Asean morning news for November 15

Asean morning news for November 15
Advertisement
Online English lessons

Asean morning newsAsean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Leaders vow to create world’s largest free trade area in 2019
Leaders of Asean’s 10 members and six key trading partners vowed to seal a pact to create the world’s largest free trade area next year – the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Straits Times

Jerusalem support sees multi-bln dollar IA-CEPA trade deal headed for the rocks (video)
As heads of state and armies of policy and trade officials gather in Singapore for the 33rd Asean Summit and related meetings, a multi-billion dollar trade deal between Indonesia and Australia is headed for the rocks.
— AEC News Today (video)

Warnings of a ‘Domino Effect’ of Protectionism as Asian Leaders Meet
Asian leaders gathered for a summit on Tuesday amid warnings that the post-World War II international order is in jeopardy and trade tensions between Washington and Beijing could trigger a “domino effect” of protectionist measures by other countries.
— The Irrawaddy

Talks on RCEP trade pact taking ‘much longer than usual’, but set for 2019 completion: PM Lee
Negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have taken “much longer than usual” but the bid to complete the world’s largest trade pact is poised for conclusion in 2019, said Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Wednesday (Nov 14).
— Channel NewsAsia (video)

ASEAN and China tout progress over South China Sea
Leaders from Southeast Asia and China say they’re making progress in keeping the peace in the disputed South China Sea as they work towards a “code of conduct” to govern navigation routes and other activities in the area.
— Aljazeera

Single draft of South China Sea code of conduct vowed
President Duterte yesterday vowed that the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) would reach an agreement at “all costs” on the code of conduct (COC) in the disputed South China Sea while the regional bloc continues to work on a single draft.
— The Philippine Star

Russia draws closer to Southeast Asia with arms and energy trade
Russian President Vladimir Putin will for the first time attend the East Asia Summit, to be held in Singapore on Thursday, as he looks to strengthen ties with Southeast Asia in the shadows of the U.S. and China.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Chinese investors turn to property markets in Southeast Asia, as western markets impose capital curbs
Cashed up Chinese homebuyers are shifting their attention to emerging markets in the search for property bargains, reflecting a strategy U-turn as traditional western markets have initiated foreign investment curbs.
— Yahoo News

Singapore deploys ‘robocop’ for ASEAN summit 2018
Hi-tech Singapore has deployed an autonomous robot with a swivelling camera for a head and flashing lights to patrol an ASEAN summit venue – arresting the attention of amused passers-by who stopped to snap selfies.
— Rappler

What is the CLV Development Triangle Area?
With globalisation in full force, more and more Southeast Asian countries are beginning to realise the importance of economic cooperation for the sake of economic growth.
— The Asean Post

China, ASEAN adopt Strategic Partnership Vision 2030
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on Wednesday adopted a key document to chart the course for their ties till 2030.
— Xinhua

AirAsia, (RED) collaborate to raise funds for HIV/AIDS in ASEAN
Low-cost carrier AirAsia is collaborating with non-profit organization (RED) to support fundraising to fight AIDS in ASEAN.
— The Jakarta Post

Key Asean markets could see above-average increase in medical costs in 2019: Survey
THE cost of workplace health benefits is expected to jump by 7.8 per cent in the Asia-Pacific in 2019, with double-digit growth in four Asean markets polled, an industry study has found. Worldwide, the estimated average increase is 7.6 per cent.
— The Business Times

Inaction by consensus: Will ASEAN change course to address human rights abuses?
As ASEAN heads of state convene for their 33rd Summit this week in Singapore, the group stands at a moment of crisis.
— Asean Today

Asean fintechs attracted 25% more funding this year: report
FINTECH firms based in Asean attracted 25 per cent more funding in the first 10 months of 2018 over the funding captured in the full year of 2017, with the US$222 million of funding taken up so far in Singapore alone making up nearly half of the funding earmarked for fintech within Asean.
— The Business Times

ASEAN, China economies need to stay connected to build on positive momentum: PM Lee
The economies of Southeast Asia and China need to stay open and connected to one another to sustain the existing economic dynamism, Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday (Nov 14).
— Channel NewsAsia

Thai PM commits to boosting intra-ASEAN trade, connectivity
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha yesterday reaffirmed his country’s commitment towards raising intra-regional trade, saying it is important that the nations of ASEAN work together to build a conducive environment for business and investment.
— Myanmar Times

