Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
The IMF Outlook on ASEAN Member States
IMF Deputy Director of Asia Pacific Odd Per Brekk discusses his outlook for ASEAN member states and the possible risks they could face due to trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
— Bloomberg (video)
NPC: Asean privacy framework possible
Crafting a regional privacy framework for the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) before the year ends is not far from reality as efforts to protect information and raise data security awareness continue, the National Privacy Commission (NPC) said.
— The Manila Times
Asean Dream Project hits Malaysian shore for second year
After the success of the inaugural Asean Dream Project in 2018, Malaysia has once again been chosen as the location for the 2019 version.
— Goal
Australia’s WTO Digital Campaign Collides with ASEAN Clampdown
Australia is having mixed success in pressing Southeast Asia to join e-commerce negotiations in the World Trade Organization, which are at odds with the region’s tightening internet restrictions.
— Bloomberg Tax
International trade and foreign investment in ASEAN
The international trade environment is becoming vastly complex, with increasing prevalence of anti-globalisation agendas such as the current China-US trade actions, alongside other countries’ countermeasures.
— Financier Worldwide
Foreign ministry seeks expansion countering Pyongyang, ASEAN
South Korea’s foreign ministry is pushing to expand a team in charge of enforcing U.N. Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against North Korea to create a new division, Seoul’s foreign ministry said Tuesday.
— The Korea Times
Asian voters want environmental action, but are politicians listening?
It’s election season in Asia. Thailand went to the polls last month, with India, Indonesia and the Philippines to follow.
— Eco-Business
Resolving trade tensions key to getting growth on track: Heng Swee Keat
Trade tensions between the United States and China are dampening economic growth across the world, prompting a growing acceptance that they have to be resolved to put global growth back on track, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.
— The Straits Times
Part 1 – 5 countries, 13,000 km, 1 goal: Challenge the everyday use of plastic
I was on a 3-month bike ride across five countries of Myanmar, Laos, Thailand , Cambodia and Nepal, to challenge the everyday use of plastic through an activity called Plogging – a mix of jogging and picking up trash.
— The Indian Express
SE Asia IPA plunges to 32-month low; still under pressure
Isopropanol (IPA) prices in southeast (SE) Asia fell to their lowest in nearly three years amid falling feedstock acetone prices and generally weak demand.
— ICIS
Asian demand for slab weak amid Indonesian election, special events
Import prices for steel slab in Southeast Asia and East Asia held steady over the past week on muted demand ahead of a general election in Indonesia and various events being observed in the region.
— Fastmarkets MB
IT Spending in South East Asia Market Potential Growth, Share, Demand and Analysis of Key Players- Research Forecasts claimed to reach CAGR of 6.17% in 2023
In-depth analysis of IT Spending in South East Asia Market is a crucial thing for various stakeholders like investors, CEOs, traders, suppliers and others included in the Information Technology sector.
— Akron Daily
Southeast Asia Pet Care Market demand is increasing rapidly in recent years
Future Market Insights (FMI) delivers incisive insights into emerging regions in its latest report titled, “Southeast Asia Pet Care Market Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2014 – 2020”.
— openPR (media release)
“ONLY ABOUT THE MUSIC”: SOUTHEAST ASIA’S UNDERGROUND IS IN A GOLDEN ERA
One Friday, Charlotte de Witte is hypnotising dancers with tough techno. The subsequent Thursday, Recondite’s bewitching live set steals the show, before Tornado Wallace whips up euphoria days later.
— Mixmag
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
What Will It Take for Cambodia to Actually Strike Oil and Gas?
A new set of international companies are optimistic about Cambodia’s nascent oil and gas industry, but they are investing in an extractive business that has proven costly and yielded only delays, not yet profit.
— The Diplomat
The Scam of Fake Orphanages in Cambodia
Every morning at 6:30, the boys and girls of the Little Angels orphanage in Cambodia get to work, sitting at wooden tables set up in front of the entrance to ensure that passing tourists can’t miss them.
— Spiegel
Interview: 2nd BRI forum to bring closer cooperation for all participating countries: Cambodian minister
The upcoming second Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation will bring closer cooperation among all participating countries, says a Cambodian minister.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
IMF gives Indonesia low scores in public investment effectiveness
National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro attended an Indonesia-International Monetary Fund (IMF) bilateral meeting to discuss public investment management assessment (PIMAs) at the IMF headquarters in Washington on Saturday.
— The Jakarta Post
Halal ink: Muslim-majority Indonesia set for polls
Dipping their fingers in halal (permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law) ink to prevent double voting, Indonesians will cast their ballots Wednesday in a bitterly contested presidential election, with the main rival to incumbent Joko Widodo already threatening to challenge the result over voter-fraud claims.
— The Asean Post
Air Pollution Kills More than Cigarettes
Air pollution apparently causes more deaths than smoking, a recent study says. Münzel et al from the Medical Centre Mainz University in Germany, said that air pollution caused almost twice the number of deaths than what researchers had thought.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Laos’ trash problem is an ecological time bomb, here’s how it can course-correct
In Laos, newly-empowered consumers are basking in the benefits of the polymer industry without knowing the consequences of their consumption on marine ecosystems.
