Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ASEAN’s highest quality citizenship: Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei
The people of Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei enjoy the highest quality citizenship in Southeast Asia, according to a recent report by Henley & Partners.
— Nikkei Asian Review
SE Asia Stocks-Philippines rises to record close, Thailand to 24-yr top
Philippine shares rose over 1 percent to a record close on Thursday with industrial and real estate stocks leading the gains, while Thai stocks climbed for a 10th session in 11 to their highest in more than two decades.
— Reuters
HKTDC Export Index 3Q17 Shows Exporters’ Confidence Slips
While near-term confidence in major markets has declined among Hong Kong exporters, the outlook for quality, unique style products and services remains bright among the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) markets, according to new research conducted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).
— News Maker (media release)
United Asean ‘essential’ to prevent ripple effects
A REGIONAL, collective stance was essential regarding the escalating Rohingya crisis, after more than 380,000 refugees have fled Rakhine state in Myanmar to Bangladesh, before the issue becomes a regional problem, an academic seminar has heard.
— The Nation
Belt and Road mustn’t pave way for crime
The Belt and Road Initiative is designed to promote economic integration across an enormous area, from the Pacific to Europe, from Asia through the Middle East to Africa.
— Bangkok Post
Security Concerns Build in South Asia as Rohingya Crisis Worsens
Violence in Myanmar that’s pushed nearly 400,000 Muslim refugees into neighboring Bangladesh is threatening to deepen sectarian tensions across the region.
— Bloomberg Quint
Connectivity issues in e-commerce
Cross-border e-commerce has been a major development trend of international trade and globalisation which provides Southeast Asia and East Asia with greater opportunities. However, the digital economy…
— Bangkok Post
ASEAN Could Thrive in an Equitable, inclusive & sustainable growth
The ASEAN Economic Integration Forum 2017 (AEIF 2017) opened in Bangkok today with calls to promote more inclusive growth in the development of the ASEAN Community, especially by empowering women and youth as well as promoting sustainable economic development.
— News Ghana
Japan announces new initiative with Asean on environment
ITO Tadahiko, Japan’s State Minister of Environment in his opening remarks yesterday morning at the 15th Asean+3 Environment Ministers Meeting (APT EMM) held at the International Convention Centre (ICC) announced a new environmental cooperation between Asean and Japan named ‘Asean-Japan Environment Coo-peration Initiative’.
— Borneo Bulletin Online
‘AirAsia appoints BDO Unibank for Philippine IPO’
AirAsia Bhd has appointed BDO Unibank Inc, the Philippines’ largest bank by assets, to conduct preparatory work on the initial public offering (IPO) of Philippines AirAsia (PAA), a source close to the matter tells The Edge Financial Daily.
— The Edge Markets
Siemens sees digitalization good option for Asean firms
GERMAN technology firm Siemens AG said digitalization will introduce new opportunities in the Asean.
— Business Mirror
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
GE looks to deal with government on coal plants
US-based energy giant General Electric (GE) hopes to finalise an agreement with the Ministry of Mines and Energy by November that would see the Kingdom’s coal and gas plants using emissions-monitoring technology for the first time, company executives said yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Should Western countries impose sanctions on Cambodia?
Cambodian politics reached a new boiling point with the arrest of the opposition leader last week. Kem Sokha was handcuffed in the middle of the night in his house and accused of “treason” by the government.
— Asia Time
Discrepancies in Cambodian Sand Exports Spark Fraud Allegations
An environmental group is highlighting discrepancies in Cambodian government data on exports of silica sand to Taiwan, in what the group’s founder suggests may be a case of tax avoidance and economic fraud.
— VOA Cambodia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Rama Ariadi @AriadiRama
ADB to Provide Indonesia’s Energy Sector with Over $1 Billion in Loans
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors on September 14 approved two loans totaling up to $1.1 billion to strengthen and diversify Indonesia’s energy sector — considered key to promoting inclusive growth and sustainable development in the country.
— The Financial
Widodo rides a popular populist wave
President Widodo’s approval rating stands at 68.3% in the latest Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) poll, despite policies that disturb the business community and point the country in the direction of more state and bureaucratic control.
— Asia Times
Indonesia raises alert level for Bali volcano
Indonesia has raised the alert level for the Mount Agung volcano on the tourist island of Bali following an increase in volcanic and tectonic activity.
— Inquirer.net
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
New State projects threaten budget blowout
New project proposals for 2018 submitted by State sectors and provincial authorities threaten to incur costs higher than the government’s financial capacity, a senior official has noted.
— Vientiane Times
Laos Wins Final Set-Aside Of $56M Arbitral Award
Malaysia’s top court has delivered the government of Laos what may be its final victory over a $56 million arbitral award in a dispute with two mining companies, which must now go back to arbitration after the court held the award improperly lumped together different contracts under the wrong governing law.
