Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Cambodia leads way as S-E Asia takes authoritarian route
The warm hug on Sept 7 between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, said it all. Authoritarian rule is ascendant in South-east Asia. It now poses an existential challenge to human rights and democratisation all over the region. And Cambodia is leading South-east Asia’s authoritarian ways, followed not far behind by neighbours such as Thailand.
— Today Online
Startups in tiger cub economies need to look at market expansion in near term
Businesses in less developed countries in Southeast Asia need to consider a near term market expansion of looking abroad than having a longer term imaginary trajectory, according to venture capitalists at DEALSTREETASIA’s PE/VC Summit 2017 held in Singapore on September 21-22, 2017.
— Deal Street Asia
ASEAN fund maybe used to help Rohingyas
The Philippines explained that the trust fund of the Association Southeast Nations (ASEAN) may be used to help persecuted Rohingyas fleeing to Bangladesh from Myanmar.
— Pakistan Observer
FM Pham Binh Minh highlights ASEAN’s central role in New York
Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has underscored the need for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to strengthen its intra-bloc unity and central role in regional and international issues, especially those regarding peace, stability and development.
— VietnamNet Bridge
ASEAN reps endorse VN East Sea code proposal
ASEAN foreign ministers have endoresed a proposal by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh for the ASEAN-China Summit in November to issue an official statement on the start of negotiations over a Code of Conduct for the East Sea.
— Viet Nam News
Indonesia overall champion in ASEAN Para Games
Indonesia emerged as the overall champion in the 9th ASEAN Para Games 2017, after winning 117 gold medals, 69 silver, and 46 bronze medals.
— Antara News
Singapore-listed firms enjoy Asean boom
Singapore-listed counters with exposure to the Asean region have prospered this year, with more opportunities up for grabs from China’s One Belt, One Road drive.
— The Straits Times
PCOO-BCS weaves through ASEAN culture in ‘Habi’ photo exhibit
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Undersecretary George Apacible said Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member nations may have different names, different languages, different religions, different designs and colors of dresses but are woven as ASEAN citizens, whose ancestry originates from the Malay race.
— Northbound Philippines
H1 2017 growth in SEA arrivals outpaces global rate–UNWTO
THE Philippines pushed further cooperation in Asian tourism initiatives to continue to boost the growth in visitor arrivals in the region.
— Business Mirror
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Visitor numbers grow over holiday fest
Tourism numbers swelled by nearly 16 percent during this year’s Pchum Ben festival, according to the Ministry of Tourism, with officials crediting efforts to improve tourism infrastructure and the quality of services for the higher volume of both domestic and foreign tourists.
—The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia leads way as S-E Asia takes authoritarian route
The warm hug on Sept 7 between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and his Thai counterpart, General Prayuth Chan-o-cha, said it all. Authoritarian rule is ascendant in South-east Asia. It now poses an existential challenge to human rights and democratisation all over the region. And Cambodia is leading South-east Asia’s authoritarian ways, followed not far behind by neighbours such as Thailand.
—Today Online
Business Insider: Cathay Dragon spreads its wings
For over two decades, Cathay Dragon – formerly Dragonair – has been connecting Cambodia to its hub in Hong Kong. The Post’s Alessandro Marazzi Sassoon spoke to Josh Williams, country manager of Cathay Dragon, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cathay Pacific Airways, about the airline group’s business outlook on Cambodia and its vision for the future.
—The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Rama Ariadi @AriadiRama
Ministry of Agriculture Sets IDR100 Billion Budget to Purchase Top Bull Semen
The government through the Ministry of Agriculture said it would set up funds to buy superior bull semen from Brazil. This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture Andi Amran Sulaiman at the National Livestock Jamboree 2017 event at Bumi Perkemahan and Graha Wisata Cibubur, Sunday (9/24/2017).
— Netral News
Exclusive: Proterra in partnership talks with 10 Indonesian food & agri firms
Proterra Investment Partners is ‘actively talking’ to about 10 Indonesian companies operating in the food and agriculture business for potential investments or partnership in an effort to get a bigger footprint in the country, its managing partner Tai Lin told this portal.
— Deal Street Asia
Proposed Bali sex ban for unmarried Australians
Sex between unmarried couples could soon be outlawed in Indonesia, with a petition to change the criminal code being put forward to Indonesia’s Constitutional Court this year.
— 9Honey
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
New ADB-Lao PDR Strategy to Support Inclusive, Sustainable Growth
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors has endorsed a new 4-year country partnership strategy (CPS), which is expected to deliver $421 million in assistance through 2020 to the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
— The Financial
Water in the pipeline for Vientiane farmers as irrigation project progresses
Construction of the Southern Vientiane Irrigation Development Project is now about 25 percent complete and the contractor is aiming to have the irrigation scheme finished by late 2018.
