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Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

PATA: Mekong tourism grows 13%
More than 59 million travellers visited the five countries that are members of the Greater Mekong Sub-region during 2017, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s Annual Tourism Monitor 2018.
— TTR Weekly

Thailand leads Asean IoT exploration poll
Thailand is the top country in Asean for enterprises to explore and implement Internet of Things (IoT) solutions to boost their productivity and innovation, thanks to awareness based on government policy…
— Bangkok Post

Capital punishment far from dead in Southeast Asia
In July 2013, then-US president Barack Obama sat down with his Vietnamese counterpart, Truong Tan Sang, to talk about Thomas Jefferson.
— Asia Times

Environmental Conflicts in Asia
While India records the highest number of environmental conflicts arising mostly from nuclear, water management, biomass and land conflicts in the world, Bhutan records none.
— The Nation

Greater regional financial cooperation needed within Asean
THE global macroeconomic landscape has grown increasingly complex since the Asean+3 group – which includes 10 members of the Association of South-east Asian Nations plus China (including Hong Kong), Japan and South Korea – introduced the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM), the bloc’s multicurrency swap arrangement, eight years ago.
— The Business Times

Opportunities for Australia in ASEAN’s energy sector
More than 90 million people are expected to move to cities across ASEAN by 2030, resulting in enormous demands on the energy sector, but also creating opportunities for market participants, including opportunities for collaboration between ASEAN and Australia.
— Lexology (paywall)

Panopto Expands Video Cloud into Asia-Pacific Region
Panopto today announced the expansion of its cloud infrastructure, launching a new video hosting option on the Singapore-based Amazon Web Services (AWS) data center.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Thai conglomerate to build ASEAN’s largest solar plant in Vietnam
The power generating arm of Thailand’s oldest industrial conglomerate, B.Grimm, has partnered with Vietnamese construction firm Xuan Cau to develop the largest solar power plant in Southeast Asia at a cost of $420 million.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

LGBT Tourism and Inclusion in Southeast Asia: A Divided Future?
Some countries in Southeast Asia do better than others in welcoming LGBT tourists.
— The Diplomat (paywall)

Demilitarise seas around Asean, says ex-envoy
A former diplomat has called for the demilitarisation of seas touching the shores of Asean, saying it would be in keeping with the bloc’s 1971 declaration of its zone of peace, freedom and neutrality (Zopfan).
— Free Malaysia Today 

ASEAN lawmakers adopt drug-free stance
House Committee on Dangerous Drugs chairman, Surigao del Norte 2nd district Rep. Robert Ace Barbers joined parliamentarians around the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in adopting a stern stance for a drug-free region.
— Manila Bulletin 

Subscription Video-on-Demand service providers in ASEAN introduce Content Code to safeguard consumer interests
Leading subscription video-on-demand services across ASEAN, including ASTRO, dimsum,Fox+, HOOQ, iflix, Netflix, tonton, TVB and The Walt Disney Company (Southeast Asia) have come together to announce the creation of a self-regulatory Subscription Video-on-Demand.
— The Online Citizen 

OPEC squabble impacts Southeast Asia
The chandeliered halls of Vienna’s Hofburg palace will be the venue for the meeting between leaders of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as they decide on output policy amid calls by the major oil consuming economies of the United States (US), China and India to increase crude oil production and cool down oil prices.
— The Asean Post

China, Asean usher in new era of cooperation
As China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) celebrate the 15th anniversary of strategic partnership this year, a new era of cooperation has begun to enhance connectivity in various areas.
— Inquirer.net

Major infrastructure projects to keep ASEAN truck market healthy
As ASEAN governments prepare to pour huge amounts of money into infrastructure and modernisation projects, truck manufacturers will be keen for a slice of the action.
— Automotive World (media release)

Public Mutual launches Islamic Asean Growth Fund
Public Bank’s unit Public Mutual launched its Public Islamic Asean Growth Fund (PIASGF) on Thursday.
— The Star Online

An Asean theme park in China
In this “Green City” capital of Guanxi province in China, a familiar structure is being built with a bas relief of a coconut tree and an infant.
— The Philippine Star

Asean meeting on tourism professionals comes to an end
The second Asean conference on the mutual recognition of tourism professionals, held in Phnom Penh, ended yesterday, with participating experts agreeing on the need to create education and training programmes more in line with labour market demands in the digital era.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Cambodia-China trade reaches $5.8b in 2017
Trade volume between Cambodia and China was valued at $5.8 billion in 2017, up 22 percent from $4.76 billion a year earlier, Cambodian Minister of Commerce Pan Sorasak said on Thursday.
— Global Times

NBC Warns to Fine Individuals for Not Accepting Cambodian Riel
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) announced on Thursday on her official Facebook page that any individual who does not accept payment in Cambodian currency (KHR) in the kingdom shall be liable for a fine of 100 times the amount of the payment, according to Article 64.
— Fresh News

NBC revokes licenses of 11 rural credit institutions
The National Bank of Cambodia on Wednesday announced it is revoking the licenses of 11 rural credit institutions and rejecting license applications from 12 other credit organisations.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

IUU vessel tracker calls on more countries to share Indonesia’s lead, share data
Indonesia is a model that other countries should follow, according to a leading campaigner advocating for the sharing of fishing data to reduce illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
— SeafoodSource (blog)

