Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
China committed to work with ASEAN on Code of Conduct – Ambassador Zhao
China is committed to work with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in crafting the code of conduct in the South China Sea to keep peace and stability in the region, Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Zhao Jianhua said on Wednesday.
— Manila Bulletin
Southeast Asian banks log double-digit gains on strong lending
Southeast Asian banks enjoyed a banner 2018 as greater lending and healthy asset management operations drove double-digit profit gains at seven of the region’s 10 leaders by market cap.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Asia eyes a $65bn agtech transformation
Despite dramatic economic growth across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) over the past five decades, the world’s seventh largest economy continues to struggle with how to feed itself.
— The Australian
ASEAN lacks crucial data on air pollution
A large portion of the population in Southeast Asia do not have proper information on the air they breathe every day.
— The Asean Post
Duterte, Mahathir call for peaceful settlement of South China Sea disputes
President Rodrigo Duterte and Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad called for peaceful settlement of disputes in the South China Sea.
— GMA News
Move over Bali, Phuket: Da Nang is Southeast Asia’s top beach destination
Vietnam’s Da Nang has beaten Phuket and Bali to the throne of most popular beach destination in Southeast Asia in 2018.
— VnExpress International
Greater connectivity helps lift travel, trade links for Asean
In just a decade since the first agreement was inked to liberalise air services within South-east Asia, passenger traffic within Asean countries has jumped by more than 90 per cent, on the back of strong tourism growth.
— The Straits Times
Exim targets CLMV entrepreneurs
The Export-Import Bank of Thailand (Exim Thailand) has unveiled a new loan facility for entrepreneurs in Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) who purchase products from Thai operators, aimed at boosting exports to the subregion.
— Bangkok Post
MICE travelers from Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam to Thailand grow
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) – Business is fine tuning its marketing strategy in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) with a tactical campaign to attract more MICE travelers from neighboring countries.
— eTurbo News
Dr Mahathir says ASEAN should divide industries among themselves
ASEAN economies can grow faster if each country focuses on a major industry and caters to the entire regional market, Malaysia Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad says in speech to business leaders in Manila.
— The Edge Markets
Regulation can hinder not help Asia’s social enterprises, analysts say
As more Asian nations consider laws to promote social enterprises, analysts on Thursday warned that legislation could hold back, not help the growing number of ethical businesses.
— Reuters
Thailand holds ASEAN+3 Conference on Social Enterprises
Thailand’s Ministry of Social Development and Human Security (MSDHS) organised the ASEAN+3 Conference on Social Enterprises, engaging regional leaders to promote sustainable development.
— Vietnam Plus
Act Green for Greener Mekong River As Efforts Rewarded via Social Media
The Mekong River is a source of water for millions, the world’s most productive freshwater fishery, and a lifeline shared by people of five nations.
— The Laotian Times
First lady highlights value of Korea-ASEAN relations
South Korea’s first lady Kim Jung-sook on Wednesday stressed the importance of the country’s relations with Brunei, Cambodia and Malaysia, at a meeting with students from the countries studying here.
— The Korea Herald
Fast-developing South-east Asian road network is giving air a run for its money
Singapore-based YCH Group has entered South-east Asia’s burgeoning cross-border road freight market with the launch of its China-ASEAN Regular Shuttle Service.
— The Load Star (media release) (blog)
Southeast Asian space programmes: Capabilities, challenges and collaborations
Space technology has manifold applications in areas as wide-reaching as disaster management, resource management, meteorology, governance, and military and security.
— Observer Research Foundation
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
EBA fact-finding team to arrive in upcoming weeks: EU Ambassador
A fact-finding mission sent by the European Union will arrive in Cambodia late this month or early April, European Union Ambassador George Edgar announced this week.
— Khmer Times
Cambodia: the case for freeing Kem Sokha
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen hinted this week that he may not offer a royal pardon to detained opposition leader Kem Sokha, who marked 18 months in pre-trial detention on March 3 on what many see as spurious treason charges.
— Asia Times
Six Activists From Banned Political Party Flee Cambodia
Six activists of the now-dissolved opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) have fled Cambodia this week, fearing political persecution at the hands of the court, which they say is controlled by the Hun Sen-led Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Floods hit 11 sub-districts in Bandung, claims one life
Floods have inundated 11 sub-districts, displaced some 1.8 thousand people, and claimed one life in Bandung District, West Java Province, according to the Bandung disaster mitigation office (BPBD).
— Antara News
Study: Indonesia ranked second-most dangerous place for women in Asia Pacific
A study by Singapore-based research company ValueChampion has found that Indonesia is the second-most dangerous country for women in the Asia Pacific region.
— The Star Online
Ministry focuses on preventive measures against forest fires
The Environmental Affairs and Forestry Ministry`s Forest and Land Fire Control Brigade, Manggala Agni, and stakeholders joining a forest fire task force, is currently focusing on preventive measures against the occurrence of forest fires in Riau Province.
