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Asean Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam    @kongleaphy1

Investment between Southeast Asian countries reached record US$24 billion in 2016 says ASEAN-UNCTAD report
Investment between firms in the 10 member States of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) rose to a record US$24 billion in 2016 thanks to increased financial strength and cash holdings, as well as a growing drive to internationalize their operations, according to this year’s investment report for the region.
— UNCTAD

Asean needs to ‘raise green investment by 400% a year’
In dollar terms, about US$3 trillion (S$4.1 trillion) in green investment is needed between 2016 and 2030, said the study, Green Finance Needs In Asean, which was undertaken by DBS Bank and the UN Environment Inquiry into the Design of a Sustainable Financial System.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

Duterte hands over Asean chairmanship to Singapore PM
President Rodrigo Duterte on Tuesday night turned over the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) to Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who congratulated the Philippines for being an “excellent host.”
— Inquirer

ASEAN pact on migrant workers aligned with Senate bills
A senator on Wednesday lauded the signing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Consensus on the Protection of the Rights of Migrant Workers saying that it will “complement” pending Senate bills to benefit overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
— Inquirer

ASEAN anti-cybercrime declaration calls for united front
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) adopted the ASEAN Declaration to Prevent and Combat Cybercrime on Monday, November 13.
— Rappler

Asean concert chaos: Venue for 6K but 27K showed up
The unexpected turnout and snowballing chaos forced officials to cut short an outdoor music festival held in Makati City, which was earlier advertised as a “breather” to cap the country’s hosting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit.
— Inquirer

ASEAN leaders commit to fight malnutrition, drug-resistant infections
The leaders of Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states have agreed to align their initiatives to end all forms of malnutrition and thwart antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the region.
— GMA News Online

Asean: ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’
An opposition lawmaker on Wednesday slammed leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) who “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” and act oblivious to human rights violations right in their neighborhood.
— Inquirer

East-West Center Releases New, Updated ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN State and Congressional District One-Pagers
The East-West Center along with co-sponsor the Congressional Caucus on ASEAN launched the newest edition of the ASEAN Matters for America/America Matters for ASEAN state and congressional one pagers, part of the East-West Center’s Asia Matters for America initiative (www.AsiaMattersforAmerica.org), on November 8, 2017 at an event on The US and Southeast Asia on the Eve of President Trump’s Visit.
— Huffpost

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Cambodia Deploys Security Forces Ahead of Court Ruling on Opposition Party
Cambodia’s government is building up the presence of security forces across the country in anticipation of a public outcry in response to a court decision that could see the main opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) dissolved in the lead up to next year’s general election.
— Radio Free Asia

Cambodia former opposition leader announces return
Former Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy announced his return to politics on Wednesday after resigning as head of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) earlier this year.
— Bangkok Post

MFI lenders hedge safer bets after limit on rate of interest
The number of borrowers from microfinance institutions (MFIs) decreased by 5 percent during the third quarter of this year compared to the same period last year, a trend that industry insiders claim is due to operators attempting to strengthen the quality of their loans and to the impact of the 18 percent interest rate cap.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Ministry Amends 13 Coal Contracts; 18 More before Next Year
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has amended 13 coal business contracts (PKP2B), and plan to amend 18 more before the end of 2017.
— Tempo

IMF Projects Indonesia`s Economy to Grow 5.3 Percent in 2018
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects Indonesia`s economy in 2018 will reach 5.3 percent, or one percent lower than what the government targeted.
— Tempo

Indosat Ooredoo Obtains Net Profit of IDR1.09 Tln as of September 2017
Indonesia-based telecommunications company Indosat Ooredoo (ISAT.JK) has obtained net profit of IDR1.09 trillion as of the end of September 2017, up 29 percent compared to IDR845.4 billion in the same period last year.
— Netral News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Govt committed to recovering unpaid taxes
The government will strive to collect taxes owed by businesses after they failed to pay them during the first six months of this year, according to a government report.
— Vientiane Times

Amendments Proposed for Law on Intellectual Property
Minister of Sciences and Technology Boviengkham Vongdara presented at the ongoing 4th Ordinary Session of the National Assembly’s 8th legislature amendments to the law on intellectual property on Nov 15.
— Lao News Agency 

NA seeks radical changes to Law on Criminal Procedure
National Assembly members are pressing for amendments to the Law on Criminal Procedure in the hope it will resolve various problems that have arisen in the past.
— Vientiane Times

