Advertisement

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

TTM: Single-entry visa for CLMVT nations coming ‘sooner rather than later’
A singe entry visa for five countries in the South East Asia region is set to happen “sooner rather than later”, delegates at Thai Travel Mart have been told.
– Travel Weekly

Singapore ranked 1st in Asia and 7th worldwide in Global Innovation Index 2017
Singapore maintained its global top spot in the Innovation Input Sub-Index and gained three positions in the Innovation Output Sub-Index to rise to the 17th position.
— Open Gov

Tech advancements in SEA driving demand for IoT
The rapid technological developments in Southeast Asia have led to great demands for IoT technologies, according to a recent survey from Asia IoT Business Platform.
— Telecom Asia

HSBC invests US$250m in new TRX headquarters
HSBC Bank Malaysia Bhd is building a new US$250 million headquarters in Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) here.
— The Edge Markets MY

3 out of 4 Singapore CEOs confident amidst uncertain global economy
Many CEOs are still broadly confident about global economic prospects. However, this optimism has dipped from 80 percent last year to 65 percent this year, according to KPMG International’s 2017 Global CEO Outlook.
— Networks Asia

FAFTA braces for battle against Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership
Hyderabad: A coalition of farmers unions, trade unions and civil society has chalked out a strategy to wage fight against Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.
— The Hans India

Revise clauses in Asean FTA to save dairy sector: Min
Thiruvananthapuram: The state government has demanded a revision of clauses in the proposed free trade agreement – Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) treaty – to be framed by Asean (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), ‘which will adversely affect Kerala’s dairy sector’.
— Times of India

Ubial wants sustained fight vs dengue despite 32% drop in cases this year
The Philippines has shown a nearly one-third decrease in dengue cases this year compared to the previous year but there should be no let up in the country’s efforts to reduce the number of cases, according to Health Secretary Dr. Paulyn Jean B. Rosell-Ubial.
— Philippine News Agency

Statement of the Network of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand (NIPT) at the 7th AWG-SF Conference
ASEAN Working Group on Social Forestry (AWG-SF) Chairperson, distinguished delegates from the ASEAN Member States, distinguished guests, participants, CSOs and indigenous brothers and sisters, I bring greetings on behalf of indigenous representatives, forest dependent communities and civil society organizations (CSOs) from Thailand who were part of the 6th CSO Forum on Social Forestry in ASEAN (9-10 June 2017) held here in Chiang Mai.
— Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact

Talk of US-China war is premature – here’s why
It is indeed difficult to predict the future of relations between Asean and key major powers. However, what we can legitimately request and expect is that these relations be based on rules and principles accepted by all parties.
— The Nation

PH to host 1st Asean Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit
THE Philippines will host the 1st Asean Electric and Hybrid Vehicles Summit on June 29 to 30, 2017 as a side event to the country’s hosting of the Asean Leaders’ Summit this year.
— The Manila Times

S-E Asia PE deal value surges 42%
The overall value of private equity deals in South-east Asia hit US$7.8 billion (S$10.8 billion) last year – 42 per cent up on 2015 although the number of transactions fell, EY said yesterday.
— The Straits Times

Vietnam disparages China’s completion of military outposts in disputed waters. But so what?
China plows ahead with its island-building spree while continuing to wield economic and military clout in the region.
— VnExpress International

ASEAN 2017 Dialogues: ‘One ASEAN, Safer Together’
During today’s volatile and uncertain times, ASEAN’s importance in building a secure community has never been more paramount. Under the ASEAN Security Community Plan of Action (ASC), ASEAN Member States engage in bilateral cooperation with one another while recognizing the sovereign rights of the Member States to pursue their individual foreign policies and defense arrangements.
— Philippine Information Agency

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Government Launches Its Ambitious 10-Year Financial Plan
The government distributed a 109-page report on its strategy to develop the country’s financial sector over the next 10 years at an official launch event on Thursday, making ambitious proposals to improve a wide array of sectors across the economy.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

No end date set for railway line linking Cambodia and Thailand
The Ministry of Public Works and Transport (MPWT) will hold a meeting with the Banteay Meanchey provincial governor later this week to discuss the status of a railway line linking Cambodia’s capital to neighboring Thailand.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Japan firm backs plan for cassava fuel plant
Representatives of Japanese petroleum firm Idemitsu Kosan Co Ltd met with the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME) earlier this week to discuss potential plans to invest in a cassava processing plant that would convert the agricultural stock into ethanol fuel, according to a release from the ministry yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News >>>

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Indonesia launches web monitor to keep check on food price inflation
In a move designed to help keep food prices stable and inflation in line with official targets, Indonesian officials have launched a website to monitor the prices of the 10 main food commodities.
— Food Navigator Asia

Indonesia emerges as Vietnam’s largest auto exporter
Indonesia overtook Thailand as Vietnam’s biggest exporter of cars under nine seats in May, said the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
— VietNamNet Bridge

BPS: Non – Oil and Gas Exports Increase by 6.37 Percent
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reports that non – oil and gas exports in May hit US$13.02 billion or increased by 6.37 percent on a month-on-month basis and 23.34 percent increase on a year-on-year basis.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News >>>

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro   @cara_nav

Ten Projects Need Investors
Vientiane Capital requires overseas investment in 10 projects in response to the Government’s sustainable development direction, a senior official has said.
– Lao News Agency

