Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ADB & WHO team up to drive universal health coverage throughout the AP
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and World Health Organization (WHO) in Manila last Friday (Feb 8) may one day result in universal healthcare throughout the region.
— AEC News Today
Asean credibility at stake if RCEP not concluded this year, forum hears
Concluding the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) will be the biggest challenge during Thailand’s Asean chairmanship this year, as failing to do so will gravely damage the credibility of the Southeast Asian grouping, international relations experts cautioned on Tuesday.
— The Nation (annoying pop-ups)
ASEAN Secretariat calls for nominations for ASEAN Prize 2019
Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat calls for nominations for the prestigious regional award ASEAN Prize 2019 acknowledging an individual`s or organization`s inspiring and outstanding achievements in fostering the ASEAN identity, promoting ASEAN spirit, and championing ASEAN way.
— Antara News
Southeast Asia eclipses China as world’s mobile economy hot spot
Southeast Asians are outpacing the Chinese in embracing the mobile economy, with higher percentages of the population in several countries using smartphones to do their banking, to shop and hail rides.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
North Korea and ASEAN heal ties torn by Kim brother’s murder
North Korea and key members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations are finally starting to mend fences two years after the murder of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un’s half brother in Malaysia.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Cambodia declared the cheapest country to retire
International Living, a magazine that focuses on the best places to live and invest, named Cambodia the cheapest place to retire in 2019.
— Khmer Times
Talks focus on linking World Heritage sites
If talk could fuel flights today we would have a choice of daily direct flights linking Siem Reap in Cambodia and Bagan in Myanmar, two major heritage towns in Southeast Asia.
— TTR Weekly
The potential of floating solar power
Thailand is the latest country in Southeast Asia to recognise the untapped potential of floating solar technology after the state-run Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand (EGAT) announced five pilot projects last month.
— The Asean Post
UK sees economic partner in RI, ASEAN
With just weeks until the March 29 deadline to leave the European Union, Britain could not be faulted for trying to compensate for the less pleasing side effects of its divorce, by bolstering its alliances in other regions — including with Indonesia and the rest of Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Economic integration in East Asia and Asean – the long view
Current disruptions that happen as a consequence of the US-China trade war or Brexit (or, the possible exit of Britain from the European Union) will not deter the economic integration that is happening within East Asia and ASEAN.
— The Philippine Star
Security tokens can shape future of wealth management in SE Asia
The last 12 months has seen the meteoric rise and fall of the quintessential crypto currency, Bitcoin, from its peak at close to US$20,000 in December 2017 to around US$3,600 today – a more than 80 per cent drop.
— The Business Times
A Changing World: Southeast Asia, testing the resilience in the driving force of the world
The region that grows the most in the globe faces major challenges after years of rapid development: from the ageing of the population to the transformation of its economic model
— MDS
SECURING ENERGY SUPPLY AND MARITIME INTERESTS: SEEKING CONVERGENCE [GGP]
As ASEAN’s energy demand is likely to increase by almost two-thirds in the period up to 2040, the regional oil and gas resources in the offshore zones of the ASEAN member states will become even more important for enhancing the energy supply security of both the individual member states as well as for ASEAN as a whole.
— Natural Gas World
Sustaining Southeast Asia’s Momentum
There can be few more eye-catching signs of the economic vibrancy of Southeast Asia than competition for ride-hailing services on the streets of its biggest cities.
— strategy+business (blog)
Hang Seng University to offer classes on languages of Southeast Asia
The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong is planning to offer courses on different Southeast Asian languages and cultures next year to help students better seize opportunities offered by the Belt and Road Initiative.
— Eleven
Channel Asia launches ASEAN tech channel research
Channel Asia is proud to announce the launch of State of the Tech Channel, an annual research report uncovering the inner workings of the ASEAN channel.
— Channel Asia Singapore
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Government aims to tackle drought
The Ministry of Industry and Handicrafts on Monday said that 100 per cent of people in urban areas will have reliable access to clean water by 2025 as the government takes action to tackle drought and other effects of climate change.
— The Phnom Penh Post
UNDP & DanChurchAid helping drought proof Cambodia
In an effort to reduce the impact of drought on two of Cambodia’s most at-risk provinces, Kampot and Takeo, United Nation Development Program (UNDP) Cambodia and DanChurchAid (DCA) have joined together to establish two new provincial drought information hubs and to train farmers and local communities in climate-resilient agriculture.
— AEC News Today
Brexit and EU sanctions threaten to push Cambodia into economic crisis
Cambodia is teetering on the verge of economic crisis, as it faces higher export tariffs into Britain due to Brexit at a time when the European Union is considering suspending duty-free access to punish Prime Minister Hun Sen for political suppression.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Malaysia and Indonesia rush to slice up $3tn global halal market
Japan may have a minuscule Muslim population, but the country still represents the way forward for Malaysia’s Faisal Ahmad Fadzil and his line of halal-certified bath products and massage oils.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Indonesia relaxes rules to boost car exports
Indonesia has simplified administrative rules for completely build-up (CBU) car exports as part of the efforts to improve efficiency and boost exports.
