Asean morning news for July 18

Asean morning news for July 18
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Asean morning newsAsean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

IMF forecasts stable growth for ASEAN 5 in 2018
Growth in the ASEAN-5 group of economies is expected to stabilise at around 5.3 percent this year as domestic demand remains healthy and exports continue to recover, according to the latest World Economic Outlook (WEO) recently announced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
— Vietnam Plus

US to support infrastructure investment in SEA
The Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), a federal development finance institution in the US, is looking to support American infrastructure investment in Southeast Asia to enhance the region’s connectivity.
— Khmer Times

Southeast Asia’s widening inequalities
The richest one percent in Thailand controls 58 percent of the country’s wealth and the top 10 percent earned 35 times more than the bottom 10 percent.
— The Asean Post

‘Single-minded determination’: China’s global infrastructure spree rings alarm bells
As governments in Southeast Asia target economic growth through infrastructure development, China, the world’s second-largest economy, has emerged as a ready funder for some of the most ambitious and expensive projects.
— Mongabay

Despite closure, Boracay named among best islands in Asia
Boracay has been closed to tourists since April, but it has maintained a spot in Travel + Leisure magazine’s list of Top 10 islands in Asia.
— ABC-CBN

Q&A: Air Pollution Remains Cause for Alarm in Asia
At the start of the year the pollution in Vietnam’s capital, Hanoi, reached six times the World Health Organization’s guideline levels for air quality.
— Inter Press Service

Private sector boost for agriculture
WEATHER-RELATED disasters linked to climate change have contributed to the rise in food insecurity.
— New Straits Times

South-East Asia Plastics Market Growth and Insights to 2023
The Southeast Asia plastics market is expected to register a CAGR of 5.46% during2018-2023 (the forecast period). Construction and packaging industries are the major consumers of plastics in the region.
— Healthcare Sector

Cambodia morning newsCambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Cambodia’s small parties aim for an electoral surprise
Hang, a tuk tuk driver, is momentarily distracted from his smartphone as a rally of political supporters trundle down a main thoroughfare in Phnom Penh, Cambodia’s capital.
— Asia Times

Authorities Threaten to Withhold Public Services if Villagers Don’t Vote For Cambodia’s Ruling Party
Agents working for Cambodia’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) are threatening to end public services for indigenous residents of Mondulkiri province unless they vote for the party in an upcoming election marred by allegations of campaign violations and a ban on the opposition, according to sources.
— Radio Free Asia

Nearly 70,000 security forces to be deployed for Cambodia’s general election
Nearly 70,000 security personnel will be deployed at all 22,967 polling stations during Cambodia’s general election, a National Election Committee (NEC) member said Tuesday.
— Xinhua

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador   @encantador_jo

 

BI: Indonesia’s Foreign Debt Growth Slows Down
Indonesia’s foreign debt grew slower at the end of May 2018 as foreign capital outflows from the state securities market as a result of normalization of interest rates in the US and rising US government bond yields.
— Netral News

Govt closes three new exploration block deals
The government signed on Tuesday three oil and gas exploration blocks under a gross-split contract for US$40.90 million in total investment and a $2.5 million signature bonus, bringing the total deals closed to nine since auctioning commenced in January.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia’s energy subsidy to balloon $4.8bn on price freeze
Indonesia’s energy subsidy will soar to a four-year high as a price freeze ordered by President Joko Widodo ahead of next year’s general elections forces the government to underwrite losses of state-run retailers.
— Gulf Times

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador   @encantador_jo

 

New decree offers tax breaks for investors in Lao SEZs
The new decree highlights the government’s policy on SEZ development, requirements for their establishment, incentives granted to investors, one-stop service delivery, and the obligations of developers to train and hire Lao workers.
— Vientiane Times

Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining Announced As Major Shareholder Of Lane Xang Minerals
The Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining Limited has been announced as the major shareholder of Lane Xang Minerals following the sale of a 90 per cent share stake from MMG Limited to the company.
— Lao News Agency

Prosperity of country, communities reliant on poverty reduction push: PM
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called for efforts to ensure poverty and least-developed status can be eradicated from the country’s rural areas, with the entire nation called upon to participate in the struggle.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Malaysian’s Don’t Want Another National Car – Dr. M Disappointed
Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad showed disappointment in a blog post after many Malaysians seem to reject his idea of introducing a new national car besides the existing Proton and Perodua brands.
— Investvine

