Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ASEAN’s manufacturing PMI bounces to growth in August
The Nikkei ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, rebounded to growth in August, signalling an improvement in operating conditions across the region.
— Nikkei Asian Review
From Millions to Billions – 50 Years of Trade with ASEAN
New Zealand’s two-way trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was $15.2 billion in the June 2017 year, Stats NZ said today. Goods and services exported to ASEAN countries totalled $6.3 billion, and imports totalled $8.9 billion. New Zealand’s trade deficit with the combined ASEAN countries was $2.6 billion.
— Scoop (media release)
Asean told to address challenges in labor deal
The Asean can take the lead in fast-tracking the implementation of agreements that seek to remove barriers to labor mobility in Southeast Asia, according to experts.
— Business Mirror
Rakhine conflict could ignite regional religious tensions
The resurgence of violence in Myanmar’s Rakhine state has opened a dangerous fissure in Southeast Asia that threatens to divide the two most important religious faiths in the region: Buddhism and Islam. Never in modern times have tensions been so high between faiths that have coexisted peacefully in this region for centuries. If the trend continues, it could become a more dangerous threat to social stability than that posed by Islamic State fighters returning from the Middle East.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Singapore’s Administrative Service – a model from which ASEAN should adopt?
Singapore’s civil service is the envy of many, and Hong Kong wants to emulate it. Other ASEAN countries’ civil services also need reforming.
— Asean Today
PH to lead talks on Asian trade bloc
The Philippines, the lead and host country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nation meetings this year, needs to tackle crucial issues to advance the Regional Comprehensive and Economic Partnership, after the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade bloc was scrapped, a trade official said over the weekend.
— Manilastandard.net
South Korea’s new vision looks south
TWO weeks after his inauguration, President Moon Jae-in unprecedentedly sent a special envoy to countries that represent Asean. He also announced that his Government would bring its relations with Asean up to the level of the major powers – the United States, China, Japan and Russia.
— The Star Online
ASEAN young business executives take center stage at business confab
The youths in 10 member states in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), cited as a strong emerging force in shaping the socioeconomic destiny of the region within a quarter of a century and beyond, will take center stage early this week in a series of ASEAN business conferences being held in the Philippines.
— Manila Bulletin
ASEAN likely to adopt declaration on rights of migrant workers
The Philippines is optimistic that the declaration on the protection and promotion of the rights of migrant workers will be adopted by the leaders from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this November.
— Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Coordinated effort by Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia to hunt down extremists eyed
President Rodrigo Duterte said he and the leaders of Malaysia and Indonesia are poised to hold a meeting in the coming weeks to discuss proactive steps to prevent the spread of extremism in this part of Southeast Asia.
— Gulf News
Asean labour ministers convene special session on OSH in Singapore
Asean labour ministers today convened a special session on Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) in conjunction with the XXI World Congress on Safety and Health at Work in Singapore.
— Malay Mail Online
Emerging middle class the key to success for DKSH in the region, says top executive
LEADING market expansion services provider DKSH is convinced that the rising Asian middle class and increasing intra-Asian trade will further drive its business in Southeast Asia.
— The Nation
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Why The Cambodia Daily Must Pay Its Tax Bill or be Shutdown
Unless an (unlikely) miracle occurs, when tomorrow’s edition of The Cambodia Daily rolls off the printing press it will be the end of a tradition. Presented with a $6.3 million tax bill at the beginning of last month, the 24-year-old publication will close; and with it a big chunk of modern-day Cambodia journalism history.
—AEC News Today
Cambodia’s Worrying War on Free Speech
The Hun Sen government is attempting to do through legal means what it had once done through violence.
—The Diplomat
Restrictions on Media Will Impact Upcoming Election: Expert
Media expert Pa Nguon Teang told the Hello VOA program on Thursday that the government’s moves to restrict independent media outlets and NGOs would undermine the democratic process in Cambodia.
—VOA Cambodia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Rama Ariadi @AriadiRama
Indonesia minister to urge Myanmar to end Rohingya plight
Indonesian President Joko Widodo has sent his foreign minister to Myanmar to urge its government to halt violence against Rohingya Muslims, he said yesterday after a petrol bomb was thrown at the Myanmar embassy in Jakarta.
— Straits Times
China demands Indonesia drop new name for Natuna waters
In July, the Indonesian government named the maritime region in question, which lies north of the Natuna Islands, the “North Natuna Sea.”
— The Jakarta Post
INVERTED FLAGS, ILLEGAL MIGRANTS: HOW MALAYSIA-INDONESIA TIES TOOK A TURN FOR THE WORSE
Malaysia last month rounded up thousands of undocumented workers, adding fresh animus to a long-running dispute.
— South China Morning Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
B Grimm goes big with power projects in Laos
B GRIMM POWER has taken an aggressive move in building and operating hydropower plants in Laos. The company officially opened on Friday the Xanamnoy 2 and Xekatam 1 hydropower plants in Champasak province that shares a border with Thailand’s Northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province.
