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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

European firms wooed for creation of financial hub in EEC
Thailand plans to attract leading European financial institutions to help develop a financial centre in the country’s Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) to forge a financial link with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV).
— The Nation

No consensus on political issues reached by Asean parliamentarians
Asean parliamentarians reached an impasse on sensitive political issues at the 39th General Assembly of the Asean Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (Aipa), with no consensus reached in a committee formed to discuss them.
— The Straits Times

World Economic Forum on ASEAN to discuss 5 key topics
During upcoming World Economic Forum on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) slated for Sept. 11-13 in Vietnam’s capital, 1,000 delegates from 43 countries and regions will focus their discussions on five key topics,
organizers said on Thursday.
— Xinhua

Damning WWF report warns banks to urgently address climate change risk
A major new WWF report finds ASEAN’s biggest banks are increasingly aware of the impact that their businesses have on the environment and society but are slow to act on the huge potential they hold in addressing climate change and financing sustainable food, energy and infrastructure systems in the region.
— The Asset

ASEAN to build disaster-responsive social protection programmes
Three ASEAN sectoral bodies – social welfare development, disaster management and health, together with Specialised Agencies of the United Nations, the Asian Development Bank (ADB), other partners and civil society groups have announced the planned development of ASEAN Guidelines on Disaster Responsive Social Protection.
— Far Eastern Agriculture

ASEAN Cyberkids Camp equips children with IT skills
BRUNEI Darussalam is hosting the ASEAN Cyberkids Camp for the first time this year.
— Borneo Bulletin

“Safe & Fair” working conditions: EU invests €25 million to counter exploitation, abuse, violence and trafficking of women migrant workers in Southeast Asia
The global EU – UN “Spotlight Initiative” to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls launched its first programme in Southeast Asia: “Safe & Fair” is a €25 million (MMK …) project funded by the European Union that will allow the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and UN Women to work with governments in all ASEAN countries for better protection mechanisms and wide ranging
information campaigns for women migrant workers.
— ReliefWeb

Asean’s silence on Rohingya
The horrifying plight of the Rohingya Muslims of Myanmar has been extensively documented in global news reports, but a new United Nations document, released last month by an international fact-finding mission established by the UN Human Rights Council, raises the stakes.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Can ASEAN turn disruption into opportunity?
Is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) resilient enough to thrive amid the regional and global transformations taking place today?
— The Asean Post

Environmental Defenders Under Pressure Across Southeast Asia
A lack of U.S. engagement is contributing to a “declining, dictatorial and more dangerous environment” in Southeast Asia, where the abuse of fundamental rights is increasing alongside the killing of land activists, Human Rights Watch says.
— The Diplomat

Program to boost ASEAN youth action in biodiversity upkeep launched
A new international program aims to increasingly promote youth participation in the conservation of Southeast Asia’s rich but threatened biodiversity.
— PTV News

The future telco customer
The telecommunications industry in Southeast Asia is fast evolving.
— The Asean Post

ASEAN teams’ ratings in the recently concluded Asian Games
With the AFF Suzuki Cup just looming around the corner, Southeast Asian teams who participated and excelled in the Asian Games might just got the much-needed upper hand against their opposition heading into the November’s spectacle across the region.
— FOX Sports

Thailand accepts the Chair for ASEAN 2019
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that Thailand will assume the ASEAN chairmanship next year.
— The Thaiger

Cao Bang to host ASEAN exhibition
The ASEAN Photo and Documentary Exhibition will be
launched in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang
on September 7.
— Vietnam Plus

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47

Old faces form new government
With the National Assembly giving a vote of confidence to form the new government yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Sen unveiled his new cabinet, which did not change except for the addition of a new ministerial post.
— Khmer Times

Authorities to clamp down on Preah Sihanouk coast grabs
The authorities will soon put an end to coastal land encroachment in Prey Nub district in Preah Sihanouk province as the area is earmarked for a tourism development project.
— Phnom Penh Post

UK renews its support for demining in Cambodia
The Government of Cambodia is aiming for the country to be mine-free by 2025 and the UK’s new package of funding is proof that it is committed to helping achieve this goal, writes Tina Redshaw.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47

Pertamina profit plummets as govt insists on cheap fuel
The profit of state-owned oil and gas holding company Pertamina has reportedly dropped to less than Rp 5 trillion (US$335 million) in the first half of 2018 from Rp 18.73 trillion in the same period last year.
— The Jakarta Post

Minister Luhut Reschedules Electricity Projects in Java
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said a number of electricity infrastructure projects in Java Island would be postponed in the wake of rupiah depreciation against US dollar.
— Tempo

Police set to disband ‘anti-Jokowi’ event in Central Java
The Central Java Police have prepared around 2,500 personnel to disband an upcoming sporting event in Kota Barat square they believe to be part of a political movement against President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

