Asean morning news for July 20

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Adoption of Blockchain Technology in the ASEAN Region: An Overview
Blockchain technology is gaining traction in the countries comprising the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which have started to embrace the technology and exploit its benefits both in the private and public sectors.
— Investing.com

Trade deals putting health at risk
The 23rd round of negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement taking place this and next week in Bangkok — between 10 Asean countries and their trading partners: Korea, Japan, China, India, Australia and New Zealand — include talks on an intellectual property rights chapter which directly impacts access to affordable medicines.
— Bangkok Post

Secrecy in RCEP trade deal threatens Asian democracies
Negotiators from sixteen Asian countries meet in Bangkok, Thailand this week to try to finalize a massive trade deal, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Jakarta Post

India under pressure from Singapore, Indonesia to agree to early RCEP pact
India is under diplomatic pressure from countries such as Singapore and Indonesia to agree to a speedy conclusion of the ambitious Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) negotiations, the 23rd round of which is currently on at Bangkok.
— The Hindu Business Line

South China, Southeast Asia waters lead global shipping losses, says Allianz review
The waters of South China and Southeast Asia have become the accident hotspot for global shipping, with 30 vessels, making up almost a third of the 94 losses worldwide coming from the region in 2017.
— Seatrade Maritime News

ADB Keeps 2018 Growth Forecast for Developing Asia at 6%
The Asian Development Bank maintains Developing Asia’s 2018 growth forecast at 6 percent in its latest Outlook supplement. Inflation forecast cut to 2.8% from 2.9%.
— Bloomberg Quint

‘World’s First’ Trade Blockchain Launches in Singapore to Link China and ASEAN Nations
A Singapore-based e-government service provider – notably owned by a government body and a port operator – has launched a blockchain platform focused on cross-border trade between ASEAN nations and China.
— CCN

Singapore opposes any attempts that threaten freedom of navigation: Vivian Balakrishnan
A fair, transparent and an equal rules-based order is needed in the Indo-Pacific region, said Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan in his inaugural address at the 10th Delhi Dialogue in the Indian capital on Thursday (Jul 19).
— Channel NewsAsia (annoying popups)

Building Critical Thinking in ASEAN Classrooms
Traditional classrooms in ASEAN countries are exceptional for turning out high-performing students, well-skilled in memorization, recitation, and deference to seniority, an approach some say doesn’t equip students for a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and rapidly changing world. According to the World Economic Forum, young people will best succeed in the knowledge economy when equipped with problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
— The Asia Foundation

More Chinese-speaking guides needed to capture growing market from mainland
With China now ranked the biggest market for tourist arrivals into Brunei, local tour guides are making efforts to step up their Chinese language skills.
— The Scoop

‘Blue economy’ key area in India-Asean links
Maritime cooperation has emerged as a key area of engagement between India and Asean as New Delhi steps up its links with South-east Asia under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Act East Policy.
— The Straits Times

Child brides: Unravelling the issues
She is Thai, he is a Malaysian. She is 11, he is 41. She used to play with one of his children from another marriage.
— The Asean Post

Tripura looks to Asean
Tripura would become a gateway and hub for the northeastern region once Sabroom-Chittagong connectivity becomes operational and Chittagong port is available for movement of goods, chief minister Biplab Kumar Deb said at the 10th Delhi Dialogue held in New Delhi on Thursday.
— The Telegraph

North Eastern states should engage more with the ASEAN region: Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma today said north-eastern states should engage more with neigbouring nations and the larger ASEAN region to promote trade, commerce and cultural relations.
— The New Indian Express

The Growth Of Emerging ASEAN
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region is well-known for its growth potential among market participants who seek to diversify their exposure within emerging markets.
— Seeking Alpha

The Quadrilateral conundrum: Can Asean be persuaded?
The revival of the ‘Indo-Pacific’ as a geostrategic region for the United States was perhaps less surprising than the revival of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, better known as the ‘Quad’, with Australia, India, Japan, and the US negotiating to restart the forum on the sidelines of the 2017 Asean Summit.
— Khmer Times

Connecting the ties of history
Ten contemporary visual artists from the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are coming together for a group exhibition happening at three museums in the Philippines.
— Manilastandard.net

Google Maps expands motorcycle mode to Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and other Asian markets
This week, Google Maps unveiled a new motorcycle mode in several Asian markets where two-wheelers are a very popular form of transportation.
— The Verge

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Cambodian tax boss faces jail over Aussie residency claims
The head of Cambodia’s tax department is staring down the barrel of a potential two-year prison sentence and a $21,000 fine for allegedly falsely claiming he is a resident of Australia.
— SBS News

Cambodian Rights Group Hacked Amid Concerns Over China-Linked Cyber Espionage Group
A local rights group in Cambodia said Thursday that it had fallen victim to a hacking attack a week after a U.S. cybersecurity firm announced that an espionage group believed linked to China’s government had targeted a number of stakeholders in a hacking operation ahead of an election later this month.
— Radio Free Asia

Chinese Ambassador: EU Should Not Mix Politics, Trade in Cambodia
China’s Ambassador in Phnom Penh says the European Union should not mix politics with trade as it mulls withdrawing Cambodia’s vital preferential single market access in response to the country’s autocratic backslide.
— VOA

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Bank Indonesia Stays Hawkish as It Keeps Key Rate on Hold
Indonesia’s central bank left its benchmark interest rate unchanged after three hikes in a row helped to stabilize the currency in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy.
— Bloomberg

