Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
RCEP ministers still struggling to reach year-end target
The 16 mostly Asian countries negotiating what would be the world’s largest free trade area made some progress in their latest round of talks on Saturday, but are still struggling to strike a trimmed-down deal by the end of this year, according to a joint statement issued after a one-day meeting Saturday.
— Bangkok Post
Asia’s Most Visited Countries
South East Asian region receives the highest number of travellers with China topping the list, according to the World Tourism Organisation report.
— The Nation
IMF Executive Board Concludes 2018 Article IV Consultation with Brunei Darussalam
Brunei Darussalam’s economy has been adjusting well to lower oil prices since 2014, with the authorities undertaking wide-ranging reforms. The decline in oil and gas (O&G) prices led to large budget deficits and narrower current account surpluses.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
South China Sea set to top agenda at Asean defence ministers’ meeting
Long-standing tensions in the South China Sea are expected to come to the fore at a key regional defence meeting in Southeast Asia next week, amid an intensifying strategic clash between China and the US.
— South China Morning Post
Microsoft outlines new market opportunities in Southeast Asia, honours top partners
Microsoft has concluded a two day annual Southeast Asia new markets partner summit in Thailand, in which the tech giant outlined future industry opportunities and honoured leading channel players.
— Channel Asia Singapore
Time for Asean to close ranks, remove non-tariff trade barriers
The escalating trade war between the United States and China should come as a stark reminder for the 10 Asean-member countries that continuing to impose non-tariff barriers (NTBs) would only rob them of the opportunities to exploit fully the advantages of a single regional market.
— Malaysiakini
Asean, partners reaffirm resolve to seal RCEP pact by year end
Asean nations and their key partners yesterday reaffirmed their resolve to substantially conclude a region-wide trade pact by the end of the year, seeing its completion as an “important milestone” amid uncertainties in global trade.
— The Straits Times
“Innocent bystanders”: Emerging economies struggle to contain capital outflows
After suffering months of capital outflows, policy makers from emerging markets attending the International Monetary Fund (IMF)-World Bank meetings in Indonesia had a message for leading economies: current monetary and trade policies risk undermining us all.
— The Edge Markets
Time to invest in human capital
The wealth of nations is often measured by its physical, natural and institutional resources. Seldom, if ever, are their human capital considered as economic resources.
— The Asean Post
2018 China-ASEAN International Touring Assembly to start in October
The 2018 China-ASEAN International Touring Assembly (CAITA), together with the China-ASEAN Journalists Rally, will kick off in October in Lanzhou City, the capital of northwest China’s Gansu Province.
— China.org.cn
Southeast Asian countries urged to work together vs illegal wildlife trade
A woman lawmaker has urged other Southeast Asian countries to join the Philippines in fighting against illegal wildlife trade (IWT), citing that the Philippines loses at least P50 billion a year due to IWT alone.
— Manila Bulletin
EU to partner with PH, other nations on managing plastic use
The European Union (EU) will launch a regional program in 2019 to strengthen cooperation with the Philippines, and select countries in east and southeast Asia towards “sustainable” consumption and production of plastic which had been contributing to problems posed by climate change.
— Philippine news Agency
Cambodia, Asean need China’s ODA
Cambodia is not alone in looking to China for assistance in her economic development as other nations within the Asean sphere of influence and beyond is also looking at Beijing to provide global leadership to help steer their economic future.
— Khmer Times
Asia’s Fuel Subsidies Not Enough to Support Oil Demand Growth
Fuel price increases will outpace Asian governments’ ability to offset them with subsidies, according to ESAI Energy’s recently published Asia Watch.
— Hellenic Shipping News
Davao expecting visits from Singapore, Malaysia firms
Business delegations from Singapore and Malaysia, two of the country’s major trading partners, are expected to visit Davao before the end of the year to scout for possible ventures within the city and other parts of Mindanao.
— BusinessWorld Online
5 Southeast Asian connections in European football
The perfect word to describe Southeast Asia in terms of football would be: Unexplored.
— FOX Sports Asia
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia’s Hun Sen Slammed For ‘Extravagant’ Travel by Chartered Jet
Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen’s use of a privately chartered jet to fly himself and an entourage of 40 to a meeting of the U.N. General Assembly in September has sparked outrage on Cambodian social media, with many in the still-developing Southeast Asian country angrily questioning how the money was spent.
— Radio Free Asia
Cambodia resumes search effort with US for Vietnam War remains
Cambodia has agreed to resume a search effort with the United States for the remains of Americans killed in the Vietnam War, the Foreign Ministry said on Sunday (Oct 14), after suspending the programme a year ago as tension rose between the two countries.
— Straits Times
Cementing Cambodia’s future, but at what cost?
As the Kingdom’s construction boom continues, the local production of cement has evolved alongside it. But potential environmental issues may prove costly. The $262m state-of-the-art Chip Mong Insee Cement production plant stretches across 110ha of land in Cambodia’s Kampot province, glorious rolling hills of plant-covered limestone serving as its backdrop. The factory site is practically spotless, not what one might expect from a production facility with the capacity to pump out 5,000 tonnes of cement a day.
— Southeast Asia Globe
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
27 dead in floods, landslides on Indonesia’s Sumatra island
Torrential rains triggered flash floods and landslides on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 27 people, including a dozen children at a school, officials said Saturday.
— Pattaya Mail
World Bank to assist Indonesia with USD1 billion
On Sunday, the World Bank proclaimed giving to Indonesia USD1 billion, after it was rocked by a series of current catastrophes, containing a fatal earthquake-tsunami that murdered thousands.
