Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Tackling I.S. in Asean
THE Islamic State (IS) has spread to Southeast Asia, combining its forces with local radical Islamist groups.
— New Straits Times
Bloc rallies Asean to keep product out of the weeds
THE Seaweed Industry Association of the Philippines (SIAP), being the lead group in the Asean Seaweed Industry Club, will capitalize on its network in Southeast Asia to gain support for its ongoing fight to keep carrageenan in the list of approved additives in organic food.
— Sun Star
Vietnamese firm to grasp opportunities from AEC
The ASEAN Economic Community has existed for two years, yet there are few signs of Vietnamese enterprises in this marketplace. This was the opinion of many participants in the seminar held recently in Hanoi as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.
— Vietnam Plus (media release)
SE Asia Records M&A Slowdown in H1: Report
The value of mergers and acquisitions in Southeast Asia shrank by 15 percent in the first half of the year due to the lack of business deals between countries in the region, a study from global merger and acquisition intelligence service Mergermarket showed on Friday (28/07).
— Jakarta Globe
Asean Belt and Road risks under scrutiny
China is signalling that it will not be splashing money indiscriminately along 65 Belt and Road nations from now on.
— The Star Online
China Woos ASEAN to Resolve Disputed Sea Without Outsiders
The Chinese government has called on Southeast Asian countries to prevent non-Asian countries from intervening in the resolution of territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
— The Maritime Executive
Hong Kong leader states hope for stronger ties with Southeast Asia ahead of first official trip overseas
Ahead of her maiden overseas trip, Hong Kong’s leader is hoping to strengthen the city’s ties with its Southeast Asian neighbours and learn from competitor Singapore.
— South China Morning Post
Asean and the South China Sea
THE foreign ministers of China and the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are expected to endorse the draft framework for a code of conduct in the South China Sea at the post-ministerial conference that kicks off in Manila on August 2 (Voice of American, July 25, 2017).
— The Manila Times
Phl makes headway to become Asean’s car, motorcycle hub
The Philippines is making headway in its goal to be a vehicle manufacturing hub in the region, posting stellar growth in both car and motorcycle production in Southeast Asia in the first half of the year.
— The Philippine Star
Baguio to join lighting of Asean landmark
BAGUIO City will join the historic lighting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) landmark on August 8.
— Sun Star
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Feature: Chinese company helps Cambodian eco-village reduce poverty
As the biggest foreign investor in Cambodia, China is an all-around partner tothe South Asian country, with cooperation ranging from the high-tech telecom network construction to specific agricultural technique for modern farming.
— XinHua
Cross-border beer: Thailand’s craft beer dream brewed in Cambodia
With small-scale beer production prohibited in their home country Thailand, Stone Head is a beer start-up taken across the international border to Cambodia for the purpose of survival.
— Channel NewsAsia
Young Business Leaders Recognized in Entrepreneur Awards
Five entrepreneurs in industries ranging from banking technology to dentistry were recognized for their leadership and innovation in a competition onSaturday.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia’s Largest Online Travel Startup Valued at $2 Billion
Traveloka Holding Ltd. raised $400 million in a funding round led by Expedia Inc. that conferred a $2 billion valuation on Indonesia’s largest online travel startup, a person familiar with the matter said.
— Netral News
Govt Begins Building Roads with Plastic Waste Mix in Bali
Government began to build roads using plastic waste mixed with asphalt in Jimbaran, Bali, on Saturday (29/7). Deputy coordinating minister of maritime affairs Safri Burhanuddin said that this technology is applicable to all roads in Indonesia.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia to import 75,000 tons of salt from Australia
The government has issued an import permit for state-owned salt producer PT Garam to import 75,000 tons of raw salt material from Australia. The salt will enter Indonesia through three ports on Aug. 10.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Japanese investment to bring jobs to nation’s south
More Japanese investors are seeking to locate factories at Pakxe-Japan SME Specific Economic Zone in Champassak province in moves set to generate hundreds of jobs for Lao people.
— Vientiane Times
Laos, Indonesia enhance wide-ranging cooperation
National defence and security, education, telecommunications, trade and investment, banking cooperation, public works and transport, and agriculture were major topics of discussion between Lao and Indonesian government officials last week.