— Vientiane Times
Chinese company expands development plans in Phongsaly
The Chinese company Norinco will continue development of the new provincial capital in Bounneua district, Phongsaly province, after reaching an agreement with the authorities.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia disassociates itself from ASEAN statement on Myanmar’s Rakhine state
Malaysia on Sunday (Sep 24) said it “would like to disassociate itself” from a statement issued by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the situation in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.
—Channel News Asia
No entry for foreigners going to Malaysia for beer fest and gay party
The Immigration Department is working with the police and Malaysia Islamic Development Department (Jakim) to obtain information about individuals who could be entering Malaysia for the beer festival and gay party, said Immigration Department director-general Datuk Seri Mustafar Ali.
—The Straits Times (paywall)
MP says best to keep PLUS in government hands
A Member of Parliament has joined the tide of concern over PLUS Malaysia Bhd possibly being acquired by a private party, saying the profitable highway operator should remain in government hands.
—The Borneo Post
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Rohingya exodus: Myanmar at risk of becoming a magnet for global jihadists
The abuses against Muslim Rohingya in Myanmar could attract Islamic extremists from across the world, according to an expert on the crisis.
— ABC
No way back for Myanmar’s Rohingya refugees
Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi says that her government is prepared to begin taking back Rohingya refugees recently driven into Bangladesh in a national verification process.
— Asia Times
Japan offers to import brown sugar
U Win Htay, vice chair of Myanmar Sugar and Sugar Related Products Merchants and Manufacturer’s Association, told The Myanmar Times that Japan has offered to buy natural brown slab sugar from Myanmar.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
$200-M loan eyed for Customs rehab
The World Bank is firming up a $200-million loan for a project aimed at modernizing the graft-laden Bureau of Customs.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippines third worst polluter of oceans, report says
Environmental group Greenpeace has ranked the Philippines as the “third-worst polluter into the world’s oceans” after China and Indonesia in a report released Friday in Manila.
— The Philippine Star
Peso seen to depreciate vs US dollar this week
THE PESO could depreciate versus the dollar this week amid renewed bets of a monetary policy hike in the United States, with market players anticipating clearer hints from scheduled speeches of members of the Federal Reserve.
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore dividends to drop: study
SINGAPORE dividends are in for another tough year to the dismay of the legions of retiree investors; they also take some shine off the bull run in which the Straits Times Index has risen some 12 per cent since January.
— The Business Times
Singapore tech start-up Sea targeting $1.35b in New York IPO
Singapore’s first potential billion- dollar technology start-up company is headed for the Big Apple.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Singapore-listed firms enjoy Asean boom
Singapore-listed counters with exposure to the Asean region have prospered this year, with more opportunities up for grabs from China’s One Belt, One Road drive.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Industry Minister: EEC crucial to transitioning to Thailand 4.0 agenda
According to the Industry Minister, one of the key Special Economic Zones, the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), is crucial in transitioning from the current economic model to Thailand 4.0.
— NBT World (video)
Thai junta leader, backers fuel suspicions of plans to stay in power
In his dark suit, Thai junta leader Prayuth Chan-ocha cut an incongruous figure guiding a rice tractor across a muddy paddy field in front of cameras and watching villagers.
— Reuters
Finance may scrap 15% tax exemption on bank savings of rich people
The Finance Ministry may scrap tax exemption on interest income of up to 20,000 baht a year after finding small banks advised savers to evade taxes.
— Thai PBS
FPO asks BoT to drop interest rate
The Finance Ministry has urged the Bank of Thailand to slash the policy rate by 50 basis points to help stimulate the economy and curb speculative inflows.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Three Vietnamese arrested with 15 million baht worth of rhino horns
Three Vietnamese were arrested at Suvarnabhumi international airport early Sunday morning (Sept 24) after Customs officials found 15 rhino horns worth about 15 million baht hidden in their three luggage.
— Thai PBS
Vietnam trade ministry slashes 675 business and investment conditions
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) on Friday has decided to cut down more than half of the total business and investment conditions, from around 1,200 terms to just 675.
— VnExpress
Banks given higher credit limits
The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has approved the extension of credit growth limits for many commercial banks to support the country’s economic growth.
— VietnamPlus
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 25 added by Stella-maris Ewudolu on
View all posts by Stella-maris Ewudolu →
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.
Latest posts by Stella-maris Ewudolu (see all)
- Zoonotic crossover fear sees Vietnam ban (almost) all wildlife trade (video) – July 26, 2020
- Job & revenue losses: COVID-19 to hurt Asean airlines the most – July 24, 2020
- Philippines morning news for July 24 – July 24, 2020
- Philippines morning news for July 23 – July 23, 2020