— The Indian Express
Masked merriment: Sacred Laos ‘ancestors’ honoured for new year
Barefoot and cloaked in swinging bamboo ropes, two masked performers dressed as Laos’ legendary “ancestors” walk the streets of Luang Prabang on an annual outing for raucous new year celebrations drawing hundreds of worshippers to the normally sleepy city.
— Yahoo News
Thailand helps Laos in healthcare for people
Thailand is planning to implement its Cholangiocarcinoma Screening and Care Programme (CASCAP) to help risky groups in neighbouring Laos, Narong Kantikaew, according to local media.
— Vietnam Plus
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Unhealthy air quality in two areas of Selangor
Two areas in Selangor were found to have unhealthy air quality, with most areas in Malaysia having moderate air quality as at 6pm today.
— The Sun Daily
Malaysia by-election losses raise risk of reactive fiscal policy
There is a rising risk of more reactive fiscal policy in the run-up to the Sandakan by-election in Sabah, Malaysia, resulting in more subsidy spending said Barclays analyst Brian Tan in a report on Monday.
— The Business Times
Najib’s trial: Ihsan Perdana documents in BNM’s possession for almost three years, says analyst
A Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM) analyst told the High Court here today that Ihsan Perdana Sdn Bhd’s banking documents, obtained from Affin Bank, was in his possession for almost three years before he handed them over to the…
— Malay Mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
China’s pipeline project brings 24-hour electricity supply to Myanmar
It was completely dark outside at night when this Global Times reporter visited Kyaukpyu county, Myanmar eight years ago.
— Global Times
S. Korea issues travel ban for Myanmar-Bangladesh border
South Korea’s foreign ministry said Tuesday that it has decided to issue its highest-level travel restriction to ban travel by its citizens in the northern part of Myanmar’s Rakhine state that borders Bangladesh, citing high safety risks.
— Yonhap News Agency
Maritime trade down by over $50 million
Myanmar’s maritime trade as of 29 March this 2018-2019 Fiscal Year has touched US$12.09 billion, down by over $50 million or 0.44 per cent, matched against the corresponding period of the last FY, according to the Ministry of Commerce, state media reported.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
GDP growth at below 6% in Q1–expert
THE Philippine economy is projected to have slowed to a below 6-percent expansion in the first quarter of the year on slower capital formation and lower government consumption.
— Business Mirror
2019 budget cut down to P3.66 trillion after veto
MALACAÑANG on Tuesday said the P95.3-billion allocations President Rodrigo R. Duterte vetoed in the original P3.757-trillion national budget for 2019 were found to be “unconstitutional.”
— BusinessWorld Online
February remittances rise 1.5% to $2.3 billion
THE steady stream of remittances is seen to provide the necessary support to the country’s growth through sustained fuel to local household consumption.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Singaporeans’ inflation expectations stay benign in March: poll
SINGAPOREANS generally expect overall consumer prices and core inflation – that is, price hikes outside of housing and private transport – to remain largely stable over the next 12 months.
— The Business Times
‘Fix the human’ to ensure better security, says Singapore GovTech Minister
Recent cybersecurity leaks in Singapore “have all been the result of human factors,” said Senior Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary. The Minister-in-charge of GovTech said that a “robust” response and policy is therefore needed to tackle future cyberattacks.
— Gov Insider
Singapore sees driverless buses, drones shaping city future
Singapore will prioritise the use of drones and driverless buses in its future transport plans, Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Transport revealed to an audience of CEOs and senior industry representatives.
— Gov Insider
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
297 people die in five days of Songkran festival
The five days of Songkran up to yesterday have claimed 297 lives with another 2,807 people injured in 2,702 road accidents across the country, according to the Centre for the…
— Thai PBS News
Drink-driving cases during Songkran pass 8,000
Drink-driving cases accounted for 98% of traffic offences during the past five days of the Songkran holidays, with 8,222 cases sent to courts.
— Bangkok Post
Credit inquiries climbing as household debt swells
Credit inquiries at the National Credit Bureau (NCB) are expected to hit another record high this year amid mounting anxiety over swelling household debt.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Central bank asks for tightened control over real estate loans
The State Bank of Việt Nam (SBV) has asked control over real estate loans of credit institutions to be enhanced, especially in areas showing signs of land price fevers.
— Viet Nam News
$108-mln wind power plant construction starts in southern Vietnam
The first phase of the Dong Hai 1 Wind Power Plant is expected to cost local company Bac Phuong (BP) Energy Ltd around VND2.5 trillion ($108 million).
— VN Express
Hanoi gears up for Formula One Grand Prix
Hanoi will prepare the best infrastructure for the Formula One (F1) Grand Prix, meeting new requirements as regulated by the International Automobile Federation (FIA), Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung has said.
— Vietnam+
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 April 17 added by Digital Editor on
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