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Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Southeast Asia`s foreign debt spirals
Six Southeast Asian countries, led by Laos, have much higher external debt levels than the developing world average, sparking concern that the region may be heading for a debt crisis.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

The future of the stateless
The global community stood transfixed as the story of the Moo Pa football team and their coach who found themselves trapped in a Chiang Rai cave complex in Northern Thailand unfolded.
— The Asean Post

Southeast Asia’s Growth Could Be the Trade War’s Next Casualty
For Southeast Asia’s biggest economies, 2018 wasn’t supposed to be like this.
— Bloomberg Quint

The role of Asean’s ports in China’s Belt and Road
China’s investments in deep-sea ports in Myanmar and Cambodia will provide critical links in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), but there are also concerns that they could give China undue economic leverage in the region.
— The Nation

Financing ASEAN’s infrastructure demand
In Southeast Asia of late, the spotlight has been on the many ambitious infrastructure projects happening across the region.
— The Asean Post

Trans-Asian Railway chugs closer to becoming a reality
The recent completion of Cambodia’s railway from Phnom Penh to the border of Thailand has effectively restored the country’s rail network to pre-war conditions and added a missing link in the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) network.
— The Asean Post

EU and ASEAN to restart FTA process: PM Lee
The European Union (EU) and ASEAN have agreed to restart the process of establishing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between them, said Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Saturday (Jul 14).
— Channel NewsAsia

Can an ageing ASEAN stay competitive?
Across Asia, demographic trends are indicating a growing ageing population with the 65 and above age category projected to more than double, reaching close to 2.5 times the current figures by 2050.
— The Asean Post

Asean assesses progress in achieving conservation targets
The Asean Member States (AMS) joined the other parties in recognizing the importance of other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in sustaining protected areas, particularly in achieving the Aichi Biodiversity Target 11, at the 22nd meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA 22) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada, last week.
— Business Mirror

Moon looks to SE Asia for peace and prosperity
One month after the historic summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, matchmaker South Korean President Moon Jae-in dispatched on a peace in tour to Southeast Asia.
— Asia Times

Six Asian free trade agreements: A brief overview of performance
Asia has seen a surge in the number of trade agreements within the region over the last one and a half decades.
— Sunday Leader

The future of Asia’s cities: mega or niche?
Cities are outgrowing their national borders figuratively, and in some sense, literally.
— Today Online

Smart Solutions Can Improve Lives in Southeast Asian Cities: McKinsey
Solutions such as ride-hailing services, data-driven transit planning, intelligent traffic systems, data-driven disaster risk assessments and smart energy meters, could save lives, add jobs, reduce living costs and curb emissions in cities across Southeast Asia, according to a recent study by McKinsey Global Institute, the research arm of the global consulting firm.
— Jakarta Globe

ASEAN Disability Forum to launch joint working group
COUNCIL for the Welfare of Persons with Different Abilities (MKOKU) Vice President Malai Haji Abdullah bin Malai Haji Othman yesterday shared vital information on the ASEAN Disability Forum (ADF) Masterplan and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) with MKOKU members at the Youth Centre in the capital.
— Borneo Bulletin

First ASEAN summit on Heritage
The first ASEAN World Heritage Summit will be hosted 2 to 4 August in the World Heritage town of Sukhothai in central Thailand.
— TTR Weekly

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

On The Block: Is The Phnom Penh Post Going 金边邮报?
Just two months after Malaysian business entrepreneur Sivakumar S Ganapathy (aka Siva Kumar G) purchased The Phnom Penh Post from Australian mining magnate Bill Clough (See: New Era For The Phnom Penh Post Under Malaysian PR Company Ownership) the future of Cambodia’s oldest newspaper is again under a cloud.
— AEC News Today

Cambodia Exports Over 80,000 Tons of Rubber in the First Semester 2018
Cambodia has exported over 80,000 tons of rubber within the first six months of 2018, amounted to $120 million of revenue, according to the official report of the General Department of Rubber, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries on Saturday.
— Fresh News

Election: NEC Receives 11,000 Ballot Boxes and 40 Vehicles from Japan
National Election Committee has received 11,000 ballot boxes and 40 pick-up vehicles from Japan to serve election, worth of $7 million, according to NEC’s press release dated on Saturday.
— Fresh News

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Joanne Encantador   @encantador_jo

Ayala unit completes $150-m wind farm in Indonesia
PT UPC Sidrap Bayu Energi, a special purpose company composed of three energy companies including the energy unit of Ayala Corp. formally inaugurated early this month a $150-million, 75-megawatt wind project in Indonesia.
— Manilastandard.net

Bank Indonesia observes capital inflows following rate hike
Bank Indonesia (BI) believes its latest rate hike of 50 basis points (bps) will make Indonesia’s financial market more attractive for foreign investors, as indicated by recent foreign capital inflows.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia among world’s less stressed countries
Indonesia is among the world’s less stressed countries, according to recent survey released by insurance company Cigna.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Joanne Encantador   @encantador_jo

