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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

ASEAN-Korea Center makes donation to Laos flood relief
The ASEAN-Korea Center donated 3 million won ($2,650) to the Embassy of Lao People’s Democratic Republic on Aug. 6 to aid flood recovery efforts from a dam collapse on July 23.
— The Korea Herald

Mekong water security sets off alarm bells in the region
Water resource security – which involves the sustainable use and protection of water systems, the mitigation against floods and droughts, and the sustainable development of water resources – is one of the emerging key regional issues in Southeast Asia.
— Khmer Times

Time for US to recalibrate China policy in Southeast Asia
From August 1 to 5, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo finished his first official trip to Southeast Asia since taking office in April.
— Global Times

Growing doubts over China’s Belt and Road projects in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia is seen as the pivot of China’s multi-billion dollar Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
— Channel NewsAsia

China’s soft ambitions for the world
Even with sketchy financial information, research academics agree that China’s island building in the Spratly archipelago is a multi-billion-dollar undertaking.
— The Asean Post

Corridor enables robust trade with ASEAN markets
The Southern Transport Corridor, a logistics network linking China’s western cities and ASEAN countries, is growing to be a vital artery.
— China.org.cn

Moody’s liquidity ‘stress indicator’ weakens again
Moody’s Investors Service says on Monday that its Asian Liquidity Stress Indicator (Asian LSI) weakened to 32.7 per cent in July from 30.9 per cent in June.
— The Nation

ISIS is not finished. Why South East Asia is now under a greater threat
The ISIS may have been defeated in Syria and in retreat elsewhere, but there is serious danger that it could expand its activities in South East Asia.
— DailyO

Internet Speed In Southeast Asia: Singapore, Thailand Top, Philippines Flop
Singapore and Thailand have the fastest average Internet speeds in of the more developed countries in Southeast Asia, while the Philippines is lagging significantly behind its regional neighbours, the newly released fourth quarter 2016 report State of the Internet by US-based network company Akamai reveals.
— Investvine

HELE still imperative for ASEAN countries
Developing and emerging economies, such as the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), cannot meet their energy needs, tackle energy poverty and reduce global emissions without utilising all energy options and all low emission technologies.
— World Coal

Digital villages in rural ASEAN
India would love to play “Big Brother” in a digital sense to ASEAN. The subcontinent wants to create digital villages in Cambodia, Lao PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam.
— The Asean Post

Da Nang plans to become ASEAN logistics centre
The central city of Da Nang plans to build a logistics complex to position itself as an international-standard logistics centre for Vietnam, ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region by 2030.
— Vietnam Plus

Director-General of Investment Promotion visits ASEAN to promote Hong Kong’s role in Guangdong Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
The Director-General of Investment Promotion, Mr Stephen Phillips, today (August 13) embarked on visits in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and Bangkok, Thailand, in the latest promotion activity to update Association of Southeast Asian Nations investors on the business opportunities Hong Kong has to offer in the context of the Guangdong Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area development.
— Asia One

Is Southeast Asia ready to go cashless?
As investments in fintech continue to surge globally and throughout Southeast Asia, the region may be on its way to solving the divide between mobile connectivity and financial inclusion.
— Southeast Asia Globe

ASEAN Demonstrates Solidarity for the Earthquake Survivors In Lombok, Indonesia
As the ASEAN Community commemorates the 51st anniversary of ASEAN last week on 8 August 2018, the region has experienced simultaneous multiple disasters in the past few weeks, including extensive flooding in the northern ASEAN region and powerful earthquake in Lombok, Indonesia.
— ReliefWeb

Why Trade Matters to the ASEAN+3
Headquartered in Singapore, ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) is the regional surveillance unit of the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM), a multilateral currency swap arrangement among ASEAN+3 (the 10 ASEAN members, China, Japan and South Korea) that seeks to address balance of payment and short-term liquidity difficulties in the region and to support existing international finance arrangements.
— Brink

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

U.S. Seeks to Appoint Senior Asia Diplomat as Cambodia Ambassador
President Donald Trump on Friday approved the nomination of senior Asia diplomat W. Patrick Murphy as his pick to lead the U.S. mission in Cambodia amid soured U.S.-Cambodian relations over Phnom Penh’s handling of a general election last month.
— VOA Cambodia

Election, NEC to Announce Official Result on August 15
Without any complaints, the National Election Committee (NEC) will announce the official election result on 15 August 2018 as scheduled, NEC spokesman Hang Puthea confirmed on Monday evening.
— Fresh News

Aid to Cambodia tops $20bn, but ‘democratic society’ still far off
Cambodia has received $20.68 billion in foreign aid since the early 1990s to build a democratic society following decades of unrest, but this support may be in jeopardy as Prime Minister Hun Sen turns the country into essentially a one-party state.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Death toll in Lombok earthquake rises to 436
The death toll in the recent earthquakes in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara, has increased to 436 as of today, according to the National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB).
— Thai PBS

Damaged Homes from Lombok Quake to Receive IDR 10-50 million Donation from Government
Social Affairs Minister Idrus Marham says the ministry is currently trying to fulfill the basic needs during the emergency response due to the West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) earthquake, up until the recovery period.
— Netral News