— Reuters
Indonesia sets higher investment target in 2019
Indonesia is optimistic that it will be able to attract more investment this year although legislative and presidential elections will take place simultaneously in April 2019.
— Vietnam Plus
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Information, culture, tourism officials urged to aim higher
Deputy Prime Minister Dr Sonexay Siphandone has told the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism to work with other ministries and sectors to address the issues hindering the development of the tourism industry.
— Vientiane Times
Vietnamese Arrested For Transporting Illicit Drug From Laos To Vietnam
A 47-year-old man from Vietnam’s central Thanh Hoa province has been caught red-handed transporting 10 kg of crystal methamphetamine from Laos to the province, the provincial police announced on Monday.
— KPL
Expo highlights Laos’ real estate progress
Lao realestate has partnered with both the Lao National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LNCCI) and Yula.la to host the first ever real estate expo in Laos.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s natural rubber production up 5.4% in Dec 2018
Malaysia’s natural rubber production increased 5.4% to 54,992 tonnes in December 2018 from 52,174 tonnes in November 2018, according to the Department of Statistics.
— The Sun Daily
Malaysia seeks to implement B20 for transport sector in 2020
Malaysia targets to raise its biofuel mandate in the transport sector to B20 by 2020, from B10 currently, and for industrial sector to B10, from B7, according to Primary Industries minister Teresa Kok.
— The Star Online
Malaysia needs new economic vision
WITH the global economy uncertain and Malaysia’s economy slowing down, yesterday’s announcement of an Economic Action Council is reassuring.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar police fire rubber bullets, tear gas to scatter ethnic minority protest
Myanmar police fired rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannon on Tuesday to disperse a protest over a statue of independence hero General Aung San that is opposed by members of the Karenni ethnic minority, police and a protest leader said.
— Trust
Myanmar speeds up issuing travel permits for foreigners to visit Myanmar’s ruby land
Myanmar has speeded up the issuance of travel permits for foreign tourists who plan to visit the ruby land of Mogok in the country’s northern Mandalay region in an effort to develop tourism, the official Global New Light of Myanmar reported Tuesday.
— Xinhua
Water, traffic projects set to improve Yangon
Yangon has been striving to cope with the demands of modernisation ever since the military junta that ruled the country for over half a century gave way to the pressure of reforms nearly a decade ago.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PH trade deficit tops $41 billion in 2018
The Philippines’ trade gap increased by half last year as imports continued to outpace country’s exports, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed yesterday.
— Manila Bulletin
P75 billion Diokno ‘insertion’ ends up as lawmakers’ ‘pork barrel’
They quarreled over P75 billion in infrastructure funds in the proposed 2019 national budget, with Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno calling it a “budgetary adjustment” and his congressman-tormentor, Rolando Andaya Jr. of Camarines Sur, labeling it as Diokno’s “pork.”
— The Philippine Star
Rodrigo Duterte again channels late dictator Ferdinand Marcos by calling for Philippines’ name to be changed
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte will need to change the constitution to adopt a new name for the country, the Senate president said.
— South China Morning Post
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Buses prove just the ticket as SBS Transit profit soars 70% to $80m
Transport operator SBS Transit posted a 70 per cent surge in earnings to $80.1 million as new government bus contracts bolstered its bottomline.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
SINGAPORE VOWS TO PURSUE AMERICAN MAN MIKHY FARRERA BROCHEZ OVER HIV DATA LEAK AS PUBLIC DISQUIET BREWS
Singapore on Tuesday vowed to go after an American man accused of publishing data on thousands of people with HIV, even as the government denied covering up the leak despite knowing about it for almost three years.
— SCMP
S$0 fee for 3 ERP gantries along Upper Bukit Timah Road and Marina Coastal Expressway
Implemented on Monday, February 18, 2019, three Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries will allow motorists to pass for free during peak hours.
— The Independent
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Six digital bills passed in Thailand by NLA
According to a recent report, six digital bills were passed during the second round of the National Legislative Assembly, according to the Minister of Digital Economy and Society.
— Open Gov
Investors flee as political risk escalates
In a span of three days, more than $3.85 billion has been erased from the stock market as political risks heightened ahead of national elections.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)
FM’s talks with Bahraini royal helps win footballer his freedom
Bahrain’s shock decision to drop its extradition request against Australia-based former Bahraini footballer Hakeem al-Araibi seemed to have come after behind-the-scenes negotiations, including a visit by the Thai foreign minister to Bahrain.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
MoIT to support domestic automobile industry projects
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) will implement solutions to support and promote the automobile industry projects of companies such as Trường Hải Automobile Company (Thaco), Thành Công Group, VinFast and others.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnamese logistics startup raises $5.5 mln in latest funding round
Logivan, a web platform that helps trucks connect with potential customers, said it has raised $5.5 million in the latest funding round.
— VnExpress
Key Steps To Expanding Your Business in Vietnam
Over the last few years, Vietnam has become one of the top places for business expansion and investment among international investors and exporters alike for all the right reasons.
— 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.
Asean morning news for February 13 added by Digital Editor on
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