Asean Morning News Roundup February 20

The Asean Morning News Roundup presents a selection of reports on what you need to know from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC).

Asean Morning News

Compiled by AEC News Today @aecnewstoday

ASEAN fast-tracking West PHL Sea COC — DFA
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) here is fast-tracking the framework of the Code of Conduct (COC) to address the mounting tensions in the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea).
— Manila Bulletin

ASEAN mulling 2034 World Cup co-host bid
ASEAN on Friday held talks on launching a joint bid for the World Cup in 2034 during a visit by FIFA chief Gianni Infantino to Yangon, the head of Myanmar’s football federation said.
— Coconuts Yangon

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Vat Vin @vin_vat

Bank ordered to replace its logo
ACLEDA Bank, Cambodia’s largest bank in terms of assets, will have to shell out millions in the next three weeks to comply with a Council of Ministers decision last Friday that the private financial institution must redesign and
replace its logo on all company materials and products to differentiate itself from the Ministry of Economy and Finance, a senior bank executive said yesterday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cabinet approves power projects
The Cabinet of ministers approved on Friday two electricity development projects in a bid to address the increasing demand for electricity in the kingdom.
— Khmer Times

Rosewood luxury in the city good for tourism
A five-star luxury hotel owned by the international Rosewood chain is due to open in Phnom Penh in June.
— Khmer Times

Stay out of loan disputes, officials told
Prime Minister Hun Sen has ordered local authorities not to get involved in cases where microfinance institutions (MFIs) moved to repossess property over loan defaults.
— Khmer Times

At Blue Pumpkin, adapting to thrive
Blue Pumpkin, which began as a Siem Reap-based family business in 2000, has grown into one of the country’s most-recognised brands.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Law That Could Dissolve Cambodia’s Opposition Party Set to Pass in Parliament
Cambodia’s parliament is set to pass an amendment to a law governing political parties that would lead to the dissolution of opposition groups if they receive funding from abroad or if their leaders have a criminal record.
— VOA

VOA Exclusive: Beyond Film, Angelina Jolie To Continue Empowering Cambodians
American actress and director Angelina Jolie said Saturday that the world premiere in Cambodia of the Khmer-language drama, ‘First They Killed My Father,’ is her gift to the country of her adopted son Maddox.
— VOA

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee

Ministry Urges Private Higher Education Institutions to Merge
Out of 4455 higher education institutions in Indonesia, more than 3200 are private and many of them are not run effectively, which is why the Ministry of Research, Technology and Education is urging them to merge.
— Jakarta Globe

121 Years of Indonesian Presence in New Caledonia
Jakarta. Thursday (16/02) has marked 121 years of Indonesian presence in New Caledonia.
— Jakarta Globe

Foreign Workers Sent Home Following Restrictions on Copper Concentrate Exports
More than 20 foreign workers of Freeport Indonesia’s contractors have left the mining site in Timika, Mimika, Papua, following restrictions on copper concentrate exports introduced in January.
— Jakarta Globe

Labuan Bajo to Establish Tourism Authority Board
East Nusa Tenggara head of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy Marius Ardu Jelamu said on Saturday (18/02) the central government has called for the establishment of the Labuan Bajo Tourism Authority Board, or BPO, to attract more visitors to the region.
— Jakarta Globe

FM Meets With UN’s Guterres, Discusses Peacekeeping, Conflicts in Palestine, Rakhine State
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi on Friday (17/02) spoke with United Nations secretary general Antonio Guterres about Indonesia’s Formed Police Unit in Darfur, Sudan, and conflicts in Palestine and the Rakhine State, Myanmar.
— Jakarta Globe

Govt grants houses to nomadic tribesmen in Jambi
Social Affairs Minister Khofifah Indar Parawansa handed over on Sunday permanent houses to 23 families of the nomadic Anak Dalam tribe, also known as Orang Rimba, in Pulau Lintang village in Sorolangun regency, Jambi.
— Jakarta Post

City to turn river section in Puri Indah into tourist attraction
The Jakarta Environmental Agency is planning to turn a river section near Jl. Puri Indah, West Jakarta, into a tourist attraction this year.
— Jakarta Post

Ministry to scrap expiry date for SIUP, TDP
The Trade Ministry will soon introduce a regulation that will make business permits (SIUP) and registration certificates (TDP) valid indefinitely.
— Jakarta Post

