Asean Morning News For January 16

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Public Holidays: Cambodians Work The Least in Asean, Second Least Globally
Every worker enjoys a public holiday. What’s not to like about getting paid to not go to work? While few employers begrudge their staff a day off every now and then, in a global market the pressure on employers to maintain a professional level of service with staff frequently absent is intense.
— AEC News Today

Tall order as Singapore takes Asean chair
Between multilateral trade and the Rohingya calamity, PM Lee will need all the ‘resilience and innovation’ he can muster
— The Nation

Indonesia pushing greater ASEAN influence
Indonesia wants ASEAN to expand its influence into other countries in the Indo-Pacific region, which includes all those on the coasts of the Indian and the Pacific oceans, to help create security and prosperity, according to the Foreign Ministry.
— The Jakarta Post

Vegetable supply in Singapore, Malaysia affected by continuous rain
The prolonged rainy weather and overcast skies have affected the supply of vegetables on both sides of the Causeway, with one distributor saying that the supply from Malaysia has fallen by more than 20 per cent.
— Channel NewsAsia

ASEAN & what’s in it for India
IN an unprecedented move, PM Modi has invited not just one but 10 important global leaders — all from our neighbourhood — for the Republic Day parade.
— The Tribune

YTL associate keen to run trains between Malaysia, Singapore
Express Rail Link, a 45%-owned associate of Malaysian conglomerate YTL, is keen to bid for operating rights for the train services of the proposed Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail project, its chief executive said.
— Nikkei Asian Review

World textile and apparel trade and production trends: South-East Asia, December 2017
This latest report in our flagship series contains 35 pages of statistical data, information and insight into the textile and apparel industries in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
— Innovation In Textiles

6th Power Southeast Asia Conference to grace Manila
With the theme “Connecting the people, lighting up the future”, power players are set to gather on January 25 and 26 to discuss the latest market intelligence of the Philippine Power market over the past year.
— Power Philippines

Asean’s busy election calendar
What should we expect for Asean in 2018? On the economic front, the overall picture remains unclear even though export growth is likely to continue on the back of improving global demand. But what is certain…
— Bangkok Post

Is Chinese investment taking over the Mekong?
China is shoring up its sphere of influence in Southeast Asia through aid and investment. By funding infrastructure and development, China can increase its economic and strategic leverage over poorer neighbors.
— Brinkwire

LMC project brings opportunities for Southeast Asian language learners
When Zhang Weiguo learned that he was admitted as a Myanmese major at Yunnan Minzu University in 2009, he was deeply worried that he might not find a job after graduation.
— Global Times

Export to Southeast Asia via land route a reality — NRL
Numaligarh Refinery Ltd’s wax export to Myanmar will open floodgates for international trade with Southeast Asian countries via land route, the company today said.
— Eastern Mirror

Sleekr’s latest funding signifies Japanese appetite for Southeast Asian startups
Sleekr, an Indonesian HR and accounting management platform, has secured funding from Tokyo-based fintech firm Money Forward in its first investment outside of Japan.
— Tech In Asia

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Hun Sen’s Son and Would-Be Heir Defends His Role Ahead of Election
Hun Manet, who holds numerous senior positions in the military, is thought to be a strong contender to succeed Hun Sen when he leaves office.
— VOA

Prime Minister Hun Sen to Hold Position till 2028 (Video inside)
Prime Minister Hun Sen announced that he will continue to hold the position as Prime Minister of Cambodia for two more mandates until 2028.
— Fresh News

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Dramatic Security Video Captures Moment #Indonesia Stock Exchange Floor Collapses (HD video)
At least 28 people are reported injured while others were reportedly trapped under debris following the collapse earlier today of a mezzanine floor at the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) building on Kebayoran Baru, in the heart of Jakarta’s financial district.
— AEC News Today (video)

All politics is local in Indonesia
All politics is local, as the saying goes. But it takes only a quick look at the jostling that has gone on over the selection of candidates for June’s regional elections to understand just how local Indonesia’s political party system is after 18 years of democratic rule.
— Asia Times

Gov`t Focuses on Improving 6 Ease of Doing Business Indicators
The Indonesian Government is set to improve six indicators ease-of-doing-business indicators that are slightly underperforming.
— Tempo

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Major road upgrade in Vientiane province set to create int’l link
Road 4501 linking Hinheup district to Xanakham district in Vientiane province is 30 percent complete and is scheduled to be finished in 2023, a senior official from the province’s Meuangfeuang district has said.
— Vientiane Times

