Asean morning news for April 2

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Measles cuts a deadly path through Asean
Once declared as eradicated from some countries and ‘under control’ in many others, measles is once gain cutting a deadly swathe through the world.
— AEC News Today

ASEAN manufacturing PMI improves in March
Manufacturing activity in ASEAN economies improved slightly in March thanks to a rebound in new orders and higher output, according to a survey.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

ASEAN under Bangkok: Chance for regional prosperity
Few regions have experienced as many consecutive years of sustained economic growth as Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post

Preah Sihanouk picked to host 2022 Asean summit
The Government has picked Preah Sihanouk province to host the Asean Summit in 2022.
— Khmer Times

Thai CEOs’ investment sentiment high, skills gaps remain an Asean concern: OBG survey
The 2019 edition of the “Business Barometer: ASEAN CEO Survey”, carried out by Oxford Business Group (OBG), indicates that executives across the region remain largely upbeat about the economic outlook, although skills gaps risk preventing some Asean member states from reaching their full potential.
— The Nation

Stunted, wasting and overweight in ASEAN
While malnutrition is a global plague, it is a more acute problem in Asia.
— The Asean Post

Ahead of LGBT+ crackdown, fleeing Bruneians fear for friends back home
As a transgender woman growing up in Brunei, Zoe saw the country’s slide toward conservatism from an early age, so plans to introduce strict new Islamic laws this week came as no surprise.
— Reuters

RoK President to hold special summit with ASEAN leaders
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Moon Jae-in will hold a summit with the leaders of ten Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member countries in November, the RoK’s Presidential Residence said on April 1.
— Vietnam Plus

The Banker’s Top 100 Asean Banks ranking: Singapore leads, Philippines rises
Singaporean bank DBS has held onto its top billing in The Banker’s Asean Top 100 Banks ranking, posting a massive $32.4bn in Tier 1 capital in 2017.
— The Banker

New MRC Secretariat CEO lists top priorities for Mekong basin
Mekong River Commission Secretariat CEO An Pich Hatda is the first Cambodian to hold the position.
— Khmer Times

Lazada’s ‘Shoppertainment’ offer bolsters PHL, Asean sales
ELECTRONIC commerce (e-commerce) giant Lazada has proven effective its pioneering effort to bring entertainment to its trading business as it recorded over 5 million transactions during peak hours in the Philippines, or twice the number of visits to its portal on a normal day.
— Business Mirror

New Year in Southeast Asia: how to join the party in Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos
Laughter rings from young Cambodians armed with water bombs and talcum powder.
— South China Morning Post

Courting ASEAN: US influence in the region has diminished but what comes next for ASEAN?
China and the US have long courted Southeast Asian nations, trying to bring them into their respective spheres of influence and establish a foothold in the region.
— Asean Today

ASEAN needs to develop cohesiveness to navigate new trade order
A group of experts have concluded that the “hedging behaviour” of ASEAN member states and the bloc’s lack of cohesiveness are among the weaknesses that needed to be overcome in order to navigate the new trade order.
— The Edge Markets

Thailand’s chairmanship of Asean is an opportunity to secure regional prosperity
FEW regions have experienced as many consecutive years of sustained economic growth as Southeast Asia.
— The Manila Times

Unique barriers face women-owned businesses
Although all businesses face issues such as access to finance, technology and market information, women business owners face distinct challenges in their entrepreneurial endeavours — particularly in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector.
— East Asia Forum

VN companies urged to go to Southeast Asian markets
VIETNAMESE companies should further invest in and trade with Asean member countries like Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia, a forum heard in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

An ASEAN trio in transition
Philippines, Cambodia and Lao PDR face a range of development challenges at home even as they respond dynamically to shifting priorities in external relations.
— Gateway House

TAT backs ASEAN Pop Culture
The Tourism Authority of Thailand through its ASEAN, South Asia and South Pacific Market Division has launched the ‘ASEAN Pop Culture’ project, which aims to promote connectivity between Thailand and its neighbouring countries.
— TTR Weekly

Consumer Demand Sparks First Certified Humane® Chicken And Egg Products Raised And Sold In Southeast Asia
Three Southeast Asian farms have earned Certified Humane® designation from Humane Farm Animal Care (HFAC), the leading international nonprofit certification program whose mission is to improve the lives of farm animals in food production.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Quadrans launches blockchain platform in ASEAN
The Quadrans Foundation, established in 2018 and based in Mendrisio, Switzerland, has announced the official public launch of its blockchain platform.
— The Asean Post

[Diplomatic circuit] ASEAN-Korea Media Forum to be held April 24
Journalists and experts from Korea and Southeast Asian countries will gather for the ASEAN-Korea Media Forum in Seoul next month to discuss ways to promote cultural and socio-cultural exchanges, ASEAN-Korea Centre said Monday.
— The Korea Herald

ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards enters its fourth edition
Kuching, Sarawak, will once again be the entertainment hub where filmmakers, screenwriters and actors from 10 ASEAN countries will gather from April 25-27.
— The Jakarta Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Cambodia agrees lease for Turkish power ship
Cambodia succeeded in negotiations to lease a 200MW Turkish power ship to meet electricity demands in Phnom Penh, amid a nearly 400MW electricity shortage nationwide, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Friday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

PM announces major reforms
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday announced government plans for large-scale economic reforms, outlining a 17-point strategy to stimulate economic growth that he said could save the private sector up to $400 million a year.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Airports in Cambodia Welcomes More Than Two Million Passengers in Two Months
In the first two months of this year, Cambodia Airports has already welcomed upwards of two million passengers at its three airports.
— Agence Kampuchea Presse

