Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Southeast Asia GDP to slow down to 4.8% in 2018
The woes of Southeast Asian economies are expected to continue in 2019 no thanks to a challenging export environment, The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) said.
— Singapore Business Review
Asean capital market regulators endorse roadmap to promote assets for sustainable investment
The Roadmap on Asean Sustainable Capital Markets to promote Asean asset classes for sustainable investment has been endorsed by the Asean Capital Markets Forum (ACMF) that met in Bangkok today.
— The Edge Markets
Bangkok pushes WTO multilateral system
Thailand is hoping to convince Asean members to promote and restore the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) multilateral system of settling disputes.
— Bangkok Post
Southeast Asia Expecting Up To 10 Percent Business Growth in 2019
Global market research company Euromonitor International released today a new white paper, “Southeast Asia Business Leaders Report: Inside Your Peers’ 2019 Executive Agenda,” highlighting key priorities and challenges for 2019 through a survey of over 100 senior leaders in the private and public sectors based in the region.
— Business Wire (media release)
Beijing Plans to Build ‘City’ on ‘Blueprint’ Island in South China Sea
The Chinese government has plans for a large military settlement on a reclaimed reef in the contested Paracel Islands, where adversaries such as the US strongly oppose Chinese expansion.
— Sputnik International
Thailand-China launch Mekong skills project
Thailand and China on Monday launch a project on capacity building for the national coordinator of the Mekong Lancang Cooperation (MLC) to boost their skills for cooperation.
— The Nation (very annoying pop-ups)
Southeast Asia hastens 5G shift to close development gap
Southeast Asian nations are scrambling to introduce 5G networks, determined not to fall behind developed nations as the technology is critical to innovations such as autonomous driving and digital medical services.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Senior US Navy commander opposes China plan to exclude America from South China Sea drills
A US navy commander on Monday said China’s reported plan to exclude America from military exercises with Southeast Asian nations in the South China Sea is unacceptable and a violation of international law.
— GMA News
Renewables in Southeast Asia: subsidies not required, thanks
What’s needed for renewables to take off is leadership, vision and a commitment to a better society from the Asean political class, writes Assaad Razzouk.
— Eco-Business
Energy deregulation in ASEAN: Quicker isn’t necessarily better
At different paces, ASEAN countries are studying the feasibility of energy deregulation.
— Asean Today
Keeping abreast of maritime security measures in Asia
Emerging maritime challenges were at the forefront of discussions at the 11th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Inter-Sessional Meeting (ISM) on Maritime Security in Da Nang, Viet Nam, (14-15 March).
— Hellenic Shipping News
Shinhan to help SMEs in Southeast Asia
Shinhan Bank said Monday it has expanded a global management consulting program to help small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Southeast Asia including India.
— The Korea Times
Music’s future is streaming
Ever since the advent of the internet and the proliferation of smartphones, traditional media such as television and radio no longer have the same kind of mainstream influence as they used to.
— The Asean Post
China, India, and Southeast Asia Region To Grow The Fastest in Automotive OEM Telematics Market by 2023
According to a recent report published by Allied Market Research, titled, China, India, and Southeast Asia Automotive OEM Telematics Market by Vehicle Type and Application: Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2017-2023, the automotive OEM telematics market size was valued at $2,545 million in 2016, and is projected to reach at $22,414 million by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 35.2% from 2017 to 2023.
— Industry Daily Observer
Iflix launches premium sports channel in Asia
The platform has partnered with pan-Asian sports network ZSports for the launch of the service, which is intended to serve as the home of US sports in Asia.
— TBI Vision
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Cambodia Investigating Employment Status of Chinese Nationals Amid Complaints of Lost Jobs
Cambodia’s government is investigating the employment status of Chinese nationals operating businesses in Sihanoukville province, Interior Minister Sar Kheng said Monday, amid complaints by local residents who say they are losing work to the immigrants.
— Radio Free Asia
Cambodia squeezes online speech despite threat of EU backlash
Even as the European Union readies to visit Cambodia this week to decide whether the country should be removed from a preferential trade scheme due to lack of political reforms, Prime Minister Hun Sen is trying to enact two laws that could further stifle online speech, a move certain to rile EU negotiators.
— Nikkei Asia Review (paywall)
150 Megawatt Coal-fired Power Plant in Sihanoukville to Operate September 2019
Keo Rattanak, Minister attached to Prime Minister and Director General of EDC, confirmed to Fresh News Monday that a new 150 megawatt coal-fired power plant in Sihanoukville’s Stung Hav will launch in September 2019.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Indonesia urges residents and tourists in Lombok to remain calm
The Indonesian Government has urged local residents and tourists to remain calm and not get influenced by rumours and misleading information in response to the 5.4-magnitude earthquake that rocked Lombok Island Sunday, March 17.
— Antara News
Flash Floods, Earthquake in Indonesia Kill Over 80
The number of people killed after torrential downpours triggered flash floods and mudslides that tore through mountainside villages in Indonesia’s easternmost province has climbed to 79, with dozens of others missing, officials said Monday.
