Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
EP32: ASEAN e- commerce Agreement
As Thailand will assume the ASEAN chairmanship title next year, let’s take a look at one of the bloc’s key moments when ASEAN has signed first e-commerce agreement.
— NBT World (video)
Golden Triangle bust yields precursor haul
Authorities from four countries have intercepted drug precursors destined for the Golden Triangle and intended to make 30 million methamphetamine pills in their latest crackdowns on Thai and foreign drug gangs.
— Bangkok Post (annoying pop-ups)
Thailand: Cross-border trade up 6 percent in 2018
Thailand fetched 1.4 trillion THB (44.5 billion USD) from cross-border trade in 2018, up 6 percent over the previous year, but falling short of the set target of 1.5 trillion THB.
— Vietnam Plus
Halal tourism industry facing disruptions
The rise of artificial intelligence (AI), the use of Augmented Reality (AR) and the development of Virtual Reality (VR) are some of the 17 trends disrupting the rapidly-growing halal (permissible or lawful in traditional Islamic law) tourism industry according to a report released yesterday.
— The Asean Post
Southeast Asians See China Replacing US as Regional Power, Survey Finds
Three-quarters of educated professionals surveyed across the ASEAN bloc say China is the country most likely to fill a vacuum created by a perceived growing lack of American interest in the region, according to a report published by a Singaporean think-tank Tuesday.
— Radio Free Asia
China and ASEAN doing well on economic, trade cooperation
The latest data from China’s Customs Administration shows two-way trade between China and ASEAN grew by 14.1 percent to a record US$587.87 billion in 2018, compared to 2017.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Industrial Internet of Things global association launches Asean chapter in Singapore
MindSphere World, a global Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) association, has launched a Singapore-headquartered Asean chapter.
— The Straits Times
Defense think tank: China successful in ASEAN
Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies says China is trying to build regional support for the country along the South China Sea by dividing Southeast Asian nations.
— NHK World
Why is Southeast Asia lacking in postcolonial perspectives?
Despite being one of the most colonized regions in the 19th century, Southeast Asia has a lack of postcolonial literature.
— The Jakarta Post
SE Asia overtakes China to become top investment hotspot for Taiwanese businesses
A survey of hundreds of executives shows that China is no longer the top investment hotspot for Taiwanese businesses, while Southeast Asian nations have become their new darling, as a result of the US-China trade tensions and growing uncertainties.
— Taiwan News
Asia fund passport scheme aims for February launch
The Asia Regional Fund Passporting (ARFP) scheme is expected to roll out next month and will connect the fund markets of Australia, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and Thailand.
— International Adviser
Science: People colonized various environments in Southeast Asia and Oceania through the Pleistocene [Report]
Investigations into what it means to be human have often focused on attempts to uncover the earliest material traces of art, language, or technological complexity.
— Infosurhoy
Japanese equipment maker launches innovative tractors for Southeast Asia market
Japanese industrial equipment manufacturer Yanmar aims to help create new value for farmers in Southeast Asia with the introduction of a new series of innovative tractors
— The Philippine Star
Urgent attention needed for global tiger recovery efforts, as Southeast Asia reports worrying gaps
Tiger-range governments agreed on the urgent need to address critical management gaps across the tiger’s range at the 3rd Stocktaking Conference on the Global Tiger Recovery Programme.
— Odisha Diary
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Chinese Visitors to Cambodia Up 70%
Cambodia received 6.2 million foreign tourists in 2018, an increase by 11 percent compared to the previous year, of them 1.9 million were Chinese visitors, up 70 percent.
— Agence Kampuchea Presse
Cambodia’s human rights record under spotlight in third Universal Periodic Review
Cambodia is among the 41 states whose human rights records are under scrutiny at the ongoing 32nd session of the United Nations Human Rights Council’s Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group.
— IFEX
Beware Cambodia’s Europe Sanctions Hype
For the last 18 months, the Cambodian government has seen foreign conspiracies everywhere it looks. The largest opposition party, the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), was plotting a coup with American backing, the government says, and was summarily dissolved by the Supreme Court in November 2017 as a result. The CNRP’s president, Kem Sokha, was also arrested for “treason,” though the government gave scant evidence of this.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia’s FDI touches nearly 28 bln USD in 2018
Indonesia logged a total of 392.7 trillion rupiah (27.86 billion U.S. dollars) foreign direct investment (FDI) last year amid global economic uncertainty, the country’s investment coordinating board announced here on Wednesday.
—Xinhua
Indonesia Corruption Perceptions Index Raises to 38 Points
Transparency International Indonesia announced that the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) of Indonesia climbs seven ranks to 89th position out of 180 countries.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia Books Rp2.4 bn Transaction in Travel Fair in Slovakia
Indonesia has recorded transaction of tourism packages at Rp2.4 billion during the 25th International Travel Fair (ITF) Slovakiatour which was held in Incheba Expo Bratislava, Slovakia, from January 24 to 27. Destinations of the travel tour included Kalimantan, Bali, Lombok, and Java.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
PM urges labour officials to improve workforce skills
Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith yesterday advised labour and social welfare authorities to carry out the country’s labour skill development policy to meet the needs of the job market.
