Asean Morning News
Compiled by AEC News Today @aecnewstoday
Will Obor really reach Southeast Asia?
China has dangled various rich infrastructure initiatives to the region, but few so far have commenced due to tussles over costs, labor and sovereignty
– Asia Times
Japan, New Zealand to Work Together to Revive TPP
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his New Zealand counterpart, Bill English, on Wednesday said they would work together to bring to fruition the Trans-Pacific Partnership, or TPP, even after the United States ditched the free trade pact.
– TEMPO/ Reuters
China’s Huge Dam Projects Choking the Mekong River
A river is born high in the Tibetan Plateau, before snaking its way 3,000 miles south and emptying itself into the South China Sea. On its journey, it passes through six countries, sustaining their ecosystems and local economies, its fisheries providing a lifeline for 60 million people in its lower basin.
– Chiang Rai Times
Japan’s space startups see promise in Southeast Asia
Japanese space startups are rapidly expanding in Southeast Asia, attracted by the wealth of opportunities in the region.
– Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Standard Chartered backs ASEAN firms
Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) expressed its strong commitment to supporting ASEAN companies to expand regionally and internationally at an investors meeting titled “Bridging ASEAN,” held on Tuesday in HCM City.
– Viet Nam News bizhub
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Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Cambodia surrogacy: Australian nurse Tammy-Davis Charles sent back to jail
Australian nurse and surrogacy broker Tammy Davis-Charles shook her head in dismay on Thursday when a court postponed a verdict at her trial in the Cambodian capital.
– The Sydney Morning Herald
China to give $240 million to Cambodia
China has granted $240 million aid to Cambodia under agreements signed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on a state visit to Beijing.
– Bangkok Post
Productivity cuts into growth
Cambodia’s GDP growth fell below the 7 percent mark for the first time since 2011 last year, signalling a need for the government to address the country’s low productivity and insufficient public infrastructure spending, according to a World Bank report released yesterday.
– The Phnom Penh Post
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Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Indonesia’s carmakers take aim at Australian market
When Indonesian President Joko Widodo met Toyota Indonesia vice president Warih Andang Tjahjono recently, one of the main topics of discussion was Indonesia’s export potential, with the country’s leader urging Toyota to try to ship more cars abroad.
–Nikkei Asian Review
Coal Exporters Should Fret as China, India Become Policy-Driven Markets: Russell
Coal exporters may be feeling more comfortable about their future as they see both reasonable demand from Asia’s top importers and prices which appear to be stabilizing at levels that allow for decent profits.
– Jakarta Globe
How Indonesia’s Bulog Struggles to Stabilize Food Supply
State Logistics Agency (Bulog) reached 50 years of age on 10 May 2017, a little more than two weeks before the start of the month-long Islamic fasting month on Ramadhan that starts on 27 May.
– Global Indonesian Voices
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Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
All children to have free healthcare in next three months
The Ministry of Health has confirmed that children will receive free healthcare at government hospitals within the next three months. The initiative is aimed at encouraging more parents to take their sick children to hospital and reduce the high rate of mortality among children under five.
– Vientiane Times
Germany to provide over 61 billion kip for education development
The German government will provide grant aid of over 61 billion kip (EUR 6.8 million) to contribute to educational development in Laos, with a focus on vocational training.
– Vientiane Times
Plans gather steam for railway linking Vientiane to Vietnamese seaport
Work is gearing up for the planned building of a railway to connect Vientiane to the Vung Ang seaport in Vietnam after the two countries agreed to move forward with the project.
– Vientiane Times
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Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Dual passport holders lose Malaysian citizenship automatically
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said Tuesday that a Malaysian who holds dual citizenship will automatically lose his/her Malaysian citizenship, according to New Straits Times Online report on Wednesday.
– Thai PBS
Fight corruption at all levels
From 2016 to last February, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission’s (MACC) records show that 665 investigation papers were opened involving civil servants.
– The Star Online
Capital requirement for ETF issuers to be eased by end 2017
By the end of this year, the minimum capital requirement for exchange-traded fund (ETF) issuers will be lowered from RM10 million to RM2 million, while futures-based and conventional commodity-based products will be introduced.
– The Edge Markets
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Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Agricultural exports fetch nearly US$300million over a month
Agricultural exports from 1st April to 5th May in the current fiscal year hit US$295.685million, an increase of over US $12million compared to that of the similar period last year.
– Global New Light Of Myanmar
Foreign firms allowed to import agricultural, medical and construction materials
The import of seeds, fertilisers, hospital equipment and building materials by foreign businesses will soon be permitted for the first time, U Khin Maung Lwin, assistant secretary from Ministry of Commerce, told The Myanmar Times.
– The Myanmar Times
Military Raids and Tortures Continues in Northern Maungdaw
Burmese Military arrested, tortured and abused Rohingyas in raids conducted in Ngasajuu (Naisafuru) and Hatgoijjafara village of Northern Maungdaw on 15th May 2017, reports a local.
– Rohingya Vision
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Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
China loans to Philippines raise fears
THE $6-billion official development assistance (ODA) obtained by the Duterte administration from the Chinese government has raised fears among some, who believe this might turn out to be disadvantageous to the Philippines rather than beneficial.
– SunStar
PH still the leading economy in Southeast Asia as GDP grows by 6.4 percent in Q1
Even though its growth slowed due to lack of election spending, the Philippine economy sustained its lead in Southeast Asia, according to official data released on Thursday.
– Manila Bulletin
Philippines economic growth outlook remains strong -c.bank governor
Philippine central bank governor Amando Tetangco said on Thursday that the outlook for growth remains strong even as the economy expanded less than anticipated in the first quarter.
– Reuters
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Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Why ThaiBev is expected to ditch its stakes in Frasers Centrepoint
ThaiBev could divest its stakes in Frasers Centrepoint as it focusses more on its food and beverage business.
– Singapore Business Review
Singtel group profit grows 2% in Q4
Singtel lifted its net profit for the fourth quarter by 2% to S$963 million ($692 million), as growth at home and a strong performance at Indonesian affiliate Telkomsel compensated for lower contributions from a struggling Bharti Airtel.
– Telecomasia
At least two NUS computers compromised in new attacks
A fresh round of cyber attacks has been made on National University of Singapore (NUS) computers, weeks after the discovery that hackers had broken into its networks – and those of the Nanyang Technological University – to steal government and research data.
– The New Paper
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Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Telecoms, media see profits slide
LISTED telecom, media and entertainment firms reported a drop in first-quarter net profit even though some of them recorded revenue growth, as their costs rose from both network installation and higher licence fees.
– The Nation
State big data system en route
The government plans to set up Thailand’s first big data state management system to help the state contend with fast-growing pools of data saved in a variety of formats.
– Bangkok Post
Junta eyes power to access private computer systems
Thailand’s junta is mulling a new cyber law that would grant authorities the power to access any private sector computer system, a tool they say is needed to defend against hackers.
– Coconuts Bangkok
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Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Tax, customs policies remain roadblocks to Vietnamese enterprises
While acknowledging the Government’s efforts in tax reforms, many enterprises say cumbersome tax and customs procedures are blunting the country’s advantage in low-price labour. Participants discussed this at a recent EuroCham workshop on changes in tax and customs regulations.
– VIETNAMNET Bridge
Citing growth, NA mulls oil output boost
The Economic Committee of the National Assembly said careful consideration must be given to increasing crude oil output to boost economic growth.
– Viet Nam News bizhub
Vietnam supports Russia’s investors in oil, gas sector
Vietnam will continue encouraging Russian oil and gas enterprises to expand investment in the country, said Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung.
– VietnamPlus/ VNA
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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.