— VOA
Dilemma for Widodo as China casts shadow on Indonesia polls
Joko Widodo, the president of Indonesia, faces an election next month in the world’s largest Muslim-majority country, and presenting himself as defender of the faith is central to his campaign strategy.
— Financial Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
World Bank approves US$72 million for three key projects
The World Bank has agreed to finance three major projects in Laos designed to reduce malnutrition in children, and improve public resource use and service delivery.
— Vientiane Times
Viet Nam exports $97.4 million goods to Laos in Jan-Feb
Viet Nam exported US$97.4 million worth of goods to its neighbouring country Laos in the first two months of 2019, up 20.26 per cent against the same period last year, according to the industrial and commercial information centre under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— Bizhub
UN Special Rapporteur to Visit Laos to Examine Poverty, Rights Issues
Laos has made impressive progress in reducing poverty, but still has a long way to go, as one quarter of the population still lives below the poverty line, according to a U.N. official visiting the Southeast Asian country this month.
–Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia ranks second in Southeast Asia for trade and connectivity
Malaysia has maintained its strong position globally, ranking second highest in Southeast Asia and 12th out of 169 countries for trade connectivity, says the DHL Global Connectedness Index (GCI) report.
— New Straits Times
Govt allocates RM3 million for national food bank programme
The government today announced that it has approved a RM3 million allocation for the provision of 14 lorries equipped with chillers for the Food Bank Malaysia programme for the B40 group and 20 public universities.
— FMT
No economic sense to close or sell Malaysia Airlines
Much has been written about the national air carrier in the past three weeks ― from shutting it down to selling it off.
— Malay Mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
More than 40 human trafficking cases reported in first two months
More than 40 human trafficking cases have been reported in the first two months of this year, with the majority of victims sent to China for forced marriage, according to the Myanmar Anti-Human Trafficking Police Force, state media reported.
— Mizzima
Myanmar strives to attract investment for western Chin state
Myanmar is striving to attract investment in the western Chin state, stressing that private investment can help resolve the challenges of poverty and inequality and create a better social environment there.
— Xinhua
Sembcorp fires up Myanmar power plant
Sembcorp Industries has officially opened a US$310 million (S$420 million) power plant in Myanmar.
— The Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Budget surplus reaches P44.5b as spending falls
The government posted a budget surplus of P44.5 billion in January, or more than four times higher than the P10.2-billion surplus recorded a year ago, as revenues rose and spending fell following the failure of Congress to pass a new budget, data from the Bureau of the Treasury show.
— Manilastandard.net
House recalls version of 2019 budget to end standoff with Senate
In a move seen as a way to end the budget impasse, the House leadership on Monday, March 18, recalled the enrolled version of the 2019 it earlier forwarded to the Senate.
— Rappler
Dead whale in Philippines had 40kg of plastic in stomach
A starving whale with 40 kilos of plastic trash in its stomach has died after being washed ashore in the Philippines, activists said Monday, calling it one of the worst cases of poisoning they have seen.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Singapore’s 2019 GDP growth forecast to moderate to 2.4% on external headwinds
The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) is expecting Singapore’s GDP growth to moderate to 2.4% in 2019 from 3.2% in the previous year, against the backdrop of a more challenging environment for exports and the manufacturing sector.
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore February exports snap three months of falls
Singapore’s domestic exports rose in February snapping three months of falls, showing “early signs” that south-east Asian economies could end up as beneficiaries of the US-China trade dispute.
— Financial Times
Chart of the Day: Singapore ranks 4th in the world as top sources for investments
The Asia Pacific region accounted for 50% of transactions in 2018.
— Singapore Business Review
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
The world record Chiang Mai would gladly relinquish
Chiang Mai had no problem on Monday maintaining its World No 1 ranking as the most polluted city on the planet, scoring a 241 in air quality index (AQI) at airvisual.com.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
Thailand delays trans-Pacific FTA application
Thailand will delay its application to join a trans-Pacific free trade agreement until after next Sunday’s election, a Commerce Ministry official said Monday.
— Bangkok Post
NBTC targets batteries in wearables
The telecom regulator is considering measures to govern quality standards for batteries in wearable devices and Internet of Things (IoT) items in order to prevent consumer harm.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cashless payment in Vietnam could grow to 50% in three years: MoMo CEO
For Vietnamese e-wallet MoMo operator M-Services – that has received a total of $33 million funding from Goldman Sachs and Standard Chartered Private Equity before it announced another investment from Warburg Pincus earlier this year – the biggest competitor it faces is the cash economy, not other rivals in the region.
— DealStreetAsia
FDI inflow promises bright prospect for property sector
The flow of foreign direct investment (FDI) into property in the first months of 2019 promises to bring many new opportunities for the real estate market.
— VNA NET
Viet Nam exports $97.4 million goods to Laos in Jan-Feb
Viet Nam exported US$97.4 million worth of goods to its neighbouring country Laos in the first two months of 2019, up 20.26 per cent against the same period last year, according to the industrial and commercial information centre under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— Bizhub
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 March 19 added by Digital Editor on
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