Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Asean-Beijing South China Sea talks set to start by late-Feb
Negotiations for a pact between Asean nations and China aimed at easing tensions in the South China Sea are to begin later this month, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen early today at the Munich Security Conference in Germany.
— The Straits Times
South Korea Eyes ASEAN’s Port Projects Amid Domestic Slowdown
As the domestic construction industry is struggling and shows no sign of reviving, South Korea seems to have decided to look outside the country to overcome difficulties. In particular, the country is moving to beef up its presence in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— The Diplomat
Southeast Asia’s expansionary fiscal budgets put markets on edge
Southeast Asian governments are expected to spend more this year as they try to prop up growth and address domestic challenges, unnerving market players who fret that heavier spending and falling government revenues will combine to upend the region’s economy.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
2019 — the year of choices for ASEAN’s bond markets
IF JANUARY developments are any to go by, 2019 looks to be a year of heightened volatility with risk themes across rates, trade, and general economic growth continuing to ebb and flow in the global financial markets.
— BusinessWorld Online
Support for UN Convention on Biological Diversity gathering steam
A regional consultation workshop has gathered signatories to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and international organizations in the Asia-Pacific region to discuss opportunities and challenges for mainstreaming biodiversity in the region.
— Manila Bulletin
Hong Kong aims to boost trade links with ASEAN
HONG Kong, the Special Administrative Region (SAR) of the People’s Republic of China, attaches great importance to ASEAN including Brunei Darussalam.
— Borneo Bulletin
PHL, Asean experts merge timber info to make trade efficient
Trading of timber in Southeast Asia will soon be more efficient as experts in the region are consolidating the database of timber species being traded in the region.
— Business Mirror
Southeast Asian elections will be defined by young voters
More than half of the population of Southeast Asia is under the age of 30. Therefore, it stands to reason that this segment of the population will have an outsized influence in coming political contests.
— Asia News Network
African swine fever now in ASEAN
The African swine fever has crossed over to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), prompting the Philippines to further tighten security by banning pork imports from neighboring Vietnam in efforts to protect the P200-billion local hog industry.
— The Philippine Star
AEC Feed
Social Security System (SSS) members and their employers in the Philipines will shell out more for their contributions as the rate will increase to 12 per cent, a move that the state-run pension fund’s chief said would replenish the fund life by six years.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)
ASEAN’s poor plastic waste record
ASEAN is once again in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, this time after the newly formed Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) singled out the region for its disproportionate contribution to plastic waste in the environment – especially the ocean.
— The Asean Post
Investing in Southeast Asia’s electricity
Southeast Asia is a growing region with countries here averaging growth rates of 5.1 percent.
— The Asean Post
The high price tag of gender inequality
The Cambodian government is building a global textile industry on the backs of Cambodian women working the sewing machines on the garment factory floor.
— The Asean Post
Vietnamese expats from Laos, Thailand meet in HCM City
Vietnamese expats from Laos and Thailand gathered in Ho Chi Minh City on February 17 for the annual Lunar New Year meeting.
— Vietnam Plus
ASEAN business meet in Bengaluru from February 25
The city will host ASEAN Chambers of Commerce & Industry Business Meet, under the aegis of the Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FKCCI), between February 25 and 27.
— Deccan Chronicle
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
EU trade threat could make Cambodian factories worse for workers—unions
Workers speak of an industry beset by forced overtime, unsafe working conditions and the obstruction of unionisation.
— Eco Business
Barriers remain to Cambodia’s rush to a digital economy
In March 2018, the Cambodian government announced its intention to be ready to transform into a digital economy by 2023.
— AEC News Today
Svay Rieng girl dies after contracting rabies
A 10-year-old girl died in Svay Rieng province on Tuesday after contracting rabies from a cat bite in early December last year.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia records us$41.16 billion trade deficit in January
Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of US$1.16 billion in January 2019, up from $1.03 billion in December 2018, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News
Rabies outbreak in Indonesia kills 12 as stray dog culling begins
The Health Ministry has said that, from January to February this year, 628 people were infected with rabies nationwide, with at least 12 cases that turned fatal.
— Eleven/ Asia News Network
Indonesia’s election ignites piety debates, causing divisions within families
Gayatri, who only wants to be referred to by her first name, considers herself a “normal” practising Muslim woman.
— ABC News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Private education institutes to resume bachelor degree courses
Education authorities have given approval for some private colleges to raise their status to private education institutes so they can recommence bachelor and higher level courses.
