Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Business will boost US ties with ASEAN even under Trump
American president’s bilateral deals partly compensate for his retreat from multilateralism.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
If EU can do it, why can’t we? Duterte challenges ASEAN
As the Philippines hands over its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to Singapore, its leader hopes that member-states of the regional economic bloc could aim for a “cohesive partnership.”
— Rappler
Southeast Asian Leaders Go Soft on China Over Disputed Sea
China and a group of countries in Southeast Asia are likely to talk briefly about a territorial dispute when their leaders meet next month.
— VOA
AirAsia partners with SATS to grow ground handling market across Asean region
Gateway services and food solutions provider SATS Ltd (SATS) and AirAsia Bhd (AirAsia), Asia’s leading low-cost carrier, recently formalised a ground handling partnership to capitalise on the fast-growing Asean region.
— The Borneo Post
Japan Tobacco keen on expanding presence, eyes PH as ASEAN hub – Dominguez
Japan Tobacco Inc. (JT Group), which recently bought homegrown Mighty Corp. and allowed the latter to pay a P30-billion tax liability to the Philippine government, is keen on expanding its business in the country, according to Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III.
— Interaksyon
The next industrial revolution and Asean
AS we press on to understand more deeply what the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) entails we will be faced with several leadership dilemmas. The so-called “revolution” that many are aspiring to, is not all roses as it is made to be, namely, in creating a better and a more equitable world as envisaged by the Post-2015 Agenda. For Asean, this dilemma can be even more glaring because of the inequitable state of affairs among its 10-member countries in almost all sectors.
— The Sun Daily
ASEAN and returning to Internal Security
Could Southeast Asia be turning the page on its inter-state disputes to focus on its internal ones? This is one theme that emerged from the recently concluded meeting of defense chiefs from all over the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Business World
Harnessing digitization to power up governance in Asean
As Asean celebrates 50 years of its establishment this year, one of its key achievements has been the formation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC)—a platform that enables the economic integration of its 10 member-states.
— Inquirer
Rethinking Asean’s approach to energy subsidies
Primary energy demand in South-east Asia is expected to grow by as much as 2.3 times by 2040. To meet this, it is critical that investments in the power sector are sustainable and properly planned.
— The Straits Times
India should engage more with Asean, increase aviation and maritime links: Vivian Balakrishnan
Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan pushed India to engage more with Asean and urged the South Asian economy to increase aviation and maritime links with the grouping through Singapore.
— The Straits Times
China’s Belt and Road Initiative to enormously benefit ASEAN: Cambodian officials, academics
China’s Belt and Road Initiative will greatly benefit the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), especially in infrastructure development, officials and academics said at a symposium.
— China Daily
South Korean-ASEAN links glow
During Korean Thanksgiving holidays in October, the airport was flooded with people leaving the country. So where were these people going? In fact, the number one travel destination for the South Korean people was once again, ASEAN. More than 600 thousand people travelled to ASEAN during the holiday. To South Korea, ASEAN is a close partner and neighbour, and the two sides have close co-operation and exchanges in a variety of areas.
— Vietnam News
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia expecting influx of Chinese investment
Cambodia should expect a massive influx of Chinese investment and development assistance given its geopolitical importance to Beijing and its favoured status under China’s “One Belt, One Road” initiative, policymakers claimed yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia plans to close all unofficial border crossings
Interior Minister Sar Kheng has renewed his demand that officials close all unauthorised entry points to Cambodia to prevent human and drug trafficking and other transnational crimes.
— Bangkok Post
Defying threat of sanctions, Cambodia calls on military to crush opposition
Cambodia’s defence minister has vowed to destroy an alleged “colour revolution”, while shrugging off the looming threat of international sanctions against the Hun Sen administration for its crackdown on the opposition.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Indonesia introduces monitoring system for futures market
The Trade Ministry’s Futures Exchange Supervisory Board (Bappebti) introduced a new system to monitor the futures commodity market to fight rampant illegal trading.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia sees 13.7 percent rise in Q3’s investment
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’s investment activities are becoming more eventful as total investment capital in the third quarter rose 13.7 percent to 176.6 trillion rupiah (over 13.3 billion USD), higher than 155.3 trillion rupiah (about 11.7 billion USD) in the same time last year.
— VietnamPlus
Earnings & Shares of Indonesian Coal Miners Improve on Rising Price
The rising coal price is a great boost for the corporate earnings of coal mining companies as well as the share prices of those companies that are listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange.
— Indonesia Investment
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos, China promote comprehensive strategic partnership
Laos and China are continuing to promote their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation and to contribute to development and closer people-to-people ties between the two nations.
