Asean Morning News For June 8

Asean Morning News

Compiled by AEC News Today @aecnewstoday

New age war on terror for Southeast Asia
When Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte declared martial law over the southern island of Mindanao to combat an Islamic State-linked militant attack on Marawi City, it marked the start of a new phase of Southeast Asia’s long battle with Islamic terrorism – one with dangerous new international dimensions.
– Asia Times

Operators fret over tourist nosedive from Middle East
The tourism industry in Southeast Asia may be hindered by a huge drop in tourist arrivals from the Middle East if the situation in Doha is not sorted in the short term.
– Bangkok Post

Singapore key to US-Asia relations: Congress leaders
Leaders of the bipartisan Congressional Singapore Caucus have stressed the importance of maintaining the close relationship between the United States and Singapore.
– The Straits Times

Malaysia’s CIMB, China Galaxy complete co-ownership deal of stockbroking business
Malaysian bank CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (CIMB), and China Galaxy Securities Co Ltd, have completed their co-ownership deal in CIMB Securities International Pte Ltd (CSI), the holding company of CIMB’s ex-Malaysia stockbroking business.
– Deal Street Asia

Moscow’s ‘look east’ policies could add muscle to Southeast Asia
Despite being cut short by a crisis in Mindanao, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte’s visit to Russia in late May highlighted warming ties between Moscow and some Southeast Asian countries. In total, 10 government-level deals were signed between Russia and the Philippines, including agreements on nuclear energy, agriculture and tourism, as well as commercial agreements worth close to $1 billion.
– Nikkei Asian Review

CHED-NIR launches ASEAN advocacy project in its 23rd Anniversary
The Commission on Higher Education-Negros Island Region (CHED-NIR) launched its ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nation) advocacy project dubbed “HiEd@#ASEAN2017” on its 23rd Founding Anniversary recently held in this city.
– Philippine Information Agency

Awards for being sustainable
Tourism operators in Southeast Asia who claim they are sustainable can prove it by entering the new ASEAN Sustainable Tourism Awards (ASTA), launched under the ASEAN’s Tourism Strategic Plan 2016 to 2025.
– TTR Weekly

Gold GST: Fears of Asean FTAs’ misuse likely again
The GST Council’s decision to subsume excise duty on gold and silver jewellery and articles in the new indirect tax could lead to a flood of gold and silver articles into the local markets from Asean nations with whom India has free trade pacts, trade lobbies and bullion dealers warned.
– Economic Times

Tata group conferred with the ASEAN-India Achievement and Excellence Award
The Tata group was felicitated with the prestigious ASEAN-India Achievement and Excellence Award by the ASEAN India Business Council (AIBC). The honour was given in recognition of the contribution made by the Tata group in strengthening bilateral economic relations between ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and India.
– India Blooms

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Paul Treacy @PaulTreacyPhoto

Dollar use hurting national economy
Dollarisation in Cambodia’s economy remains very high, leading to increased local costs and reducing the appeal of the Kingdom’s exports, Chea Serey, director general of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), said at a business conference in Phnom Penh yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Reps suspended after garment workers go on strike over voting day pay cut
Ten union representatives were yesterday suspended from the Southland garment factory in Phnom Penh’s Por Sen Chey district after more than a thousand workers went on strike to protest the factory’s decisions about time taken off for voting in Sunday’s commune elections.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Government Spokesman Admits to NGO Scare
Interior Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak’s pre-election warning that some NGOs and their leaders were being watched for illegally aiding the opposition was a threat designed to frighten them, General Sopheak said on Wednesday, as civil society groups warily condemned the statements.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)

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Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Tax Revenue Reaches Rp463.5tn in May
Finance Ministry recorded a tax revenue that reached Rp463.5 trillion in May, which is 30.9 percent from the 2017 State Budget target.
— Tempo

Bank Indonesia Provides Rp70 Trillion New Cash
Bank Indonesia (BI) Deputy Governor Sugeng stated that around Rp70 trillion of the new 2016 edition cash would be made available for those who wanted to change their money during Eid by the end of June.
— Tempo

Indonesia Urges Asean To Fight Against Plastic Waste
Coordinating Maritime Affairs Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan on Monday (05/06) called on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to increase cooperation in reducing plastic waste.
— Malaysian Digest

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Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Paul Treacy @PaulTreacyPhoto

‘Wombs for rent’ business flourishes in Laos
Dozens of fertility clinics have mushroomed in land-locked Laos after scandals over commercial surrogacy have spurred wealthier southeast Asian neighbours to ban the controversial procedure since 2015.
— Channel News Asia

Dam resettlement site gets electricity
A new settlement for villagers displaced by the soon-to-be-finished Lower Sesan II dam in Stung Treng province was connected to the electrical grid yesterday, despite the continued refusal of more than 100 households to relocate.
— The Phnom Penh Post