XOX inks JV agreement to provide telco services in Indonesia
XOX Media Sdn Bhd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of mobile application services provider XOX Bhd, has entered into a joint venture agreement (JVA) with Yayasan Nahdlatul Ulama, EH Integrated Systems Sdn Bhd and PT Nusantara Digital Telekomunikasi to provide telecommunication services in Indonesia.
— The Edge Markets

Anies to Cut Allowance of Jakarta Official Who Skips Work Today
Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan will give a sanction of cutting off a full month`s performance allowance for the Jakarta Administration officials who skipped work after the collective leave of 2018 Eid.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Lao rice consumers pay highest price in region: World Bank
Local Lao consumers are paying one of the highest prices for rice in the region even though Laos is a significant rice producer, local daily Vientiane Times on Thursday quoted the latest edition of the World Bank’s Lao Economic Monitor as saying.
— Xinhua Net 

Money laundering prevention links Lao, US efforts
Government officials from Vientiane and Champassak province recently met in Luang Prabang and Champassak to discuss anti-money laundering efforts.
— Vientiane Times 

Acceleration propelling mega-project development, PM tells legislators
Mega-development projects with construction underway are being accelerated in an effort to bolster economic growth, Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith told the National Assembly (NA) recently.
— Vientiane Times 

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Malaysia finance minister defends collecting public donations to help settle national debt
Malaysia Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has defended the collection of public donations through the “Fund of Hope”, which he said will go towards settling the nation’s debt, including that of controversial state investment firm 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
— Channel NewsAsia

Malaysia reopens inquiry into murder of Mongolian model by Najib Razak’s former bodyguards
Malaysia will reopen an investigation into the murder of a Mongolian model in 2006, the country’s police chief said on Thursday, in a case that could spell more trouble for former premier Najib Razak.
— South China Morning Post

Power Without Responsibility – Najib’s ‘Get Out’
People need to understand. Najib may have been an all-powerful prime minister and finance minister in charge of his ruling party and the country, but he was not responsible for anything.
— Sarawak Report

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

UN envoy to Myanmar: perpetrators of Rohingya attacks must be held accountable
The new UN envoy for Myanmar told authorities in Naypyidaw during her first visit that credible measures were needed to establish accountability for the violence that engulfed Rakhine state and drove 700,000 Rohingya from their homes, a UN statement said Thursday (Jun 21).
— Channel NewsAsia 

MyTel deploying satellite mobile backhaul
Myanmar’s newest mobile operator MyTel is deploying a satellite mobile backhaul network to help prepare for the expected growth in mobile traffic.
— Telecomasia.net 

Singapore Myanmar Investco faces summons linked to US$10.8m share sale
A JOINT venture partner of mainboard-listed Singapore Myanmar Investco (SMI) has filed an originating summons to block SMI’s US$10.8 million proposed disposal of TPR Myanmar.
— The Business Times (paywall)

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Philippines Jeepney Phase-out Gains Pace: Get on board a ‘Busney’ (video)
To some they are a colourful symbol of the Philippines. To others they are an essential form of low-cost transportation.
— AEC News Today (video)

Joma: Reds ready to oust Duterte
THE Duterte administration has suspended informal talks with communist rebels to give way to a three-month review of all previous agreements, prompting another angry response from Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) founder Jose Maria Sison, who said guerillas were ready to oust the President anytime.
— The Manila Times

Peza investment pledges fell 58.6% in first 4 months
Investment pledges registered by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (Peza) dropped by 58.6 percent in the first four months of the year, as a top official said investors felt they were not protected under the current business climate.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

New $80m food technology site in Singapore to ‘drive innovation’
Asian agribusiness company Wilmar International and the National University of Singapore (NUS) have established a new research laboratory to conduct clinical nutrition and synthetic biology research to create healthier food products.
— FoodBev

Singapore to use technology to enhance maritime safety
On 20 June, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) announced that it will be embarking on several new initiatives as part of continued efforts to enhance safety at sea, especially in the Port of Singapore.
— Open Gov Asia 

Australian telco to acquire Superinternet Group in $2M deal
Australian telecommunications provider MNF Group (ASX:MNF) has entered into an agreement to acquire Singapore-based Superinternet Group for S$2 million.
— Channel Asia Singapore 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

BOT wary of the impact from US-China trade war
Central bank keeps policy rate unchanged to facilitate growth; forecasts for GDP and export growth revised upwards amid weakening of the baht
— The Nation

Ten companies eye airports’ connector rail project
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) reported that numerous private companies have purchased the contractor selection documents for the airports’ connector rail project after four days of selling, reports an official.
— NNT

Exports show resilience in face of escalating trade row
THE growth trajectory of exports held firm last month, with a robust 11.4 per cent gain from a year earlier, despite rising trade tensions between the United States and China.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Vietnam arrests more oil executives amid corruption crackdown
Police in Vietnam arrested four executives of state oil firm PetroVietnam’s subsidiaries on suspicion of embezzlement on Thursday as the communist-led government widens a crackdown on corruption.
— Channel NewsAsia

PV Gas to import natural gas
PetroVietnam Gas Joint Stock Corporation (PV Gas) has said it will build more pipelines and seaport infrastructure to import natural gas given forecasts its gas output will fall in the next decade.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Explosion at Vietnam police station injures officer: State media
A small explosion outside a police station in Vietnam’s southern Ho Chi Minh City injured an officer on Wednesday (Jun 20), state media reported.
— Channel NewsAsia

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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