U.S. Provides 15 New Vehicles to UXO Lao for Clearance Operations
U.S. Ambassador Rena Bitter handed over 15 new Toyota Land Cruisers to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme (UXO Lao) at a ceremony on Jan 12.
— Lao News Agency

Chiang Rai locals still oppose Lao hydropower dam after meet with Laos officials
LAOS AUTHORITIES and the developer of the Pak Beng hydropower dam project failed in a meeting yesterday to relieve concerns of local people living along the Mekong River in Thailand about the impacts of a dam now under construction on the river.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Mahathir struggles to unite Malaysia’s opposition
He remains Malaysia’s longest-ruling prime minister and was one of 20th Century Asia’s most outspoken political leaders. Now Mahathir Mohamad cannot even meet opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, a former colleague-turned-rival.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysian palm oil price rebounds on lower production outlook
Malaysian palm oil futures ended higher on Monday, recovering from an earlier more than two-week low, as traders forecast falling production in the coming weeks.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Myanmar says temporary camp will house 30,000 Rohingya targeted for repatriation
Myanmar is building a camp to temporarily house 30,000 Rohingya Muslims targeted for repatriation after fleeing violence in Rakhine State, state media reported on Monday (Jan 15), as Myanmar and Bangladesh meet to discuss how to implement a repatriation deal.
— Channel NewAsia

Myanmar is only allowed to export eight crops to China
In a recent communiqué, the Myanmar Fruit, Flower and Vegetable Producer and Exporter Association said that China only allows eight crops to be imported from Myanmar.
— Fresh Plaza

Jade sales fetch nearly $300 million
Myanmar earned over US$290 million (389.8 billion kyat) from jade exports up to the first week of this month in 2017-2018 fiscal year. Sales were down by over $210 million compared to the same period of last FY, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Philippines Shuts Down News Site Critical of Duterte
A popular news website that has been critical of the government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte was shut down by the country’s securities regulator, a move the company called harassment.
— The Wall Street Journal

Reduction in corporate income tax to boost PHL’s competitiveness–TMAP
The Tax Management Association of the Philippines (TMAP) has expressed its support for Package 2 of the government’s Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP), as the lowering of corporate income-tax (CIT) rates will enable the Philippines to become more competitive.
— BusinessMirror

Sanofi to reimburse Philippines for unused dengue vaccine
French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi is to reimburse the Philippine government for leftover doses of an anti-dengue vaccine whose use was suspended due to health concerns, the two parties said Monday (Jan 15).
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Singapore earmarks $22.6M for tech development in water treatment
Singapore has called on the tech industry to pitch for S$30 million (US$22.68 million) worth of grants aimed at enhancing the country’s water treatment processes and operations.
— ZDNet

Singapore seeking to extradite Canadian suspect detained in Britain
Singapore said on Monday it was seeking to extradite a Canadian man suspected of a rare bank robbery in the city-state, after he was detained by authorities in Britain last week.
— Reuters

Keppel bribes belie Singapore’s clean image
One of the largest corruption scandals in the history of Singapore’s corporate sector has come to glaring light, tarnishing the image and credentials of prominent state-backed conglomerate Keppel Corp and raising questions about the city-state’s supposed incorruptibility.
— Asia Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

EEC spending forecast to reach B600bn
The government expects investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to increase from 500 to 600 billion baht over the next five years, fuelled by stimulus measures and infrastructure projects, says Industry Minister Uttama Savanayana.
— Bangkok Post

SEC set to establish control over digital capital market
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has cited the digital capital market as an attractive investment channel and will come up with measures to ensure its transparency and protect investors.
— NNT

Thailand seeking to crack World Bank top 20 ranking
Thailand could crack the top 20 of the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking for 2019 after it managed to jump to 26th-most business-friendly nation in the 2018 ranking, says Prime Minister Office Minister Kobsak Pootrakool.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

PV Oil stakes entice eight foreign investors
Eight investors have registered to become strategic shareholders of the Vietnam Oil Corporation (PV Oil) as of January 10, PV Oil CEO Cao Hoai Duong confirmed on the sidelines of the corporation’s roadshow.
— Bizhub

Vietnam’s logistics sector too expensive to compete with foreign rivals: experts
Vietnamese logistics companies are growing in number thanks to strong imports and exports, but that does not mean the services they provide are becoming more affordable.
— VnExpress

Vietnam to work with Mitsubishi Motors on electric vehicle R&D
Vietnam is set to partner with Mitsubishi Motors on research and development of electric vehicles.
— Nikkei Asian Review

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.