Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ASEAN countries launch project to protect marine environment
Seven member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have launched an initiative for marine environment improvement in the region by implementing major International Maritime Organization (IMO) marine environment protection treaties.
— Ship-technology
Thailand suggests ASEAN countries to develop communication channel against cybercrime
According to the announcement made by the Bangkok Post, Thailand’s Permanent Secretary of Justice Wisit Wisitsora-at encouraged ASEAN law enforcement officials to develop a communication channel to prevent cybercrime.
— Open Gov Asia
Thailand Promoted, Malaysia Bumped in US Report on Human Trafficking
The U.S. State Department on Thursday boosted Thailand in an annual assessment of how countries worldwide perform in stopping human trafficking, but bumped Malaysia down a notch from its rank in 2017.
— Benarnews
Asean States ‘Should Take Tough Stance’ in Negotiating Investment Deals with China
Host countries should take a tough stance when negotiating Chinese foreign direct investment deals as Chinese investors increasingly wish to be seen as responsible stakeholders in the region, a panel of experts has said.
— VOA Khmer
Taiwan extends visa-free privileges for PH, Thailand, Brunei until July 2019
Visitors from Thailand, Brunei, and the Philippines will have visa-free privileges for another year until July 31, 2019, according to a Taiwan official.
— Philippines Magazine
Vietnam calls for calm negotiations over maritime conduct
Vietnam wants all parties to stay calm and work for a Code of Conduct that is enforceable and regulates the behavior of all parties in disputed waters of the South China Sea under international law, a senior official said.
— VnExpress International
A fresh take on Southeast Asian art, design and architecture in show at Hong Kong’s M+ Pavilion
It would be taxing to put together an exhibition that encompasses the heterogeneity of Southeast Asia under any circumstance.
— South China Morning Post
Southeast Asia is like European Union but without a proper framework, says Ian Goh of 01VC
China is at least eight years ahead of Southeast Asia, and the companies operating in the region have a lot of things to learn from the Asian giant, according to prominent various leading VCs based in China.
— e27
China, ASEAN to hold maritime drill
China and the 10 members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have scheduled a joint maritime exercise to take place later this year, a Chinese ministry spokesperson said Thursday.
— Xinhua
Indonesia urges establishment of animal health center in Southeast Asia
Indonesian Agriculture Ministry holds a meeting of the ASEAN Coordinating Center for Animal Health and Zoonosis (ACCAHZ) in Yogyakarta from June 27 to 29, 2018, which is considered an important measure to protect people’s health in Southeast Asia.
— Antara News
ASEAN fights rise in drug trafficking
Vietnam and other countries located near Southeast Asia’s notorious ‘Golden Triangle’ are facing numerous challenges in the fight against drug trafficking.
— NNT
WoodMac: Southeastern Asian oil and gas players changing
Wood Mackenzie Ltd. said international oil companies (IOC) have divested more than 600 million boe of Southeastern Asia oil and gas assets since oil prices fell in 2014.
— Oil & Gas Journal
Preventive diplomacy in Asean
Asean countries are no strangers to conflict and violence. As a region comprising diverse nation-states, Southeast Asia has experienced a number of inter- and intra-state conflicts. Political stability in the region has improved over the last decade, especially due to a decline in inter-state disputes.
— Khmer Times
EY tax practitioners urge Asean to work together on tax matters
ASEAN countries can benefit from collaborating more closely on tax matters, especially in the face of rising protectionism, tax practitioners from EY have said.
— The Business Times (paywall)
North Korea is Asean’s problem
THE amicable outcome between United States President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un at their summit in Singapore on June 12 impressed the public.
— New Straits Times
Prospects for Nuclear Power in ASEAN
A new report predicts Southeast Asia could see its first nuclear power plant by 2030.
— The Diplomat (paywall)
More collaboration on tax front can help Asean nations: Experts
Asean countries can benefit from closer collaborations on tax matters, especially in the face of rising protectionism, tax experts said.
