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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

ASEAN countries fight trade in counterfeit goods
Enforcement officials, investigators, and prosecutors from across the ASEAN region discussed best practices for addressing the trade in counterfeit goods at a workshop on the enforcement of intellectual property (IP) rights held in Manila last week.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Manufacturing activity in Emerging Asia seen weakening in April
Manufacturing activity in Emerging Asia – as measured by the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – is seen to have weakened in April from March results, mirroring the sectoral weakness in advanced economies, said London-based Capital Economics over the weekend.
— The Philippine Star

Chinese media group to open Belt & Road news center in SEA
Chengdu Media Group’s Red Star News has launched Monday the Belt and Road International News Channel, and eyes to open a news center in Southeast Asia this year.
— Philippine News Agency

Asia: Dengue cases up in the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia
Dengue fever cases are up among most countries in Southeast Asia during the first months of 2019 compared to last year. Here is a look at three of the countries:
— Outbreak News Today

US Religious Freedoms Panel Calls For Vietnam Listing as ‘Country of Particular Concern’
A U.S. bipartisan commission called on Monday for Vietnam to be placed on a State Department blacklist of the world’s worst abusers of religious freedoms, noting that the country’s removal from the list 13 years ago has not eased violations under one-party communist rule.
— RFA

Not wise to rally Asean peers on bilateral issue with the EU
Recent media statements by the Ministry of Commerce (MoC) stated that is contemplating bringing the EBA Rice Safeguard complaint to WTO or any higher institutions in Europe.
— Khmer Times

Asean labour ministers discuss initiative to build capacity to manage future of work
A new Asean initiative is in the works to boost the region’s ability to prepare for the changing nature of work.
— The Straits Times

The chance for Australia to urge ASEAN to act on the Rohingya crisis
This week, diplomats from Australia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will gather in Malaysia for the 31st ASEAN-Australian Forum.
— The Interpreter

Recent developments surrounding the South China Sea |
A look at recent developments in the South China Sea, where China is pitted against smaller neighbors in multiple disputes over islands, coral reefs and lagoons in waters crucial for global commerce and rich in fish and potential oil and gas reserves:
— Spratly Islands

Cambodia benefits economically from Asean
30 April 2019 marks the twentieth anniversary of Cambodia’s membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Khmer Times

ASEAN enhances ties with social organisations in community building
An annual forum held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on April 29 highlighted social organisations’ role in promoting the building of the ASEAN Community.
— Vietnam Plus (media release)

ASEAN+3 meeting to kick off in Fiji on May 2, will discuss removing conditions for IMF-linked funds
Lee Ju-yeol, governor of South Korea’s central bank, will attend an annual meeting of finance ministers and central bank chiefs from 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and three Northeast Asian countries including Korea, Japan and China, later this week in Fiji, and discuss ways to add currencies of Japan and China to Chiang Mai Initiative, a multilateral currency swap agreement to jointly deal global crisis.
— Pulse

TCEB – Business’ CLMV Road Show 2019 delivers record results for Thai MICE industry
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) – Business is achieving record results from its recent CLMV Road Show 2019 that generated nearly 70 new leads on business events originating from Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam between January and March this year.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Thailand Plays Active Role in Driving ASEAN towards the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Thailand’s theme for the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2019 is “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability.”
— Cision PR Newswire

Last Days of the Mighty Mekong: A Review
The Last Days of the Mighty Mekong, by Brian Eyler, director of the Southeast Asia program at the Stimson Center, takes the reader on a journey from glaciers in China to rice fields in Vietnam, stopping along the way in Cambodia, Laos, and Thailand.
— CFR (blog)

Legal TV streams and merchandise crucial for quality sports in Southeast Asia, IPKey and LaLiga backs ASEAN fight against counterfeiting and piracy
Sports fans may think that buying a counterfeit jersey of their favourite team or watching a weekend football match through an illegal streaming site is a harmless practice.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire

Researcher studies monsoons in Southeast Asia
As monsoons in Southeast Asia become less predictable and more intense, WSU research is helping understand how and why it happens.
— The Daily Evergreen

Southeast Asia $476.7 Mn Asphalt Shingles Markets to 2025
The Southeast Asia asphalt shingle market size is anticipated to reach USD 476.7 million by 2025, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period.
— Yahoo Finance

ASEAN Automotive Aftermarket Is Predicted to Surpass US$ 48 Bn in Revenues by 2026 end
In Future Market Insights’ market report titled, “Automotive Aftermarket: ASEAN Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment, 2016-2026”, poor road infrastructure and extended vehicle life have been identified as profitable factors for the growth of the automotive aftermarket in ASEAN.
— Amazing Newspaper

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov          @piseth6666

China to help Cambodia if EBA removed
China on Saturday pledged to support Cambodia if the European Union removes the Kingdom’s special trade status under the Everything-but-arms (EBA) scheme.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia Signs MoU to Export 400K Tons of Rice to China
Cambodia-China signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on exporting 400,000 tons of Cambodian rice to China.
— Fresh News

NBC clarifies Chinese cash not to be used
A National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) official on Sunday clarified that a recently signed agreement over transactions in the Chinese currency the yuan only applies to banking and financial institutions, not daily transactions with individuals.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov          @piseth6666