Trademark law: Challenges for brand owners
Amid the increasing awareness of the significance of intellectual property (IP) in today’s digital economy, we have seen some promising developments in Indonesia’s IP regulatory framework.
— Jakarta Post

Indonesia ready for Freeport tribunal
In its latest move to settle a dispute over mining policy, the government has challenged United States mining giant Freeport McMoran to go to an international arbitration tribunal for a fair result.
— Jakarta Post

Indonesia’s tough stance causes headache for tuna exporters
Despite their support for the government’s efforts in the fight against illegal fishing, Indonesia’s tuna exporters have urged the authorities to loosen their stance on requirements for tuna ships, which they claim have hampered the commodity’s export performance.
— Jakarta Post

Indonesia Wants Facebook to Open Local Company in Hoax Combat
Rudiantara, Indonesia’s Minister for Communications and Information, urges social media platform Facebook to upgrade its existing representative office in Indonesia into a proper company (PT PMA). Earlier this week Rudiantara met a Facebook delegation, led by the head of global policy management Monika Bickert, in Jakarta. Indonesian authorities believe that by having a proper company in Indonesia, Facebook would be in a better position to tackle negative content and fake news (hoaxes), while communication with the government would improve.
— Indonesia Investment

Productivity at Indonesia’s Palm Oil Plantations Needs to Rise
The Indonesian Palm Oil Board (DMSI) says higher productivity is the key to boost Indonesia’s crude palm oil (CPO) production. Amid international pressure, particularly after the devastating forest fires on Sumatra and Kalimantan in the second half of 2015, Indonesian President Joko Widodo announced to issue a five-year moratorium on new palm oil concessions to limit the expansion of oil palm plantations in Indonesia. Although Indonesian authorities want to see rising CPO output (in order to safeguard foreign exchange earnings and create employment opportunities), further growth should come on the back of rising productivity, not by adding new plantations.
— Indonesia Investment

3 Key Information Technology (IT) Trends to Occur in Indonesia in 2017
NetApp Indonesia, the local unit of the American multinational storage and data management company, predicts three main information technology (IT) trends in Indonesia in 2017: (1) data becoming the “new currency”, (2) new platform models taking over, and (3) cloud computing becoming a key source of corporate growth. Ana Sopia, Country Manager NetApp Indonesia, explained that numerous companies, all over the world, are currently experiencing digital transformation challenges.
— Indonesia Investment

Indonesia Posts 3rd-Largest Modern Retail Sales Growth in Asia
In 2016 Indonesia was the third-largest Asian country in terms of modern retail sales growth after India and China. Last year Indonesia’s modern retail sales expanded 10 percent to IDR 200 trillion (approx. USD $15 billion). Roy Nicholas Mandey, Chairman of the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo), said Indonesia remains an attractive country for retailers due to the enormous size of the population. Moreover, due to economic growth this population constitutes a strengthening consumer force. Lastly, Indonesians are known as people who are eager to try and buy new products.
— Indonesia Investment

Lippo Group launches REIT in Indonesia, eyes $184m
Lippo Group, through its fund manager unit Bowsprit Asset Management, has officially launched its first real estate investment trust (REIT) in Indonesia following the government’s tax discount on property introduced last year. The trust, called DIRE Bowsprit Commercial Infrastructure, aims to raise up to $184 million to invest in office buildings in the capital city Jakarta.
— Deal Street ASia

Indonesia DB: Atlas Resource divests Berau Bara; Berau Coal buys Revessel
Publicly listed Atlas Resource has agreed to divest 100 per cent stakes in unit Berau Bara Energi to local firm Andalan Satria Permai. In another development, Berau Coal Energy has announced that it will acquire Rosan Roeslani-controlled Revessel Indonesia.
— Deal Street ASia

Ex-Indonesia top cop Haiti ‘resigns’ as Grab’s president commissioner
Former national police chief Badrodin Haiti said that he has “resigned” from Grab’s president commissioner position barely only a little over two weeks after the Singapore-based startup announced the appointment on January 30.
— Deal Street ASia

Malaysia: Python strangles Indonesian man to death
A 49-year-old Indonesian man was strangled to death by a python weighing 100kg in Kampung Batu Rambutan at Jabor, Malaysia on Friday night. The victim has been identified as Safar. According to reports, the victim was returning to his home on his motorcycle after visiting a friend in Jabor before the incident took place. Reportedly, the victim spotted the reptile crossing the road and stopped his vehicle to catch the snake. However, the snake became aggressive and wrapped itself around the victim’s body and strangled him to death.
— International Business Times

