Asean Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
China’s Cooling Economy is a Warning for ASEAN
The S&P downgrade last month was just the latest sign of lingering concerns about Beijing’s economy.
— The Diplomat
Scope for growth in NZ, ASEAN trade
The ASEAN’s emergence as an important trade ally of New Zealand is well known. However, trade between the two regions as a share of NZ’s total trade has remained fairly stagnant over the last decade.
— Bluenots
Asean transport ministers sign deal to reduce transport costs
Singapore is hosting the 23rd Asean Transport Ministers Meeting and associated meetings with Asean dialogue partners China, Japan and South Korea from Thursday to Friday.
— Taiwan News
Asean to boost land, sea, air links in region
Asean will be drawn even closer together as member states take steps towards forming a single shipping and aviation market, while making it easier for buses to move between borders.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
KL, Manila, Jakarta launch joint Sulu Sea air patrols
Malaysia launched trilateral air patrol operations with Indonesia and the Philippines yesterday to combat militancy in the Sulu Sea.
— The Straits Times
Asean anti-poverty NGOs honoured
TWENTY non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and corporations, one of each from every South-East Asian country, were honoured for their efforts in poverty eradication at the third Asean Leadership Awards on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication.
— The Star Online
UNDP, PDRF, QBO unveil top 20 startups qualified for ASEAN-wide pitch
Twenty startups compete at Slingshot ASEAN 2017 for best innovation solutions on disaster resilience for a chance to win USD10,000
— Manila Bulletin
Indonesia to moot new ASEAN intelligence sharing to track militants
Indonesia will propose a broad intelligence-sharing initiative among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to deal with the rising threat of radical Islamist militants, its Defence Minister Ryamizard Ryacuda said on Thursday.
— The Hindu
Heavy traffic expected in parts of NCR on Sunday due to ASEAN convoy dry run
Heavy traffic is expected in several parts of Metro Manila this Sunday, when authorities hold their third convoy dry run in preparation for the 31st Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in November.
— GMA News Online
MGCC launches inaugural Asean IN Award
The Malaysia Global Chamber of Commerce (MGCC) will be holding the first Asean IN Award 2017 in December to recognise innovation among start-ups and entrepreneurs, and to groom them for further success.
— The Edge Markets
Lao noodle franchise stretches out to Asean
A LEADING Lao noodle franchise is enthusiastically seeking ways to open noodle restaurants in more than five Asean countries over the next 10 years, after taking its Sep Eeli brand restaurant to Phuket.
— The Nation
Royal Enfield expands in ASEAN with foray into Vietnam
Royal Enfield has entered Vietnam, the world’s fourth largest two-wheeler market. In line with its strategy to expand globally in the midsized motorcycle segment (250-750cc), the Chennai-based motorcycle manufacturer today inaugurated its first flagship store in Ho Chi Minh City.
— Auto Carpro
South Korea’s Moon Jae In to visit South-east Asia
South Korean President Moon Jae In is scheduled to visit Indonesia, Vietnam and the Philippines next month as he sets about expanding his country’s diplomatic ties beyond the major powers.
— The Straits Times
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Cambodia deports 74 Chinese arrested for telecom extortion scams
Cambodia on Thursday deported 74 Chinese nationals wanted in China on suspicion of extorting money from people there over the internet and by telephone, Cambodian police said.
— Reuters
More airlines to vie for crowded skies
At least five new passenger airlines are preparing to launch Cambodia-based operations within the next year, effectively doubling the number of local carriers and raising the level of competition on domestic and international routes.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Hun Sen Moving Toward One-Party Rule, UN Envoy warns
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen is moving his country toward one-party rule, a special U.N. envoy suggested Thursday, warning that civil and political rights in Cambodia are deteriorating rapidly, with deeply worrying implications for forthcoming elections and the future of democracy in the country.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
National Startup Summit aims to attract 5,000 participants
Organizers of the National Startup Summit 2017 aim to attract 5,000 participants nationwide to the event scheduled to be held at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD in South Tangerang, Banten from Dec. 7 to 9.
— The Jakarta Post
Kadin Indonesia Eyes Potential Cooperation with Laos in Labor Intensive Industry
Indonesia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia) said it would target potential investments in neighboring countries. Some ASEAN countries become mainstays in some sectors of labor intensive, education, and food and beverage industries.
— Netral News
Mining Minister Estimates Freeport Indonesia Worth $8 Billion
Indonesia’s mining minister said on Monday he estimates the local unit of Freeport-McMoRan Inc , operator of the giant Grasberg copper mine, to be worth $8 billion, amid talks over the divestment of a majority stake in the unit.
— Jakarta Globe
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos, Indonesia ink five agreements during PM’s Visit
Laos and Indonesia have committed to work together with five agreements signed on the occasion of Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith’s visit to Indonesia yesterday.
