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Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Asia-Africa-Europe 1 cable system launches
The consortium behind the Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1) subsea cable system has announced the launch of the new cable, with services commencing from Europe to far east Asia.
— Telecomasia.net

Alibaba to invest $1 billion into Lazada as Southeast Asia awaits Amazon
Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba is ponying up $1 billion to boost its stake in Southeast Asian online retailer Lazada, ahead of Amazon’s much-anticipated entry into the region.
— CNBC

Amazon killing Asean writers
Zieda Nazri, a young enterprising writer from Malaysia, speaks to us about the pitfalls of self-publishing in the country where arts and literature is in the veins of many but where only the few gets published.
— The Independent

Southeast Asia stocks follow broader Asia lower
Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended lower on Wednesday tracking losses in Asian peers following a weak handover from Wall Street, while Vietnam rose as consumer staples and utilities firmed up.
— Bangkok Post

Conclude regional agreement to protect foreign workers, says Malaysian Bar
The welfare of foreign employees can be enhanced if the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) formalises a decade-old declaration to protect and promote the rights of migrant workers, says the Malaysian Bar.
— Free Malaysia Today

What Did the ASEAN Trilateral Terror Meeting Achieve?
Last week, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines held a trilateral security meeting in Manila to discuss terrorism and extremism in the region. The engagement was the latest sign of emerging cooperation between the countries amid rising fears about Islamic State in Southeast Asia.
— The Diplomat

Taiwan cannot ignore trade benefits from markets beyond China, says premier
Taiwan cannot develop economic and trade ties only with China by taking advantage of shared cultural and language backgrounds, but should, instead, break through cultural and language barriers to explore trade and investment benefits from other markets, particularly the ASEAN countries, Taiwan’s premier Lin Chuan has said.
— Digitimes

Asean though its art
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Asean this year, the Japan Foundation Asia Centre is working with the National Art Centre Tokyo and the Mori Art Museum to present “Sunshower: Contemporary Art from Southeast Asia 1980s to Now” – the largest-ever exhibition of Southeast Asian contemporary art to be held in Japan.
— The Nation

ASEAN Super League would be ‘problem’ for Malaysia – FAM
The proposed ASEAN Super League (ASL) was shot down by a number of countries, including Malaysia, who could not envision its inception, due to an already gruelling domestic schedule.
— ESPN FC (blog)

Montgomery Fitch CEO Luis Arcangel to embark on ASEAN speaking tour
The CEO of global creative agency Montgomery Fitch has confirmed an upcoming keynote series covering Southeast Asia, with stops in Manila, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta and Yangon to further social entrepreneurship as a regional advocacy.
— Benzinga

Reflecting On ASEAN’s Contributions To Region And World – Analysis
ASEAN has come a long way since the five foreign ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand came together in Bangkok in August 1967 to establish an organization that would promote economic and social cooperation.
— Eurasia Review

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Sing Fuels Expects Growing Bunkers Sales Volumes in Cambodia, Eyes New Markets in Africa
Sing Fuels Pte Ltd. (Sing Fuels) is expecting to see growing bunkers sales volumes at its physical supply operation in Cambodia, and is eyeing expansion into other niche global markets, Sing Fuels’s General Manager Jeremy Long has told Ship & Bunker.
— Ship & Bunker 

UK to maintain Cambodia’s duty-free access
The British government has attempted to assuage the fears of least developed countries (LDCs) including Cambodia by assuring them that they will retain their trade privileges to the United Kingdom following the country’s exit from the European Union, something the International Labour Organization (ILO) has warned could put Cambodia’s critical garment and footwear industry on shaky footing.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

GDT officials work on tax treaty with Hong Kong
Cambodian tax officials met with their counterparts in Hong Kong last week as part of the first round of discussions for drafting a double taxation agreement (DTA) aimed at preventing dual taxation and fiscal evasion, the General Department of Taxation (GDT) said yesterday in a press release.
— The Phnom Penh Post 

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News 

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

TCE signs MoU with Indonesia for laying roads with waste plastic
The Centre for Solid Waste Management of Thiagarajar College of Engineering (TCE) here has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia to replace all its existing roads with ‘plastic roads’ between 2017 and 2025.
— The Hindu

Exclusive: Saratoga Group scouts for strategic partners, co-investors for Indonesia
PT Saratoga Investama Sedaya Tbk – one of Indonesia’s most active infrastructure, natural resource, and consumer sector investment company – has initiated talks with strategic investors for a co-investment partnership as it continues to bet big on rising opportunities in Indonesia.
— Deal Street Asia

Ministry, Moovit team join for public transport app
THE GREATER Jakarta Transportation Agency (BPTJ), part of the Transportation Ministry, has reached a deal with transportation app Moovit Indonesia to provide integrated information on public transportation in Jakarta and its neighbouring cities.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News 

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro    @cara_nav

Economy grows fast, progress slower toward livability in capital
The economy of Vientiane grew at an annualised rate of more than 10 percent over the past six months, yet the implementation of targets for making the capital an increasingly liveable city has seen slower progress, the city’s Mayor told councilors gathered in the capital.
– Vientiane Times

