Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Global tech companies in Southeast Asia
Against the backdrop of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Southeast Asia is slowly but surely turning into a battleground for international tech companies to flex their financial muscles and impart their data-driven dominance.
— The Asean Post
ASEAN to cooperate on cybermedia controls
ASEAN leaders will meet next week to set up regulatory frameworks, including norms, for responsible use of cybermedia as government-led crackdowns on “fake news” spread across the region.
— The Jakarta Post
Documentary launched to sell Asean as tourist destination to Chinese
The temples of Cambodia’s Angkor Wat, rice paddies in the Philippines and Singapore’s bustling Clarke Quay will all be playing a role in a documentary showcasing the diversity of Asean that will be broadcast in China in a few months.
— The Straits Times
‘US-China trade war to slow Asean’s economic progress’
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations will not take the brewing trade conflict between the United States and China sitting down, as the regional bloc will urge the two economies to shun protectionism in favor of free trade at its 32nd summit this week.
— Business Mirror
Around the region: Options for ASEAN smart cities program
The government will propose that its capital Jakarta, as well as the cities of Makassar in South Sulawesi and Banyuwangi in East Java, be included in an upcoming ASEAN smart cities program, as the bloc seeks ways to build more sustainable cities in the region.
— The Jakarta Post
Championing biodiversity in Southeast Asia
‘Biodiversity is an environmental concern that knows no boundaries.” Thus said Theresa Mundita S. Lim, the former director of the Biodiversity Management Bureau (BMB) of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), at her inaugural speech as the new executive director of the Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB).
— Business Mirror
Rise of Southeast Asia on the Fintech Radar
Senjo Group, Singapore based Fintech group, is in search for a joint investment opportunities in the region. In order to amass assets in a diversified portfolio of Fintech firm, the group is keen to provide exit route to the Venture Capital (VC) firms who want to opt out of their equity stake.
— Theoofy
Trump vs the Fed — a new risk for Asia
If Donald Trump’s tweets are a window into his mind, his April 16 outburst should have thoughts racing across Asian financial markets.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)
PH firm to expand education network in Asean
The Phinma group plans to scale up its footprint in Southeast Asia’s education space by transforming its pilot nursing and healthcare training center in Myanmar into a full college while scouting for expansion opportunities in Vietnam and Indonesia.
— Inquirer.net
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
NBC warns against online borrowing
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) yesterday called for citizens to exercise caution when dealing with online and mobile lending companies, as many of these lenders are not authorized by NBC.
— Khmer Times
Cambodia Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
Government reveals new budget reform strategy
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday announced the government’s new strategy for budget reform aimed at enhancing the sound management of public funds.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Corporate funds will shake up Indonesian VC model
Traditional venture capital funds are slowing in Indonesia’s technology sector, despite a digital boom.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)
Signing 7 Contracts, Pertamina Prepares Investment of IDR7.45 Tln
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (EMR) Ignasius Jonan officially granted the approval of seven working area contracts originating from eight working areas whose cooperation contract will end in 2018.
— Netral News
Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos vows to help track Thai fugitives
Thai political fugitives in Laos will be kept under strict surveillance to prevent them from engaging in lese majeste activities, the Laos government has assured Thailand.
— Bangkok Post
Laos Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
Govt boosting quality to lure more Chinese tourists
The Government is set to enhance the quality of tourism services in a bid to attract more foreign tourists, especially from China, as it becomes the largest tourism market in the region, and globally.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s franchise industry is expected to grow five per cent this year
Malaysia’s franchise industry is expected to grow five per cent this year due to its good prospects in the international markets.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia says will look into bot activity on Twitter, upon complaints
Malaysian regulators will look into the activity of automated accounts on Twitter, known as bots, in the run-up to a general election if they get complaints about them, the communications and multimedia minister said.
— Business Insider
Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Family of Myanmar policeman who described sting on Reuters reporters evicted: family
The family of a Myanmar policeman who told a court how police planted secret documents on Reuters reporters to “entrap” them was evicted from police housing in the capital Naypyitaw on Saturday, less than 24 hours after his testimony, family members said.
— Reuters
285 dead, over 1,000 injured during Thingyan
At least 285 deaths were reported to have been related to this year’s Thingyan festivities between April 13 and 17, up from 272 last year, according to Myanmar state media. Reported injuries dropped from 1,086 last year to 1,073 this year, while crimes rose from 967 to 1,200.
— Coconuts Yangon
Myanmar Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PH joins global call: Ban plastic pollution
The Philippines focused on the cleanup of Boracay on Sunday as it joined other countries in highlighting the global problem of plastic pollution on Earth Day.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Philippines Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
PhilWeb sees 1Q18 revenue surge 236%
Philippines gaming services provider PhilWeb Corporation has announced a 236.7% surge in revenue to Php87.8 million for the three months to 31 March 2018.
— Inside Asian Gaming
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
PM Lee to announce cabinet reshuffle next week
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will announce cabinet reshuffle next week which will involve all 16 ministries, The Straits Times Online reported on Saturday (April 21).
— Thai PBS
Singapore to stick to one operator when Tuas port opens
Singapore, which is building a new mega port in Tuas, has ruled out having a second operator to manage the larger facility, which will open progressively from 2021.
— The Straits Times
Singapore Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Bank tips strong economic growth this year
The Government Savings Bank’s economic research centre has forecast that the country’s economy will grow by 4.2 per cent this year thanks to strong growth in exports, investment from the both public and private sectors, and tourism.
— The Nation
Thailand Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
Number of new businesses in Q1 hits new high
Thailand, in the first quarter of 2018 registered more than 20,000 new businesses, the highest number ever recorded.
— News Today (video)
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Reforms improve Vietnam’s credit access
Administrative reforms have contributed to improving the country’s credit access in recent years, making it rank among the top 30 economies with the best Getting Credit Index, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Dao Minh Tu said.
— The Hanoi Times
Ministries speed up streamlining of regulations
Ministries have continued accelerating administrative reforms to aid businesses in their operations.
— Bizhub
Vietnam Country Report on Human Rights Practices for 2017
— US Department of State
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.
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