— Antara News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Japan grants 1.9 billion kip for natural resource management in Savannakhet
The government of Japan has provided grant assistance worth more than 1.9 billion kip (US$223,114) to support a project dedicated to agricultural and natural resource management in Savannakhet province.
— Vientiane Times (paywall)
Russian Military To Complete Mine Clearance Tasks In Laos On March 15 – Defense Ministry
Russian mine clearance specialists are set to complete their demining tasks in Laos on March 15 and hand over all equipment and personal protective gear to their Lao partners, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
— UrduPoint
Key priorities agreed for Cambodia-Lao PDR joint transboundary project
Officials from National Mekong Committees and line agencies of Cambodia and Lao PDR last week agreed on joint actions of key priorities for a joint project on cross-border water resource development and management between Cambodia (Stung Treng) and Lao PDR (Champasak).
— MRC
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Finance minister launches RM3b fund to help Malaysia achieve Industry 4.0 goal
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng has launched the RM3 billion Industry Digitalisation Transformation Fund (IDTF) which is managed by Bank Pembangunan Malaysia Berhad (BPMB) today.
— Malay Mail
Ministry ready to consider making two of 12 vaccines compulsory
The Health Ministry (KKM) is prepared to consider a proposal of the Malaysian Paediatric Association (MPA) to make at least two of the 12 vaccines under the National Immunisation Programme compulsory.
— The Borneo Post
Shut down or sell off Malaysia Airlines, aviation analysts say
Malaysia Airlines Bhd’s (MAS) days as a national carrier may be numbered as it has failed to meet its three-year target to be profitable, but is instead bleeding since it was taken private in 2014, say aviation analysts.
— TodayOnline
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Nine sectors to have priority under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor
Myanmar is prioritising nine sectors covering infrastructure projects under the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor although more specific details as to which of the projects have been chosen remain under wraps.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar attracts over 380,000 foreign tourists in January
About 380,171 foreign tourists visited Myanmar’s states and regions in January, according to the Ministry of Hotel and Tourism Wednesday.
— Global Times
China offers Rohingyas money if they return to Myanmar: Report
A Chinese government delegation reportedly met Rohingya Muslims in Bangladesh, promising each refugee up to USD $6,000 if they returned to Rakhine state in Myanmar, a Bangladeshi official and refugee leaders said Tuesday, reports BenarNews of Indonesia.
— The Daily Star
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Foreign reserves rise to 28-month high of $82.9 billion
The gross international reserves climbed to $82.9 billion in February, the highest in 28 months, boosted by the inflows from the foreign exchange operations of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.
— Manilastandard.net
Unemployment at 5.2 pct, underemployment at 15.6 pct in January
The Philippines posted an unemployment rate of 5.2 percent and an underemployment rate of of 15.6 percent in January, government data released Thursday showed.
— ABS-CBN News
Senators nix last-minute changes in budget bill
CONCERNED senators said on Thursday the final version of the P3.7-trillion budget bill for 2019, having been “already ratified” by both chambers of Congress, can no longer be altered.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Employer of Singapore workers in salary protest owes us S$540,000, says company
Stargood Construction, the Singapore company whose workers staged a sit-down protest from Monday over salaries owed to them, in fact owes main contractor Shimizu Corporation about S$540,000 (RM1.6 million), the latter said yesterday.
— Malay Mail
Parliament: Big push to grow Singapore’s food and water resources to ensure survival in the face of climate change
With global warming heralding new threats, resource scarcity will be the new normal.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
Government accepts Land Transport Master Plan 2040 recommendations
The Government has accepted the recommendations of the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 advisory panel, Acting Minister for Transport Vivian Balakrishnan announced during the Committee of Supply (COS) debate on Thursday (Mar 7).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Heatwave, water shortages forecast this dry season
Temperatures in some areas are expected to hit 42°C this dry season, with farmers already being warned to prepare for a prolonged water shortage.
— Bangkok Post
Constitutional Court orders dissolution of Thai Raksa Chart party
A court in Thailand on Thursday ordered the dissolution of a major political party ahead of this month’s general election because it nominated a member of the royal family to be its candidate for prime minister.
— Pattaya Mail
Gov’t Weighs Songkran Booze Ban
Each year calls to ban alcohol during Thai New Year’s festive and watery days grow louder, and this year health officials say they’re want to make it a reality.
— Khaosod English
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam electricity prices to rise by 8.36 pct this month
The Ministry of Industry and Trade says electricity prices will go up 8.36 percent starting this month to cover rapidly rising costs.
— VnExpress
Vietnam placed among the most optimistic countries globally
Vietnam slides to fourth among the most optimistic countries globally in the final quarter of 2018 from the second ranking in the previous three months, in terms of positive consumer index.
— Vietnam Insider
“Vietnam’s farm product exports will face difficulties this year”
At the Vietnam Agricultural Production and Consumption Promotion Forum 2019 in Ha Noi, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Xuan Cuong, stated that the consumption of farm products is expected to face difficulties this year, as there will be increased competition in the global market.
— Fresh Plaza
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 8 added by Digital Editor on
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