Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Japan: Mizuho Bank’s $250m ASEAN Fund reaches first close at $180m
Japan’s Mizuho Bank has set up a private equity fund – Exacta Asia Investment II LP – with a target corpus of $250 million focused on middle-market companies in Southeast Asia. It achieved a first close of $180 million on 8 September 2017, according to the bank.
— Deal Street Asia
SE Asia Stocks-Philippines hits record high; others cautious ahead of Fed meet
Philippine shares hit an all-time high on Monday, while other markets in the region were cautious at the start of a week in which the U.S. Federal Reserve is likely to address its bloated balance sheet as part of a long reversal of super-cheap money worldwide.
— Reuters
S’pore gives S$1.5m to boost Asean cyber security
Cyber security efforts in Asean countries will be given a boost, with Singapore setting aside S$1.5 million over three years to help train incident responders and operators in the region to tackle cyber threats.
— Today Online
‘ASEAN Culture House conduit of knowledge, understanding’
With the launch of the ASEAN Culture House in Busan on Sept. 1, the public gains a valuable platform through which to peer into the thriving lives of Southeast Asians, said the president of Korea Foundation, urging Korea’s genuine interest in the region’s myriad local cultures.
— The Korea Herald
Travel and leisure: Southeast Asia’s Lifestyle Consumers
Hong Kong trade with its second-largest trading partner looks set to expand following the conclusion of three years of negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Thailand Business News
Ifad project to help Asean farmers boost exports
A $2.5-million project funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) will look at ways to enable small farmers from the Philippines and other Asean countries to increase their agricultural exports.
— Business Mirror
ASEAN primed for digital future
Half a century into the ASEAN story, the growing importance of digital innovation will shape the next wave of economic development.
— The Jakarta Post
ASEAN officials begin talks to battle terrorism, illegal drugs
Officials from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) began meeting on Monday, September 18, to battle transnational crimes, including terrorism and illegal drugs.
— Rappler
Philippines cops 2 bronzes in ASEAN Para Games
Newcomer Claire Sunega Calizo and the relay team of Ernie Gawilan, Gary Bejino, Roland Sabido and Arnel Aba delivered a couple of bronze medals at the pool for a Philippine team that is still in search for its very first gold in the ninth ASEAN Para Games at the National Aquatic Center in Bukit Jalil here Monday.
— The Philippine Star
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Cambodia Property Market Prepares For Second Real Estate Show
With new property developments either commencing or completing on a monthly basis the Cambodia property market is one of the most dynamic in the region, and a driving force behind the country’s 7.16 per cent average GDP growth rate over the last five years.
— AEC News Today
Kingdom to enjoy special status at China biz event
Cambodia has been selected as the Country of Honour for next year’s China-Asean Expo (CAEXPO) and China-Asean Business and Investment Summit (CABIS), a high-profile annual business event held in Nanning, China, that aims to expand business cooperation between China and the 10 Asean member states.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Hun Sen Urges Cambodians to Oppose ‘Foreign Interference’
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday called on Cambodians to rise up and oppose “foreign interference” in the country, escalating anti-U.S. rhetoric by accusing the United States of “imperialism” and hypocrisy regarding human rights commitments.
— VOA Cambodia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Rama Ariadi @AriadiRama
West Java police foils terrorist plot against Indonesian President Joko Widodo
The suspect was nabbed near a helicopter landing pad at Penggung Airport in Cirebon, a city in West Java province, where President Joko, better known as Jokowi, was visiting on Tuesday for a cultural festival.
— Straits Times
Indonesia Stock Market Has Positive Lead
The global forecast for the Asian markets is mildly optimistic following support from crude oil prices and mixed economic data.
— Nasdaq
Indonesia raises Bali volcano alert for the second time
Indonesian officials have more than doubled the size of a no go zone around the Mount Agung volcano on the tourist island of Bali and raised its alert level for the second time in less than a week.
— Today Online
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Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Govt aiming for trade surplus next year
The government has forecast that Laos will record a trade surplus of US$37 million next year due to various factors further boosting exports.
— Vientiane Times
Trademark protection awareness, registration remain low in Laos
The number of trademark registrations is lagging in Laos as many businesses lack understanding of their rights and fail to register to protect their intellectual property, according to the Intellectual Property (IP) Department under Ministry of Science and Technology on Monday.
