Asean morning news for December 17

Asean morning news for December 17
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Asean morning newsAsean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

ASEAN Plus 3 young entrepreneurs share startups experience
Young entrepreneurs and leaders from the ASEAN member nations and those from the Republic of Korea, Japan and China – the dialogue partner countries of the group, joined a discussion on experience, opportunities and challenges in hi-tech agriculture startups.
— VNA NET

Asean must press Suu Kyi : Dr Mahathir
Asean, which Thailand will chair next year, must take tough measures to put pressure on Myanmar and its de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi, to end atrocities against the Muslim Rohingya, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad said this weekend.
— The Nation

China’s global ambitions stretch beyond trade
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

China’s South China Sea grab
It has been just five years since China initiated its major land reclamation in the South China Sea, and the country has already shifted the territorial status quo in its favour – without facing any international pushback.
— The Asean Post

Mahathir calls for Asean unity as he receives doctorate
Asean has been a success, and the stability of the region depends on the unity of the 10-nation bloc, said Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad yesterday.
— The Straits Times

Lazada’s 11.11 and 12.12 shopping extravaganzas smash records with 1.3 billion visits
Southeast Asia’s leading eCommerce firm Lazada continues its record-breaking streak, drawing a whopping 1.3 billion visits to its platforms during its 11.11 and 12.12 shopping festivals.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire

Chinese labour migration to Southeast Asia
Both by design and proximity, China has had an immense influence on the Southeast Asian region.
— The Asean Post

Asean cities work to get ‘smart’
Thailand will play a leading role in implementing the smart-city network covering 26 cities in the 10 Asean countries as it takes over as the bloc’s chair next year, Digital Economy and Society Minister Pichet Durongkaveroj said last week.
— The Phnom Penh Post

ASEAN members identify next steps to protect migratory birds
MEMBERS of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have outlined the next steps for the conservation of migratory birds that navigate along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF).
— BusinessWorld Online

How HR can drive data literacy in their organisations
As business decision makers step into Industry 4.0, questions around the uncertainty of the future; talent and staffing; and the impact of automation, AI and other technologies have remained unanswered – till now.
— HRM Asia

Advancing Asean’s digital economy
Developing a harmonised approach to the digital economy would help Asean harness the opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or Industry 4.0) and enhance the regional grouping’s digital competitiveness, writes Phidel Vineles.
— Khmer Times

Making the region’s buildings energy efficient
Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) intend to reduce regional energy intensity 20 percent by 2020 and 30 percent by 2025 compared with 2005 levels.
— The Asean Post

Korean entrepreneurs pivot toward ASEAN on back of New Southern Policy
n line with the South Korean government’s push to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties with Southeast Asia, Korean entrepreneurs are increasingly seeking new opportunities in the region to benefit from its fast-growing economies, which have a combined population of 630 million and a combined gross domestic product of $2.4 trillion.
— The Korea Herald

PlayGame Collaborates with The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia to Bring Disney Games to Southeast Asian Fans on Playgame.com
PlayGame and The Walt Disney Company Southeast Asia today announced a one-year collaboration to bring a collection of game titles to fans across Southeast Asia.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire

National committee established to prepare for ASEAN Chairmanship
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc recently signed a decision on the establishment of a national committee tasked with making preparations for Vietnam to shoulder the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020.
— Vietnam Plus

Cambodia morning newsCambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

PM rejects $20 billion mining investment which endangers forests
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Saturday reminded people that he had rejected a proposed Titanium mining investment worth about $20 billion in Koh Kong province because the project would devastate a huge swathe of forests and endanger wildlife.
– The Khmer Times

He wanted to expose Cambodia’s virginity trade. Now, he’s in prison
A Cambodian woman says she sold her daughter’s virginity for $1,000 because they needed the money. Dressed in a school uniform with a backpack on her shoulders, the girl confirms her mother’s account.
— Southeast Asia Globe

Cambodia seizes over 3 tons of rare African ivory
Cambodian authorities said Saturday that they have seized more than 3 tons of rare African ivory hidden inside an abandoned shipping container, the country’s largest haul of elephant tusks in the last four years.
— Associated Press

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Indonesia, EFTA sign long delayed free trade deal
Indonesia on Sunday signed an economic agreement with the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) aimed at increasing trade and investment, concluding almost eight years of negotiations.
— The Star Online

Rise in benchmark interest rate to drag down growth: Economist
Bank Indonesia raising its benchmark interest rate, which is expected to continue to be aggressive, is predicted to drag down economic growth to 4.9 percent much below the government target of 5-5.4 percent in 2019 and 5.1 percent in 2018.
— Antara News

Indonesia aims to attract 3.5 million Chinese tourists next year
Indonesia has targeted to attract 3.5 million Chinese tourists to visit various tourist destinations in the country next year.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Roy         @electricnerve

 

Laos Misses Out On Its Five-Million Tourists Target This Year
Laos will close its “Visit Laos Year 2018” promotion well short of the five million tourist arrivals target, the Vientiane Times quoted officials.
— Investvine