Over 300 Industry Experts, Business people Discuss Belt And Road Initiative For Biotechnology Industry
More than 300 industry experts and business elites from China and the ASEAN region discussed the opportunities and challenges on the Belt and Road Initiative for the biotechnology industry.
— Lao News Agency

Service, costs, safety critical to attracting visitors: DPM Deputy
The nation’s tourism sector and authorities at all levels must continue to solve issues to help Laos attract visitors from domestic and international sources and reach the set targets, the nation’s Deputy Prime Minister told a meeting for tourism review consultation and planning in the capital on Friday.
— Vientiane Times

First Confucius Institute in northern Laos inaugurated
The institute will help further promote exchanges between universities of China and Laos, Li Baoguang, Chinese consul general in Laos’ Luang Prabang, said at the opening ceremony on Friday.
— Global Times

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Malaysia’s new central bank head is a buy signal
Investors should give Mahathir more credit following Nor Shamsiah’s appointment.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Aerospace sector to rake in RM55b in revenue by 2030
The Malaysian Investment Development Authority (Mida) which is collaborating with Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd (MAHB) to promote and facilitate economic activities to drive investments into the country, projects the aerospace sector to rake in some RM55.2 billion in revenue by 2030.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysian PM Mahathir on Pacquiao fight: It’s a historic day for Malaysia
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad deemed the victory of Manny Pacquiao against Argentinian boxer Lucas Matthysse as a “historic day” for Malaysia.
— GMA News

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Joanne Encantador   @encantador_jo

Total FDI in Thilawa SEZ project hit nearly $ 150 m in three months
From April to July, this year, the total foreign investments in Thilawa Special Economic Zone have reached nearly US$ 150 million, according to the Myanmar Investment Commission’s press conference.
— Eleven Myanmar

Smuggled brand-name goods, onions seized in Mae Sot
Customs officials in Mae Sot district, with support from a local military unit, have seized about 3-million-baht worth of brand-name goods ordered on eBay and 1,156 kilogrammes of onions – all smuggled…
— Bangkok Post

Fool’s gold: Thousands out of work as dispute shutters dozens of mines
A long-running dispute between the government and a mining company over a debt has shuttered dozens of gold mines in the Yamethin area of Mandalay Region, crippled small operators and left thousands out of work.
— Frontier Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

SC ruling on IRA to cost gov’t P1.5 T — DOF
The Supreme Court ruling that includes all national taxes in the internal revenue allotments (IRA) of local government units (LGUs) may cost the national government as much as P1.5 trillion if implemented retroactively, according to the Department of Finance (DOF).
— The Philippine Star

4 in 5 Filipinos reject gov’t inaction vs China moves – SWS
Four out of 5 Filipinos said it is wrong for the Duterte administration to do nothing about China’s militarization of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea), a new Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey found.
— Rappler

Cash remittances to stay positive – HSBC
Banking giant HSBC believes that cash transfers by Filipinos working abroad are gaining momentum as growth was likely sustained in May.
— The Manila Times (annoying pop-up)

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

Unofficial registry of sex offenders in Singapore draws mixed views
The webpage, first put together last month, compiles a list of names, mugshots and specific crimes of sex offenders reported in the media and checks if they are still serving their sentences.
— The Straits Time

“Foolish” to think PAP will suffer the same fate as Barisan Nasional: Ho Kwon Ping
Many have given their take on what this means for neighbouring Singapore, because of the similarities that both countries were governed by ruling parties — People’s Action Party (PAP) for Singapore and Barisan Nasional (BN) for Malaysia — for more than five decades.
— Mothership

$17m of Xiaomi warrants traded at launch
The three new call warrants for the ordinary Class B shares of Xiaomi Corporation issued by Macquarie Bank started trading on the Singapore Exchange (SGX) on 9 July 2018, in tandem with Xiaomi’s initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong.
— Singapore Business Review

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

Last body from Phuket tour boat disaster recovered, brought ashore
After days of attempts by an international team of divers and an expert Chinese salvage salvage crew, the last body trapped under the wreck of the Phoenix tour boat was recovered today (July 15) and brought ashore to Phuket just before 9pm.
— The Phuket News

FDA recalls blood-pressure drugs due to cancer-risk ingredient
THE FOOD and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled immediately five registered drugs to control blood pressure because of a potentially dangerous key ingredient.
— The Nation

23 human traffickers arrested in Thailand crackdown
Twenty-three human trafficking “agents” were arrested during a major operation conducted by the Thai police to prevent southern Thailand from becoming a transit destination for migrants trying to cross illegally into Malaysia.
— The Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

PM pledges to realise Industry 4.0 opportunities
To ultilise opportunities brought by the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and limit unwanted effects, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the Government would build long-term orientations and install specific policies.
— Bizhub

Vietnam: The Next Frontier in Asia’s Luxury Real Estate Market
Activity in the luxury real estate market is surging in Vietnam, mirroring a booming economy that posted a 7.38% year-over-year increase in GDP in the first quarter of 2018—the country’s strongest in a decade.
— Mansion Global

Industry real estate to grow
Growing foreign direct investment and a move up the value chain mean Viet Nam’s industrial real estate sector has a bright future, according to property consultant Savills Vietnam.
— Bizhub

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.

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