— Xinhua
Neighbourly diplomacy shifts from Laos
The twists and turns of Thailand’s diplomacy toward its neighbouring countries have recently undergone a metamorphosis. The military’s seizure of power from the elected government in May 2014 allowed civilian decision-makers and security officers to reboot ties with the bordering countries. But not all such attempts have been successful.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia Stock Market May Find Renewed Strength
The Malaysia stock market turned lower again on Monday, one session after it had ended the two-day slide in which it had fallen more than 8 points or 0.4 percent. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index now rests just beneath the 1,785-point plateau although it may bounce higher again on Tuesday.
— Nasdaq
Malayia’s August inflation rate to rise to 3.8 per cent
RAM Ratings expects the August 2017 inflation rate to increase to 3.8 per cent, following four consecutive months of declines.
— The Borneo Post
Online shopping sites among digital services to be taxed in Malaysia
Foreign digital service providers will soon be taxed for their services in Malaysia as authorities look to amend several tax laws.
— Today Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Western powers warn Suu Kyi on Rohingya before speech
Britain led world powers Monday in warning Myanmar of potential action if leader Aung San Suu Kyi does not move to end a campaign against the Rohingya minority.
— The Nation
B’desh sets aside rift on Rohingya issue with Myanmar to ease rice shortage
Bangladesh is to buy rice from Myanmar, putting aside worsening relations over the Rohingya refugee crisis as the government races to overcome a shortage of the country’s staple food.
— Business Standard
Group calls for new Myanmar sanctions
A rights group has called for targeted sanctions and an arms embargo against the Myanmar military in response to an offensive that has sent 410,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing to Bangladesh to escape what the United Nations has branded ethnic cleansing.
— Sky News Australia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Philippines tops Asia on financial inclusion list
THE PHILIPPINES remains Asia’s leader in financial inclusion due to policies supportive of wider banking access, the Brookings Institution said in a report, even as the country slipped a rung from its rank a year ago.
— BusinessWorld Online
PSEi hits all-time high in upbeat trading
The local stock barometer explored new highs yesterday, now nearing the 8,300 level, as upbeat Wall Street trading boosted risk-taking across regional markets.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
PHL cut undernourished count to 13.9 million in 2016–FAO study
Despite the presence of conflict for two decades, the Philippines managed to cut its undernourished population to 13.9 million in 2016, from 14.1 million in 2014, according to the latest report of the United Nations’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
— Sun Star
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Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singtel debuts unlimited mobile data plan
Singtel has launched what it says are Singapore’s first mobile plans with unlimited data, talktime and SMS, following a nationwide network upgrade to 500Mbps on compatible handsets.
— Telecom Asia
Singapore, Japan ink accord to strengthen cybersecurity cooperation
Singapore and Japan signed a pact on Monday to boost cybersecurity cooperation between the two countries.
— Japan Times
Visit to China by Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong is a sign relations are back on track
Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will begin a three-day visit to China on Tuesday in a sign that relations between the nations could be getting back to normal after an uncertain few months.
— South China Morning Post
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Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thai c.bank chief says it acted on baht speculation
Thailand’s central bank said on Monday it had taken action against what it said was “periodic speculation” in the baht as the currency hovered at more than 28-month highs against the U.S. dollar.
— Reuters
BoT chief puts focus on stability
Bank of Thailand governor Veerathai Santiprabhob says the rate-setting committee must give weight to financial stability in deciding on the policy rate, in addition to short-term benefits.
— Bangkok Post
FTI wants BoT to lower interest rate to help private sector
The Federation of the Thai Industries (FTI) President Jane Namchaisiri wants the Bank of Thailand (BoT) to weaken the Thai currency to help the business sector.
— NNT
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam sucks up loss from crude oil sales to China
China is getting a 2 percent discount compared to the rest of the world on crude oil from Vietnam.
— VnExpress
Vietnam resort developer FLC Group eyes aviation, casinos
Ho Chi Minh-listed real estate developer FLC Group has unveiled hugely ambitions plans for expansion and is on the hunt for investors.
— Nikkei Asian Review
City wants investment in solar power
HCM City has called for more investment in solar power in the city due to the great potential of the sector.
— Viet Nam News
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 19 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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