Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Indonesia and Singapore to boost cooperation in investment and vocational education
Indonesia and Singapore have agreed to boost cooperation in investment and vocational education, especially in the industrial sector, with Indonesia offering the development of three industrial estates to Singapore.
— Channel NewsAsiaÂ
UK between a rock and a hard place in South China Sea
The British warship HMS Sutherland docked in Australia on the weekend. The Royal Navy’s Type 23 anti-submarine frigate will conduct exercises and patrol operations with the naval forces of allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
— Asia Times
New Zealand pushes reinvigorated Trans-Pacific trade pact
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday her country was pushing hard for the final text of the revived Trans-Pacific trade pact to be released on Wednesday when her government publishes its own assessment of the deal.
— Bangkok Post
Philippines’ Ayala finds toehold in Thailand with water deal
Philippine conglomerate Ayala is pushing into Thailand, with a water investment marking its first big step.
— Nikkie Asian ReviewÂ
Call for Australia to become ASEAN member
A policy think tank has called for Australia to maximise its future in Asia by joining the ASEAN club of southeast Asian nations.
— SBS News
Asean’s digital economy key to unlocking growth
RESILIENCE and innovation. That’s the tag line for Singapore’s chairmanship of Asean this year. And both are very much needed if Asean is to achieve true integration in the form of a single market.
— The Business TimesÂ
Turkey’s rough road in engaging Asean
It was like a blip coming out of nowhere when Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said last August that he would not mind backing Turkey’s membership in Asean.
— Bangkok PostÂ
Developers race to house Southeast Asian middle class
Property developers are charging into the market for affordable housing in Southeast Asia, seeking to profit as rising incomes make homeowners of the middle class.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)
ASEAN working hard to produce consensus on practical measures: Dr Ng Eng Hen
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen said that China’s actions in the South China Sea (SCS) dispute were motivated by their desire to prevent encirclement and to push forward their line of defence.
— Connected To India
Arms trade fuels Russia’s inroads into Southeast Asia
The bedrock of Russia’s relations with Southeast Asian countries is the sale of its arms. According to a Chatham House report in 2017, Russia exports 43.1 percent of its weapons to Asia and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states are key recipients of these arms.
— The Asean PostÂ
Digitalising healthcare in Southeast Asia
The healthcare industry is unique. Unlike specific sectors which can be completely disrupted by automation or technology, the healthcare industry is a shining example of how technology can complement a profession rather than threaten it.
— The Asean PostÂ
World’s most controversial fruit depends on giant bats for pollination
While we debate whether the durian is the best or worst food on the planet, it turns out this wonderful oddity requires healthy populations of flying fox for survival
— The GuardianÂ
Increasing LNG demand in Southeast Asia pushes LNG infrastructure development
Natural gas has made up 40% of ASEAN electricity generation since 2000, according to the Southeast Asia Energy Outlook report 2017.
— The Asean Post
Indonesia offers three industrial estates for Singapore development
Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto said in Jakarta on Monday that he had offered the development of three industrial estates in North Kalimantan, North Sumatra and North Sulawesi to Singapore.
— The Jakarta Post
Mexico urged to tap ASEAN market via Philippines
The Philippines has urged Mexico-based technology and manufacturing companies to look into the possibility of making the Philippines the center of their operations and entry point to the lucrative market of the 10-nation Association of Southeast Nations (ASEAN).
— Xinhua
Spotlight Shines on Vietnam as Southeastern Asia MRO Market Prepares for Rapid Growth
Aviation Week’s Fleet and MRO Forecast predicts the Southeast Asia market will generate US $5.8 billion in MRO demand in 2018, while the broader Asia-Pacific MRO market is expected to generate US $22.6 billion by 2027, at 4.3% per annum.
— AsiaOne
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Cambodian court on a ‘fishing expedition’ through emails, James Ricketson says
Emails sent by filmmaker James Ricketson to Cambodia’s political opposition and members of the country’s media are being investigated by a judge who is looking for evidence of espionage, but the Australian says it’s a “fishing expedition”.
— ABC
Garment sector still plagued by truck bans
The garment industry’s gridlock due to a crackdown on illegal trucks continued through the Chinese New Year, potentially prolonging a crisis that members of garment and trucking associations have said threatens their industries.
— The Phnom Penh Post
CDC Lures Japanese Investment to Cambodia, Worth of $1.6B by 2017
The Council for the Development of Cambodia (CDC) has put a huge effort to attract more Japanese investors to Cambodia.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Indonesia to woo oil and gas majors via Europe, US roadshows
Indonesia will hold roadshows in the U.S. and Europe later this month to lure investments from the world’s top oil companies as the former OPEC member seeks to reverse a decline in oil and gas production.
— DealStreetAsia
Indonesia extends export recommendation for Freeport
The Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry has extended the export recommendation for gold and copper miner PT Freeport Indonesia amid sluggish progress in the negotiation of the divestment of 51 percent of the company’s shares to Indonesian entities.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia to Have More Than 5 Start-Up Unicorns by 2019: Minister
Indonesia is likely to have more than five startups worth at least $1 billion each by 2019, with healthcare and education the most promising sectors to spawn new unicorns in Southeast Asia’s biggest economy, its communication minister told Reuters.