— Vientiane Times
Govt takes over telecoms company
The government has assumed ownership of the telecom operator VimpelCom Lao Co., Ltd. in a US$22 million deal to purchase a 78 percent stake from a Russian investor.
— Vientiane Times
Laos, Germany review development cooperation
Government officials from the Lao PDR and the Federal Republic of Germany met in Vientiane yesterday to discuss achievements, challenges and the way forward in bilateral development cooperation.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysian data breach sees 46 million phone numbers leaked
A massive data breach has seen the customer data of more than 46 million mobile subscribers in Malaysia leaked on to the dark web.
— BBC
Malaysia Reopens 1MDB Case: A Return To Asia’s Biggest Corruption Scandal
The attorney-general of Malaysia has announced that investigations into the 1MDB scandal will reopen. It was thought that the police had concluded its investigation which caused significant business disruption across South-East Asia, but we may see more revelations going forward.
— Forbes
M’sia’s e-commerce has grown by 47%: Facebook
Malaysia’s e-commerce sector has grown by 47% from 2015 and is now worth US$2.41 billion (US$1=RM4.23), said Facebook Malaysia country director Nicole Tan.
— The Sun Daily
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Draft foreigner laws reincarnated as DICA announcement
ELEMENTS of the draft foreigner laws are back, in another form, to haunt businesses and investors.
— Myanmar Times
Thai footwear-maker to sign MoU with Myanmar workers
Thailand’s ADDA footwear company has agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for its over 500 Myanmar workers after they protested against an exorbitant pay cut from their monthly salaries.
— Myanmar Times
UN appoints Knut Ostby interim resident coordinator for Myanmar
The UN has appointed an interim resident coordinator for Myanmar to replace Renata Lok-Dessallien, who according to several sources has been removed from the position early as a result of her failure to prioritize human rights in the country.
— Coconut Yangon
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
PH ranking in ease of doing business slips from 99th to 113th
The Philippines’ ranking in the ease of doing business slipped to 113th this year from 99th last year across the 190 countries covered by an annual World Bank Group report.
— Philippine Daily inquirer
BOI approves $152,000 for cashew project in the Philippines
The Board of Investments recently approved the application of R-Ley Trading, based in Roxas, Palawan in the Philippines, as an expanding export producer of roasted cashew nuts.
— Fresh Plaza
Japan signs $6 billion worth of investment deals with the Philippines
President Rodrigo Duterte witnessed the signing of 25 agreements between the Philippines and Japanese firms that will potentially yield $6billion worth of investments for the country, said Trade Secretary Ramon Lopez on Monday.
— Fresh Plaza
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore opens new, high-tech airport terminal
Singapore’s Changi Airport opened a cutting-edge terminal Tuesday with a fully automated check-in system including facial scanning and computerised baggage drop points, but some passengers struggled with the new technology.
— The Nation
In Singapore, the race to dethrone cash as king of payments, with lessons from China
Mr Sahat Wahab’s nasi padang stall at Tiong Bahru Market is among the vast majority of its 80-plus stalls without a mobile payment option – this, despite a trial that concluded last year.
— Channel NewsAsia
September bank lending up 6.2% amid improved business sentiment
SINGAPORE’S total bank lending may be reflecting a lift in business sentiment, amid brighter economic prospects coming from the Republic.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thailand’s political activity ban stays for now: PM
Thailand’s military government on Tuesday said it will not yet lift a ban on political activity, despite a general election scheduled for next year and growing pressure from political parties to lift it.
— Reuters
Thai Sept factory output rises 4.21 pct y/y, beats forecast
Thailand’s industrial output rose for a third straight month in September on an annual basis, beating forecasts, helped by higher production of automobiles, rubber and electronics, showing the economy is growing steadily.
— Reuters
Prayut wants tax breaks renewed
Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha on Tuesday ordered the Finance Ministry to prepare tax breaks for year-end shopping to stimulate consumption.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
National Private Economic Development Research Board debuts
The National Private Economic Development Research Board made its debut in Hanoi on October 30.
— VietnamPlus
Vietnam spends $9.4bn on debts this year
VND79.9 trillion ($3.5 billion) was paid in interest and a further VND133.9 trillion ($5.9 billion) on principal, a General Statistics Office (GSO) report showed.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Vietnam fruit & veg export value increases 41% reaching $2.84bn
Vietnam witnessed a trade surplus of $1.23 billion so far this year, according to a report from the General Department of Customs.
— Fresh Plaza
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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