Asean morning news for January 17

Asean morning news for January 17
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Asean morning newsAsean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Thailand first in ASEAN to ban production, imports, sales of products containing trans fats
The Public Health Minister, Clin. Prof. Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn, said Thailand’s ban on artificial trans fats came into effect last week, making the country the first in the ASEAN to ban the production, imports, and sales of partially hydrogenated oils as well as any food items that contain them.
— NNT

Asean industrial 4.0 development plan Thailand’s principal priority
IN ITS first move as this year’s Asean chair, Thailand is pushing for a cohesive regional industrial 4.0 development plan and to implement guidelines on non-tariff measures across the region.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Plastic polluters launch US$1.5bn waste collection and recycling fund
A coalition of the world’s biggest plastic producers and users has set up a new US$1.5 billion fund to improve waste collection and recycling in developing countries.
— Eco-Business

Southeast Asian nations top global rankings for investment, business
SOUTHEAST Asian nations have dominated a list of best places in the world to invest in or do business for 2018, highlighting the attractiveness of the growing economies in the region amid a bleak outlook for 2019.
— Asian Correspondent

Asia’s rice exporters trigger a price war
Asia is experiencing a rice export race as major producers like India and Vietnam step up efforts to boost overseas sales in support of farmers, some of whom are being encouraged to ramp up production.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Bangkok poised for Asean fundraising crown, experts say
THAILAND is well placed to establish itself as the main centre for corporate capital raising in the Asean region, thanks to the country’s economic potential, market liquidity and supportive financial regulations, said the founder of an advisory group with connections across the region.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Chinese internet giants kick off a rat race in Southeast Asia’s e-commerce market
The 22-year-old Candy prefers to shop in physical stores instead of online, after getting back home to Singapore from London, because there is a shopping mall in every district in Singapore, plus they offer numerous restaurants and air conditioning.
— Global Times

A year of elections for Southeast Asia
After a 2018 that saw historic poll results in Cambodia, where the ruling party won an unprecedented landslide, and Malaysia, where there was a change of government for the first time since independence from Britain in 1963, the Asean region gears up for three national elections in the coming months.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Four digital challenges facing telcos in APAC
The Asia Pacific telecommunications sector is experiencing incredibly fast growth, enabled primarily by investments in the network and IT infrastructure that supports mobile internet activity.
— Telecomasia.net

Greater uncertainty ahead for Asean in 2019: AMRO
In its January update on the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has revised its regional growth estimate downwards to 5.3 per cent for 2018, from its previous estimate of 5.4 per cent, following a weaker Q3 2018 performance in some economies.
— The Business Times

Performance projections for Southeast Asia, select major Asian economies
PHILIPPINE economic growth will likely slow up to this year, according to latest estimates by a macroeconomic surveillance organization for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Plus 3 economies and HSBC Private Bank.
— BusinessWorld Online

Call to ensure ASEAN information remains relevant
IT IS imperative to multiply efforts and strengthen cooperation so that ASEAN member countries can keep up and adapt and ensure that ASEAN information remains relevant with rapid changes in information technology and the communication landscape occurring in ASEAN member countries but also globally, Director-General of the Philippines Information Agency, Harold E Clavite said.
— Borneo Bulletin

Improving maritime security in the Asia–Pacific
Over recent years, the Asia–Pacific maritime security environment has become increasingly complex.
— The Strategist (blog)

How Asia could be the winner in the US and China’s Belt and Road race
Infrastructure development has become one of the great battlegrounds of our time.
— World Economic Forum (blog)

Thai and Indonesian auto suppliers overwhelm Vietnamese market
As many as 55,634 vehicles completely built in Thailand were shipped to Vietnam in 2018, with a total value of over US$1 billion.
— VietNamNet Bridge

 

Cambodia morning newsCambodia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Cambodia to start extracting oil in October
Cambodia is set to start extracting oil from an offshore oilfield being developed in the Gulf of Thailand in October, a government official said Wednesday.
— Bangkok Post

Senior US Official Warns of Chinese Military Presence in Cambodia, Calls for Democratic Reform
US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for South and Southeast Asia Joseph H. Felter wrapped up his official trip to Cambodia this week by warning of China’s military presence in Cambodia and calling for democratic reform.
— VOA Cambodia

Cambodia ‘at risk from geopolitical manoeuvres’
Three of Cambodia’s top leaders used the Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) to warn that small- and medium-sized countries were facing geopolitical challenges due to the machinations of powerful states.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Bank Indonesia Says Key Rate Near Peak as Rate Decision Looms
Bank Indonesia Governor Perry Warjiyo signaled the central bank may hold the key rate on Thursday, saying the benchmark interest rate has “almost reached its peak” after an aggressive hiking cycle helped stabilize the nation’s currency.
— Bloomberg

RI`s imports in December 2018 fall 9.60 percent to US$15.28 billion
Indonesia`s imports in December 2018 fell 9.60 percent to US$15.28 billion from a month earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News