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam    @kongleaphy1

Malaysia seeks Chinese fillip to reach high-income status by 2020
The clock is ticking on Malaysia’s drive to become a high-income country by 2020, and it has turned to China for some extra momentum.
— Nikkei Asian Review

After Puchong pub blast, Malaysia dips in global terrorism index
Malaysia has slightly fallen in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2017 released today, following the Islamic State-linked hand grenade blast at a pub in Puchong last year.
— Malay Mail Online

Malaysia’s Land Policies and Administration Offer Useful Examples to Developing Countries
Malaysia’s success in reforming land policies and land administration can help other developing countries striving to better manage their resources, says a new World Bank report.
— World Bank

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam    @kongleaphy1

Tillerson Pledges $47M for Myanmar Refugees
Secretary of State Rex Tillerson announced on Wednesday that the US is committing a further $47 million dollars in humanitarian aid for refugees from Myanmar.
— Iosco Country News Herald (video)

Chevron says it will push for Myanmar human rights
US oil giant Chevron has responded to criticisms over its partnership with a government accused by the United Nations of ethnic cleansing.
— BBC

Broad-economic sanctions against Myanmar would not be advisable at this time: US Secretary of State
In a joint press release in Nay Pyi Taw on November 15, US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said broad-economic sanctions would not help Myanmar in solving the Bengali issue at this time.
— Eleven Myanmar

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Philippine gov’t, Facebook partner for ‘ultra high-speed’ broadband
The Philippine government teamed up with Facebook to build “ultra high-speed” broadband infrastructure, which would make the government virtually a 3rd major player in the telecommunications industry.
— Rappler 

Remittances drop by 8.3% in September amid Saudi repatriation
After hitting a 5-month high in August, remittances coursed through banks by overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) fell again in September this year.
— Rappler

China pledges P1B for Marawi rehab
CHINA has pledged 150 million renminbi (RMB) or about P1.15 billion in grants to the Philippines for the relief and rehabilitation of war-torn Marawi City.
— The Manila Times 

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

Singapore’s MAS announces US$19.8mil grant to promote AI, data analytics in financial sector
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) announced details of a new S$27million (US$19.84 million) artificial intelligence and data analytics (AIDA) grant under the Financial Sector Technology and Innovation (FSTI) Scheme.
— Digital News Asia 

A*Star scientists find new way to tackle drug-resistant tuberculosis
A group of scientists from the Agency of Science, Technology and Research (A*Star) has developed a new way to combat drug-resistant tuberculosis that will cut down the dependence on antibiotics in treating the disease.
— Today Online

60% of new private school grads found full-time jobs, average starting pay of S$2,550
Six in 10 graduates from private education institutions found full-time jobs within six months after graduating, drawing an average starting monthly pay of S$2,550, an inaugural employment survey has found.
— Today Online 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

Thailand’s internet freedom ‘in decline’
Thailand has been branded “not free” for internet freedom for the fourth consecutive year in the latest Freedom on the Net report.
— Bangkok Post

Happy Ending For Drowned Young #Thai Boy Caught on Camera
A dramatic video has emerged of frantic attempts by a Hmong hill-tribes man in the northern Thailand province of Chiang Rai to resuscitate a young Thai boy who drowned while playing near a small waterway.
— AEC NewsToday (HD video)

Somkid says 2018 marks turning point
Next year will be Thailand’s turning point, says Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak, as much-touted infrastructure projects, international broadband development and investment in the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) are scheduled to get started.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Vietnam launches government website for startups
Up to one billion U.S. dollars in venture capital awaits Vietnamese startups, Minister for Science and Technology Chu Ngoc Anh said on Tuesday at the launch of a government website for startups.
— Tuoi Tre

Vietnam inks gas purchase deals to boost supplies post-2023
Vietnam could receive a significant boost to its natural gas supplies as soon as 2023, allowing it to expand its power and petrochemical sectors, after signing two agreements during last week’s APEC summit to buy gas at home and from Indonesia.
— Reuters

Market principles kicking in as Vietnam’s ‘new driving force’
Next year is expected to bring a flurry of stock listings by Vietnam’s state-owned enterprises — a development executives say symbolizes the country’s shift from a government-led economy to one powered by market principles.
— Nikkei Asian Review

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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