Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Asean-Japan Centre promotes tourism services trade in Asean
The Asean-Japan Centre (AJC) organised a seminar on promoting trade in tourism services in Asean at Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort and Spa, Thailand from November 30 to December 2. This is the fourth seminar of a series of seminars on promoting services trade.
— Eleven Myanmar
Asean lawmakers see challenging year for human rights advocates
An organization of incumbent and former lawmakers from Southeast Asia working for the protection and promotion of human rights on Sunday described 2017 as a “challenging year for human rights advocates” in the region, citing gross and blatant violations committed by some members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), including the Philippines.
— Inquirer
Is India leaning toward ASEAN to counter China’s OBOR?
India is gearing up to host the ASEAN-India connectivity summit this week. Unsurprisingly, India will be partnering with Japan, which has started to occupy a central place in India’s Act East Policy.
— NewsBytes
ASEAN India Connectivity Summit begins in New Delhi
The ASEAN India Connectivity Summit (AICS) begin in New Delhi on Monday. The theme of the two-day Summit is Powering Digital and Physical Linkages for Asia in the 21st Century.
— The Indian Awaas
Why Asean must integrate fast
RELIABLE reports since the start of this year indicate the economic competition between China and the US (and its allies) for global supremacy has intensified and will, of course, be expected to escalate in the next five years.
— The Manila Times
Siah Hwee Ang: Asean beyond 50 – a market for Kiwi businesses
Like the European Union, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) is a grouping of diverse countries. But Asean has been around for a longer time than the European Union.
— Business Day
Commentary: Great expectations for ASEAN will meet internal contradictions in 2018
In the Golden Jubilee year of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a generous accounting of its achievements this past year would call its track record a mixed one at best.
— Channel News Asia
Strengthening public and private partnership after Asean
The ASEAN chairmanship is successful because of the partnership between the private and the public sectors. For us in the ASEAN Business Advisory Council, we have partnered with government agencies and private companies in order to stage the conferences and the meetings we had for the past year.
— Philstar
With a coordinated spectrum plan for radio, ASEAN countries can secure radio’s digital future
ASEAN regulators can use the experiences of the countries that are already rolling out DAB+, and, do it even better in this populous and tech savvy region, says Joan Warner, Vice-President of WorldDAB and CEO, Commercial Radio Australia.
— Asia Radio Today
PNP lifts gun ban in Ilocos after successful ASEAN forum
Following the week-long Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) forum on urban resilience in this city, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has lifted the suspension of all Permits-to-Carry-Firearms-Outside-of-Residence (PTCFORs) on December 9.
— Inquirer
Reducing marine debris in the ASEAN region
According to the first World Oceans Assessment, marine debris pollution is one of the fastest – growing threats to the health of the world’s oceans. ASEAN nations are among the biggest sources of marine waste. As a result, a conference on maritime waste management in the ASEAN region was held for the first time in Thailand. Our correspondent has more details.
— News Today (video)
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Human Rights Day celebrations kept to a minimum amid fears of crackdown
Civil society and union leaders took their celebrations of Human Rights Day indoors yesterday, citing fears of being branded as colour revolutionaries.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Ex-CNRP officials file politics ban challenge
Senior members of the now-dissolved opposition CNRP have filed a complaint to the Supreme Court asking that it reopen last month’s dissolution case to allow them to submit evidence, even though there is no legal recourse for appeal of a decision by the highest court.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Moving House in Cambodia Not so Easy (video)
When most people say they are moving house they call in a removalist to pack and/ load boxes of personal possessions and household furniture onto a truck for transport to their new abode. In Cambodia, moving house does not necessarily mean the same thing.
— AEC News today (video)
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Indonesia seeks to impose import duties on intangible goods
Indonesia is looking to impose import duties on intangible goods, such as electronic books and software, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia to stop services to miners who fail to pay taxes
STARTING on January 1 next year , the government will stop providing services to mining companies that failed to pay their taxes for 2017, the Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry’s Mineral Resources and Coal Director General Bambang Gatot Ariyono has said.
— The Nation
Garuda still targets $3.1b in revenue despite flight cancellations
National flag carrier Garuda Indonesia still appears confident it can collect between US$3.1 and $3.2 billion in revenue this year, despite having canceled about 100 flights because of the eruption of Mount Agung in Bali.
— The Jakarta post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Extreme poverty remains issue among vulnerable populations: WB
Among countries with high levels of extreme poverty, Laos needs to invest more in basic education and promote financial inclusion while strengthening social assistance and resilience to accelerate poverty reduction, the World Bank has said.
— Vientiane Times
High-level dialogues, agreements hailed as Laos-Russia cooperation broadened
Cooperation efforts and the already close ties between Russian Federation and Lao People’s Democratic Republic had broadened in several aspects in the past 12 months, Ambassador to Laos Mikhail Baranov informed the nation’s news media Friday.