— MENAFN
Tourism Ministry Records 1,388 Transactions from Top 10 Promotion Destinations in Laos, Cambodia
Ministry of Tourism managed to sell 10 leading tourist destinations in Laos and Cambodia with a potential of 1,388 transactions worth US$719,907.
— Netral English
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Maria Mirasol Rasonable @Maria Rasonable
Sales mission in Laos, Cambodia concludes 1,388 transactions: Ministry
The Tourism Ministry`s sales mission on 10 mainstay tourism destinations to Laos and Cambodia concluded potential ,388 transactions worth US$719,907.
— Antara News
Risk-Informed Development Road to Reducing Hazards Threatening Lives in Climate Change Age
“This year’s theme of “Reducing disasters’ economic losses” is more relevant than ever, and a key agenda item for Lao PDR,” the article read.
— Laotian Times
Mission to clear UXO in Borikhamxay launched
A joint mission by the Lao and Russian militaries to remove unexploded ordnance (UXO) in Khamkeuth district of Borikhamxay province began on Friday.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia In Need To Postpone “Developed Country” Target
Malaysia will become a developed country not before 2022, missing its longstanding “Vision 2020” target by at least two years, based on current government projections.
— Investvine
Malaysia’s economic fundamentals stay intact, say analysts
Malaysia’s economic fundamentals remain intact, regardless of the gloomy scenario and tough challenges faced by its capital market due to recent heavy outflow of foreign funds arising from negative developments locally and overseas, analysts said.
— The Edge Markets
Malaysia among Asia’s most visited countries, says report
South East Asian region receives the highest number of travellers with China topping the list, according to the World Tourism Organisation report.
— The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Maria Mirasol Rasonable @Maria Rasonable
Singapore agency predicts a positive forecast for Myanmar economy
A positive forecast and outlook in terms of recovery of Myanmar’s economy is presented by a Singapore based macro economic surveillance agency, ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) for the coming two years.
— Mizzima
Lawsuits against journalists under Section 505 (b) go beyond democratic norms: USDP spokesperson
A spokesperson of the opposition Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) has told local media that arresting and suing journalists under Section 505 (b) of Myanmar’s Penal Code for their news stories breach far beyond democratic standards.
— Eleven Myanmar
Tech platform helps bring homecooked food to office workers
Thousands of office workers in Myanmar’s commercial hub will no longer need to bother about finding delicious food for their lunch thanks to Shwe Bite, a technology platform that aims to offer healthy home-cooked meals to busy workers at an affordable price.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Tourist arrivals rise 8.5% in 8 months
Foreign arrivals increased by 8.5 percent to 4.85 million in the first eight months despite a decline in a number of top source markets, according to data from the Department of Tourism (DOT).
— The Philippine Star
Gov’t suspends 2nd tranche of fuel excise taxes to tame inflation
The government is suspending the implementation of the second tranche of fuel excise taxes, originally scheduled next year, to keep inflation in check, the Department of Finance (DOF) confirmed Sunday.
— ABS-CBN News
Gross borrowings jump 10%
The government’s gross borrowings in the first eight months of the year jumped by 9.98 percent, as funds borrowed externally posted a double-digit hike following the issuance of Samurai bonds in August.
— Malaya
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Maria Mirasol Rasonable @Maria Rasonable
Q3 growth better than expected; economists upgrade 2018 forecasts
SINGAPORE’S economy turned in a better-than-expected report card for the third quarter, which led several economists to upgrade their full-year growth forecasts.
– The Business Times
Technopreneur, nurse and teacher in running for S’porean of the Year
Now in its fourth year and supported by the bank UBS Singapore, the award seeks to recognise Singaporeans whose extraordinary acts of goodwill have improved their community and the lives of others.
— The New Paper
Morgan Stanley sees 8% home price hike in 2019 despite cooling measures
MORGAN Stanley has predicted an 8 per cent increase in private home prices in 2019 despite cooling measures introduced in July to tame the market, a projection that stands in stark contrast to other research houses’ much tamer outlook.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thailand to ban foreign plastic waste from 2021
Thailand plans to stop all imports of foreign plastic scrap by 2021 as it joins other south-east Asian countries looking to stem an influx of waste products that used to be recycled in China.
— Financial Times
Thais make merits to commemorate the second year of the passing of HM King Bhumibol
Wearing yellow, the colour of the late HM the King, thousands of people joined the medical staff of Siriraj hospital to hold a merit-making and alm-offering ceremony in front of the hospital on Saturday morning in remembrance of the second year of passing of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
— Thai PBS World
Measles Outbreak Kills 5 Children in Thai Deep South Province
A measles outbreak in Thailand’s southernmost province of Yala killed five children and infected more than 300 others a month after their parents declined government efforts to get them vaccinated, a health official said Wednesday.
— BenarNews
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vinalines posts profit of US$900,000 in 9 months
During the period, the shipping firm handled 62.93 million tons of cargo at domestic ports and transported another 18.66 million, equivalent to 64.1% and 86.9% of the year plan, respectively.
— The Hanoi Times
Tra fish exports to exceed $2b
Tra fish export value is expected to exceed US$2 billion this year, higher than the industry’s target, due to the US-China trade war, according to experts.
— Bizhub
Vietnam vows to heighten localization ratio of thermal power equipment
Mechanical engineering is considered the backbone of the national economy. However, after many years of development, the industry can only satisfy 32 percent of domestic demand.
— VietNamNet Bridge
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.
Asean morning news for October 15 added by Digital Editor on
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