— Lao360 (paywall)
Revenue rise foreshadowed after survey reveals tax dodging
Taxation revenue to the government is set to increase by 10 percent as a result of a na tionwide survey to identify and update such sources, the Deputy Minister of Finance has said.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia to become first country to issue a license to make a generic version of a Gilead hepatitis C pill
In a setback to Gilead Sciences (GILD), Malaysia will follow through on plans to issue a license to generic companies to make a version of the pricey Sovaldi hepatitis C pill. In doing so, Malaysia becomes the first country to take such a step amid growing global pushback over the cost of the groundbreaking medicine.
— Stat News
Malaysia palm oil prices to fall 17% by Nov-Dec — analyst Fry
Benchmark Malaysian prices for crude palm oil are likely to fall nearly 17% from current levels by November or December, as overseas appetite for the commodity falters over the winter, leading industry analyst James Fry said on Thursday.
— The Edge Markets
Malaysia trade finds strength in China as core markets weaken
Malaysian inbound operators are pinning their hopes on China as they look to counter the seasonality of the Middle Eastern market and weakening business from Europe.
— TTG Asia
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
We must stop training Myanmar’s military
Some 370,000 Rohingya Muslims have fled Rakhine state in Myanmar for Bangladesh since the outbreak of violence last month, with whole villages being burned down and the government accused by the UN of ethnic cleansing.
— The Guardian
Myanmar permanent representative to UN strongly objects to ZeidRa’ad Al Hussein’s remark on ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ and ‘Ethnic Cleansing’ in Rakhine
Htin Lin, Myanmar permanent representative to United Nations, totally objected to the remark of ZeidRa’ad Al Hussein, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of United Nations on ‘Crimes Against Humanity’ and ‘Ethnic Cleansing’, reported the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 13.
— Eleven Myanmar
Rakhine violence not expected to affect economy or FDI
Concerns that the ongoing violence in Rakhine State could result in capital outflows and economic sanctions are rising in the investor and business community.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PSE sets P2.5-B follow-on offering
The Philippine Stock Exchange has firmed up a plan to offer about P2.5 billion in fresh capital through a follow-on equity offering, mandating BDO Capital & Investment Corp. to arrange an equity deal within this year.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
August net outflows hit $58M as ghost month begins
The onset of ghost month coupled with rising tensions from North Korea’s missile tests combined to see hot money leave the country in August.
— Rappler
Investment pledges jump 38% as of Aug
Projects approved by the Board of Investments (BOI) jumped 38 percent in eight months ending August this year as investors remain enticed with the government’s aggressive infrastructure spending program.
— The Philippine Star
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Halimah Yacob sworn in as Singapore’s 8th President
It was a solemn moment and all was quiet in the grand State Room of the Istana, save for the voice of one person.
— Channel NewsAsia
Making the Istana more accessible among the issues on President-elect Halimah Yacob’s agenda
Engaging Singaporeans and making the Istana more accessible were at the forefront of President-elect Halimah Yacob’s mind as she started her first day at work on Thursday (Sep 14).
— Channel NewsAsia
More jobs ahead but growth likely to be subdued
WITH the uptick in the labour market in the first half – and economic growth tipped to hum along at a steady clip of 2.5 per cent for the year – the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) sees labour demand picking up in the second half of 2017.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ</h6
Digital Economy and Society Ministry promotes Digital Thailand 2017
Recently, our NBT World correspondent, Neeranuit Traijakvanich had a chance to talk to Dr. Pichet Durongkaveroj, the Minister for Digital Economy and Society, about the ministry’s strategies to promote the “Digital Thailand 2017” concept, in compliance with Thailand 4.0 initiative. Let’s have a look.
— NBT World (video)
Fury as Suthep to advise on police reform
Key members of the Pheu Thai Party and the United Front for Democracy against Dictatorship (UDD) have slammed a committee over its move to invite former protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban to give his opinions on reforming the Thai police.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand delays auction of new Erawan, Bongkot gas field licences
Thailand will delay an auction of new operating concessions for the Erawan and Bongkot offshore gas fields by two months to November, General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Energy Minister said on Thursday.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam wants foreign investors’ presence in SOE equitisation: PM
Vietnam is stepping up the equitisation of State-owned enterprises (SOE) and wants foreign investors to pay attention to this area, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on September 14.
— VietnamPlus
Police widen probe of alleged graft linked to PetroVietnam
Vietnamese police have widened their investigation into alleged graft and mismanagement connected with the state-owned oil and gas giant PetroVietnam that caused $69 million in losses.
— News & Observers
Wage growth outpacing labor productivity growth in Vietnam
According to the report of the same name, released at the workshop, growth in the minimum wage was higher than growth in labor productivity during the 2007-2015 period.
— VietnamNet Bridge
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.
Asean Morning News For September 15 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
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Stella-maris Ewudolu
Between November 2010 and February 2012 she was a staff writer at Daylight Online, Nigeria writing on health, fashion, and relationships. From 2010 – 2017 she worked as a freelance screen writer for ‘Nollywood’, Nigeria.
She joined AEC News Today in December 2016.
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