Lombok Earthquake Losses Surpass IDR5.04 Trillion
The impact of economic losses due to the earthquake in West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is very large.
— Netral News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Police dogs deployed for mission in Laos
In a first, three dogs from the Singapore Police Force K-9 Unit have been deployed on an overseas mission to help in disaster relief efforts in Laos.
— The New Paper

Attapeu hospitals treat 221 injured flood victims
Some 149 people who were injured when the flood raged through this area have received treatment at the district hospital, while 72 people with more serious injuries were taken to Attapeu provincial hospital.
— Vientiane Times

UN In Laos Aids Thousands Affected By Flash Flood In Southern Laos
As relief operations continue in flooded villages of Attapeu province of southern Laos, United Nations agencies are working with the government and humanitarian partners to bring in clean water, food, shelter and medical aid for the more than 13,000 people affected by the floods.
— Lao News Agency

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia eyes more than 10-fold hike in Singapore water deal
Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said Monday he is seeking to hike the price of water sold to the neighbouring country of Singapore by more than 10 times as Malaysia searches for ways to pay off massive debts.
— The Star Online

Malaysia remains attractive to foreign investors
Malaysia has remained attractive for foreign investors despite concerns over international crises, including the collapse of the Turkish lira by up to 20 per cent against the US dollar, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
— The Edge Markets

Trade wars to hit Malaysian steel sector
The Malaysian steel sector will be affected negatively in 2018 and 2019 due to the trade wars on the external front, said MIDF Research.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo

Pilot project to irrigate Myanmar’s dry zoneKhine Kyaw
Farmers living in the central dry zone will no longer have to fight for water thanks to a pilot project funded by Livelihoods and Food Security Trust Fund (LIFT), International Water Management Institute (IWMI) and other partners, officials said.
— The Nation

Mon State gov’t to assist flood-hit farmlands
Over 65,000 acres of monsoon paddy have been inundated in Kyaikhto, Bilin, Thaton, Paung, and Kyaikmaraw townships in the Mon State due to heavy rain in July and around 17,000 acres have been completely damaged, according to statistics from the Mon State Department of Agriculture.
— BNI

State Counsellor urges youth to spend more time reading
State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi urged the youth to spend more time reading and not just on video games in order to expand their perspective and improve their writing skills.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Proposed P3.757-T 2019 nat’l budget appears headed for a slow down
The passage of the proposed 2019 P3.757 trillion national budget in the Senate appears headed for a slow down as lawmakers disagree on whether a cash-based or obligation-based system should be adopted.
— Manila Bulletin

Flood control projects get P20-billion budget slash in 2019
A new budget system is cutting P20 billion out of the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) flood control projects.
— CNN Philippines

$475 for eligible Filipino amnesty seekers
All Filipino amnesty seekers here, regardless of their status with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), who will go home for good will receive cash amounting to $100 (Dh367) from the Philippine government.
— Gulf News

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Singapore exports jump 9.4% in Q2
Singapore’s non-oil domestic exports (NODX) jumped 9.4 per cent in the second quarter of 2018, driven by non-electronic exports, according to statistics released by trade agency Enterprise Singapore on Monday (Aug 13).
— Channel NewsAsia

Home sales surged 60.7% to $8.2b in Q2
The largest transaction was Tulip Garden which was collectively sold for $906.9m.
— Singapore Business Review

Singapore maintains full-year GDP forecast as economy expands 3.9% in Q2
However, slower growth is expected in the second half of 2018 with increasing uncertainties and downside risks in the global economy.
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Populist budget close to legal limit
Little room remains in the budget for the government to spend further on populist policies through state-owned financial institutions, as populist spending is nearing the cap of 30% of the annual budget, says an informed source at the Finance Ministry.
— Bangkok Post

Government urged to help 1.2m desperately poor Thais
AT LEAST 1.2 million Thais are desperately poor and need urgent help from the government, the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) said.
— The Nation

NLA drops plan to amend EC law on poll inspectors
After encountering heavy criticism, the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) might revise its decision to seek an amendment to the Election Commission (EC) law, an NLA source said yesterday.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam stops bitcoin mining imports
Vietnamese businesses and individuals have stopped importing bitcoin mining equipment to the country since the beginning of July, according to the HCM City Customs Department.
— The Nation

Da Nang plans to become ASEAN logistics centre
The central city plans to build a logistics complex to position Da Nang as an international-standard logistics centre for Việt Nam, ASEAN and the Asia Pacific region by 2030.
— Bizhub

Vietnam’s regional minimum wage poised to increase 5.3% in 2019
The proposed increase in the regional minimum wage will be submitted to the Vietnamese government for approval.
— The Hanoi Times

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

The Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news round-ups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of news reports from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. We scour hundreds of local and international news and websites to find the things that you need to know to start your working week day.

We clearly identify the source of the story, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you. It’s all then packaged up in an easy to read format enabling you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original source, or keep on reading the headlines. AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.

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