Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Drug-resistant malaria outbreaks in Southeast Asia trigger fears of public health emergency
The outbreak in Cambodia, then Thailand, Laos and most recently Vietnam, of malaria that is untreatable with the newest and best drugs we have has alarmed experts. There have been calls for the World Health Organisation to declare a public health emergency of international concern, as it did with Ebola in West Africa and Zika virus in Brazil.
— South China Morning Post
Assam keen to start flights to ASEAN countries: Sonowal
Assam is in discussion with the Centre to start flight services to ASEAN countries, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said on Sunday.
“We are keen to start flights to ASEAN countries and we also request these countries to do the same to the region,” Sonowal said at a plenary session on North East India and ties with ASEAN and BBN countries, at the Global Investors Summit here.
— Times of India
Two Asean canals for faster regional integration
THERE are two proposed waterways cutting through the narrowest land points in Southeast Asia which can speed up the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), predicted to be the world’s fastest progressing region in the next 20 years.
— The Manila Times
Foreign ministers to discuss projects to make Asean more resilient
Foreign ministers from all 10 Asean countries are in Singapore to discuss projects aimed at making the region more resilient and innovative.
— The New Paper
Need of closer ties between Pakistan and ASEAN
It does not suit Pakistan to stay away from finding new friends around the world. I genuinely believe that this century belongs to Asia, more specifically to the countries part of ASEAN and SAARC.
— Daily Times
Asean is still obsessed about marrying or looking like Westerners
2018 is off to a great start with several events glorifying Westerners (mostly Caucasian) in Asean media. A page from a government-approved textbook in the Philippines is now the subject of debate on social media for its depiction of Filipino features as inferior to Westerners’.
— Asian Correspondent
Commentary: ASEAN is at an inflection point
Thousands of Singaporeans joined us to kick off Singapore’s 2018 ASEAN Chairmanship with the Experience ASEAN festival at Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park last month.
— Channel NewsAsia
India pitches for greater systematic trade in textiles with Asean
India on Tuesday pitched for greater systematic in textiles with the (Asean). “India can be a one-stop sourcing destination for materials from Asean,” Minister told a large contingent of business leaders at an event organised by industry body Ficci. The minister also touched upon the spectre of cheaper Chinese materials as well as finished products flooding the markets.
— Twin City Telegraph
RCEP Talks In Indonesia Focus On Concessions, Crafting Of Sensitive List
As the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) made significant headway in January, negotiating countries in the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are pressured to conclude the trade deal, and they try to make progress in the ongoing talks in Indonesia.
— BusinessMirror
Southeast Asia’s new car sales up for second straight year
New-car sales in six major Southeast Asian nations rose 5% on the year to about 3.36 million units in 2017, as the region’s auto market recovered to its best level in four years.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Southeast Asia digital, social and mobile 2018
Southeast Asia is experiencing a rapid growth of Internet, digital, social media and mobile activity.
— ASEAN Up
Indonesia-Cambodia trade grows to $492M
Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Indonesia amounted to $492.7 million in the first 11 months of last year, a 23 percent increase compared to the same period in 2016, according to a report from an Indonesian state-run news agency.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Indonesia always sees surplus in its trade with South Asian countries
Indonesia has always recorded a surplus in its trade with India and Pakistan thanks to ASEAN-India Free Trade Area (AIFTA), an international law expert said.
— Antara
FPCCI to join CACCI Trade team in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia
A delegation of Federation of Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) members will participate in the Confederation of Asia-Pacific Chambers of Commerce and Industry (CACCI) Delegation visiting Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia from April 22-27, 2018.
— Pakistan Observer
Asian LNG spot prices double in 6 months
Spot prices for liquefied natural are climbing in Asia as China imports more of the cleaner-burning fuel to combat air pollution.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Coming together as one
Tourism is a key engine to drive economic growth, not just in Thailand but in neighbouring Asean countries as well.
— Bangkok Post
India eyes military cooperation with Philippines, ASEAN
India is ready to pursue mutual defense cooperation with the Philippines and its neighbors in Southeast Asia amid tension in the South China Sea, an official has said.
— Philstar
ANA targets expansion of budget flights across Asia
ANA Holdings will expand flights by its budget carriers to capture growing demand from Asian visitors to Japan, focusing on Southeast Asia, even as competition in the low-cost field intensifies.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia Daily’s website, Twitter blocked by government order
Documents obtained today – and a surprising tweet – have confirmed what observers have suspected for months: that the Cambodian government ordered internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to the website of the recently shuttered Cambodia Daily.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodia Central Bank Governor Lauded With Prestigious Award (video)
Cambodia’s central bank governor has become the first recipient of an Asian Institute of Chartered Bankers (AICB) Honorary Fellowship, receiving the prestigious award before a gathering of banking regulators and industry representatives.
— AEC News Today (video)
Amendment on Penal Code over Lèse-Majesté Approved by the Government
The Council of Ministers (CoMs) on Friday has approved on the Amendment on the Penal Code over lèse-majesté, according to the Spokesman of the Royal Government of Cambodia Phay Siphan.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Ministry of Transportation Set to Deregulate Rules to Facilitate Private Sector Investments
Indonesia Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi continues to encourage private investments in transportation infrastructure construction and development through the mechanism of Cooperation of Utilization (KSP) and Cooperation of Operations (KSO).