What’s at stake for the Mekong’s fishery
Originating in the Tibetan highlands and running through China, Myanmar, Thailand, Lao PDR, Cambodia, and Vietnam, the Mekong and its tributaries provide water, food and income for 60 million people.
— The Asean Post

Asean, Eurasian Economic Commission sign agreement to promote further collaboration
A new agreement signed between Asean and the Eurasian Economic Commission on Wednesday (Nov 14) is expected to contribute to trade, investment and economic expansion between South-east Asian states and member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU).
— The Straits Times

Going green with infrastructure investments
As a growing number of people become acutely aware of the need to protect the environment, the demand for goods and services that are sensitive to such inclinations will undoubtedly increase.
— The Asean Post

Putin invites ASEAN businessmen to take part in SPIEF, Eastern Economic Forum
Russian President Vladimir Putin has invited representatives of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) member-states to attend the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and the Eastern Economic Forum in Russia in 2019.
— TASS

Asean needs to act now for the biggest shift in supply chains
GLOBAL trade tensions continue to dominate this year’s headlines and the shift of production to efficient Asean countries is accelerating.
— The Nation

ASEAN has stood the test of time, with friendships forged on ‘mutual understanding and respect’: PM Lee
ASEAN has embraced “diversity as (its) strength”, with friendships forged on “mutual understanding and respect”, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Wednesday (Nov 14).
— Channel NewsAsia

US officials defend Trump’s no-show at summit
Veteran diplomat Tommy Koh yesterday questioned the Trump administration’s commitment to the Asia-Pacific region, calling attention to President Donald Trump’s decision to absent himself from key Asean meetings and asking if the US concept of a free and open Indo-Pacific had an ideological bent that excluded China.
— The Straits Times

Cambodia morning newsCambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

Cambodia rice exports continue to fall
Cambodia’s rice export fell 13.2% in the first 10 months of 2018 due to two factors, the European Union stopped buying Cambodian rice and the 300,000 tonnes quota to China was not fulfilled, Kann Kunthy, vice president and managing director of Amru Rice Cambodia, said.
— Bangkok Post

ADB Country Director Praises Agricultural Development in Cambodia
Ms. Sunniya Durrani-Jamal, newly appointed Country Director of Asian Development Bank (ADB) Cambodia Resident Mission, has spoken highly of the development of all sectors in Cambodia, especially agriculture.
— Agence Kampuchea Press

Outgoing Ambassador to Cambodia Requests US to Lift Visa Sanctions from Cambodian Senior Officials
Outgoing US Ambassador to Cambodia William A. Heidt requested the US government to consider lifting visa sanctions from Cambodian senior foreign affairs officials in order to strengthen the cooperation of the two countries, speaking in a courtesy call on Minister of the Interior Sar Kheng on Wednesday at the Ministry of Interior in Phnom Penh.
— Fresh News

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Jerusalem support sees multi-bln dollar IA-CEPA trade deal headed for the rocks (video)
As heads of state and armies of policy and trade officials gather in Singapore for the 33rd Asean Summit and related meetings, a multi-billion dollar trade deal between Indonesia and Australia is headed for the rocks.
— AEC News Today (video)

Jokowi ratifies seven trade agreements
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ratified seven bilateral and multilateral trade agreements by signing a presidential regulation in a bid to boost trade, according to a senior trade official.
— The Jakarta Post

Finance Ministry Allocates Research Endowment Fund of Rp1 tn
Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani said the government is currently focusing on developing research to improve the quality of human resources.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Roy         @electricnerve

 

Parliament to debate economic plan next week
The National Assembly will kick off its sixth ordinary session next Tuesday to review the implementation of the 2018 socio-economic development plan and budget plan.
— Vientiane Times

ADB grants to boost Lao tourism, city services
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the government of Laos signed grant agreements on October 16 worth $125.5 million in total for three projects in the tourism and urban sectors.
— AEC News Today

Lao woman’s ordeal highlights growing trafficking problem as workers seek better jobs in Thailand
The trafficking of Lao nationals to neighboring Thailand as undocumented laborers continues to be a growing problem with brokers arranging for thousands to be taken across the border for job opportunities that too often end up in situations where Laotians are abused by their employers.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

 

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

More Charges Against Malaysia’s Former First Lady
Malaysia will file additional charges against Rosmah Mansor, the wife of former Prime Minister Najib Razak, the anti-graft agency said on November 14, as authorities step up corruption investigations into the former first couple.
— Investvine