German govt to provide 51.7 million euros for Lao development
The German government has agreed to provide a grant of 51.7 million euros to support development projects in Laos during the 2018-2019 fiscal year.
— Vientiane Times

Death Toll Rises in Floods, Landslides in Laos
The number of dead continues to climb as updated reports come in from remote areas of Laos hit by flooding and landslides in recent weeks, Lao sources say.
— Radio Free Asia

UK aid will protect more than 820,000 people from threat of lethal landmines
New UK aid funded technology, including radar detectors, will help trace ammunition in the equivalent of more than 16,000 football pitches.
— Reliefweb

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia Raises Minimum Wage To 1,050 Ringgit Per Month
The Malaysian government will raise and standardise the minimum wage for the private sector across the country as of January 1, 2019, fulfilling one of its central election pledges ahead of the anniversary of the country’s formation on September 16.
— Investvine

Malaysia sees significant exports growth to China
An interesting trend arose in Malaysia’s trade figures for July 2018 when Malaysia’s exports to China jumped by 37.5 per cent year on year (y-o-y) to RM12.9 billion – the highest growth since June 2017.
— The Borneo Post

Minister calls for more affordable homes close to public transportation
Properties around public transport networks such as Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) should be sold at affordable prices as it can help young people reduce transportation costs.
— New Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

ICC claims jurisdiction over Myanmar’s deportation of Rohingya
The International Criminal Court said Thursday it has jurisdiction to probe the forced deportation of Rohingya Muslims by Myanmar’s military as a possible crime against humanity.
— Bangkok Post

UMFCCI and IFC to cooperate on food safety
Myanmar’s biggest business organization will cooperate with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) in food safety practices, Xinhua reported quoting state media.
— Mizzima

UN emergency talks to head off swine fever spread in Asia
Participants at the Bangkok meeting come from Cambodia, China, Japan, Laos, Mongolia, Myanmar, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Foreign investments up 70%
The total foreign investments (FI) approved in the second quarter of 2018 jumped by 70.4 percent from its year ago level, data released by the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
— Malaya

PN readies BRP Tarlac for first port call to Russia
The Philippine Navy (PN) is currently preparing BRP Tarlac (LD-601), one of the two strategic sealift vessels in its fleet, for its first ever port visit to Vladivostok, Russia.
— Philippine News Agency

Shell turns over P3-million donation to Liter of Light for off-grid villages
Pilipinas Shell has turned over a P3-million donation to the Liter of Light Foundation to support its efforts to provide light to more off-grid communities and augment their residents’ sources of income.
— Manilastandard.net

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Fintechs need more scrutiny from regulators: DBS CEO
Bloomberg reports that DBS CEO Piyush Gupta said regulators need to increase scrutiny of non-bank firms moving into the financial business.
— Singapore Business Review

Who’s the biggest winner in Singapore’s e-payments war?
Banks including DBS and OCBC are widely expected to be the top gainers in the heating e-payments battle as telcos like Singtel who are rolling out similar models fail to pose sufficient threat to banking heavyweights, according to Morgan Stanley.
— Singapore Business Review

Number of polytechnic courses for 2019 intake to be cut by 20
The number of polytechnic courses for next year’s student intake is set to be cut by about 20, as the Ministry of Education (MOE) moves to streamline courses to ensure students develop relevant skills for an evolving workforce. This is double the number that was reduced this year.
— TodayOnline

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Parties nervous about election timeframe, ban on policy talks
The upcoming 60-day campaign for the first election in five years could pose different challenges for different people including pro-junta parties, politicians said yesterday after the government revealed the electoral timeframe earlier this week.
— The Nation

Fire hazard triggers recall of Toyota’s C-HR hybrids
Toyota Motor Thailand plans to recall C-HR hybrids delivered between March and May, as the model is included in a global recall.
— Bangkok Post

Asia Wealth stung for B5.85m fine
The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) has imposed a fine of 5.85 million baht on Asia Wealth Securities Co Ltd for naked short-selling.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam: Registration of Technology Transfer Now Mandatory
According to the new Law on Technology Transfer dated 19 June 2017 and Decree No. 76/2018/ND-CP which was issued on 15 May 2018, registration of technology transfer has been made mandatory from July 1, 2018, in Vietnam.
— Vietnam Briefing

Vietnam exports coal to China, then imports coal from China at high prices
Vietnam buys coal from Indonesia at the price of VND1.6 million per ton, while coal from China is 6.6 times more expensive, at VND8.2 million.
— VietNamNet Bridge

Petrol prices increase by 300 VND per litre
The price of bio-fuel E5 increased by 300 VND per litre, while that of diesel 0.05S increased slightly by 383 VND per litre during the latest regular adjustment of petrol and oil prices on September 6.
— VietnamPlus

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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