Asean Morning News For February 26

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Direct flights from Asean countries
The three aviation hubs of Singapore, Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur hold the lion’s share of these direct flights, although they are not India’s closest neighbours.
— The Straits Times

ADB, B Grimm Power expand support for renewable energy in ASEAN
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) recently signed a loan equivalent of up with $235 million to B. Grimm Power Public Company Limited (B.Grimm Power), one of the largest power producers in Thailand, to develop and enhance renewable energy capacity in member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Pakistan Observer

Southeast Asia’s Arms Race
While countries in many parts of the world are reducing their military spending, Southeast Asian countries are bucking the trend. Total defense spending of ASEAN states doubled over the last 15 years in absolute terms, with countries like Indonesia and Thailand witnessing military expenditure growth rates of 10 percent on a year-by-year basis.
— Asia Sentinel

Building successful apps for Southeast Asia
The potential for the app market is huge in Southeast Asia, where smartphone usage accounts for more than 90% of overall internet use in the region, according to a 2017 joint report produced by Google and Temasek Holdings.
— The Asean Post

Asean airports face capacity issues under open skies policy — Honeywell
Asean has progressed tremendously in liberalising its skies over the last decade, but the question is whether the region is ready for full liberalisation, said Honeywell International Inc’s vice president, Airlines, Asia Pacific & Aerospace Leader, Brian Davis.
— The Borneo Post

Meeting ASEAN’s green finance appetite
Member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are now, more than ever, exposed to the risks of climate change and environmental degradation.
— The Asean Post

How Trump’s immigration plan would affect Asians — in charts
A new immigration framework proposed by the White House last month could significantly change the makeup of Asian communities in the U.S., particularly the poorest.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Commentary: Singapore sounds an optimistic note but eyes tough year ahead as ASEAN chair
The foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently met in Singapore from Feb 4 to 6.
— Channel NewsAsia

ADB to finance Asean energy project
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a loan for $235 million to B.Grimm Power, one of the largest power producers in Thailand, to develop and enhance renewable energy capacity in Asean member countries.
— The Khmer Times

Commentary: Make social impact a qualifying condition for Govt grants
Where innovation to transform society is needed, businesses, especially those receiving government grants and assistance, should be key partners, says executive director of the Lien Centre for Social Innovation.
— ChannelNews Asia

First ASEAN Biennale to be held in University of the Philippines in Diliman
The ASEANnale 2018 with the theme “Capturing the Spirit of ASEAN in the Digital Times,” brings together three (3) events under one roof: the 1st Film and Multimedia Competition and Exhibition, the 2nd International Symposium on ASEAN Studies, and the Distinguished ASEAN Award for Higher Education on 28 February to 02 March 2018 at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.
— Philippine Information Agency

Yamato to expand logistics business in Southeast Asia
Yamato Holdings is expanding its delivery business in Southeast Asia, starting a forwarding service for importers and exporters in Indonesia and Myanmar.
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)

Asian coal demand to offset EU and US decline
Demand for coal in developing Asian countries will offset a decline in Europe and the U.S., enabling the industry to continue growing, according to the head of the World Coal Association.
— Hellenic Shipping News

ASEAN Confectionery Market size and Key Trends in terms of volume and value 2015 – 2025
Items in confectionery market consists of candies, chocolates, toffees, lollies, bakery items;basically food items that are rich in sugar and sweet content. Mostly confectionery market items consists of food products like butter, cocoa, honey, milk, flour, fruits, honey, nuts, sugar syrup and more.
— Find Market Research

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Cambodia ruling party wins all senate seats: election committee
Cambodia’s ruling party won all the Senate seats at stake in an election Sunday, according to the National Election Committee, further consolidating the party’s lock on power in one of Southeast Asia’s economically fastest growing but most authoritarian nations.
— Bangkok Post

Industrial sector grows, but still reliant on garment factories
The government released a summary of the country’s industrial sector over the past five years, showing a marked increase in growth across a wide variety of indicators.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodian Rice Organization Facing Own Problems
In a report last month, the Cambodian Rice Federation (CRF) warned the country’s market for exports could be destroyed by secret or unlawful sales of rice.
— VOA

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Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Indonesia says US biodiesel decision kills chance of fair trade
The US’ recent decision to add anti-dumping duties on biodiesel from Indonesia is preventing Indonesia’s exporters from trading in the US market, Pradnyawati, director of trade security at Indonesia’s Trade Ministry, told Arab News.
— Arab News

Fear and horror among Indonesia’s LGBT community as gay sex ban looms
When Ael left home to go to school in Jakarta, his parents warned him to be careful in the big city. “Be a kind person,” his mother told him.
— CNN International

Infrastructure setback in Indonesia
Indonesian President Joko Widodo is facing a major setback after suspending construction of elevated toll roads and railway tracks following a string of recent construction accidents.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Paediatrician urges caution over infectious diseases
About 80-90 percent of Lao children suffer from infectious diseases, and parents are advised to pay special attention to this problem. President of the Pediatrics Association of Laos, Associate Prof.
— Vientiane Times