— Vientiane Times
1.2 Trillion Kip Needed For Road Renovation
The Department of Bridges and Roads has said it needs 1,200 billion kip to implement 20 projects and 148 contracts on road repair and construction nationwide.
— KPL
Tanmixay-Sikeuth road upgrade delayed by nine months
The upgrade of the 9.4-kilometre road from the Tanmixay crossroads in Xaythany district to Sikeuth junction in Naxaithong district, Vientiane, is likely to require a nine-month extension as work is running behind schedule.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Bank Negara launches RM1bil fund for B40 to buy house
Bank Negara Malaysia has launched a RM1 billion fund for affordable home ownership for those earning RM2,300 and below.
— New Straits Times
Poverty line in Malaysia should be 3 times higher, says expert
An economist has called for greater access to data for independent researchers in the field of poverty and inequality, saying this is crucial to gauging government policies and mapping out effective anti-poverty plans.
— FMT
Malaysia’s finance minister says $20 billion rail project negotiations ongoing
Malaysia’s decision on the $20-billion East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) is still under discussion and negotiations are now at the government-to-government level, finance minister Lim Guan Eng said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Rice export earnings fetch over 642 million USD in over nine months
From April to, 2018 to January 18, 2019, Myanmar earned 642.763 million from exports of over 1.92 million tons of rice and broken rice, according to the Trade Department.
— Eleven Myanmar
‘Will work for an investment-friendly environment through reform works’ – State Counsellor
State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi said that they would implement an environment to bring investment to the country through reform works.
— Mizzima
Govt. signs two MoUs to produce electricity and sugar in Sagaing
Sagaing Region government is signed MoUs to produce electricity from biomass and sugar in the region during Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 held at Nay Pyi Taw, sources said.
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
2019 budget in last-minute trouble at bicameral talks
WEDNESDAY validated expectations of “bloody” bicameral conference committee talks on the proposed P3.757-trillion national budget for this year, with no less than the Senate president threatening to withdraw the version of his chamber from the table before lawmakers concerned met again on the spending plan that day.
— BusinessWorld Online
Government debt reaches ₱7.3-T in 2018
The government’s outstanding debt reached ₱7.3 trillion last year, growing by 9.6 percent from ₱6.7 trillion in 2017 amid higher domestic and foreign borrowings.
— CNN Philippines
‘Spending ban exemption to cover P500-billion projects’
THE Executive branch will likely ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to exempt at least P500 billion worth of big-ticket projects from the election spending ban to avoid delays in the government’s massive infrastructure program.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
SIA to fuel in-house innovations with launch of KrisLab
IMMERSIVE in-flight entertainment headsets, an augmented reality colouring mobile application and a mobile service that notifies travellers abroad about nearby events and deals – these are some of the innovations brewing over at Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) newly-launched innovation lab, KrisLab.
— The Business Times
Small firms keen to expand abroad while large firms post record-breaking profits, studies show
Business is on a high for firms across the corporate landscape with smaller companies keen to expand overseas while the big players are reaping ever higher profits.
— Straits Times
HDB sold repurchased land to private developers for profit and didn’t redevelop it as HDBs for future Singaporean generations
Over the last few years I have written several articles on the HDB issue, the last ones being on 10th and 11th December 2018 but as this hot topic arose again while I was at Hong Lim and on my threads recently, I want to take you back to them.
— The Online Citizen
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
All schools in Bangkok closed as smog problem worsens
The Ministry of Education has ordered all schools in Bangkok closed for two days starting Thursday as smog condition in and around Bangkok worsened today. Meanwhile, Bangkok Governor Aswin Kwangkuang…
— Thai PBS World
Thailand aims to export 9.5m tonnes of rice in 2019
Thailand aims to export 9.5 million tonnes of rice this year, the Thai Rice Exporters Association said on Wednesday, a 14% decline from 2018.
— Bangkok Post
Hakeem AlAraibi’s wife asks Thailand’s Prime Minister to ‘please help my husband come home’
The wife of detained footballer Hakeem AlAraibi has sent an emotional appeal to Thailand’s Prime Minister asking for the junta leader’s help as she fears for her husband’s life.
— ABC News
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
CPI slighly increases in January on rising consumption for Tết
Vietnamese consumer prices rose slightly in January on increased shopping demand as the Tết (Lunar New Year) holidays were approaching.
— Viet Nam News
VietJet posts 24% growth in revenue
VietJet Aviation Joint Stock saw a 24% increase in total revenue last year from 2017, earning 71 billion baht, of which 49 billion was from air transport (a gain of 49%).
— Bangkok Post
Tuna exports predicted to flourish in 2019
Vietnam’s tuna exports are expected to thrive in 2019 as several obstacles regarding origin certification have been removed, said the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP).
— VNA NET
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 January 31 added by Digital Editor on
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