Malaysia Cabinet agrees to scrap death penalty
Malaysia’s de facto Law Minister Liew Vui Keong told Parliament yesterday that the Cabinet has agreed to scrap the death penalty, including for murder, but Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail appeared to hedge over the matter by telling reporters that the government would review abolishing it for murder.
— The Jakarta Post

Penang to invite proposals for water taxi service
The Penang government will call for tenders for a water taxi service in the state.
— FMT

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar morning news

Compiled by Mark Roy         @electricnerve

 

 

Pence: Myanmar jailing of Reuters pair ‘deeply troubling’
The jailing of two Reuters journalists in Myanmar over their reporting of the Rohingya crisis is “deeply troubling”, US Vice President Mike Pence said Wednesday, describing a “free and independent” media as a core American value.
— FMT News

Pence Decries Violence Against Rohingya in Open Remarks to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
S Vice President Mike Pence criticized Myanmar’s military for the persecution of Rohingya Muslims in a meeting with the country’s leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, on Wednesday and said he was keen to hear that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable.
— The Irrawaddy

Press Council to mediate over Yangon govt complaint against Weekly Eleven journalists
Myanmar Press Council (MPC) met with officials from Eleven Media Group (EMG) to discuss the complaint lodged by the Yangon Region government against three journalists from Weekly Eleven Journal including the chief editor at the council office in Botahtaung Township on November 13.
— Eleven Media

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Foreign direct investments for January to August 2018 up by 31%
Investor confidence in the Philippine economy “remained strong” as foreign direct investments (FDIs) from January to August 2018 soared by 31% at $7.42 billion.
— Rappler

Sandiganbayan defers arrest of Imelda Marcos
The first week of former first lady Imelda Marcos’ conviction for graft would likely pass without her being arrested, as the Sandiganbayan “deferred” the issuance of a warrant due to a pending plea for its consent to her pursuit of an appeal.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Senate approves bill lifting rice import caps
VOTING 14-0 on third reading, the Senate on Wednesday adopted Committee Report 440 endorsing passage of a law replacing the quantitative import restrictions on rice with tariffs. The House of Representatives had earlier passed its version.
— Business Mirror

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning newsSingapore morning news

Compiled by Mark Roy         @electricnerve

 

China-backed RCEP trade pact in ‘final stage,’ deal eyed in 2019: Singapore
Negotiations for a major China-backed trade agreement have moved to a final stage and Southeast Asian states involved in the talks are determined to wrap up the deal in 2019, Singapore, current chair of the 10-nation group, said on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Asean fintechs attracted 25% more funding this year: report
Fintech firms based in Singapore attracted 25 per cent more funding in the first 10 months of 2018 over the funding captured in the full year of 2017, with the US$222 million of funding taken up so far making up nearly half of the funding earmarked for fintech within Asean.
— The Business Times

Man who raped teenage daughter gets 26 years’ jail, 24 strokes
A man who raped his daughter repeatedly when she was 14 was sentenced to 26 years’ jail and 24 strokes of the cane on Wednesday (Nov 14).
— Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

 

Thailand morning newsThailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Thailand assumes Asean chairmanship
Thailand is expected to push Asean to finalise the negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the South China Sea code of conduct as it assumes the bloc’s chairmanship.
— Bangkok Post

Praram 2 Hospital ordered to close outpatient building
THE DEPARTMENT of Health Service Support (DHSS) director-general Dr Nattawut Prasertsiripong said yesterday that the department had ordered Praram 2 Hospital to close its outpatient building immediately.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Central bank holds rates again, but hike seen next month
The central bank held its benchmark interest rate steady on Wednesday as expected, but a widening split on the decision-making committee bolstered views that next month it could tighten policy for the first time in more than seven years.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

Tough stance needed on tax official violations
National Assembly (NA) deputies agree it is important to penalise tax officials who provide illegal solutions for taxpayers.
— VietNamNet Bridge

Racing the wind: Vietnam’s largest onshore wind project completes ahead of monsoon
Construction of Vietnam’s largest largest onshore wind plant has been completed ahead of the region’s monsoon season, expected to start later this month.
— AEC News Today

Viet Nam spends $1.43 billion on vegetables and fruits import
Viet Nam imported fruit and vegetables worth US$1.43 billion in the first 10 months of this year, a year-on-year increase of 13.1 per cent, according to statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).
— 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.

 

Support independent media by sharing using these tools. Do not steal our content

Make a comment

Your email address will not be published.