— The Straits Times
Singapore good gateway for Indian business to Asean: Minister
Singapore is a “good gateway” for Indian companies to do business with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), Singaporean Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Thursday.
— The Quint
Southeast Asia attracting new players
Research by Wood Mackenzie shows companies have flocked to region despite the exit of several majors
— Upstream Online (paywall)
Southeast Asia is like European Union but without a proper framework, says Ian Goh of 01VC
China is at least eight years ahead of Southeast Asia, and the companies operating in the region have a lot of things to learn from the Asian giant, according to prominent various leading VCs based in China.
— e27
Teaching English in Southeast Asia: Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam
With more than one billion people learning English worldwide today, there are huge opportunities for English teachers.
— International living
Minister S Iswaran highlights Southeast Asia’s potentials as the region grows on the digital front
At the technology event ConnecTech Asia, Singapore Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran delivered his opening address, highlighting Southeast Asia’s potential as the region rapidly develops on the digital front.
— Open Gov Asia
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia’s Dirty Dozen
Under Prime Minister Hun Sen, Cambodia is in a human rights freefall. Despite the strong human rights provisions in the 1991 Paris Peace Agreements and the 1993 constitution—and billions of dollars in development aid, including a plethora of technical assistance devoted to the rule of lanetw, judicial reform, and human rights—the country is rapidly reverting towards a one-party state.
— Human Rights Watch
Cambodia’s Goodwill Mission to EU to Provide Clarification of Truth in Cambodia
At the instruction of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MoFAIC) has dispatched to the European Union (EU) from 18 June to 1 July 2018 a Goodwill Mission led by H.E Sok Siphana, Advisor of the Royal Government of Cambodia, in order to provide clarification about the truth in Cambodia to the main senior officials of the European Commission, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament and other important dignitaries,” according to MoFAIC’s press release on Thursday.
— Fresh News (media release)
Airport in Sihanoukville gets a major facelift
Sihanoukville International Airport is set to see higher passenger arrivals, thanks to the refurbishment of its passenger terminal, Cambodia Airports announced.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
BI: Cash Circulation Reaches IDR191.3 Tln during Eid 2018
The activities of the Rupiah Payments and Money Management System increased during the Ramadan/Eid al-Fitr period of 2018.
— Netral News
Fiscal incentives to take toll on tax revenue
Director General of Taxation Robert Pakpahan says fiscal incentives granted to businesses to attract investment will adversely affect his office’s tax collection efforts this year.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia: 4G to drive telco & pay-TV revenues
Total pay-TV and telecom services revenue in Indonesia is poised to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.7 per cent over the period 2017-2022, mainly driven by growth in mobile data (4G) and fixed broadband revenues, according to data and analytics company GlobalData.
— Advanced Television
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos sees growth in non-resource sector: report
Laos has begun to witness improvements in non-resource exports amid declining mining output and a government policy to boost growth in the manufacturing sector, local daily Vientiane Times on Thursday quoted a World Bank report as saying.
— Xinhua Net
Laos to introduce e-visa by 2019
Laos will join Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar in offering an online e-visa option for tourism purposes, the last country in Southeast Asia to switch from passport-page sized stickers to electronically prearranged visas for self-printout.
— Investvine
State investment projects attract scrutiny
The government has announced it will prioritise State-funded projects to ensure the most effective and efficient use of the national budget.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s Najib says value of items seized inflated out of ‘political vengeance’
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak said on Thursday (Jun 28) that the value attached to seized luxury items, which police put at nearly US$275 million, was distorted and an apparent act of “political vengeance”.
— Channel NewsAsia
Bank accounts of Malaysia party Umno frozen by anti-graft agency
Malaysia’s anti-graft agency has frozen bank accounts belonging to the country’s largest political party Umno.
— The Straits Times
Google Maps motorcycle mode introduced in Malaysia
Three months after rolling it out in Indonesia, Google has now introduced its motorcycle mode in Malaysia – the new navigation mode is now available on the latest version of Google Maps, located along with the other modes of transportation offered by the web mapping service.