New service fee regulation to boost SME, selected sectors
A newly-approved Presidential Decree on Service Fees is set to give a significant boost to Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) and other promoted sectors, the government spokesman has said.
– Vientiane Times

Rice Transplantation Reaches About 9 Percent
Rice transplantation in the main rice growing season across the country is reportedly about 9 percent complete out of a total area of over 800,000 hectares.
– Lao News Agency

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News >>>

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

US moves to recover stolen 1MDB funds; Malaysia govt replies
US authorities on Thursday (Jun 15) moved to seize another US$540 million in assets allegedly stolen in Malaysia’s multi-billion-dollar 1MDB fraud and used to fund extravagant spending, the Justice Department announced.
— Channel NewsAsia 

Malaysia ranks 37th in Global Innovation Index
Malaysia is ranked 8th in Asia and 37th worldwide in the Global Innovation Index (GII) 2017 report released by Cornell University, INSEAD, and the World Intellectual Property Organisation on Thursday.
— The Star Online 

Malaysia 2018 Budget deficit likely in target of -3% of GDP, says CIMB Research
CIMB IB Research said Malaysia’s path of fiscal consolidation remains on track, with the 2018 budget deficit likely to be in the ballpark of this year’s target of -3.0% of gross domestic product.
— The Edge Markets 

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News >>>

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro   @cara_nav

Commerce ministry prepares to set up bank of export and import
The Commerce Ministry is planning to set up a bank capable of assisting exporters and importers to help boost the country’s overseas business activities.
– Eleven Myanmar

Dry port sets hopes on Belt and Road
The country’s first dry port will be built near Myitnge, in Amarapura township, Mandalay Region, and join the Belt and Road network, said U Myo Win, general manager from Myanma Railways (Upper Myanmar).
– The Myanmar Times

150 foreign companies expected to invest $1.7bn in Thilawa SEZ
The Ministry of Commerce expects about 150 foreign companies to invest US$1.7 billion in the Thilawa Special Economic Zone, located in southern Yangon Region, when it is completed.
– Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News >>>

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

PHL in bottom third of global digital competitiveness ranking
THE PHILIPPINES placed 46th out of 63 economies in a global ranking on digital competitiveness conducted by the International Institute of Management Development (IMD).
— BusinessWorld Online

Remittance inflows slow down in April
After hitting record monthly levels in March, cash and personal remittances from overseas Filipino workers slipped in April, hitting their lowest levels in 15 months primarily due to the repatriation of workers from Saudi Arabia, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

NGCP, First Balfour sign P1.7-billion Hermosa-San Jose transmission line project
THE National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) recently awarded to First Balfour Inc. the contract to construct the P1.699-billion Hermosa-San Jose 500-kiloVolt transmission line project.
— Business Mirror

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News 

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Singapore exports down 1.2% in May, second straight month of declin
Non-oil domestic exports (NODX) in Singapore fell by 1.2 per cent in May over the same time last year, according to statistics released by trade agency International Enterprise (IE) Singapore on Friday (Jun 16), continuing its slide from the previous month.
— Channel NewsAsia

Singapore Exchange to Trial Blockchain Verification for Diamond Trading
Singapore Diamond Investment Exchange (SDiX) is working with Kynetix, which develops blockchain-powered commodity marketplaces; and Everledger, which uses the tech to track the trade of diamonds. The three firms are working on an authentication proof-of-concept aimed at creating verifiable trails for precious stones.
— CoinDesk 

Singapore ranks 7th in global innovation index
SINGAPORE was ranked seventh among the world’s most innovative countries and first in South-east Asia, according to the Global Innovation Index 2017.
— The Business Times 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News >>>

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

Probe under way to determine the origins of 347,000 seized SIM cards
Technology crime police were sent to Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo province to trace the origins of the 347,000 SIM cards found in the possession of three Chinese arrested in this border province on June 11 together with about 500 mobile phones.
– Thai PBS

IoT tipped to soar to Bt34 bn in 3 years
TRANSPORT and logistics along with services enabling smart cities are expected to be the key industries driving Internet of Things (IoT) technology in Thailand to an estimated value of Bt34 billion within three years.
– The Nation

Jury’s out on coup’s dividends 
“I used to pay 30% in bribes for every project, now I only pay 15%. That is pretty good! especially considering that nowadays, unlike before, once you pay you are done,” says Julpas Kruesopon.
– Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News >>>

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro   @cara_nav

Three SEZs expected to attract more investors
Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said the plan on setting up three special economic zones (SEZs), including Van Don in Quang Ninh province, Bac Van Phong in Khanh Hoa and Phu Quoc in Kien Giang, would be submitted to the National Assembly for approval by the end of the year.
– VietnamNet Bridge

VN looks to improve bidding transparency
The bidding grievance handling mechanism needs to be renovated to ensure transparency and keep pace with the country’s rapid international integration, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dao Quang Thu said yesterday.
– Viet Nam News Bizhub

Grim future awaits Vietnamese railway sector
Contrary to the robust growth of the road and air travel sectors, Vietnam’s railway industry has been gradually losing market share, easing into a reputation as a less attractive option for individual passengers, and logistics and transportation companies alike.
– Tuoi Tre News

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.

Advertisement