Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Southeast Asia can’t afford to meddle with nuclear energy
Another large electricity provider has decided to abandon the nuclear option. Duke Energy Corp announced it was ceasing plans to build a nuclear plant in Florida.
— The Nation
More “difficult now for Asean to reach consensus”
It has become more difficult for member states of the Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) to reach consensus on issues, and it is important for them to continue to strike a balance between national and regional interests, said Ambassador at Large Bilahari Kausikan.
— Today Online
Asean economy poised to grow 6% in next five years
The Asean economy has bright prospects and has the potential to grow at 6.0% annually in the next five years, in spite of the global geopolitical issues, said Khazanah Nasional Bhd board member, Tan Sri Andrew Sheng.
— The Star Online
Asean digital laxity a cyber raider’s dream
Long accused of complacency over the economic toll of cyber breaches, Southeast Asian governments are starting to make all the right noises on enhanced safeguards – but there are still few signs that the vulnerable business sector is getting the message.
— Asia Times
Southeast Asia stakes its claim in the art world
Until recently – the 1990s, let’s say – an American critic keeping tabs on new art would concentrate on New York’s museums and galleries; cast an occasional, often dismissive eye on Western Europe; and perhaps try to visit Los Angeles now and again.
— The Straits Times
SE Asia Stocks-Most gain on China data; Thailand hits 24-yr closing high
Most Southeast Asian stock markets ended higher as upbeat manufacturing data from China and Japan boosted investor sentiment in the region, while Thailand hit a near 24-year closing high.
— Reuters
ASEAN needs to double power capacity in less than 20 years
ASEAN needs to more than double its power capacity in less than 20 years to meet burgeoning demand. British energy research and consultancy group Wood Mackenzie reported last week that the region requires $500 billion worth of investment to achieve such a goal.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Asean revives FTA talks with Europe
A working group representing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and the European Union (EU) would meet this month to explore the possibility of having a free trade agreement (FTA) between the two large economic blocs, a top official said.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
ASEAN makes progress in cooperation to narrow development gap
Cooperation to narrow the gap of development in ASEAN has gained positive strides recently, members of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Force said at their 53rd meeting at the ASEAN Secretariat’s headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, last weekend.
— Vietnam Plus
Asean hit by disunity
Asean is foundering over one of the world’s most important issues. It is beyond ironic that the regional group of 10 countries is split more than the United Nations. The plight and crisis of the Rohingya…
— Bangkok Post
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Axe Falls on Endless Cambodia Visa Extensions
After long being the easiest destination in Asean for foreigners to obtain a long stay visa, the Cambodia government has brought the axe down on the practice with new regulations governing the issuance of six- and 12-month business (EB) visa extensions.
—AEC News Today
ADB offers $70M loan to improve transportation
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $70 million loan to develop the Kingdom’s transportation infrastructure with the majority of the funding going towards improvements of national roads in Prey Veng, Siem Reap and Svay Rieng provinces.
—The Phnom Penh Post
Bangladesh and Cambodia to sign new MoUs for boosting trade
Bangladesh is set to sign two new memorandums of understanding (MoUs) with Cambodia, with the aim of boosting trade between the two countries.
—Dhaka Tribune
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesian foreign tourist arrivals grow nearly 26% in first 8 months
The number of foreign holidaymakers visiting Indonesia from January to August expanded 25.68% to 9.25 million people in a year, national statistics bureau announced here on Monday, China’s Xinhua news agency reported.
— The Sun Daily
Indonesia to give more allocations in tackling poverty, unemployment
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has issued an order to add more efforts and budget allocations to finance measures aimed at tackling poverty and unemployment as well as domestic and foreign aids programs.
— Xinhua
App for polygamy stirs up controversy in Indonesia
A dating app in Indonesia that aims to bring together men and women interested in polygamous marriages has stirred controversy and debate in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation.
— Times of Malta
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
National Assembly on target with law enactment
The National Assembly (NA) has achieved a quarter of its planned target of law enactment and amendment under the current Eighth Legislature, but is urging administrative and legislative bodies to make sure that the laws passed are more effective.