Laos, Thailand Pledge Stronger Cooperation
Laos and Thailand have pledged to enhance and promote cooperation on economic, trade, investment, and electric energy to contribute to building ASEAN economic community and turning ASEAN into a single production base.
— KPL

China, Laos promise to strengthen cooperation, ties
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith here on Sunday, and both sides vowed to further develop their comprehensive strategic partnership of cooperation.
— Xinhua

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

Malaysia egg shortage leaves importer Singapore scrambling for alternatives
The Republic has a “wide range of alternative sources” for eggs, the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) said in response to a possible curtailing of supply from Malaysia.
— New Straits Times

AirAsia refuses to collect extra charge from KLIA2 passengers
Low-cost carrier AirAsia is not obligated to collect airport tax for Malaysia Airports (Sepang) Sdn Bhd (MASSB) and it has refused to collect the additional charge from passengers on behalf of MASSB.
— The Star Online

China online retailer Taobao endorsing physical store in Malaysia (corrected)
A spin off from China online retailer Taobao is endorsing a physical store in Malaysia.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar morning news

Compiled by Mark Roy         @electricnerve

 

Collapse of bridge in northern Myanmar severs key route for China trade
A bridge on Myanmar’s border with China collapsed on Friday as a convoy of trucks loaded with rare earth mineral ore crossed, sending one vehicle plunging into the Irawaddy River and cutting off a key trade route between the two countries.
— Radio Free Asia

Judicial graft case raises questions over suspect’s appointment
Yangon Region’s former chief legal official is a defendant in a high-profile corruption case that has left the NLD government with some explaining to do.
— Frontier Myanmar

Tatmadaw forcing boat owners to transport troops in Buthidaung
The Myanmar Amy reportedly forced local boat owners to transport troops to the conflict zone in northern Rakhine State’s Buthidaung Township, where civilians have been caught in the crossfire in recent clashes with the Arakan Army.
— The Irrawaddy

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

Hot money posts November net inflow of $832M
SHORT-TERM investments made by foreign investors to the Philippines turned positive in November this year, indicating a resurgence of favorable global investor sentiment toward the country for the coming months.
— Business Mirr

PH external debt rises 5.6% as of end-September
Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Nestor A. Espenilla Jr. said the country’s outstanding external debt went up by 5.6 percent or $4 billion to $76.4 billion as of end-September this year from $72.4 billion in the same period in 2017 with new borrowings during the quarter period.
— Manila Bulletin

Economy seen growing over 7% in 2019
Nomura Securities Ltd. expects the Philippines to book faster economic expansion with gross domestic product (GDP) growing above seven percent next year amid the election-related spending boost.
— The Philippine Star

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning newsSingapore morning news

Compiled by Mark Roy         @electricnerve

 

Scale of theft at Shell’s Singapore refinery much greater, court documents show
Around $150 millions’ worth of oil was stolen from Shell’s biggest global refinery over several years, Singapore court documents reviewed by Reuters show, far more than reported when police first revealed the heist earlier this year.
— Reuters

IMDA blocks Singapore Herald website for not removing articles on Singapore-Malaysia maritime dispute
Access to the Singapore Herald socio-political website has been blocked after its editors failed to take down objectionable articles, the Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA) said on Sunday (Dec 16).The website published eight articles between Dec 6 and Dec 12 that …
— Channel News Asia

Maritime dispute: Singapore ‘disappointed’ at Malaysia’s position but welcomes de-escalation
Singapore is disappointed that Malaysia has refused to return to the status quo before it extended the Johor Bahru port limits but welcomed its neighbour’s pledge to de-escalate the situation on the ground, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Monday (Dec 10) in response to …
— Channel News Asia

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

 

Thailand morning newsThailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Embassy staff can observe poll, but not outsiders, says foreign minister
The Foreign Ministry has welcomed the idea of allowing embassy staff to observe the general election but not non-residents or foreign organisations.
— Bangkok Post

Thai Govt launches campaign to regain Chinese visitors’ confidence
Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat said this weekend that Thailand has initiated a number of measures to better balance, manage, and distribute visitor numbers and preserve the quality of tourism destinations in Thailand.
— NNT

Hundreds of Thai Women Sold for Sex, US Prosecutors Say
Hundreds of Thai women were lured to the United States to work in brothels across the country, U.S. prosecutors said, as they announced that five people had been convicted of various charges for their involvement in “modern-day sex slavery.”
— Benar News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

 

500 poor families financially helped to build new houses
Some 500 disadvantaged families in the central provinces of Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh, Phu Yen and Khanh Hoa have received financial aid worth a total of 25 billion VND (1.07 million USD) to build their own houses.
— VNA NET

Vinalines’ container shipping centre to debut
The Vietnam National Shipping Lines (Vinalines)’s container shipping centre will be put into operation on December 17, said Vinalines Deputy General Director Do Thi Ngoc Trang.
— VNA NET

BIM Land named ‘Best Resort Developer Southeast Asia’
BIM Land Joint Stock Company, a member of diversified conglomerate BIM Group, was named Best Resort Developer Southeast Asia at the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2018 held late last week in HCM City.
— Viet Nam News

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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