— Vientiane Times
Laos interested in Indonesian weaponry, fertilizers
Indonesian Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated that Laos party was interested in buying the primary weaponry defense systems and fertilizers from Indonesia.
— Antara News
Laos, Vietnam Signs Agreement Strengthening Forest Protection Cooperation
Laos and Vietnam have signed an agreement to strengthen cooperation on forest protection, forest law enforcement, controlling and preventing illegal timber-related trading and wildlife smuggling.
— Lao News Agency
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
No plans to have ambassador in North Korea: Malaysian foreign minister
Malaysia has no plans to have an ambassador in Pyongyang after it recalled one earlier this year over tensions with North Korea, said Malaysia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anifah Aman on Thursday (Oct 12).
— Channel News Asia
New Minimum Wage Policy For East Malaysia To Be Ready By 2018
A new minimum wage policy will be finalised by mid-2018 to bridge the income gap between the Peninsula and East Malaysia to address the high cost of living in Sabah and Sarawak.
— Malaysian Digest
Malaysia’s household income still growing but at a slower pace – MARC
The country’s average monthly household income as well as the median monthly household income (the middle value) continued to grow in 2016, said Malaysian Rating Corp Bhd (MARC), but at a slower pace compared with the Statistics Department’s previous survey (2012-2014).
— The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar’s Suu Kyi prioritizes repatriation of Rohingya Muslims
Myanmar leader State Counselor Aung San Suu Kyi Thursday said her government will prioritize for repatriation of displaced Rohingya Muslims who recently fled the strife-torn Rakhine State across the border into Bangladesh.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Illegal paddy exports putting rice mills out of business
In Mandalay Region, which is one of the main paddy producers of Myanmar, almost every rice mill has shuttered due to illegal direct paddy exports, according to the regional Rice Millers Association.
— Myanmar Times
Singapore firm to launch limousine services in Yangon
Singapore-based Strides Transportation signed a joint venture agreement on October 12 in Yangon to provide limousine services in Myanmar’s commercial capital in early 2018.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
40 European firms set sights on PH renewable energy market
About 40 European companies are set to visit the Philippines this month to explore opportunities in the local renewable energy sector, said an official of the European Union (EU) Delegation to the Philippines.
— Rappler
Rising food prices push PH inflation higher in September
Filipino consumers felt the pinch at supermarkets, restaurants, and gasoline stations in September, as the country’s inflation rate accelerated to a 5-month high, data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) showed.
— Rappler
Senator urges Philippines to follow different route to sugar tax
A leading lawmaker has joined the drinks industry’s calls for the government to implement a sugar tax based on content, instead of the current proposal which would be governed by sugar volume.
— FoodNavigator-Asia
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore economy grows 4.6% in Q3; beats expectations
SINGAPORE’S economy grew by 4.6 per cent compared to a year ago for the third quarter of 2017, based on advance estimates of gross domestic product (GDP) growth by the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) on Friday morning.
— The Business Times
Singapore ranked 13th among 200 countries for low bribery risk
SINGAPORE has emerged 13th in a field of 200 countries, ranked according to the risk of encountering commercial bribery.
— The Business Times
MAS stands pat with neutral monetary policy stance
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Friday (Oct 13) kept its exchange rate-based monetary policy unchanged at its semi-annual review, in line with expectations.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Foreign visitors up 5.6%, led by Chinese
Thailand welcomed 26.9 million foreign tourists from Jan 1 to Oct 11 and generated tourism revenue of 1.37 trillion baht, up 5.6% and 7.6% respectively compared with the same period last year.
— Bangkok Post
Thai growth revised upwards to 3.9 per cent
THAILAND’S 2017 economic growth forecast has been revised up to 3.9 per cent from the earlier estimate of 3.6 per cent on the back of higher-than-expected recoveries in exports and tourism and acceleration in public spending, according to the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTCC)’s Centre for Economic and Business Forecasting.
— The Nation
No US pork deal with Thailand
Thailand and the US did not strike a deal to drop what one industry insider called a “de facto ban” on American pork imports when the two countries met in Washington recently.
— GlobalMeatNews
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Finance Ministry to simplify 71 administrative procedures
The Government has issued Resolution 104/NQ-CP on streamlining administrative procedures and citizens’ documents related to resident management in the jurisdiction of the Finance Ministry.
— VietnamPlus
VEPR puts Vietnam’s growth for 2017 at 6.64%
VEPR Director Nguyen Duc Thanh said that growth in the fourth quarter could reach 7.12%, building on the strong growth in the previous three months, which the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported at 7.46%.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Thousands evacuated in Vietnam as floods, landslides kill 46
Heavy rain in northern and central Vietnam triggered floods and landslides that killed 46 people and 33 people were missing in the worst such disaster in years, the search and rescue committee said on Thursday.
— Reuters
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.