Japan Reports Bribery Requests to Indonesia’s Corruption Watchdog
While the central government of Indonesia is eager to improve the nation’s investment climate, the Anti-Bribery Commission of Japan (ABCJ) reported a number of illegal charges that were requested by Indonesian government officials or civil servants from Japanese companies that operate in Indonesia.
— Indonesia Investments (media release)

Freeport-McMoRan: Deflating Copper, Indonesian Negotiations Will Hurt The Bottom Line
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) is one of the largest copper producing companies in the world.
— Seeking Alpha

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Natural tourist sites’ roads, access lacking, DPM hears
Roads are a necessity to connect visitors to tourist attractions as senior government officials proposed resolutions to issues to the Deputy Prime Minister recently.
— Vientiane Times

Trade Value Reaches US$ 1.76 Billion
The total value of trade in goods (import and export) for the last two months – May and June – was 1.76 billion US dollars with electricity, copper, and copper ores, outer parts of camera, electronics, electrums, and garment dominating the export list.
— Lao News Agency

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

AirAsia announces $30bn deal for 100 Airbus planes
Malaysian budget airline AirAsia Thursday announced an additional order of 34 Airbus A330neo planes, bringing the total value of its expanded 100-plane order to $30 billion as it sets its sights on European routes.
— Bangkok Post

Malaysia to raise oil royalties for producing states from 5% to 20%
Malaysia will raise oil royalties for its petroleum-producing states to 20 per cent from the current 5 per cent, Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday (July 19).
— The Straits Times

Malaysia to push for aerospace hub of Southeast Asia
A smooth transition in the change of government and a stable economic and political landscape have ensured continued confidence in Malaysia as a country to invest in as it looks to accelerate its push as a hub for aerospace industry in the South East Asian region.
— New Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

ICC ‘must deal with Rohingya genocide’
THE INTERNATIONAL community must hold Myanmar accountable for the military-planned genocide of the Rohingya minority, a report unveiled yesterday said, describing the killings as “extensively and systematically planned”.
— The Nation

Myanmar’s war against the truth
After being arrested by local police, journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo were brought to a secret location with hoods over their heads. There, they were deprived of sleep and questioned for days.
— The Asean Post

Rights report calls for criminal investigation into Rohingya genocide
Violence and the military operations against the Rohingya in recent years constitute genocide and crimes against humanity, human right defenders Fortify Rights categorically state in their report released on Thursday, which identifies 22 Myanmar Army and Police officials who should be criminally investigated for their roles in the atrocities.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Philippines hits 3.7 million foreign tourists mid-2018
The Department of Tourism (DOT) on Thursday, July 19, announced that foreign visitor arrivals reached an all-time high of 3.7 million for the first half of 2018.
— Rappler

US gives $26.5 million to boost Philippine counterterrorism efforts
As a “proud ally” of the Philippines, the US said it would “continue to provide whole-of-government support and assistance to the country’s counterterrorism efforts as both sides work together to address shared threats”.
— Philippines Lifestyle

ADB maintains 2018, 2019 growth forecast for Philippine economy
Asian Development Bank (ADB) has kept its economic growth estimates for the Philippines at 6.8 percent in 2018 and 6.9 percent in 2019, said a new ADB report released on Thursday.
— Xinhua

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Singapore opposes any attempts that threaten freedom of navigation: Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore’s Foreign Affairs Minister also warned about the impact of reining in trade liberalisation in his speech at the 10th Delhi Dialogue.
— Channel News Asia

Singapore ratifies Asia-Pacific trade deal for market of 500 million people
Singapore has ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), becoming the third nation to do so after Mexico and Japan.
— Straits Times

Malaysia must make clear its plan for KL-S’pore high-speed rail, further delay could hurt both sides: Analysts
Postponing the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore high-speed rail project will not only rack up huge costs for both sides the longer it drags out, but it will also delay the intended economic benefits, such as the development of regional areas in Malaysia, analysts said.
— Today Online

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Thailand’s Siam Commercial Bank profits slide 6.7 pct on fee cuts
Thailand’s second-largest bank, Siam Commercial Bank Pcl (SCB) , on Thursday reported an 6.7 percent drop in second-quarter net profit due to higher expenses and lower non-interest income.
— Reuters

Govt’s fiscal expansion policy to continue to pursue infrastructure projects
FINANCE MINISTER Apisak Tantivorawong says the government is planning key policy actions in the second half of the year, ranging from fiscal expansion to debt restructuring for farmers, to further boost the economy and the country’s competitiveness.
— The Nation

Tropical storm lashes upper Northeast
The upper Northeastern provinces are being hit by a tropical storm centred in Vietnam raising the water level in the Mekong River to a critical point.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

‘Good Morning Vietnam’ broadcaster dies
Adrian Cronauer, the man whose military radio antics inspired a character played by Robin Williams in the film Good Morning, Vietnam, has died. He was 79.
— Bangkok Post

The State Bank of Vietnam Suspends Import of Crypto Mining Hardware
The Vietnamese central bank, the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) announced it will suspend the import of cryptocurrency mining hardware, according to local news agency Viet Nam News July 19.
— Coin Telegraph

US citizen faces Vietnam protest trial
William Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American who was arrested during an anti-Chinese demonstration in Vietnam, faces his first trial in Hanoi for disturbing public order.
— Asean Economists

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.