— JakartaGlobe
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Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
UK dedicates 1.4b kip to Luang Prabang’s educational development
The United Kingdom (UK) recently granted more than 1.4 billion kip (US$503,297) to develop education of disadvantaged people in rural areas in Luang Prabang province via the Laos Educational Opportunities Trust (LEOT) project.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
Lao Telecom plans $50m network upgrade to boost services
LAO Telecom, the country’s leading telecommunications operator, plans to invest US$50 million this year to continue improving and expanding the telecommunications system for better services.
— The NationÂ
Children’s Hospital, KACLC helping needy kids with cancer
The Children’s Hospital in Vientiane will continue to provide healthcare to children of with cancer under the health policy and support of partner development.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Malaysia to continue dominating global glove market, says Mah
Given the strong export performance in 2017, Malaysia is expected to continue dominating the world market for rubber gloves, especially medical gloves, for use in the healthcare sector.
— The Star Online
Local newspaper companies likely to raise cover prices
Local newspaper companies are likely to raise their cover prices after Media Chinese International Ltd said it would increase the cover price of its flagship newspaper Shin Chew Daily by 20 sen to RM1.50 effective March 1.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia’s timber exports to increase 5pc this year
Malaysia’s timber exports are expected to increase five per cent this year from RM23.22 billion in 2017, Malaysian Timber Industry Board (MTIB) Director-General Datuk Dr Jalaluddin Harun said.
— Malay Mail Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Myanmar government ‘bulldozing Rohingya mass grave to hide evidence’
The government of Myanmar is bulldozing over the site of a Rohingya mass grave in an effort to destroy evidence of a massacre committed last year by the military, according to a rights monitoring group.
— The Guardian
Myanmar seizes drugs and equipment worth US$7 million in lab raid
Myanmar troops seized US$7 million worth of narcotics, precursors and equipment in a raid on drug labs in the restive north, the army said Monday (Feb 19), as it continues a war against ethnic rebels accused of profiting from the drug trade.
— Channel NewsAsia
Bangladesh says to meet with Myanmar on Rohingya trapped at border
Representatives from Bangladesh and Myanmar will meet on Tuesday to discuss the repatriation to Myanmar of more than 6,500 Rohingya Muslims trapped on a strip of unclaimed land between the two countries, Bangladeshi officials said.
— ReutersÂ
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Philippines: HIV cases up 3,147 percent in 10 years
New HIV cases continued to increase in the Philippines in 2017, with a 3,147 percent surge since 2007, according to an Al Jazeera analysis of the latest data published by the country’s health agency, bucking a downward trend worldwide.
— Al Jazeera
Philippine police arrest man suspected of recruiting for the Islamic State
Philippine authorities announced the arrest of a foreign national on Monday for allegedly recruiting local fighters for Islamic State-aligned insurgent groups.
— The Washington Post
Kuwait invites Philippine president to visit amid workers row
Kuwait has invited Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to visit, state news agency KUNA said on Monday, as the countries seek to settle their differences over allegations of extreme abuse of migrant workers in the wealthy Gulf state.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat  @leakhenakhat
All adult Singaporeans will get one-off bonus of up to S$300
Every Singaporean aged 21 years and above this year will receive a one-off “hongbao” of between S$100 and S$300 from the Government, as the Republic expects a record surplus for the current financial year.
— Today OnlineÂ
Singapore’s FY18 Budget aims to foster pervasive innovation throughout economy
An additional $145 million is being set aside for Tech Skills Accelerator. The Government is also planning to pilot an Open Innovation Platform, a virtual crowd-sourcing platform where companies can list specific challenges that can be addressed by digital solutions.
— Open Gov AsiaÂ
Singapore Boosts Taxes to Shore Up Revenue for Aging Nation
Singapore Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced a range of tax increases in his budget, including a surprise hike in property levies, as he seeks to shore up savings to cope with a rapidly aging population.
— BloombergquintÂ
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre   @photo_journ
Thailand’s GDP grows at fastest pace in 5 years in 2017
Thailand’s gross domestic product grew an inflation-adjusted 3.9% in 2017, up from 3.3% the previous year, marking its fastest expansion since 2012, according to government statistics released Monday.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)
EEC Committee on course to turn U-Tapao airport and surroundings into aviation city
The Eastern Economic Corridor committee is on course to turn the U-Tapao airport and its surrounding area into an aviation city within five years.
— NNT
SCB research centre predicts 650,000 jobs taken over by robots in the next 12 years
About 650,000 jobs in automotive, food processing and electronic industries are like to be taken over by robots and intelligence robots in the next 12 years, according to a forecast of the Business and Economic Research Centre of Siam Commercial Bank.
— Thai PBS
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
New Vietnamese decree may halt RI auto exports
The Trade Ministry’s director general for international trade has said that a new Vietnamese regulation on automotive imports could significantly affect Indonesia’s exports of fully assembled vehicles to the country.
— The Jakarta Post
Digital economy is the future for Vietnam
Nhan Dan newspaper talked to some Vietnamese experts about the advantages of the digital economy in the course of applying the fourth industrial revolution.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Developing Vietnam’s cultural industry
The “cultural industry” is an umbrella term for the combination of the industries involved in the creation, production, distribution, and consumption of cultural or creative products and the protection of intellectual property rights.
— Nhan Dan Online
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.