Sekong Expects Over 100 Households Electrified by Year’s End
More than 100 families in 10 villages of the newly relocated Kaleum district in Sekong Province are expected to have access to electricity by the end of this year.
– Lao News Agency

Lao gov’t, partners discuss priorities for trade, private sector development
Lao government officials and development partners met Wednesday in capital Vientiane to discuss medium term priorities for trade and private sector development in the country.
– Xinhua News Agency

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News 

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Alibaba spending US$1bil in Southeast Asia’s Lazada, including Malaysia
Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba Group Holding is investing an additional $1 billion in Southeast Asian online retailer Lazada Group, boosting its stake by nearly a third to 83 percent and amplifying its focus on the region. Lazada, founded in 2012, is headquartered in Singapore and also operates in Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
— The Star Online

NEM Foundation Opens First Blockchain Center in Malaysia
The NEM Foundation, creators of the NEM blockchain platform whose native cryptocurrency (XEM) is the sixth most valuable blockchain token in the world with a $1.5 billion market cap, today announced a strategic alliance with Australia’s Blockchain Global to expand NEM’s global reach.
— Finance Magnates 

Malaysia Halal Council to launch framework by year-end
The Malaysia Halal Council expects to launch its framework, focusing on empowering local halal companies, making them visible globally and increasing the participation of Bumiputera entrepreneurs by year-end.

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News 

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro     @cara_nav

Jade sector ranked 83rd among 89 countries assessed
An institution that ranks countries rich in natural resources has given failing or poor marks to the governance of Myanmar’s gemstone and oil and gas sectors.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar workers can now go to Malaysia
The Myanmar government will allow Myanmar migrant labourers to return to Malaysia after a six month work suspension by Malaysian authorities, according to Daw Khin Nwe Oo, the deputy director-general of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population’s Labour Department.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Ministry developing national agriculture development strategy
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Irrigation is in the process of drawing up a national agriculture development strategy and is expected to release it in August.
– Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News 

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

PH keeps Tier 1 ranking in human trafficking
The Philippines has maintained its Tier 1 ranking in the US State Department’s 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report (TIPR) after fully meeting the minimum standard for the elimination of human trafficking.
— Manila Bulletin

Philippines approves $6 bln worth of infrastructure projects
A Philippine government panel
led by President Rodrigo Duterte has approved 305.64 billion
pesos ($6.05 billion) worth of infrastructure projects aimed at
spurring one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.
— Nasdaq/ Reuters

More infrastructure work on launch pad
PRESIDENT Rodrigo R. Duterte is ending his first year in office on June 30 with more infrastructure and social service projects — cumulatively worth some P304.45 billion — readied for launch, having bagged final approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board in its meeting last Monday.
— BusinessWorld Online

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News 

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Blackstone’s S$900 million offer for Croesus seen as attractive
UNITS of Japanese mall owner Croesus Retail Trust (CRT) soared past Blackstone’s offer price to hit a record high after the US private equity firm made an offer for all the units in CRT.
— The Business Times 

S’pore companies well-placed to tap China’s halal market
SINGAPORE companies are well-positioned to venture into foreign halal markets, particularly China’s huge domestic market, according to market insiders.
— The Business Times

Netherlands and Singapore among leaders on education research
Smaller European countries such as the Netherlands and Asian city states like Singapore are among the world leaders in terms of high-quality education research, new data suggest.
— Times Higher Education 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News 

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

PHUKET VOWS TO BECOME THAILAND’S 1ST CORRUPTION-FREE PROVINCE
The governor of a popular island by the Andaman Sea promised to make it Thailand’s first province to end corruption after he signed an agreement with anti-corruption officials Tuesday.
— Khaosod English

Critics slam river tower construction 
Critics have slammed a 4.62-billion baht observatory tower project in the Klong San area, saying government-owned riverside land where the structure will be located will be set aside to serve the interests of the private sector.
— Bangkok Post

Media standards already drawn up, pre-empting proposed council
THE NATIONAL Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA)’s media reform committee has already drawn up media standards, even though the pending controversial media regulation bill would assign that duty to the professional media council, which has not yet been set up.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro    @cara_nav 

Visa invitation and guarantee procedures go online
The Ministry of Public Security’s Immigration Management Department will officially launch online invitation and guarantee procedures for Việt Nam-based agencies, organisations and enterprises applying for Vietnamese visa for foreigners on July 1.
– Viet Nam News

C&W: Vietnam Asia-Pacific’s next emerging market
Vietnam continues to slowly but steadily develop and will be Asia-Pacific’s next emerging market over the next five to ten years, according to the latest report from Cushman & Wakefield entitled “Betting on Asia Pacific’s Next Core Cities”.
– Vietnam EconomicTimes

Viet Nam’s imports and exports both rise in H1
The total import-export turnover of Viet Nam has reached nearly US$200 billion in the first half of this year, while the country’s trade deficit was $2.7 billion.
– Viet Nam News Bizhub

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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