Hyundai to finalize $1b car factory plan, senior minister says
Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Panjaitan has said senior executives of South Korean car maker Hyundai Motor will meet several ministers later this month to discuss the company’s plan to develop a US$1billion car factory in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
 

Garment industry in Laos continues to face challenges
Apparel firms in Laos are facing several problems ranging from shortage of skilled labour to survival, according to the Association of the Lao Garment Industry.
— Fibre2Fashion

Britain grants funding for UXO clearance in Laos
Mines Advisory Group (MAG) Laos has been granted more than 38 billion kip (4.5 million U.S. dollars) in funding from the British government for its unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance operations in Laos.
— Xinhua

Pay the minimum wage or face legal action, employers told
Employers in Laos will be subject to legal action if authorities discover they are failing to pay their workers the minimum wage.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

 

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

Malaysian Automotive Association slams govt for delaying new car pricing approval
The Malaysian Automotive Association (MAA) has today slammed the government for the alleged delay in approving new car models’ pricing. MAA said the delay has affected members’ plan to launch new vehicles.
— The Edge Markets

Malaysia hopes for RCEP to finalise by end-2019
Malaysia hopes to conclude talks with other Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) member countries by the end of this year.
— New Straits Times

Property market to remain challenging in 2019: CBRE | WTW
The property and real estate market for Malaysia in 2019 will remain challenging across all property sectors, says CBRE | WTW managing director Foo Gee Jen.
— New Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

Myanmar’s bilateral trade with the US increases
Myanmar’s bilateral trade with the US in the first month of the 2018-2019 fiscal year topped US$63.6 million, an increase of $28.4 million, or 80.7 per cent, compared with the corresponding period of the 2017-2018FY, according to the Commerce Ministry, state media reported.
— Mizzima

Myanmar’s 2019 Economic Outlook
Despite Myanmar facing a significant economic downturn last year, government officials and business people alike have expressed positivity for the country’s economy in 2019, especially in regards to foreign investment and the local business environment.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar seeks EU’s favour not to revoke trade preference
IN FEAR OF negative impacts on the nation’s growth and the grass root population over European Union’s potential withdrawal of its generalised scheme of preferences (GSP) from the country, Myanmar officials and businesses have requested the EU to reconsider the move.
— Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

PH growth forecast for 2018, 2019 cut
The regional macroeconomic surveillance organization Asean+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) has cut its 2018 and 2019 growth forecasts for the Philippines even as Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno on Wednesday said that the first two years of the Duterte administration posted the fastest economic growth among post-Marcos administrations.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Spain offers 300-million euro loan to finance infra projects in PH
The Spanish government is offering a 300-million-euro loan to support Philippine government projects in infrastructure, agro-food, and tourism, the Department of Finance said.
— Manilastandard.net

DoJ throws out Rappler appeal in tax evasion case
The Department of Justice (DoJ) stood pat on its ruling to prosecute Rappler for tax evasion when it rejected the motion for reconsideration filed by the online news site.
— The Manila Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

 

Singapore morning newsSingapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Google in talks for 400,000 sq ft space at Alexandra Technopark
GOOGLE is planning to expand in Singapore, going by market talk that it plans to boost its real estate footprint on the island.
— The Business Times

Uncertainty weighs on Singapore firms with UK ops, businesses fret over chance of a hard Brexit
British Prime Minister Theresa May’s Brexit plans may be in tatters, but Singapore-based Concorde Security is moving ahead with its expansion plans in the United Kingdom.
— Straits Times

Explainer: New laws to pave the way for creation of Singapore Food Agency
The upcoming Singapore Food Agency (SFA) will work to oversee food safety and security.
— Today Singapore

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

 

Thailand morning newsThailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

World Bank trims Thailand 2019 GDP growth to 3.8%
The World Bank has trimmed its projection for Thailand’s economic growth this year to 3.8% from 3.9% estimated earlier, due to a global slowdown and elevated trade tensions between the United States and China.
— Bangkok Post

PM finally says it: election date will be changed
PRIME MINISTER Prayut Chan-o-cha appeared to admit for the first time yesterday that the expected election date would be altered after weeks of uncertainty.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Construction halted to curb toxic smog
Construction of electric train projects in Bangkok has been halted for seven days as the government scrambles to combat the toxic haze shrouding the capital.
— Bangkok Post (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

Petrol prices kept unchanged in latest review
The retail prices of oil and petrol will be kept unchanged for the next 15 days, the ministries of Finance and Industry and Trade announced on January 16.
— VNA NET

Vietnamese goods campaign promote local firms’ development
A campaign urging local people to buy “Made-in-Viet Nam” products has helped develop businesses across the country.
— Vietnam News

HCMC, Hanoi among most dynamic growing cities
HCM City and Hanoi remained among the global Top 10 most dynamic growing cities in JLL’s Short-Term City Momentum Index (CMI) 2019, which tracks socio-economic and commercial real estate growth in 131 cities over a three-year period.
— Vietnam News

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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