Indonesia’s planning minister announces capital city move
Indonesia is moving its capital city away from Jakarta, according to the country’s planning minister.
— BBC News

Indonesia’s inflation rate seen picking up pace in April
Indonesia’s annual inflation rate has likely picked up in April amid rising food prices ahead of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, according to a Reuters poll on Monday.
— Journal Pioneer

Economist urges cutting down on ‘vested interests’ to free up growth
Senior economist Faisal Basri of the University of Indonesia has said that President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo must eliminate “vested interests” in the government that had been putting the brakes on economic growth.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Storms sweep country, destroy homes
Several houses and buildings were destroyed or damaged after storms passed over the country last week.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

PM orders inspection of procedures at border crossings
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith has called for the formation of a taskforce to carry out checks at border crossings in a bid to facilitate cross-border trade and services, while plugging revenue leaks.
— Vientiane Times

Govt, development partners disburse funds for public administration reform
The Ministry of Home Affairs last week handed over Public Service Innovation Facility funding to 16 projects in Laos for the purpose of administrative reform.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Guan Eng: RM550m soft loan and RM100m grant for independent oil palm smallholders
The government, yesterday, announced RM550 million soft loan at two per cent repayment rate to independent smallholders to replant their unproductive oil palms.
— New Straits Times

Kedah airport plan will have a negative impact on Penang, says CM
Plans for an airport in Kedah, even if it is only for cargo, will have a negative impact for Penang, says Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow.
— Eleven Myanmar

Malaysia eyes potential investments worth RM10bil from expo 2020 Dubai
Malaysia aims to achieve RM10 billion worth of potential investments and businesses from Expo 2020 Dubai, said Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Minister Yeo Bee Yin.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Myanmar permits $300 mln foreign investment for infrastructure project
Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) recently permitted over 290.1 million US dollars’ foreign investment project in the infrastructure sector, the Directorate of Investment and Company Administration (DICA) said.
— Mizzima

Nets, Myanmar’s national payment network to co-develop QR code system
NETS will share with Myanmar’s national payment network its technical and operational knowledge on Singapore’s unified e-payment system for QR codes – the Singapore Quick Response (SGQR) Central Repository platform, with the intention of implementing a similar platform in the South-east Asian country.
— Business Times

Scheduled Power Outages for Myanmar’s Major Cities
The Mandalay and Yangon governments are scheduling electricity blackouts as power plants fail to meet the population’s demand during peak summer temperatures.
— Irrawaddy

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Philippines, China to address ‘irritants’ through bilateral mechanisms: Palace
The Philippines and China will address “irritants” in disputed waters using bilateral mechanisms, President Rodrigo Duterte’s spokesman said Monday.
— ABS-CBN News

DFA warns Duterte gov’t vs Huawei amid warming ties with China
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has warned President Rodrigo Duterte’s government about the risks of partnering with telecommunications giant Huawei in government projects, an internal memorandum obtained by Rappler showed.
— Rappler

DOH’s low budget use continues; unused funds amount to billions
Unused funds earmarked for the Department of Health (DOH) continue to balloon – with some P9 billion unused funds in 2018, a lawmaker pointed out Monday.
— Inquirer.net

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov          @piseth6666

60% of Singaporean households recycle regularly, but many not doing it right: Surveys
Can plastic toys, clothes and glass pots be recycled? If you say yes, you’re not alone, but these items do not belong in a recycling bin, according to authorities.
— CNA  (very annoying popups)

Singaporeans snap up biggest share of homes compared to foreigners in decade
Singaporeans’ deep-seated desire for home ownership has seen them snap up the biggest share of residential properties versus foreigners in a decade.
— The Edge Singapore

Singapore activist fined for Facebook post on courts
A Singaporean activist was Monday fined for questioning the independence of the judiciary on Facebook, the latest case to highlight what critics say is the country’s heavy-handed approach towards dissent.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Chiang Mai hoteliers damaged by air pollution
After suffering from haze blanketing several provinces in the North the past several months, hotel operators in Chiang Mai think it’s unlikely their business will recover over the next few months.
— Bangkok Post

April inflation, March factory output expected to fall
Thailand’s annual headline inflation rate in April likely slowed slightly from the previous month, but stayed inside the central bank’s target range for a second straight month, a Reuters poll showed.
— Bangkok Post

Ready to Roll: Thai tobacco seeks OK for weed cigarettes
The state tobacco enterprise is licking its lips over the prospect of churning out cannabis cigarettes – just as soon as health officials give the OK.
— Coconuts (paywall)

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Foreign businesses accelerate indirect investment in Vietnam
Vietnam`s high and steady economic growth in the past years has strongly drawn foreign capital and investment in local firms, considered as the shortest way for foreign investors to enter the Vietnamese market.
— The Hanoitimes

Vietnam maintains trade surplus in first four months of 2019
Vietnam maintained a trade surplus of US$711 million in the first four months of this year, much lower than US$3.7 billion recorded in the same period in 2018.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam gets low rating as cyber attacks rise
Official statistics show that Vietnam suffered 4,770 cyber attacks in the first quarter of this year — more than half of the total figure in 2018.
— Asia Times

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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