Asean Morning News
Compiled by AEC News Today @aecnewstoday
Booming Southeast Asian vehicle sales drive urban congestion
Vehicle sales in Southeast Asia are set to outpace all other regions of the world during 2017, according to industry research, highlighting surging economic expansion in some parts of the region.
– THE FINANCIAL TIMES
Asean digital and internet technology sees explosive growth
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), with a population of 622 million and a projected gross domestic product (GDP) of US$2.5 trillion (RM10.7 trillion) last year, is the seventh largest global economy.
– New Straits Times
China ‘strongly dissatisfied’ with G7 statement on East, South China Seas
China spokesman said G7 and other nations should refrain from taking positions, after the group called for a demilitarization of ‘disputed features.’
– VnExpress.net
More ASEAN banks eye PH investments
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Deputy Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. said banks from three ASEAN countries are keen on scouting for investment opportunities in the country.
– Manila Bulletin
Pressing need to conclude RCEP as soon as possible
TWO important meetings by Asia Pacific trade ministers have taken place in Hanoi – one an attempt to revive a free trade deal and the other to take stock of another trade agreement still being negotiated. Both are mega deals.
– The Star Online
Trouble in paradise: Three Asean nations live up to future no-go tourist list!
In November last year, three Asean nations made it to an Aussie list of future no go countries with a potential rise in terror attacks and a rise in nationalistic-cum-religious fervour barring tourists from visiting them.
– The Independent
Crucial for Islamic banks to consider merger
The merger of Islamic banking units in Malaysia is crucial as the market is becoming overcrowded with the players hungry for growth, outgoing BIMB Holdings Bhd group chief executive officer Datuk Seri Zukri Samat proposed.
– BorneoPost Online/ Bernama
ASEAN invites young filmmakers to commemorate 50 years of ASEAN
The ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting on Youth (SOMY) has announced the 3rd Annual ASEAN Youth Video contest focused on the theme of “What does 50 Years of ASEAN Mean to Youth?”
– The Manila Times
Agribusinesses can help ASEAN achieve the SDGs
From ending poverty and hunger to responding to climate change and sustaining our natural resources, food, and agriculture. agribusinesses can make a major contribution towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Southeast Asia.
– Eco-Business
Three Thai sites make Asian landmarks top 15 list
Three Thai landmarks have made the list of top 15 travellers’ choice landmarks in Asia this year, as determined by TripAdvisor, the world’s most popular travel site.
– Bangkok Post
Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App
See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App
Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Cambodia Asian Business Networking Night Finds Most Happy
While inbound foreign investment to Cambodia might have taken an almost $1 billion, or 22 per cent whack in 2016* compared to 2015, a 43 per cent year on year (YoY) increase in new construction projects in the first four months of this year is set to counter that.
– AEC News Today
BSP Moves Into Cambodia
In a historic move, Bank South Pacific (BSP) has established a presence in Cambodia – to provide asset finance.
– Post Courier Online
Pi Pay goes cashless with app
Cash may be king in Cambodia, but Pi Pay Asia is banking on rising smartphone penetration and an arsenal of digital payment solutions to help dethrone it.
– The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News >>>
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Alsons plans energy investment in Indonesia
ALCANTARA-LED Alsons Consolidated Resources, Inc. (ACR) is eyeing Indonesia for the expansion of its energy portfolio as part of a bid to grow into a regional energy player and amid the immense potential offered by the Asean economic integration.
— The Manila Times
High-Ranking Auditors Nabbed in Bribery Case Sting
Indonesia’s Corruption Eradication Commission, or KPK, nabbed high-ranking auditors from the Supreme Audit Agency, or BPK, and several other government officials during two separate sting operations in Jakarta on Friday (26/05) for alleged involvement in a bribery case, the commission’s deputy chairman said.
– Jakarta Globe
Indonesia’s ’Pro-Apple’ Local Content Rule Irks Smartphone Rivals
Another sudden regulatory change in Indonesia is baffling foreign companies, this time over the mandatory use of local components in fourth-generation smartphones sold domestically.
— Netral English
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News >>>
Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App
See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App
Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Konglor looking to benefit from Asean tourism standard
The Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism is preparing to present the Asean Community Based Tourism Standard to Konglor village in Laos’s Khammuan province in September.
— Vientiane Times
Japan Provides JPY 46 million of Grant Aid to Laos
The Japanese government has provided JPY 46 million (US$ 414,676 ) of grant aid for the Project for Improving the Lower Secondary School Environment in the Central and Southern Provinces in Laos.
— Lao News Agency
Works underway for Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway
Works are being carried out to complete a feasibility study and other details around a planned Vientiane-Vangvieng expressway, an official in charge of the project has said.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News >>>
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
DOE stops RM1.2b ‘Dubai of Malaysia’ project
The Department of Environment (DOE) has issued a stop-work order on the RM1.2 billion mixed development Aman Laut development project in Kuala Kedah.