Singapore’s lead over Malaysia’s economy shrinking
Malaysia is inching closer to regaining its lead over Singapore’s economy after trailing for a third straight year.
— The Star Online

Retail sector growth revised higher to 5.3 per cent post-GE 14
Malaysia’s retail sector is estimated to chalk up a growth of 5.3 per cent after the 14th General Election and revised from an earlier estimate of 4.7 per cent, said Retail Group Malaysia (RGM) Sdn Bhd managing director Tan Hai Hsin.
— The Borneo Post

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador   @encantador_jo

 

Judge in Reuters case rejects evidence of police setup
Reuters reporter Wa Lone testified for the first time yesterday in the case being brought against him and fellow reporter Kyaw Soe Oo for allegedly violating Myanmar’s Official Secrets Act.
— Coconuts Yangon

Legislative reforms spur Myanmar hunt for Thai investments
MYANMAR is confident of attracting more investments from Thailand after a revamped companies law comes in at the start of next month, a senior official investment said.
— The Nation

Anti-Corruption Commission registers a case against 12 Customs Officials
The Anti-Corruption Commission under the Ministry of Planning and Finance issued a press statement on July 16 which says the commission registered a case against 12 customs officers and employees in connection with the import of vehicles.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

OECD finds Philippines ‘largely compliant’ with standards vs tax fraud
THE PHILIPPINES is “largely compliant” with international frameworks against tax fraud, according to the latest review of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), even as it cited areas of concern.
— BusinessWorld Online

Gov’t to lose P102 B from fuel tax suspension — DOF
The national government will lose bulk of its revenue gains from the first tax reform law should the proposed suspension of fuel excise taxes is implemented next year, the Department of Finance (DOF) warned.
— Manila Bulletin

PH ranks last in BMI mining index
INDUSTRY and political problems facing the mining industry put the Philippines last among 13 Asian countries in BMI Research’s Asia Mining Risk/Reward Index for the second quarter of 2018.
— The Manila Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning newsSingapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

 

Auditor-General report: Overpayment of grass-cutting fees; lax procurement controls uncovered at MINDEF
Instances of overpayment for services and weaknesses in the management of IT accounts have been found at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the Auditor-General’s Office (AGO) said.
— Channel News Asia

Singapore drone swarm descends on England’s great northern exhibition (video)
Those attending the opening ceremony of this year’s ‘Great Exhibition of the North’ in Newcastle and Gateshead, England were treated to a dazzling display of firework waterfalls, dancing water spouts, and the first large-scale drone (drone swarm) performance in the United Kingdom (UK).
— AEC News Today

More Asean engagement could make Singapore the world’s richest country: DBS
Investing in regional integration could help Singapore become the world’s richest country by 2030, according to a new economics and strategy paper from DBS.
— Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

 

Thailand morning newsThailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

 

Thailand’s rescued cave boys to address media on Wednesday
The 12 Thai boys and football coach who were rescued from a flooded cave will be discharged from hospital on Wednesday (Jul 18) and hold a news conference the same day to satisfy huge media interest in their story, a government official said.
— Channel NewsAsia

Phoenix stripped of pumps
TWO WEEKS after 47 people died in boat accidents in the sea off Phuket, a 24-hour marine rescue centre was officially opened in the province yesterday.
— The Nation

Teachers warned of serious consequences for debt default
Teachers who have threatened to stop servicing their debts to the Government Savings Bank were warned that they could face serious consequences, including the prospect of being declared bankrupt by the court.
— Thai PBS

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

US Lawmakers Urge Facebook, Google Not to Comply With Vietnam Cybersecurity Law
Nearly two dozen members of the U.S. Congress have written to the heads of Facebook and Google urging them not to comply with a new cybersecurity law in Vietnam, saying the legislation is in violation of international human rights standards and raises concerns under the country’s trade obligations.
— Radio Free Asia

Vietnam withdraws licence of news site, issues fine
A popular Vietnamese news website has been suspended and fined about $10,000 (332,000 baht) after it was accused of publishing false information, as the communist government quashes any perceived criticism.
— Bangkok Post

Major online newspaper suspended for three months in Vietnam
Prominent news site Tuoi Tre Online has been suspended after the Press Authority deemed it had published “untrue,” “nationally divisive” content.
— VnExpress

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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