— Vientiane Times
Son La, Lao provinces seek to enhance education cooperation
Vietnam’s northwestern province of Son La and northern provinces of Laos held a conference in Son La on July 30 to discuss measures concerning the intensification of their cooperation in personnel training.
— Nhan Dan Online
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Is Malaysia next after Sri Lanka falls knee deep in China’s debt trap
Sri Lanka has fallen knee deep in China’s debt trap after it invested billions of dollars in huge infrastructure projects – on China’s guidance and promises.
— The Independent Singapore
Developers’ shrinking unbilled sales not quite a concern
The contraction in unbilled sales in the past one year may not pose that much of a concern to property developers’ earnings.
— The Edge Market
Domestic Trade Ministry raids Muar businesses, seizes RM63,000 in pirated software
Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Ministry enforcement officers raided two businesses in Tangkak and Muar on July 24 and 25 and seized four computers and nine copies of suspected pirated software worth a total of RM63,000.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar to draw SMEs development strategy
Micro, small and medium enterprises in Myanmar would be encouraged on a very large scale to boost the nation’s economy under its first civilian government, according to a forum entitled, “SMEs development strategy: Issues and Solutions”, held on July 29.
— Eleven Myanmar
SMEs demand govt help
The Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry organised an SME (small- and medium-sized enterprise) Development Strategy Issue and Solutions Forum at its headquarters in Yangon this week.
— Eleven Myanmar
Myanmar exports 25 tonnes of garlic to India, Bangladesh
MYANMAR exported more than 21 tonnes of garlic worth US$5,629 to neighbouring Bangladesh via the Maungtaw border trade camp between 8 and 14 July, according to a report of the Ministry of Commerce released yesterday.
— Global New Light Of Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Remittances, BPO revenues seen to shield peso
The Bank of Tokyo – Mitsubishi UFJ Ltd. (BTMU) said steady remittances and revenues from the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector would continue to stabilize the peso amid the volatile global financial markets.
— The Philippine Star
Infrastructure spending exceeded budget in 1st half
Public spending on infrastructure during the first half rose 8.8 percent year-on-year to P249.1 billion and exceeded the program as the government built new roads and school buildings in June, the latest Department of Budget and Management documents showed.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Japan donates $2 million for Marawi rehab
THE Japanese government donated $2 million (about ¥222 million) to the Philippines to augment relief operations in Marawi City, where troops are fighting pro-Islamic State (IS) groups occupying the city.
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore flagged as a city to avoid for software engineers
Singapore has been flagged as a city to avoid for software developers by US-based software developer mentorship company, Codementor.
— The Independent Singapore
Singapore electricity sector to see shake-up with full liberalisation
THE future of Singapore’s electricity sector is starting to take shape as the country approaches the last leg of a long journey in the liberalisation of the market.
— The Business Times
Amazon Raids Singapore Market Ahead Of Australian Push
In what could be a preview of battles to come in Australia when Amazon makes its long-expected entry to the Down Under market, Amazon and Chinese player Alibaba are going head-to-head in an attempt to break into the Singapore e-commerce market.
— ChannelNews Australia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Don Mueang off-ramp closed for repairs
Travellers have been told to allow for at least three hours if they’re going from downtown Bangkok to Don Mueang airport by road as roadworks in the area get under way.
— Bangkok Post
Sixteen provinces currently affected by flooding
The Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation (DDPM) stated that 16 provinces are currently being affected by flooding, while predicting that more heavy rains are expected to arrive this weekend.
— NBT World (video)
Property investment rockets to B112bn in Q2
Thailand’s property investment in the second quarter topped 112 billion baht, driven by two transactions worth a combined 59 billion baht by billionaire Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi’s TCC Group that bought properties back from the funds.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam’s PM sets up new economic advisory board
The 15 members will advise the Prime Minister on long-term strategies and policy changes in difficult times.
— VnExpress
New wave of billion-dollar FDI projects hits Vietnam
On July 25, Korean Lotte Group and the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee signed a contract to construct Eco-Smart City in Thu Thiem New Urban Area.
— VietNamNet Bridge
Vietnamese firm to grasp opportunities from AEC
The ASEAN Economic Community has existed for two years, yet there are few signs of Vietnamese enterprises in this marketplace. This was the opinion of many participants in the seminar held recently in Hanoi as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.
— 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.
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