— Netral News
Government continues to boost growth of aircraft mro industry
The government continues to boost growth of the aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) industry in Indonesia in view of the potential development to be integrated with several airports in the country.
— Antara
Susi Pudjiastuti Gets Banks to Lend Money to Fishermen
The Marine and Fishery Ministry is working with a number of state banks to provide financing to fishermen.
— Tempo
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos reviews key achievements with UN support
Officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Planning and Investment on Friday reviewed their achievements with UN partners at a meeting of the steering committee of the Laos-UN Partnership Framework (UNPF) for 2017-2021.
— Vientiane Times
Thailand, Laos discuss regional connectivity
A recent meeting between Thai and Lao officials in Champasak province agreed to push for regional connectivity and sustainable development.
— News Today (video)
Belt and Road Forum for Laos-China Cooperation Opens
The Laos-China Belt and Road Cooperation Forum, the first of its kind, was opened in Vientiane on Feb 2 with the aim of realizing the synergy of Laos’ strategy of turning itself from landlocked country into a land-linked nation and the Belt and Road Initiative of China, and implementing the agreements made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during his state visit to Laos in late 2017.
— Lao News Agency
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Maybank incorporates new Singapore subsidiary
Maybank Group had incorporated a new wholly-owned unit in Singapore, via its wholly-owned subsidiary, Maybank International Holdings Sdn Bhd.
— New Straits Times
Bank Negara, National Bank of Cambodia to collaborate in fintech
Bank Negara Malaysia and the National Bank of Cambodia are looking at avenues to enhance collaboration on the application of technology in financial inclusion.
— New Straits Times
Applications for licences under TPA being processed
The Energy Commission (EC) has processed two liquefied natural gas (LNG) import licences and three shipping licences under the third party access (TPA) system which comes into effect on Jan 16, 2018.
— The Sun Daily
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Apurva Saini @amyapurva
Tourist arrivals jumped by 18 per cent last year
Last year, the tourism sector saw an 18-per-cent increase in tourist arrivals compared with the same period in 2016, said Myo Win Nyunt, director of the Department of Hotels and Tourism.The country saw 3.44 million tourist arrivals last year, a bit below the predicted 3.5 million.
— Eleven Myanmar
Actual FDI hits $3.7 billion this FY, says MIC
The actual inflow of foreign direct investments amounted to US$3.7 billion during this fiscal year even though Myanmar Investment Commission has granted US$5 billion.The MIC releases the FDI lists every month and has issued the actual inflow of FDI twice during 2017-2018 fiscal year.
— Eleven Myanmar
Singapore makes largest investments in real estate sector
Singapore made an investment of US$1.72 billion in 31 projects, as of the end of December, in the current fiscal year (FY), followed by China, with estimated investments worth more than $1.29 billion in 50 enterprises State media reported.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
PH mobile broadband speeds slow down in latest Ookla Speedtest report
The latest report from Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index points to a generally better speeds for the Philippines compared to July 2017, despite a dip in speed for mobile broadband connections.
— Rappler
Gordon eyes PH-made ships to boost territorial defense
The government should develop the ability to build its own ships to ensure that the military can secure its territorial waters from piracy and terrorism, Senator Richard Gordon said on Sunday.
— ABS-CBN
Research firm bullish on PH LNG industry
The Philippines will have a thriving liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry within a few years and will have a capacity of 7 million metric tons yearly (mtpa) by 2020, the earliest estimate when indigenous fuel from the Malampaya gas field would run out.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore still 2nd freest economy in the world but gap with top-ranked Hong Kong widens
Singapore retained its position as the second freest economy in the world for the 24th consecutive year, but the margin with top-ranked rival Hong Kong has widened further.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Improper for MPs or public officers to ‘get back’ at each other: DPM Teo
Members of Parliament or public officers who use their position or authority to “get back” at each other because of disagreements will be investigated, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Sunday (Feb 4).
— Channel NewsAsia
Samsung teams up with Singapore’s Grab for SE Asia push
Tech giant Samsung Electronics said on Feb. 2 that it has inked a partnership with Grab, the largest ride-hailing firm in Southeast Asia, to provide its mobile devices and security solutions.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Phuket event unveils Kra Canal push
The Thai Canal Association for Study and Development has filed a formal request to the current government to undertake a full feasibility study to make the Kra Canal a reality.
— The Phuket News
Commerce Ministry says 2018 will be a golden year for Thai agricultural products
The Ministry of Commerce is getting ready to propose a fruit industry strategy to the Cabinet, designed to manage the products that will mature in March, mentioning that 2018 will be a golden year for Thai agricultural products.
— News Today (video)
Investors ready to pour into EEC
Local, overseas corporates show interest as they await passing of corridor act by the legislature
— The Nation
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Locally-made cars in Vietnam get huge price cuts over new import rules
With prices of imported cars in Vietnam soaring due to supply shortage caused by new import regulations, dealerships of locally-assembled vehicles are grabbing the golden opportunity to offer price cuts to attract buyers.
— Tuoi Tre
Property sales rise in January
The domestic property market reported more sales in January compared to December 2017, according to the Ministry of Construction’s Housing and Property Market Management Department.
— Bizhub
Vietnam Rubber Group IPO raises $57.7m, far lower than govt target
Vietnam has raised VND1.31 trillion ($57.7 million) from the initial public offering (IPO) of Vietnam Rubber Group (VRG) on Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange on February 2.
— DealStreetAsia
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.