— The Nation
Convalt Energy Studies into Solar Power Investment Opportunities in Laos
Convalt Energy LLC has spent over 3.3 trillion kip (US$400 million) to conduct a feasibility study into the possibility of developing a large scaled solar power project in Bolikhamxay and Attapue provinces.
— Lao News Agency
Hun Sen, Laos PM to Request Border Maps to Solve Dispute
Prime Minister Hun Sen met his Lao counterpart at Phnom Penh’s “Peace Palace” on Friday in an effort to further de-escalate tensions that flared up last month over Laotian soldiers occupying Cambodian land, with both agreeing to write a joint letter to the French president requesting border maps.
— The Cambodia Daily (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Kongleaphy Keam @kongleaphy1
Malaysia strongly condemns North Korea’s missile test
Malaysia on Monday (Sep 3) strongly condemned the nuclear test conducted by North Korea.
— Channel News Asia
Malaysia backs UN call to solve Rakhine crisis
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Malaysia echoes the call by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for Myanmar’s security forces to seek holistic approaches towards addressing the crisis in the Rakhine state.
— The Borneo Post
Trump’s hosting of Malaysia’s prime minister marks another setback for the rule of law
When President Trump hosts Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak at the White House next week, he may find he has quite a lot in common with the Southeast Asian leader, who is a nationalist with authoritarian tendencies. But that doesn’t mean rolling out the red carpet for him is a good idea.
— The Washington Post
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Local businesspeople, government officials hope to promote ‘Made in Myanmar’ designation
Economic experts and business leaders held a panel discussion on Saturday to discuss ways to affix local export products with a “Made in Myanmar” label to improve international opportunities and to counter the Myanmar’s reputation abroad as a poor and conflict-afflicted country.
— The Global New Light Of Myanmar
Myanmar Says Clearing of Rohingya Is Unfinished Business From WWII
As tens of thousands of Rohingya refugees stream across Myanmar’s border with Bangladesh, the Myanmar army’s commander-in-chief has defended clearing Rohingya villages as an essential step in rooting out a small band of militants armed with little more than spears or knives.
— Wall Street Journal
Myanmar building economic zone in Rakhine to boost trade with Bangladesh
A regional minister told the Myanmar Times that the zone is dedicated to promoting trade, manufacturing and services and it would also benefit ‘local residents’ in the area with the jobs created by the project.
— Bangladesh News 24
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
No changes in PSEi; sectors revamped
The Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) said there will be no changes in the composition of bellwether Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) after the review covering the trading period July 2016 to June 2017.
— Malaya
Philippines manufacturing PMI loses momentum in August
The Nikkei Philippines Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, slumped in August, pointing to a loss of momentum in the country’s manufacturing economy.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Phl showing signs of overheating — ING
Dutch financial giant ING Bank said the Philippines is showing signs of overheating with the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) growing between six and seven percent over the next five years.
— The Philippine Star
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore aims to halve workplace fatality rate before 2028: PM Lee
SINGAPORE is looking to about halve its workplace fatality rate before 2028 to under one per 100,000 employed individuals.
— The Business Times
Interconnection is key to Singapore’s push towards a Smart Nation
THE 2017 Singapore National Day Rally speech, an annual policy address to Singaporeans by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, took place earlier this month. In his speech, Singapore is said to have a “natural advantage” to become a Smart Nation.
— Digital News Asia
Going cashless? Why some in Singapore prefer hard cash
Despite high smartphone and mobile broadband penetration rates and a variety of options for cashless payments, some in Singapore still prefer to use hard cash. Brandon Tanoto finds out what’s behind this unwillingness to go cashless.
— Channel NewsAsia (video)
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thailand remains world’s No 1 rice exporter
According to the president of the Rice Exporters Association of Thailand (REAT), Thailand exported 6.4 million tons of rice during this year’s first seven months, keeping the country as the world’s Number One rice exporter.
— NBT World (video)
Design adjustment will cause 10-month delay in the dual-track train project in Korat
Adjustment of the design of the 4.8-km section of the dual-track train project between Klong Khananchit and Jira road junction covering a distance of 69 km in Nakhon Ratchasima will cause a 10-month delay in the project implementation.
— Thai PBS
Rapid rail link to Rayong set for 2023
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) aims to open services for the 193-kilometre long Bangkok-Rayong high-speed Thai-Japanese railway by 2023, with ticket prices starting at 20 baht and adding 1.80 baht per kilometre.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Tens of trillions of dong of state capital nearly lost in equitization
According to Tran Dinh Thien, the number of SOEs has decreased significantly over the last 15 years of restructuring, from 6,000 in 2001 to 700 in 2016.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Vietnam wants to make own cars; Vingroup to invest $3.5B
Vietnam wants to design and make cars for its 90 million motorbike riders.
— Business Mirror
Vinalines to cut seaport stake
The Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines) has proposed to reduce its stake in many strategic seaports.
— 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 4 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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