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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

‘We are losing control’: China’s ‘dangerous’ South China Sea plan almost complete
The battle for the South China Sea is heating up. Vietnam. Malaysia. The Philippines. All have drawn lines in the sandbars against China.
— News.com.au

China-ASEAN FTA gears up for next golden decade
At 8 o’clock in the morning, the Wanzhong International Wholesale Market in the border city of Dongxing was buzzing with merchants from China and Vietnam haggling amid endless arrays of goods from neighboring countries.
— Xinhuanet

ASEAN Outlook to solve South China Sea dispute?
This year marks one of the most important years for ASEAN’s geopolitical landscape.
— The Asean Post

Mixed year for Thailand in role as Asean chairman
Thailand achieved a great deal during its 2019 chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) under the theme of “Advancing Partnership for Sustainability”, yet there is still much to be done as the kingdom officially passes the baton to Vietnam today.
— Khmer Times

Indonesia rejects China’s claims over South China Sea
Indonesia said on Wednesday it rejected China’s claims over a disputed part of the South China Sea as “having no legal basis”, after two days earlier protesting to Beijing over the presence of a Chinese coastguard vessel in its territorial waters.
— Reuters

Why ASEAN financial safety nets seem inadequate in 2020
In the age interconnectivity, the risks of a regional or national financial crisis escalating into a global crisis are higher than ever.
— Asean Today

ASEAN, UN, Vietnamese New Year’s big resolutions
Vietnam officially assumed this Wednesday the presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and a non-permanent position in the UN Security Council for the biennium 2020-2021.
— Prensa Latina

‘China + 1’ hedge will keep Asean in spotlight
ASEAN is likely to see an acceleration in supply chain shifts in the coming year, as companies start pumping in more investment into the region.
— The Business Times

A Year of Multiple Standoffs, Few Solutions in South China Sea Dispute
China confirmed its lead this year in Asia’s biggest maritime sovereignty dispute by sending nonmilitary ships to waters normally controlled by other countries, allowing it to flex muscle without conflicts or diplomatic losses.
— VOA

Top leader’s message on Vietnam’s assumption of ASEAN, UNSC positions
Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong has sent out a message on the occasion of Vietnam’s assumption of the roles as the ASEAN Chair for 2020 and as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020 – 2021 tenure.
— Nhan Dan

ASEAN states resist incursions Editorial
If China is to be accepted as part of the Asia-Pacific community, it would be unwise to ignore growing concerns among countries across the region over its expansionism in the South China Sea.
— The Australian

New Year 2020 promises accelerated growth for e-commerce in Asia
E-COMMERCE emerged as a major disruptor over the past decade. The next year, however, will determine if the industry’s accelerated growth trajectory will start to decline or will continue unchecked for another decade.
— Tech Wire Asia

Rubber prices slightly decrease despite a powerful rise in exports
Cambodia experienced strong growth in rubber exports to foreign market during the first eleven months of last year, but their price suffered, down 0.3 percent compared with the same period in 2018, according to government official data released this week.
— Khmer Times

Vietnam’s PM extends New Year greetings to ASEAN leaders
Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Wednesday extended New Year greetings to leaders of countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), calling for joining hands to build and nurture the ASEAN Community towards prosperity and sustainable development.
— Xinhuanet

What Happens When an Airline Opens a Restaurant?
The Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur has more than 100 restaurants, cafes, and snack stands to meet every kind of craving.
— Bloomberg

ASEAN 2019 Year in Review: Part 2
2019 was a whirlwind of a year for Southeast Asia. The region experienced tragedies, achievements and faced many challenges in between.
— The Asean Post

Upcoming EPC, Retrofitting, Modernization & Expansion Project Tracker South East Asia Region – 2019
South East Asian countries’ commitment to spend more on infrastructure is vital in order to boost economic and social development through the improvement of basic necessities such as power, water and transport throughout the region.
— Yahoo Finance (media release)

That time of the year: A look back into the early stage funding rounds of December
The most exciting part about writing early stage funding announcement is seeing the variety of startups that are being invested in.
— e27

Southeast Asia Cloud Computing Market 2019 Industry Outlook, Comprehensive Insights, Growth and Forecast 2025
The Southeast Asia cloud computing market revenue is estimated to reach USD 40.32 billion by 2025 driven by the increasing demand for the cloud computing among the emerging small and medium size business organizations in this region.
— Bulletin Line

These later stage funding rounds of December are the perfect closure to the year 2019
There are reasons why the later stage funding rounds that we managed to cover in December are ground-breaking.
— e27

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem          @raksmey.aecnews

Gov’t to spend $8.2 billion this year
The government will spend more than $8 billion and take out $2 billion in foreign loans this year, according to the 2020 National Budget Law, which was made public on Tuesday after being signed off by King Norodom Sihamoni.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Mekong levels to drop as China conducts equipment tests
The Mekong River Commission on Tuesday reported dam equipment tests in China will affect water levels in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos in the middle of this month.
— Khmer Times

Unions Push Gov’t For EBA Talks As IMF Forecasts Serious Economic Risks
A week after the International Monetary Fund warned of serious downside risks to Cambodia’s economic outlook, trade unions in the country called on the government to work with the European Union to retain critical trade privileges.
— VOA 

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

Record Torrential Rains Paralyze Greater Jakarta Area, Killing at Least 14 People
Nonstop rains from Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday morning have caused flood and landslide that paralyzed Jakarta and the capital’s satellite cities in West Java and Banten, killing at least 14 people and displacing tens of thousand others.
— Jakarta Globe