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Jose Rodriguez Senas @15Souter

Vietnam, Laos promote people-to-people exchanges
Vice President of Laos Phankham Viphavan and Head of the Lao Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Sounthone Sayachak made the remarks at separate receptions for Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship Association Tran Van Tuy in Vientiane on Frebuary 17.
— Vietnam.net

VN, Cambodia state banks foster ties
Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), Lê Minh Hưng, and Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC), Chea Chanto, have agreed to step up co-operation between the two banks.
— Viet Nam News

Ministry needs to strive further in cooperation efforts
Despite the significant achievements which have been made in international cooperation, the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism needs to exert greater efforts in furthering its diplomatic endeavours.
— Vientiane Times

Annual elephant festival raises awareness on conservation
The 11th annual elephant festival in Xayaboury province opened for a parade of some 68 pachyderms at the provincial central stadium last Saturday morning.
— Vientiane Times

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Vat Vin @vin_vat

Fundnel hopes to clock funding deals worth $30-40m in MY this year
Singapore-based investment platform Fundnel Pte Ltd that started warming up to Malaysia’s investment scene just last year, helping two firms to raise funds in 2016, is hoping to help companies raise $30 million to $40 million in total this year via its platform, with a focus not only on startups but SMEs and mid level companies, a top executive with the company said.
— Deal Street Asia

Ringgit opens easier versus greenback
The ringgit extended last week’s downtrend to open easier against the US dollar, in early trade, dampened by weak interest for the currency, delears said.
— New Straits Times

Local car parts manufacturers urged to venture into Indonesian market
Malaysia External Trade Development Corp (Matrade) has urged Malaysian companies to continue pursuing opportunities to increase exports of car parts into Indonesia.
— New Straits Times

Najib: EPF’s 5.7 per cent dividend good given challenging global economy
The 5.70 per cent dividend rate announced by the Employees Provident Fund (KWSP) for 2016 is good enough given the challenging conditions in the global economy last year, which has caused many countries to record slow economic growth.
— New Straits Times

Oppo, Huawei make strides, Samsung remains Malaysia’s top smartphone player in 2016
ACCORDING to the latest International Data Corporation (IDC) Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker, total smartphone shipments in Malaysia recorded approximately 2.7 million units in Q4 2016, bringing 2016 to a close with approximately 8.8 million units shipped, a reported 5.9% decline year-over-year (y-o-y).
— Digital News Asia

Malaysia will be hit if China faces recession
While China’s macro cyclical movements affect the global economy as a whole, economists say Asian nations like Malaysia are expected to be more badly hit if China undergoes a recession.
— The Edge Markets

DRB-Hicom rises 2.29% on taking over MRCB stake in JV
DRB-Hicom Bhd shares rose 2.29% in early trade this morning after it took over Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd’s stake in a joint venture firm that was set up to undertake subcontracting works for the new integrated, custom, quarantine and security (ICQS) complex at Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah, for RM7 million.
— The Edge Markets

Choo Bee jumps 8.47% on strong 4Q earnings
Shares of steel pipe maker Choo Bee Metal Industries Bhd jumped 8.47% this morning after it saw a more than eightfold jump in net profit for the fourth quarter ended Dec 31, 2016 (4QFY16) on the back of improved average selling price.
— The Edge Markets

Double victory for MRCB at business awards
Malaysian Resources Corp Bhd (MRCB) took home two awards at the 7th Middle East Business Leaders Awards 2016 (Mebla) last Friday.
— The Edge Markets

AmInvestment retains Buy on Axiata with fair value of RM6
AmInvestment Research is retaining its Buy call on Axiata Group with a lower sum-of-parts (SOP)-based fair value of RM6 a share from an earlier RM6.15.
— The Star Online

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @Estee

Aung San Suu Kyi Invites Ethnic Militias to Meet Before Next Peace Conference
Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi has invited members of an alliance of ethnic groups that have not signed the government’s nationwide cease-fire pact for a meeting next week to discuss its demands before the next session of her signature peace conference, an alliance official said Friday.
— Radio Free Asia