China Helps Enrich Biogas Use in Laos
The Lao Front for National Construction Training Centre, the Ministry of Commerce and China, in cooperation with the Biogas Research Institute of the Ministry of Agriculture of China organised a workshop on biogas management in Laos on Jun 7.
— Lao News Agency

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Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee

Najib: RM230m set aside to keep Haj costs down
Tabung Haji will set aside RM230 million this year to ensure the cost of performing the Haj does not go beyond RM10,000, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak announced. – See more at: http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/najib-rm230m-set-aside-to-keep-haj-costs-down#sthash.5Yn1faxm.dpuf
– Malay Mail Online

Report: Refugee children face ‘harrowing’ detention in Southeast Asia
From overcrowding to a lack of medical care, thousands of refugee children are languishing in “dangerous and harrowing” conditions in Southeast Asian detention facilities, according to two charities.
– Free Malaysia Today

Malaysia’s Export Surge Boosts GDP Growth – Najib
Malaysia’s export surge has boosted its gross domestic product (GDP) growth and spurred global confidence in its economy, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said.
– Malaysian Digest

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Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro @cara_nav

Military plane with 108 onboard missing
A military aircraft carrying 108 military and family members, including 15 children, has gone missing off the coast of Taninthayi yesterday, the military said last night.
– Global New Light of Myanmar

Emirates to launch Yangon-Phnom Penh flight on July 1
Emirates airline, winner of Trip Advisor Traveler’s Choice Awards 2017, will launch a flight between Yangon and Phnom Penh on July 1, according to a press release issued by the airline.
– Eleven Myanmar

Myanmar readies reforms to liberalize insurance market
Myanmar intends to release within three months a blueprint for insurance market reforms that include allowing foreign insurers to underwrite and sell policies, the head of state-run Myanma Insurance said here Wednesday.
– Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

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Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Paul Treacy @PaulTreacyPhoto

Low prices to pile more pressure on beleaguered nickel miners
Global nickel miners are coming under renewed pressure to cut costs or close capacity as a flood of cheap ore pushes prices to one-year lows, with analysts seeing little prospect of recovery.
— Daily Times

BPI systems glitch sparks depositors’ outrage
AYALA-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) was hit by a technical glitch on Wednesday, with clients complaining of their balances being wiped out or going negative.
— The Manila Times

SKorea offers $1B to fund PH infra projects
The South Korean government is offering up to $1 billion to finance Philippine infrastructure projects in 2017 to 2022, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said Wednesday.
— The Manila Times

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Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Singapore ranked 24th costliest city for expats
Singapore is now the 24th most expensive location in the world for expatriates, falling from 18th place last year. According to the latest Cost of Living survey published by ECA International, prices have risen Singapore since the last survey.
— Singapore Business Review

Moneysmart.sg closes $10.1m Series B led by Kakaku.com
Singapore-based online personal finance portal, MoneySmart.sg, today announced that it has raised S$14 million ($10.1 million) in a Series B funding led by Kakaku.com Inc.
— Deal Street Asia

Punggol Coast MRT Station to open in 2023, 7 years earlier than planned
With new housing estates and a 50ha mixed-use business district sprouting in Punggol North in a few years’ time, the authorities have brought forward the opening date of Punggol Coast MRT Station by seven years to beef up transport infrastructure in the area.
— Today Online

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Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Baht upheaval carries across industries
Agriculture, electronics, and food and drink have been hit hardest by the baht’s 6% year-to-date appreciation, according to Asia Plus Securities (ASP).
– Bangkok Post

700 SIM cards registered by fingerprint scanning in first five days
Altogether 700 newly-bought pre-paid mobile phone SIM cards have been registered by means of fingerprint scanning during the first five days of registration as part of the security measure to prevent the SIM cards being misused by illegal elements.
– Thai PBS

Online content providers will have to register with regulator
THE National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) has taken its first step in regulating over-the-top (OTT) content on social media platforms by requiring popular content providers to register with the agency.
– The Nation

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Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Cara Navarro @cara_nav

VN placed 6th in 2017 Global Retail Development Index
Vietnam has jumped five spots to the sixth place in the 2017 Global Retail Development Index (GRDI), released by the United States’ management consulting firm A.T. Kearney on Monday.
– Viet Nam News Bizhub

Visa exemption for Western European visitors to be extended
Visa exemptions for visitors from the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain who intend to stay in Vietnam no more than 15 days, will be extended from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018.
– Vietnam Times

New international container route goes through Quang Ninh
Cai Lan International Container Terminal (CICT) announced the launch of a new route for container vessels ACS Cai Lan connecting India, Malaysia, Singapore, Viet Nam, China and the Republic of Korea on Tuesday.
– Viet Nam News Bizhub

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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.