— Malaysiakini
Technology Park Malaysia comes of age
Technology Park Malaysia (TPM) Corp Sdn Bhd, which started its incubative programme in 1996 with just space leasing for engineering based companies in the Bukit Jalil technology park, has evolved over the years to nurture and aid the growth of companies from the ideation stage up to commercialisation.
— The Sun Daily
MACC’s mission against graft must include 1MDB case
The MACC deserves to be commended for intensifying the battle against corruption.
— Malaysiakini
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News >>>
Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App
See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App
Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Drought may destroy summer paddy
Summer paddy crop grown in Pwintphyu and Salin townships in the Magwe Region may be damaged if it does not rain until the end of the month, said farmers last Thursday.
– The Myanmar Times
SCB’s aim remains high in Myanmar
ALTHOUGH Siam Commercial Bank is yet to get a foreign-bank licence in Myanmar, it has broadened its support to banking professionals in that country, according to Kamalkant Agarwal, head of international banking at SCB.
— The Nation
Vulpes launches Myanmar-focused tech VC fund
Singapore-based Vulpes Investment Management Pte Ltd has announced the launch of a Myanmar-focused venture capital (VC) fund to invest in early-stage technology companies.
– Deal Street Asia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News >>>
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Business as usual for Mindanao banks
Philippine banks are business as usual despite the decision of President Duterte to declare martial law in Mindanao early this week due to the attacks carried out by the Maute group in Marawi City.
– The Philippine Star
Former national security chief bares Hapilon formed a more violent, extreme terror group in Marawi
Former National Security Adviser Norberto Gonzales said that the Marawi situation is “very, very serious” and “dangerous” as the Abu Sayyaf leader Isnilon Hapilon had managed to merge a combination of forces numbering between 400 to 700 from the Maute group, the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG), and the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) in his campaign to establish a caliphate in Mindanao.
– Eagle News
NEDA: Mindanao crisis is a ‘serious’ situation
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), the country’s premier socio-economic planning body, highly regarded as the authority in macroeconomic forecasting and policy analysis and research, said the ongoing unrest in Lanao del Sur is a “serious crisis” situation and its impact on the economy would largely depend on how things pan out.
– Manila Bulletin
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News >>>
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee
Changi Airport reaches 1 billion passengers milestone
Changi Airport has handled more than 1 billion passengers since it opened on Jul 1, 1981, the airport said in a media release on Monday (May 29).
— Channel NewsAsia
SIA eyes to diversify bond issuances
Bloomberg reported that as Singapore Airlines Ltd. considers broadening its debt sources amid plans to spend $30.1b ($22b) some analysts are pointing to the likelihood of a shift to U.S.-dollar bonds and the higher borrowing costs that may entail.
— Singapore Business Review
Thailand to take on Singapore with S$7.9 billion airport overhaul
Thailand is seeking to take on Singapore’s dominance in aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul with a US$5.7 billion (S$7.9 billion) upgrade of a Vietnam War-era airport.
— Today Online
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News >>>
Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App
See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App
Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Fast-tracked EEC poses ‘risks environment, social unrest’
ACADEMICS and experts have warned of worsening environmental problems, unrest among affected people and violations of the Constitution after the junta passed an order using the sweeping Article 44 of Interim Charter to shorten the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process for the new Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
– The Nation
Charter amendment to be tabled at Monday’s assembly
The National Reform Steering Assembly (NRSA) will discuss a proposal to amend the country’s highest law every 10 years.
– NNT
Tariff for import duty dodgers
The government is imposing an anti-circumvention tariff on cheap imported products that dodge anti-dumping duties.
– Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News >>>
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Vietnam prepares for opening of petroleum market
Vietnamese petroleum companies have enough time to build facilities and develop networks to prepare for competition with foreign distributors once Vietnam opens the petroleum market, experts say.
– VietNamNet Bridge
Government fails in downsizing efforts
The Vietnamese Government has failed to downsize its large staff, with the number of officials continuing to increase.
– Viet Nam News
VN e-commerce developing quickly
E-commerce in Viet Nam is more developed than some Southeast Asian countries and is poised to expand in coming years, according to a market research company.
– Viet Nam News bizhub
See here for more of today’s Vietnam Morning News >>>
Introducing The AEC News Today Mobile App
See full details, including our AEC News Today Mobile App Privacy Statement here: Stay up to Date With The AEC News Today Mobile App
Download the AEC News Today mobile app from Google play or the App stores by clicking the icons below.
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.
Asean Morning News For May 29 added by Digital Editor on
View all posts by Digital Editor →