Myanmar soldiers injured in clash with militants in troubled Rakhine
Two members of Myanmar’s security forces were injured in a clash with militants on the troubled Rakhine State border with Bangladesh, Myanmar state counselor’s office said, casting doubt on the government’s claim that the region had stabilised.
— Channel NewsAsia

Myanmar: ShweProperty.com bags ‘seven-digit series A funding’ for expansion
Myanmar’s ShweProperty.com, a leading property classified site has raised a seven digit series A for the expansion of the team and its marketing efforts, the company said. The investment was led by institutional investors who have significant experience in developing successful online classifieds and property portals worldwide, it added.
— Deal Street Asia

Hundreds of Rohingya return home from Bangladesh
Hundreds of Rohingya who fled to Bangladesh to escape persecution in Myanmar have returned home, community leaders said Sunday, adding that most had gone back temporarily to fetch relatives.
— Coconut Yangon

Minister warns illegal traders
Minister of Planning and Finance Ministry Kyaw Win has warned the illegal importers to obey the law.
— Eleven

Public servant housing projects to begin
The government and entrepreneurs meet at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry on February 18.
The government will develop low-cost housing for public servants across the country, said Kyaw Win, minister for planning and finance, told the private sector development committee and entrepreneurs at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry.
— Eleven

Rebels attack in Kayin
A splinter group from the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF) have clashed in Hlinebwe, Kayin State, where the no.7 brigade from the Karen National Union (KNU) is based on February 18 and both sides suffered casualties, sources say.
— Eleven

Tax on bank interest due next year
The Internal Revenue Department (IRD) will start collecting income taxes on bank interest in 2018 but apply this rule only to those who have deposited millions of kyats, said its director general Min Htut.
— Eleven

Interest rates set to fall: finance minister
The government will seek ways to decrease a 13-per-cent interest rate collected on bank loans, said Kyaw Win, minister for planning and finance, while meeting the Private Sector Development Committee and entrepreneurs at the Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry on Saturday.
— Eleven

EU-standard forestry agreement to be set up
The Forest Law, Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) agreement is being drawn up to develop good forestry administration that supports the development of the state, safeguards the public’s economy and protects the natural resources of the forests.
— Myanmar Times

UWSA hosts conference for non-signatories
The United Wa State Army is hosting a summit for non-signatory armed ethnic groups to the Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) at its capital Pangkham from February 21, said officials from the invited groups.
— Myanmar Times

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Jose Rodriguez Senas @15Souter

PHL could lose position as top source of nickel; Indonesia resumes exports
THE PHILIPPINES could lose its standing as the world’s top nickel supplier with Indonesia lifting its export ban on the metal, and after the Environment department ordered closures and canceled concessions which affected 28 mines, accounting for half of the country’s total nickel output.
— BusinessWorld

Phl seen as upper middle-income economy by 2022
The Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. (Philexport) is pushing for key reforms which it sees essential in transforming the Philippines into an upper middle-income economy by 2022.
— Philippine Star

PH economic freedom ranking jumps from 70th to 58th
Solid macro fundamentals sustained despite a change in administration last year helped the Philippines jump 12 spots to 58th in the 2017 Index of Economic Freedom (IEF) of Washington-based conservative political think-tank The Heritage Foundation.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippines seeks tougher ASEAN vs illegal drugs: source
The Philippines will push for a stronger region-wide response against illegal drugs, a top priority of President Rodrigo Duterte whose drug war is blamed for the killing of thousands of drug suspects in the country.
— ABS-CBN

Philippines under the microscope at ASEAN’s helm
SOUTHEAST ASIAN foreign ministers descend on the resort island of Boracay this week to kick-start a meeting deemed most crucial in the run-up to the April ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) summit that the Philippines chairs this year.
— BusinessWorld

Energy department, PEZA sign deal to make power cheaper for locators
THE Department of Energy (DoE) and the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) have agreed to hasten the development of regional economic zones by coming up with measures that will ease doing business in the country, including cheaper power rates.
— BusinessWorld

BSP scraps rules on liquid assets
The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) has lifted its liquidity-related rules previously imposed on local banks since the new Basel 3 liquidity standards will already cover these requirements.
— Manila Bulletin

Alibaba owner invests in Globe unit
Ant Financial Services Group, the financial technology company controlled by Alibaba’s Jack Ma, is making a strategic investment to get a 45-percent stake in Globe Fintech Innovations Inc. (Mynt), a unit of Globe Telecom Inc., to help accelerate financial inclusion in the Philippines.
— Philippine Star