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Indonesia March inflation slows to below central bank target
Indonesia’s annual inflation rate slowed a touch more than expected in March to slip below the central bank’s target range for the first time in three years, official data showed on Monday.
— The Business Times

Indonesia, Malaysia Thailand agree to cut rubber exports
Indonesia, along with two other members of the International Tripartite Rubber Council (ITRC) — Malaysia and Thailand – will cut the export of natural rubber in an attempt to stabilize the commodity’s global price.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia expanding corn acreage
Corn production in Indonesia in 2019-20 is forecast to reach 13.3 million tonnes, up from 12.6 million the previous year, as government incentives to expand production continue to yield results, according to a March 29 Global Agricultural Information Network report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
— World Grain

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

US$4 million in Korean tech for preventing infectious disease outbreaks
The government of the Republic of Korea has forecast a budget of around US$4 million in additional assistance to Laos from 2019-2023 to improve information technology in preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
— Vientiane Times

EIB to help protect 1,400km roads in rural Lao PDR from climate change
Earlier today Mr. Luca Lazzarolli, Director General of the European Investment Bank, formally agreed new support to improve 1,400km of currently unpaved roads in six provinces.
— EIB

Laos-China Railway: Almost Half Of Affected Families Compensated
Relevant authorities have paid over 76 billion kip as compensation for families affected by the Laos-China Railway Project in Luang Namtha. The amount equals 47 % of planned compensation.
— KPL

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia was never an Asian Tiger, says economist
An economist has questioned Malaysia’s title as an “Asian Tiger” economy, saying the nation only ever qualified as a “little tiger” or “little dragon”.
— FMT

Malaysia’s factory production worsens but long term outlook is bright
The latest Nikkei Malaysia Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index indicates deterioration in production trend for Malaysian manufacturers but their outlook of improved sales and output was at its strongest in almost a year.
— New Straits Times

Putrajaya says ‘no’ to lese majeste laws
The federal government said today it has no plans to introduce lèse majesté laws to curb insults against Malay rulers and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong on social media, saying existing laws are sufficient.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Myanmar To Allow Casino Gambling
Myanmar is close to legalize casino gambling in a bid to boost the local tourism industry and attract foreign investors. Gambling will become legal in the country in May when the nation’s 2018 Gambling Law is set to take effect. Select hotels In Yangon and Mandalay will be able to add casino operations under the new law, Myanmar Times wrote.
— Investvine

Myanmar Stuck Between Beijing’s Demands, Public Opposition as it Weighs Big China Dam Plan
When Myanmar’s Aung San Suu Kyi heads to Beijing at the end of April to attend China’s Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, she will be caught between Chinese leaders’ strong desire to complete a controversial dam project and growing public opposition to the dam amid wider suspicion about other Chinese initiatives, Myanmar political analysts said Monday.
— Radio Free Asia

Private company to run sightseeing tour along Ayeyawady River during Thingyan
Tint Tint Myanmar Company is planning to run a sightseeing tour on Pantaw ship from Mandalay to Bagan along Ayeyawady River during the Thingyan period, sources said.
— Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Philippines Alarmed by Roughly 200 Chinese Ships Near Disputed Island
More than 200 Chinese ships have been spotted near the Philippine-occupied Thitu Island in the South China Sea since the start of the year, triggering a diplomatic protest from the Philippines.
— Bloomberg

Measles cuts a deadly path through Asean
Once declared as eradicated from some countries and ‘under control’ in many others, measles is once gain cutting a deadly swathe through the world.
— AEC News Today

Manufacturing PMI hits 7-month low
Manufacturing growth hit a seven-month low in March with a key indicator falling for a fourth straight month, an IHS Markit/Nikkei survey found.
— The Manila Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Singapore prepares sweeping law to fight ‘online falsehoods’
Singapore is close to passing a law that could force websites to run government “correction notices” alongside content it deems false, and the new rules are likely to affect how big social media companies like Facebook and Twitter operate in the country.
— CNBC

Government cannot use taxpayers’ money to bail out Hyflux investors: Masagos
Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Apr 1), the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources said that investors in search of returns must understand that returns come with some risk.
— CNA (very annoying popups)

Economists see no further MAS tightening in April
WITH the United States Federal Reserve signalling a pause in interest rate hikes and both domestic growth and core inflation easing, economists expect the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to also pause at this month’s half-yearly policy review, with no further tightening as yet.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Protesters hit city streets
Just one week after Thailand’s first election in five years, protesters have returned to Bangkok’s streets to step up their calls for the removal of the seven election commissioners, accusing them of mishandling…
— Bangkok Post

Toxic dust levels continue to plague 8 northern provinces
Unhealthy smog levels continue to plague eight northern provinces, with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha due to discuss the crisis with provincial governors in Chiang Mai on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post

‘Costly’ Malaysia-Thailand border wall requires further review, says DPM Wan Azizah
With a price tag of RM1 million (US$245,000) per kilometre, the proposed 11km border wall between Malaysia and Thailand is costly and should be reviewed, said Deputy Prime Minister Wan Azizah Wan Ismail on Monday (Apr 1).
— CNA (very annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

VN seeks to improve logistics, eyes climb in World Bank ranking
The Ministry of Industry and Trade has announced a plan to improve the performance of the logistics sector to improve the country’s business climate.
— Bizhub

Government urged to help Vietnamese banks lure foreign capital
The Government should help Vietnamese banks lure capital and experience from prestigious foreign banks so as to help local firms develop sustainably, experts said.
— Vietnam Insider

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.