— Vientiane Times
Laos, Switzerland Strengthen Cooperation
The 2nd bilateral political consultation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos and Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs was held in Vientiane on Dec 7 where both sides discussed ways to enhance the relations and cooperation between the two countries over years to come.
— Lao News Agency
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia’s oil and gas players facing problems getting financing
Banks have been more cautious in their lending to the oil and gas (O&G) sector in recent years, forcing some to venture abroad, a report in The Edge Malaysia said.
— Free Malaysia Today
United Nations Adopts Malaysia’s Resolution Of Moderation
Malaysia created history at the United Nations (UN), when the world body adopted Malaysia’s resolution of moderation at its 72nd session of the General Assembly, here, today.
— Malaysian Digest
McDonald’s Malaysia denies any links to Israel
The Malaysian franchise of McDonald’s Corp said it was “disappointed” with calls on social media to boycott the fast-food restaurant chain in apparent retaliation against the US’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel.
— The Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Can an economic corridor hold the solution to the Rohingya crisis
China proposed the construction of a Y-shaped China-Myanmar Economic Corridor. The plan will deepen the bilateral cooperation between China and Myanmar.
— Asean Today
Rohingya Activist: ‘Rohingya Are Not Safe Anywhere’
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution this week condemning “the ethnic cleansing” of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar by that country’s military.
— WVIK
Myanmar launches diplomatic offensive
Myanmar has launched a diplomatic offensive as international criticism mounts over their treatment of the Muslim Rohingya. It is a three-pronged assault, aimed at the UN, combatting calls for renewed sanctions and an effort to engage the international community in plans for the reconstruction and reconciliation of Rakhine.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Duterte wants 1 more year of ML in Mindanao
President Duterte has approved the recommendations of security officials and will seek a one-year extension of martial law in Mindanao to contain terrorism and other threats to public safety.
— Philstar
Tax reform to create 500K jobs, lift 250K out of poverty
The proposed Comprehensive Tax Reform Program (CTRP) will create about half a million jobs over the next half-decade and could lift up to 250,000 Filipinos out of poverty over the same period, an official of the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said.
— Malaya
Exclusive: Philippines Defied Experts’ Advice in Pursuing Dengue Immunization Program
As she announced in January 2016 that the Philippines would immunize one million children with a new dengue vaccine, the nation’s then health secretary Janette Garin boasted it was a world-first and a tribute to her country’s “expertise” in research.
— US News
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore is already a smart nation, GovTech minister says
People are not necessarily aware of how smart Singapore already is, said Minister-in-charge of the Government Technology Agency (GovTech) Janil Puthucheary as he took stock of the year’s progress in advancing the country’s Smart Nation ambitions.
— Channel NewsAsia
Singapore and Shandong to grow cooperation in three key areas
Singapore and Shandong have agreed to work towards increasing trade and investments in the three areas of food products, modern services, and energy, Senior Minister of State for Communications & Information and Health Chee Hong Tat said on Sunday (Dec 10), following a four-day trip to the province.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Traffic Snarls No Problem For Singapore’s Rapid Deployment Troops (HD video)
The five-month-long battle to recapture Marawi in the Philippines after Islamic militants stormed the city serves to adequately highlight the need for the rapid deployment of security forces at times of threat.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
4 Seconds to Death on Thailand’s Deadly Roads (HD video)
As Thailand heads into what is traditionally promoted as one of its two deadliest periods on its already deadly roads, a tragic video has emerged of a freak road death in Kamphaeng Saen District in Nakorn Pathom Province, central Thailand.
— AEC News Today
B520bn rail projects prepped for cabinet
The Transport Ministry has prepared rail projects worth more than 520 billion baht as it plans seeking cabinet approval for the work early next year.
— Bangkok Post
PM content with economic measures, November CCI
Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has lauded the government’s economic policies after the Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) hit a 33-month high in November.
— News Today (video)
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam to cut costs, rules for firms
THE PRIVATE business sector in Vietnam is vital for the economy, however, obstacles and challenges remain, which can only be overcome through the combined efforts of policymakers and business leaders next year.
— The Nation
Vietnam plans to raise over $570m through IPOs in energy firms
Vietnam hopes to raise a total of more than $570 million by selling stakes in an oil refinery, an oil distribution firm and a power company, the government website said on Saturday.
— DealStreetAsia
Vietnam police arrest ex-politburo member over misconduct
Vietnamese police arrested on Friday a former top Communist Party official suspected of misconduct while he was chairman of the main state energy firm, the first former politburo member to face prosecution in decades.
— Nikkei Asian Review
See here for more of today’s Vietnam Morning News
Asean Morning News is the most comprehensive selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. All articles are hand curated by the team at AEC News Today. It is published M-F by AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.