19,109 residents evacuated following Wednesday’s flood
Floods that swept several parts of Jakarta on Wednesday morning forced a total of 19,109 residents to evacuate to higher grounds, Jakarta Governor, Anies Baswedan, said.
— Antara News

Indonesia Rejects China’s Claims over South China Sea
Indonesia said on Wednesday, January 1, it rejected China’s claims over a disputed part of the South China Sea as “having no legal basis”, after two days earlier protesting to Beijing over the presence of a Chinese coastguard vessel in its territorial waters.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem         @raksmey.aecnews

New opportunities for law firms as Laos’ economy seeks to diversify
WHILE the legal sector in Laos has a long-established focus on hydropower projects, it has seen growing demands from sectors like solar energy, real estate and tourism.
— The Business Times

Laos is on course to graduate from least developed country status
Past policies that have enabled Laos to meet the UN’s least developed country (LDC) graduation thresholds are no longer adequate to ensure sustainable development. The focus of future policies should be on fostering greater productive capacity, increased economic diversification and enabling a stronger business environment.
— East Asia Forum 

Sixth Vietnam–Laos–China ‘con’ festival wraps up
A ceremony was held in Muong Te district, the northwestern mountainous province of Lai Chau, on December 31 to wrap up the sixth Vietnam-Laos-China ‘con’ festival, themed “Colour of friendship”.
— Vietnam Plus

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Malaysia promotes digitalisation of economy
The Malaysian government will ensure the digitalisation of the economy will not leave anyone out of the mainstream of development, Minister of Finance Lim Guan Eng said at a tech conference on December 30.
— VietnamPlus

Despite police warning, Muslim students group proceed with anti-Dong Zong rally
Over 300 Muslim students gathered in a peaceful protest here today to simultaneously rally public support for jawi and demand the government ban Chinese educationist group Dong Zong for opposing plans to teach the script.
— Malay Mail

Delay in petrol subsidy plan to prevent heavy burden on taxpayers, says finance minister
Lim Guan Eng today explained the government decided to postpone rolling out its Petrol Subsidy Programme (PSP) out of concern an abrupt float of pump prices could hike living costs for those outside of the bottom 40 per cent.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Myanmar president calls for people’s participation in peace, development process
Myanmar President U Win Myint Wednesday called for the participation of people in their tasks of Union Peace, building a Democratic Federal Union and development programmes.
— Xinhua

Myanmar-Taiwan relations and the ‘China factor’
Might Myanmar-Taiwan relations get trickier due to the current presidential race in Taiwan and the incumbent Tsai Ing-wen’s relationship with Beijing regarding the “One China Policy”?
— Mizzima

MIA Holds Interaction With 28-Member Foreign Delegation On SME Financing
Mysore Industries Association (MIA) had organised an interaction with 28 executives, representing Ministries, Promotional Organisations, Government Departments and Banks of 20 countries, at the premises of MIA on KRS Road here this morning.
— Starofmysore

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

PH bars entry of 3rd U.S. senator backing De Lima release
A third US senator has been barred by the Philippine government from entering the country for his calls to release detained opposition Senator Leila de Lima.
— Rappler

Group sees ‘crony’ takeover of ABS-CBN
A labor group sees President Duterte’s threats against water companies and television network ABS-CBN as part of a supposed plan to favor his cronies and build a financial base for his political coalition in the 2022 elections.
— The Philippine Star

103 cities, towns still in the dark due to ‘Ursula’ – NDRRMC
As fireworks lit the evening sky when the clock struck 12 midnight Wednesday, 103 cities and municipalities in Visayas island and parts of southern Luzon remained in the dark without electricity due to typhoon “Ursula,” the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council (NDRRMC) bared.
— Tempo

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

S’pore’s 2020 Budget Statement to be delivered on February 18
The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced on Jan. 1 that Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat will deliver the 2020 Budget Statement in Parliament on Tuesday (Feb. 18).
— Mothership

Update to rules that deter discrimination against S’poreans in hiring practices
Rules that ensure bosses do not discriminate against Singaporean workers by hiring foreigners will be updated this year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Singapore fourth-quarter GDP growth picks up on services sector
ingapore’s economy expanded at a slightly faster pace in the fourth quarter, meeting expectations, as the services sector helped offset weakness in manufacturing, preliminary data showed on Thursday.
–Reuters

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

Thailand kicks off 2020 with plastic bag ban
Thailand began the year with a ban on single-use plastic bags at major stores, continuing a campaign launched by the government and retailers towards a complete ban in 2021 to reduce waste and debris in the sea.
— Reuters

Over 400 arrested for drink-driving in Kalasin province during holiday campaign
More than 400 people have been arrested for drink-driving in the northeastern province of Kalasin alone over the holiday period.
— The Thaiger

Provinces warned to brace for severe drought
Authorities have warned 31 provinces to prepare for severe drought this year.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

Vietnam exports 34Mt of cement and clinker in 2019
Vietnam is estimated to have exported 34Mt of cement and clinker, worth US$1.39bn, in 2019, reflecting a 6.25 per cent YoY increase in volume and 11.2 per cent YoY rise in value, according to the Department of Import-Export, under the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— Cemnet

Lack of legal framework on condotels has chilling effect on developers, buyers
It is also unclear as to how the construction of these kind of property was authorized, given the lack of legal framework governing it.
— The Hanoitimes

Finance industry rules Forbes Vietnam’s top 100
Forbes Vietnam’s list of 100 largest public companies has seen the dominance of banks, with 22 representatives ranked.
— VnExpress

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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About Asean morning news.

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