— Vientiane Times
Compensation talks begin for Lao dam disaster victims
LAO AUTHORITIES say negotiations have begun over compensation for the victims of last summer’s Xe Pian-Xe Nam Noy Dam collapse, but environmental activists and rights campaigners want the dam’s backers to do more than just pay out money – they should help restore their livelihoods, too.
— The Nation (very annoying popup)
Long-suffering residents call for completion of road works
People living alongside a 9.4-km road that is in the process of being upgraded have taken to social media to express their dissatisfaction with the perpetual clouds of dust that engulf them while the road remains unsurfaced.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Government opens tenders for RM2bil of large solar projects
Malaysia has opened bids to undertake RM2 billion of solar projects this year, a move analysts said will open up more opportunities to power sector incumbents and new entrants.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia mosque launches ‘rice ATM’ to benefit the needy
A mosque in Kuala Lumpur on Friday (Feb 15) introduced a new and novel way to offer rice to the needy – via a specially designed Automated Teller Machine (ATM).
— Channel NewsAsia
High foreign outflow due to recalibration of foreign investments, say experts
A high net foreign fund outflow of RM263.5 million was recorded between Monday to Thursday, a level last seen since the third week of December 2018, as investors recalibrated their investments due to periodic adjustment within the region this week.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar-Vietnam trade jumps to USD196m
Myanmar hit USD196 million in its trade with Vietnam by December 2018, marking a great surge in business between the two partners during the current 2018-19 fiscal year.
— Menafn
Mandalay installs high-tech system in garbage trucks
The Mandalay City Development Committee has installed a fleet management system in more than 250 garbage trucks to improve management, said MCDC member U Kyaw San Myint.
— Myanmar Times
Ko Ni: Gunman gets death penalty in murder of Myanmar lawyer
Two men have been sentenced to death in Myanmar for the murder of a Muslim lawyer, Ko Ni, in broad daylight at Yangon International Airport in January 2017. Nick Beake reports from Yangon.
— BBC
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Solon: OFWs set remittances record in 2018; highest monthly transfer in December
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) sent home a record-high $3.2 billion in the month of December alone, bringing the total remittances for 2018 to a new record of $32.2 billion, House Committee on Banks and Financial Intermediaries chair Henry Ong said on Sunday.
— GMA News
Duterte vetoes tax amnesty
Duterte has vetoed a provision of the Tax Amnesty Bill which grants a general amnesty program for taxpayers with unsettled obligations, the Department of Finance (DOF) said over the weekend.
— The Philippine Star
Drug money flowing into campaign—PDEA
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Director General Aaron Aquino said politicians could be using drug money in campaigning for the May 2019 midterm elections.
— Manilastandard.net
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Singapore plans cautious budget ahead of election
Singapore Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat will aim to strike a delicate balance in Monday’s budget: preaching fiscal prudence while doling out more social spending ahead of elections that could come as early as this year.
— The Edge Market
Cyber security added to Singapore’s total defence framework
Singapore’s minister for defence Dr Ng Eng Hen announced in his total defence day message that in light of increased digital threats, cyber security will be added to the city state’s total defence framework.
— Channel Asia
Singapore ranks second globally in Autonomous Vehicle Readiness report
Singapore is second in the world and top in Asia in terms of its readiness to adopt autonomous vehicles (AVs) on the strength of its government, infrastructure and consumer acceptance, according to a report by KPMG.
— Open Gov Asia
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
EEC policy panel to focus on education to meet labour
THE EASTERN Economic Corridor (EEC) policy committee has agreed to focus on educational measures to address the problem of labour shortage in the region, allocating Bt725 million to train and improve the quality of teachers, lecturers and students in the economic corridor.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Scorching summer coming, experts warn
Fifty per cent chance this year could be the second hottest ever.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Boat races replace Thailand’s elephant polo tournament
Thailand’s annual elephant polo tournament might have passed into the annals of history, but that hasn’t put an end to Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas support for Thailand’s elephants.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Ministry to transfer five enterprises to SCIC in Q1
The Ministry of Industry and Trade will transfer State capital ownership representative rights in five enterprises to the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC) in the first quarter of this year.
— Bizhub
Vietnam offers more incentives for science and technology firms
The Vietnamese government issued Decree No.13/2019/ND-CP (“Decree 13”), which provides preferential treatment such as corporate tax cuts and exemptions, credit incentives, and exemption or reduction in land and water surface lease fees for science and technology enterprises.
— Vietnam Insider
Vietnam aviation faces safety rating challenge
Vietnam might find it difficult to maintain its aviation safety rating due to a lack of qualified personnel, experts caution.
— VnExpress
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 18 added by Digital Editor on
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