Inefficient state firms facing up to significant reform
Nearly 100 state-owned enterprises in Laos are expected to undergo significant structural reforms including increased privatisation after the government found them to be operating inefficiently, according to a government report.
— Vientiane Times

Second Lao Governor Dismissed Over Illegal Logging Claims
Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisolith has ordered the governor of the country’s northeastern Xieng Khouang province moved from his job to an obscure government post amid renewed efforts to rein in profiteering from the trade in illegal timber, Lao sources say.
— Radio Free Asia

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Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Strength in Malaysia’s economy drawing factor for global investments
The current strength of Malaysia’s economy is the main factor drawing major global companies to invest in Malaysia, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Abdul Razak.
— The Sun Daily

Axiata launches cashless ecosystem through Boost e-wallet
AT THE inaugural Axiata Group townhall at the Axiata Arena with over 1000 Axiata and Celcom employees as well as partners, investees and beneficiaries, Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak witnessed the launch of the Cashless Ecosystem for Malaysia through Boost in conjunction with partners such as SME Corp, AmBank, PLUS, UTM and UiTM.
— Digital News Asia

Felda Global Ventures to dispose of more non-core assets
Felda Global Ventures Holdings Bhd (FGV) plans to divest two or three non-core and non-performing assets or investments this year, which are valued at “a few hundred million ringgit” and add income to FGV this year.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Myanmar Parliament approves $15M for Rakhine border fence
Myanmar’s Parliament has approved a budget of about $15 million for the construction of a fence and related projects along the border with Bangladesh in Rakhine state, from which about 700,000 members of its persecuted ethnic Rohingya minority have fled violence since last August.
— The Borneo Bulletin

Amara pledges 4G broadband lifestyle for Myanmar
GIVEN THE HIGHER data consumption in Myanmar, Amara Communications Co, a locally-owned turnkey solution provider with expertise in telecommunications, has been working around the clock to play a critical role in the nation’s digital transformation with the commercial launch of Ananda, its new 4G+ broadband data service.
— The Nation

‘Everything is gone’: satellite images in Myanmar show dozens of Rohingya villages bulldozed
Myanmar’s government is using bulldozers to erase dozens of villages in Rakhine state in a vast operation that rights groups say is destroying evidence of mass atrocities against the ethnic Rohingya Muslim minority.
— The Guardian

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

‘Bank Secrecy Law should exempt public officials’
Public officials should be exempted from coverage of the Bank Secrecy Law to effectively fight corruption, Bayan Muna party-list Rep. Carlos Zarate, said on Sunday.
— The Manila Times

5 tourists intercepted at NAIA for carrying P2.4 million
Bureau of Customs (BOC) agents intercepted 5 tourists at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 on Saturday night, February 24, for carrying a total of P2.4 million.
— Rappler

Roque: Palace taking ‘seriously’ PHL low corruption ranking
Malacañang officials said they are taking the results of the Transparency International (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index 2017 “seriously” and underscored that “corruption is a problem that cannot be solved overnight.”
— Business Mirror

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Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

238 Singapore A-level Chemistry examination scripts stolen in UK
A parcel containing A-level Chemistry answer scripts from 238 Singapore students was stolen from a courier van transporting the papers to an examiner in Britain last November.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

S’pore must ensure adequate supply of water to meet growing needs ‘by the 2050s’
The Republic must make sure it has an adequate supply of water to meet the growing needs of households and industries by the 2050s, before the expiry of the second water agreement with Malaysia, Minister in Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (Feb 24).
— Today Online

Singapore’s surprise budget surplus: Unexpected currency moves among contributing factors
“Strongly positive” currency translation effects led to the surge in contribution from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) to the Government’s coffers over the past financial year, while higher gains from the sale of assets also boosted JTC Corporation’s input.
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

January by numbers – Car registrations and tourist numbers up
The Land Transport Department has reported 268,989 new cars and motorcycles for January 2018.
— Phuket Gazette

NESDB forecasts 3.6-4.6% economic growth this year
The Office of the National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB) expects this year’s economic growth to be between 3.6% and 4.6% due to world economic recovery.
— NNT

Poppies Samui: Best Small Hotel in Thailand & Pretty Romantic Too (video)
Thailand expects to welcome some 37.55 million foreign tourists this year and one hotel hoping to benefit from the increased numbers is Poppies Seaside Cottages on the island of Koh Samui, commonly known as Poppies Samui.
— AEC News Today

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam Economy: Robust 2017 Growth, International Challenges Ahead
Things got off to a bad start for the Vietnam economy in 2017 with the shock withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
— AEC News Today

Agriculture industry aims for US$40 billion export target
Agroforestry and seafood exports set a new trade record of US$36.37 billion in 2017, a rise of more than US$4 billion over the previous year and setting new milestones in the process, however, last year also brought losses in the pig-farming industry and the EU’s issuance of a yellow card to Vietnamese seafood.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Tax sector continues reforms to ease businesses
The tax sector will continuously intensify reforms to further ease the operation of businesses and improve the country’s paying tax index.
— The Hanoi Times

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.