— Paultan
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Myanmar among worst places for human trafficking, US report says
Myanmar has joined China, Syria and South Sudan as being among the countries doing least to tackle human trafficking, according to the US State Department’s latest annual Trafficking in Persons (TIP) report.
— CNN
Posco Daewoo inks $267mn deal for Myanmar gas exploration
Posco Daewoo Corp., the energy development unit of South Korean steelmaker Posco, has signed a 300 billion won ($267 million) contract with a U.S. consortium of oilfield service firms to embark on the second phase gas field development project in Myanmar.
— Pulse News
Myanmar rescue team join search for trapped young footballers
A Myanmar rescue team on Thursday joined the search for 12 missing Thai youth footballers and their coach, who are trapped inside Tham Luang Cave in Chiang Rai near the border between Myanmar and Mae Sai district, The Irrawaddy of Myanmar reported.
— Thai PBS
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Philippines plans $5 bln domestic borrowing in Q3
The Philippines’ Bureau of the Treasury said on Thursday it plans to raise as much as 270 billion pesos ($5 billion) from the sale of treasury bills and bonds in the third quarter, 17 percent less than it had programmed for the current quarter.
— Reuters
PHL one of 10 most dangerous nations for women exploited by traffickers — global poll
The Philippines is one of the world’s most dangerous countries for women exploited by human traffickers and forced to wed, work and sell sex, a global experts’ poll found on Tuesday.
— GMA News
Hot money trickles out mid-June
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed that more foreign investors pulled out of the country in mid-June.
— CNN Philippines
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore opens its third desalination plant in Tuas
Singapore on Thursday (Jun 28) opened its third desalination plant, boosting the country’s desalination capacity from 100 to 130 million gallons a day (mgd).
— Channel NewsAsia
Singapore inks MOUs with UK to strengthen air force and boosting national security
A STRONGER air force, better counter-terrorism measures and a more efficient military logistics system are on the cards, as Singapore seeks deeper collaboration with Britain and two aviation firms.
— The Business Times (paywall)
1.6 million Singaporeans to receive S$1 billion in GST Vouchers and MediSave top-ups
A total of 1.6 million Singaporeans will receive notifications by Jul 6 on their 2018 GST Voucher (GSTV) benefits and MediSave top-ups, said the Ministry of Finance (MOF) on Thursday (Jun 28).
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thailand Prays as Day 6 of Search For Football Teens in Flooded Cave Ends
The hopes and prayers of the Thai nation are focused on a desperate race against time and nature to rescue 12 young football players and their coach believed trapped alive inside a flooded cave in Mae Sai, northern Thailand.
— AEC News Today
Worried Prayut flying to cave site today to encourage families and rescue mission
PRIME MINISTER General Prayut Chan-o-cha will fly to Chiang Rai today to give encouragement to families and relatives of the 12 teen footballers and their assistant coach who have been trapped for days in a flooded cave in Mae Sai district, as well as to those officers, rescue workers and volunteers in the ongoing search and rescue operation.
— The Nation
Search teams to forge north
Rescue teams were pinning their hopes on a new route north of the entrance of Tham Luang cave in Chiang Rai’s Mae Sai district believed to be a safe haven for 12 boys and their football coach who went missing on Saturday.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
GM to transfer Vietnam operation to Vingroup’s car arm, eyes sales boost
General Motors (GM.N) has agreed to transfer its Vietnamese operation to VinFast Trading and Production LLC and distribute Chevrolet cars through the local carmaker, in a move that could help drive up its modest sales in the country.
— Reuters
Vietnam’s agro – forestry – fishery exports hit over US$19 billion in 6 months
Vietnam`s agro – forestry – fishery export turnover in June came at US$3.45 billion, taking the total export turnover in the first six months to US$19.4 billion, up 12% year on year, according to the Ministry of Agricultural & Rural Development (MARD).
— The Hanoi Times
Vietnamese securities firm sends sensitive image in emails to customers
It seemed like the company’s staff were ‘doing two things at a time,’ emailing customers while admiring the ‘sensitive’ photo.
— Tuoi Tre
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.
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