— Vientiane Times
Lao Front outlines work plan for 2018
Political ideology training in particular and personnel development in general will be the main focus of the Lao Front for National Construction in the coming year.
— Vientiane Times
Vietnam, Laos agree to focus on implementing key projects
Vietnam and Laos on Monday agreed to focus on implementing key projects such as energy and transport connectivity projects.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Foreign funds sell nearly RM1bil of Malaysian shares
Foreign investors stood firm to their selling positions for the second week, surpassing the preceding week’s year-to-date high.
—The Star Online
Malaysia gets US$6mil fund to manage Straits of Malacca, Singapore
The Malaysian government has received a US$6mil (RM25.4mil) fund to manage security and environmental matters in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
—The Star Online
Malaysia on track to achieve RM1.15b medical tourism revenue this year, says Dr Hilmi
Malaysia is on track of achieving RM1.15 billion in medical tourism industry revenue by year end, said Deputy Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya.
—New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar ‘makes proposal’ to take back Rohingya refugees
Myanmar has proposed taking back the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who have fled to Bangladesh in recent weeks, the Bangladeshi foreign minister said after talks Monday with a senior Myanmar representative.
— The Nation
Myanmar renews SEZ push
Myanmar’s special economic zones (SEZs) are a central part of a revitalised economic strategy in which increased manufacturing activity will play a key…
— Bangkok Post
‘Anti-corruption a competitive strength’
CORRUPTION in Myanmar is widely described as “endemic”, and experts trace its roots to the decades of military rule.
— Business Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
NFA collects P11.86-million fines from erring grains retailers
The National Food Authority (NFA) collected P11.86 million in fines and enforcement fees from 1,758 grains sellers who violated the country’s grains business laws in January to August.
— Business Mirror
Asian factories rev up in September ahead of year-end spending spree
Factories in Asia’s largest economies cranked up activity in September as a synchronized upswing in growth globally pointed to solid consumption of manufactured goods heading into the lucrative end-of-year shopping season.
— Asia Times
8 infra projects on China’s priority list
The Chinese government has urged the Philippine government to prioritize the approval and implementation of eight infrastructure projects which it proposed for Beijing’s financing assistance, the Department of Finance (DOF) said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Infrastructure Protection Bill passed in Parliament
Proposed laws to beef up protection of buildings that are iconic, highly frequented or that house essential services were passed yesterday, with Second Home Affairs Minister Josephine Teo saying the measures could cost 0.2 to 3 per cent of total construction cost.
— Today Online
LTA drops need to park private-hire cars under a business
FROM this month, a private-hire car (PHC) can be owned by an individual, without the need to first register a business entity with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).
— The Business Times
Factory activity grew for 13th straight month
Manufacturing activity recorded its 13th consecutive month of expansion for September and is at the highest level since April 2011, as the technology sector continued to provide support.
— Today Online
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Trump says wants to reduce U.S. trade deficit with Thailand
President Donald Trump wants to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with Thailand, he told the country’s prime minister on Monday in a meeting that marked another sign of warming ties between Washington and Bangkok.
— Reuters
BoT: Exports back GDP growth uptick
The Bank of Thailand is optimistic about the country’s economic outlook, which is supported by strong growth in exports, says central bank governor Veerathai Santiprabhob.
— Bangkok Post
‘Blockchain’ – game-changing tech with a Thai angle
BLOCKCHAIN is said to be another “disruptive” technology spawned by the Internet, and will soon bring about extensive changes to businesses, governments and state enterprises, as well as the digital banking industry.
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
TPP 11: What will Vietnam do?
After the US withdrew from TPP in January, other countries moved ahead with new negotiation rounds for a TPP 11.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Are Vietnamese manufacturers afraid of Thai products?
Watchdog agencies said they are alarmed about the increase in the trade deficit with Thailand.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Uber Vietnam confirms CEO exit, says committed to the country
Uber‘s Vietnam-based CEO Dang Viet Dung has stepped down from his top role at the ride-hailing company three years after managing the local unit.
— DealStreetAsia
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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