Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Asean’s online economy seen reaching $50 billion this year
Southeast Asia’s Internet economy, spanning online travel to ride hailing, will reach $50 billion this year, putting it on a solid trajectory to grow fourfold by 2025, according to a joint research report by Google and Temasek Holdings Pte.
— Business Mirror
ASEAN, UN hold workshop on law of the sea
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), in cooperation with the United Nations (UN), is holding a workshop on the Law of Sea for government officials and diplomats in the Southeast Asian region to address maritime issues.
— Antara News
Govt, Asean in talks to take IMT highway up to Vietnam
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), has 10 member nations Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Cambodia.
— DD News
Singapore to host 6th Asean-EU Business Summit in March 2018
SINGAPORE will host the upcoming annual Asean-EU Business Summit on March 2, 2018, and it will coincide with the Asean Economic Ministers’ meeting with the European Union (EU) trade commissioner, said the EU-Asean Business Council (EU-ABC), the European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore (EuroCham), and the Singapore Business Federation (SBF) in a joint release on Tuesday.
— SG SME
‘ODISHA CAN BECOME GATEWAY TO ASEAN’
The Orissa High Court’s decision to dispose of a case pertaining to setting up 13 non-major ports along Odisha’s 480-km-long coastline would further boost the prospects of port infrastructure, bring in investment, create thousands of jobs and also add to the revenues of the State exchequer, said Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (ASSOCHAM) secretary general DS Rawat while unveiling a study “Indian ports sector: Challenges of scale and efficient operations,” at a Press conference here on Tuesday.
— The Pioneer
ASEAN, East Asian economic integration
United States President Donald Trump ended his five-nation, eightday tour of Southeast and East Asia at the East Asia Summit (EAS) in Manila last month. In addition to participating in the ASEAN, APEC and EAS meetings, Trump also held one-on-one meetings with several leaders from the region.
— The Jakarta Post
ASEAN, Australia Human Rights Commissions to foster closer relations
The ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) went on a study visit in Sydney and Canberra, Australia, on 4-7 December 2017. Mr Leo M. Herrera-Lim, Philippine Representative to AICHR and Chair of AICHR in 2017, led the delegations.
— Asean
Role for Asean in North Korea issue?
THE year 2017 unfolded with much activity on the Korean peninsula. The year saw around 20 ballistic missile launches and what was dubbed the most powerful nuclear test to date by the Democratic Republic of Korea (DPRK). Rhetoric and bluster flared between the leaders of the DPRK and the United States.
— New Straits Times
India to connect with Asean via cruise tourism
India will connect with Asean countries through cruise tourism and a new cruise port is being built in Mumbai for this, Road Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said on Monday.
— SME Times
One Belt One Road: implications for ASEAN connectivity
The ASEAN Master Plan for Connectivity (AMPC) and China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have major shared goals. Both envisage transport connectivity as a way of bringing countries closer together, improving access to trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
— Asia Times
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
EU Halts Funding to Cambodia’s National Election Committee
The European Union on Tuesday said it is suspending financial assistance to Cambodia’s National Election Committee, citing the dissolution of the main opposition party by the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen ahead of general elections next year.
— Radio Free Asia
Ethnic Vietnamese in Phnom Penh resigned to document purge
Ngoc Yoeung, 78, has lived in Cambodia his entire life. But yesterday, he and dozens of other ethnic Vietnamese residents reported to immigration police at the Borey Roungroeng Market on Chroy Changvar, where they were stripped of their only forms of legal documentation.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodian-Americans Protest at White House Against Democratic Decline
The protest was led by several former lawmakers from the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was dissolved by court order in November.
— VOA (video)
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Garuda Indonesia Needs Rp2.7tn Loan
State airline Garuda Indonesia needs a loan of US$200 million or approximately Rp2.7 trillion to increase its capital expenditure next year.
— Tempo
Indonesia to ban products violating national standard requirements
The Trade Ministry has announced the results of goods and product inspection throughout 2017, based on the Indonesia National Standard (SNI) and manual and guarantee card (MKG) requirements.
— The Jakarta Post
Australia-Singapore Cable lands in Indonesia
Australia’s Vocus Communications has announced the launch of its Australia-Singapore Cable (ASC) in Indonesia, in conjunction with landing partner XL Axiata.
— Telecomasia
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
China’s aid a matter of life and death for Laos
When Xi Jinping last month visited the Lao capital of Vientiane, the Chinese leader broke ground on a new health facility that will replace the decaying French colonial era Mahosot Hospital, built in 1903.
