO-JEK.
— DealStreetAsia
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Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
ICT in Laos to facilitate China’s Belt and Road plan: official
Development of the information and communication technology (ICT) sector in Laos falls in line with China’s Belt and Road initiative as this technology will be key for connectivity between China and countries in Southeast Asia.
— Vientiane Times
Money-laundering warrants pending over Lao brothers’ Bt98m
Nong Khai police will in two weeks apply for arrest warrants related to money-laundering charges for Lao siblings who were caught trying to cross the border into Laos from Nong Khai with more than Bt98 million in undeclared Thai banknotes in December.
— The Nation
Chinese Investors Need Visa Issues Addressed
Representatives of business community and government organizations took part in a meeting themed “Promote Financial Cooperation, Build Together Laos-China Economic Relations” held on Feb 3 on the sidelines of Laos-China Belt and Road Cooperation Forum (Feb 2-3) in Vientiane.
— Lao News Agency
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Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Hypermarket sales not benchmark of Malaysian economic condition
Hypermarket sales cannot be viewed as the only benchmark to gauge the economic condition of Malaysia and its people, Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Economic Planning Unit) Datuk Seri Abdul Rahman Dahlan said.
— New Straits Times
Affin Islamic helps finance solar project in Perak
Affin lslamic Bank Bhd is keen to explore more financing opportunities in the fields of green technology and renewable energy, chief executive officer Nazlee Khalifah said.
— New Straits Times
Digital transformation to contribute US$10bil to Malaysia GDP by 2021
BY 2021, digital transformation will add an estimated US$10 billion (RM39.11 billion) to Malaysia’s GDP, and increase the growth rate by 0.6% annually, according to a new business study released on Jan 7.
— Digital News Asia
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Eight countries push UN to take up Myanmar Rohingya crisis
Britain, France, the United States and five other countries asked the UN Security Council on Wednesday (Feb 8) to discuss the fate of hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees driven from Myanmar, diplomats said.
— Channel NewsAsia
Myanmar workers go on trial for accusing Thai chicken farm of abuse
Migrant workers from Myanmar who accused a Thai chicken farm of a litany of abuses went on trial for defamation on Wednesday in a landmark case between workers and an employer.
— Reuters
Myanmar’s place at Cobra Gold draws US criticism
Lawmakers are demanding Myanmar’s exclusion from the Cobra Gold military exercises next week, amidst pressure for more American sanctions in response to atrocities against Rohingya Muslims.
— Bangkok Post
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Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Dengue Vaccination Fiasco a Setback for Public Health Programmes (video)
As Philippine scientists and politicians fight over the failure of Asia’s first mass dengue vaccination programme the biggest casualty may be people’s trust and confidence in vaccination and other government-led public health programmes as effective ways to fight diseases.
— AEC News Today
Philippines, India among top 5 most ignorant countries
The list of 2017’s most ignorant countries is out and some names might surprise you.
The Perils of Perception 2017 study by Ipsos MORI assessed the perception of 29,133 people globally on topics regarding their nation among others. The topics included vaccination, diabetes, teenage pregnancy, terrorism among others.
— Khaleej Times
Duterte ends all foreign explorations in Philippine Rise
All marine explorations by foreign scientists at the Philippine Rise or Benham Rise are to come to an end at the order of President Rodrigo Duterte, according to The Manila Times Online on Wednesday(Feb 7).
— Thai PBS
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Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
The rich turns to Singapore to evade China’s grip on Hong Kong’s financial centre
Hong Kong’s financial sector is becoming more tangled with mainland China, prompting more and more of China’s rich to turn to Singapore, said Bloomberg.
— The Independent Singapore
Singapore touts China friendship while making deals with US
China and Singapore agreed on Monday to deepen military-to-military ties, during a meeting between China’s Defense Minister Gen Chang Wanquan and his Singaporean counterpart Ng Eng Hen.
— Asia Times
Singapore Deputy PM: ‘No Strong Case to Ban Cryptocurrency Trading’
Singapore’s government has indicated that it sees no need to prohibit cryptocurrency trading.
Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Singapore’s deputy prime minister and chairman of Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), said in a written response to MPs yesterday that cryptocurrency and related trading activity currently do not pose any threat to Singapore’s finance system.
— Coin Desk
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Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Japan rejects calls to invest in bullet train
Thailand wants Japan to invest in the Shinkansen-like high-speed railway from Bangkok to Chiang Mai but Japan insists only on offering loans for the project.
— Bangkok Post
Strong baht may rewrite export goal
THE Thai National Shippers’ Council (TNSC) said export growth this year could come in well below its estimate of 5.5 per cent due to a stronger baht and the recent increases in the country’s minimum daily wage.
— The Nation
Myanmar workers go on trial for accusing Thai chicken farm of abuse
Migrant workers from Myanmar who accused a Thai chicken farm of a litany of abuses went on trial for defamation on Wednesday in a landmark case between workers and an employer.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Plastics exports predicted to expand by some 15% in 2018
Vietnam’s exports of plastic products are expected to rise by 12-15% this year on the back of rising market demand, according to Vietnam Plastics Association (VPA).
— The Hanoi Times
Vietnam may export longans to Australia in 2019
Vietnamese longans may be exported to Australia in 2019, according to a delegation of the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
— VietnamPlus
Who will pay Vietnam’s rising tax bill?
Vietnam’s ruling Communist Party perennially stresses that it serves both the interests of the people and business, the poor and rich, but never more so than when talking about taxes.
— Asia Times
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.