Tobacco sin tax backfires
In 2012, the 15th Congress passed the Sin Tax Reform Law to enhance government’s revenue raising measures. Among its numerous provisions was to gradually increase excise taxes for packed cigarettes from a two-tiered system of P12 per pack for low-cost brands and P25 for premium brands in 2013 to a unified rate of P30 per pack, regardless of type, by 2017.
— Manila Bulletin

Philippine army to form task force for war on drugs, military chief says
The Philippine army will create a battalion-sized task force to help the government’s anti-narcotics agency run after high-level targets in President Rodrigo Duterte’s war on drugs, the country’s military chief says.
— ABC

Sun Life stays as country’s top insurer
SUN LIFE of Canada (Philippines), Inc. (Sun Life) kept its distinction as the country’s top life insurer in premium terms as its total premium income last year continued to be the highest in the industry, but with most firms’ figures declining from the previous year amid market volatility towards the end of 2016.
— BusinessWorld

PAL sees entry of strategic investor within 2017
PAL HOLDINGS, Inc. intends to take in a strategic investor before selling shares to the public, as tycoon Lucio C. Tan, Sr. expects to seal the consolidation of his airline ventures within the quarter.
— BusinessWorld

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Singapore Set for Modest Fiscal Push in 2017 Budget as Growth Risks Abound
Singapore’s 2017 budget is set to deliver a modest fiscal push to an economy that’s facing a gloomy trade outlook just as it starts to rebound.
— Bloomberg

US-China relationship key to stability of APAC region: Ng Eng Hen
How the US and China engage with each other and Asian countries will be key to the stability of the Asia Pacific (APAC) region comprising East Asia, the Korean Peninsula and Asean, Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Sunday (Feb 19).
— Channel NewsAsia

33 proposed amendments to Act governing condos
The tweak would allow condo managing agents to do away with a mandatory annual review of their appointments.
— The New Paper

Trouble Building in Singapore
Investors bemoaning Singapore banks’ fraught relationship with oil-services companies may be overlooking another brewing area of trouble — building and construction firms.
— Bloomberg

Varsities open more places for non-academic talents
More students who fall short of the entry score for a degree course can be considered based on their talents in various fields, including the arts and sports. Up to 2,240 university places will be available this year under the discretionary admission (DA) scheme.
— Straits Times

Israeli PM Netanyahu on 2-day visit to Singapore
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu kicks off a two-day official visit to Singapore from Monday (Feb 20).
— Channel NewsAsia

Bank of Singapore to use Dubai as base to attract Middle East, Africa wealth
The private banking arm of Singapore’s second-biggest lender OCBC (OCBC.SI) is targeting annual growth of assets of more than 20 percent from its new office in Dubai, which it aims to use to attract wealthy clients from the Middle East and Africa, its chief executive told Reuters on Sunday.
— Reuters

Travellers divided over ban on poultry from countries with avian flu risk
With the risk of bird flu in the news after the culling of free-roaming chickens in Sin Ming, a lesser-known poultry regulation has also ruffled some feathers.
— Today Online

Narrow Trading Range Tipped For Singapore Shares
The Singapore stock market has finished higher now in three straight sessions, gathering more than 35 points or 1.1 percent along the way. The Straits Times Index now rests just above the 3,105-point plateau, and the market is expected to remain rangebound on Monday.
— Nasdaq

Successful China ‘would benefit S’pore and region’

Singapore believes a stable, prosperous and successful China would benefit Singapore and the region, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said.
— Straits Times

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo-journ

Thailand’s plan to remake economy a lofty goal amid airport, cultural woes
Thailand is prone to policy faddism. Several years ago, the Asean Economic Community (AEC) was all the rage until it officially came into being with a whimper at the end of 2015.
— Today

Thai junta’s economic legacy-building at crossroads
Thailand’s languishing economy is finally seeing some rays of light, but its military government must battle the clock to lay a foundation for sustained growth before handing over power to a civilian government in about a year
— Nikkei Asian Review

Thai junta puts coal-fired power plant plan on hold
Thailand’s military government has put on hold plans for a coal-fired power plant in a region known for its pristine tourist beaches after protests by residents and activists, Thai media said on Monday.
— Reuters

Budget carriers’ passenger traffic continues to soar
Low-cost carriers (LCCs) have continued to take a bigger slice of overall airline traffic through Thailand, a trend that is set to continue unabated.
— Bangkok Post