— Asia Times
Comba Telecom To Invest $110 Million In Laos To Build 4G Network
Hong Kong-listed telecommunications equipment maker Comba Telecom Systems Holdings said its Laos-incorporated subsidiary ETL plans to invest up to $110 million to build up its own 4G service network in the southeast Asian nation.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Lao nationals arrested crossing border with Bt98m
CUSTOMS officials on Tuesday discovered more than Bt98 million in Thai banknotes in a car that was trying to cross the border into Laos.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Elections won’t change stable business climate in Malaysia: Treasury Secretary-General
Entrepreneurs need not worry about how Malaysia’s looming elections will affect the business environment as it is a stable country with a stable government and “nothing will change”, Treasury Secretary-General Irwan Serigar told Channel NewsAsia on Tuesday (Dec 12).
— Channel News Asia
Malaysian development company seeks license to develop hydropower in Nepal
Ludhiana Holdings Sdn Bhd is seeking a survey license from the Nepal Department of Electricity Development to begin developing the 300-MW Jawa Jumla hydropower project on the Tila River, located in Karnali Zone, Nepal.
— Hydro World
PT2SB signs financing agreement for Malaysia oil storage terminal
Dutch oil and chemical storage company Royal Vopak said that PT2SB, a joint venture between it and Malaysia’s Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas), Dialog Group Berhad and the Malaysian state of Johor, had signed a $1.25 billion financing agreement with a syndicate of 9 banks for an oil storage terminal.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
US business chiefs scope out Myanmar deals
A team of 37 executives from 14 leading US companies met with representatives of the Union of Myanmar Federation of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) at the latter’s office last week to deepen bilateral economic relations and to seek new joint ventures with local firms.
— Eleven Myanmar
Japan’s Kamigumi plans bulk terminal at Thilawa Port in Myanmar
The joint venture between Kamigumi and Myanmar’s Lluvia is expected to be established in April 2019.
— Lloyd’s List
eVisa Myanmar Now Offering Online Visa Applications
Traveling to other countries can often require a visa, which requires a visit to the nearest embassy or consulate of that country. But now, eVisa Myanmar is seeking to make the visa application simpler and more convenient.
— Digital Journal
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Duterte wants refund, accountability from Sanofi
PRESIDENT Duterte wants French pharmaceutical firm Sanofi to be held accountable in connection with the dengue vaccine controversy, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.
— Malaya
Underemployment rate improves, but number of jobless Pinoys higher
Nearly a million underemployed workers were able to get decent work as of October, according to the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda).
— BusinessMirror
What’s in the New Pakistan Naval Voyage to the Philippines?
A closer look at the interaction within the broader context of ties.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore’s electric car-sharing program hits the road
Singapore launched on Tuesday its first large-scale electric car-sharing program through which the land-scarce city-state hopes to provide commuters with more transport options and steer them away from the need to buy their own cars.
— Reuters
Singapore is no longer on the list of the world’s 20 most expensive cities to live in : Report
It’s good news for expatriates looking to make their way to Singapore.
— Business Insider
Australia-Singapore Cable lands in Indonesia
Australia’s Vocus Communications has announced the launch of its Australia-Singapore Cable (ASC) in Indonesia, in conjunction with landing partner XL Axiata.
— Telecom Asia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
FTA talks set to resume as EU restores relations
THAILAND is expected to resume negotiations with the European Union on a Thai-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) after talks were suspended more than three years ago following the 2014 coup, according to top officials.
— The Nation
Two nabbed on e-cigarette charges
Two suspects were arrested for allegedly selling online electronic cigarettes via Facebook in Khlong Luang district yesterday.
— Bangkok Post
Thai PM says no trade with North Korea, ahead of US envoy’s visit
No trade takes place between Thailand and North Korea, Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha said on Tuesday (Dec 12), ahead of an expected visit by a US envoy seeking to step up pressure on North Korea over its weapons programmes.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
VN affirms its commitment to multilateral trading system
Viet Nam commits to the multilateral trading system and is ready to cooperate with other World Trade Organisation (WTO) members on WTO issues.
— Bizhub
Vietnamese travel firms raise concerns over ‘cost-free’ tours
Vietnamese travel firms have launched cost-free tours, copying a promotional model commonly used by airlines, to both domestic and outbound destinations. Offers include taking tourists to the U.S. at half the normal price via ‘budget packages’.
— Tuoi Tre
Remittances to hit 5.2 billion USD this year
Overseas remittances to Ho Chi Minh City is expected to total 5.2 billion USD this year, up 4.5 percent year-on-year, said an official of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).
— VietnamPlus
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.