SRT considers electric rail to Malaysia
The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has been asked to consider an electric train project linking Hat Yai to Padang Besar in Songkhla, said the Transport Ministry.
— Bangkok Post

SEC to work with graft group
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) will join the Anti-Corruption Organisation of Thailand (ACT) in its efforts to better examine the filings and accounts of companies listed on the stock exchange to ensure transparency.
— Bangkok Post

Eyes on Kansai for EEC inspiration
Japan’s Kansai national strategic special zone has come under the spotlight after the cabinet last Tuesday acknowledged a proposal by the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) to apply Japan’s special economic zone as a role model in developing the ambitious Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC).
— Bangkok Post

Thailand 4.0 and Digitalization: Beware the buzzword trap
Recently two new buzzwords have taken hold in Thailand.
Thai people are very fond of buzzwords, especially those that promise to solve all problems. When I first arrived here in 1986, Thailand was in the grip of a buzzword that had been popular for some time: Development.
— The Nation

Six nabbed for logging in Thailand
Six Cambodians were among 10 arrested in Thailand’s Thap Lan National Park in Prachinburi province on Friday for illegal logging.
— Khmer Times

Russia Plans to Supply Thailand With 4 Mi-17V5 Helicopters – Rostec Official
Russia plans to deliver four military transport Mi-17V5 helicopters to Thailand, Rostec state corporation’s international cooperation head Viktor Kladov told Sputnik on Saturday.
— Sputnik News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo-journ

VN ranks 86th in Talent Competitiveness
Việt Nam has been ranked 86th out of 118 countries in the annual Global Talent Competitiveness Index, which measures how countries grow, attract and retain talent.
— Viet Nam News

Vietnam’s wind power target blown off course by low profitability
Cheap electricity prices have literally taken the wind out of the sails of potential investors.
— VN Express International

Vietnam makes Intellectual Property headway
Viet Nam is ranked 37th among 45 countries in the latest Intellectual Property (IP) Index report compiled by the US Chamber of Commerce’s Global Intellectual Property Centre.
— Vietnam.net

Red streaks of sea water found near Taiwanese fish killer’s plant in Vietnam
Workers at Taiwanese Formosa Ha Tinh Steel notorious for last year’s mass fish kill have reported two red streaks of sea water at a port near the plant.
— VN Express International

Vietnam’s notorious undersea internet cable ruptures again
Vietnam’s internet speed is likely to slow in the coming days following problems with the notorious cable that connects the country with the U.S., local media quoted sources as saying on Sunday.
— VN Express International

VN urges adherence to int’l law, multilateralism promotion in Bonn
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called for the adherence to international law and the promotion of multilateralism for peace and sustainable development in his speech at a session of the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Bonn, Germany.
— Vietnam.net

State monopoly bill deemed “regressive”
The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s new draft decree on goods, services, and localities subject to state monopolies has received barracking from local and international experts.
— Vietnam.net

Opportunities exist for rice exports in high-end market
Soon after Vietnam began harvesting the 2016-2017 winter-spring crop, the Thai government announced it planned to sell all its stockpiled rice – estimated at 8 million tons – in the first half of 2017.
— Vietnam.net

NMDC In Talks To Acquire Stake In Vietnam Mine: Report
State-owned iron ore miner NMDC Ltd is in discussions with Vietnam-based Masan Resources to acquire a “considerable stake” in its Nui Phao polymetallic mine, sources close to the development said.
— NDTV

Ex-official of Vietnam shipbuilder faces death sentence for embezzlement
A former official at a subsidiary of Vietnam’s state-owned shipbuilding giant Vinashin is facing capital punishment for embezzling a large amount of money from the company’s funds.
— TuoiTreNews

Erosion-prone village near Vietnam’s Hoi An now a thriving ecotourism site
A village once plagued by soil erosion has emerged as an alluring eco-tourism destination for green-fingered travelers to central Vietnam.
— TuoiTreNews

Agricultural festival in Vietnam
The Ministry of Commerce is calling on local agriculture-related businessmen and enterprises who wish to exhibit their products and are looking for trading partners to join the International Agricultural Festival of the Mekong Delta from March 9 to March 13 in Vietnam’s Can Tho city.
— Khmer Times

The Asean Morning News Roundup is compiled by the editorial team at AEC News Today.