Asean Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
ASEAN economies ill-prepared for old age
The demographic dividend that helped drive ASEAN’s strong economic growth from at least the 1990s is coming to an end.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand ready to retaliate on EU palm oil ban
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will retaliate if the EU’s ongoing discrimination and attack on the palm oil industry becomes legislative, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
— News Straits Times
Dak Lak businesses invest in CLV development triangle area
Many businesses from the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak have received permission from the Governments of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam (CLV) to invest in production and infrastructure in localities within the CLV development triangle area.
— Nhan Dan Online
Indonesia takes Asean lead on S.China Sea dispute
The Indonesian government said Tuesday it will push for an effective code of conduct in the South China Sea to defuse tensions in the region as a part of the country’s strategic foreign policy this year.
— Bangkok Post
Increasing U.S.-ROK-ASEAN Cooperation
Since its establishment in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has fostered unprecedented levels of regional economic, political, and security cooperation.
— Council on Foreign Relations
Instagram photo contest on GMS’s development progress launched
NDO – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has launched a photo contest on Instagram to showcase the development progress in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and demonstrate how a focus on increasing regional cooperation and integration can improve people’s lives.
— Nhan Dan Online
Political deadlock augurs ill for Timor Leste
Last year, Timor Leste was held up as a shining example of democratic progress after staging two successful elections after years of volatile and often violent politics. But a post-election constitutional crisis driven by political elite rivalries is putting the young nation to a new crucial test.
— Asia Times
ASEAN member states expected to synergize national, regional interests: Marsudi
The members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are expected to synergize their national interest with the regional interest, Indonesian Foreign Affairs Minister Retno L.P. Marsudi stated.
— Antara News
Global ASEAN Ceramics Market (2018-2020) – Sales Revenue, Grow Pricing and Resources
Global Market report from QY Market Research on ASEAN Ceramics Market Professional Survey Market 2018 in-depth complete study of the current state of the ASEAN Ceramics Market Professional Survey worldwide.
— Digital Journal
Singapore tops Asean for 2018 property market growth forecasts
SINGAPORE’S property market came in as the most promising one among Morgan Stanley Research’s rankings of Asean markets which include the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.
— The Business Times
Increasing U.S.-ROK-ASEAN Cooperation
Since its establishment in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has fostered unprecedented levels of regional economic, political, and security cooperation. Yet despite these accomplishments, effective regionalism in Southeast Asia faces constraints.
— CFR
Asean summit: India positions itself as China alternative
With a running theme of “commerce, connectivity and culture”, the Indian government is setting up multiple connection points with Asean countries as New Delhi gears up for the Asean-India commemorative summit and the biggest ever group of chief guests at the Republic Day celebrations.
— The Times of India
ASEAN – priority in Indonesia’s foreign policy in 2018
ASEAN continues to be a priority in Indonesia’s foreign policy in 2018 with the focus on strengthening ASEAN unity and centrality, said Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on January 9 at an annual international press conference that was often held at the beginning of a year.
— Vietnam Plus
China-ASEAN Exposition Host City Nanning Opens Metro Line 2
On December 28, 2017, the host to the China-ASEAN Exposition, Nanning of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, commenced operation of its Metro Line 2. As the new route shares an interchange with Metro Line 1 that opened in 2016, the opening of Line 2 indicates that the Nanning Metro has now formed a cross-shaped network and that the city is ushering a new era of commuting convenience.
— TASS
Electricity Meters Market in Southeast Asia: Prepaid and Electronic Meters to Sweep the Market Over the Next Five Years
The new report from Energy & Natural Resources Market Reports has been published today. It provides updated in 2018 year analysis of energy & natural resources industries.
— Satprnews
Southeast Asia Retail Analytic Market -2021: Analysed by Business Growth, Development Factors, Applications, and Future Prospects
Southeast Asia Retail Analytic MarketReport provides complete information about manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, traders, customers, investors and major types as well as applications. Southeast Asia Retail Analytic Market is segmented based on type, application, and region.
— Military-Technologies
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodian Opposition Officials in Hiding Refuse to Return Home Amid Pressure to Defect
Five opposition commune councilors who have gone into hiding since Cambodia’s Supreme Court dissolved their party in November said Tuesday that they will not return home amid ongoing pressure to defect to Prime Minister Hun Sen’s ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP).
— Radio Free Asia
Sanctions won’t stop Cambodia’s democratic collapse
2017 has been an extraordinary year for Cambodia. Former opposition leader Kem Sokha was arrested in September over a treason charge and his Cambodia National Rescue Party was dissolved in November.
— East Asia Forum
Hun Sen critic in US Congress won’t seek re-election
One of the loudest voices in Washington condemning Cambodia’s recent political crackdown has announced his intention not to seek reelection to the US House of Representatives.
— The Phnom Penh Post
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Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Too high tax revenue target frightens businesspeople
This year, the government is set to increase tax revenue by 10.94 percent of Rp 1.42 quadrillion (US$99.39 billion) as stipulated in the 2017 state budget.
— The Jakarta Post
Jokowi: Indonesia Should Get 51 Percent of Freeport Shares
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo admitted to continuously monitoring the negotiations between Indonesia and US mining company PT Freeport Indonesia.
— Netral News
Government to relaxes restrictions on goods imports
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said goods, the import of which are banned or restricted, would be reduced in tariff categories to only 2,200 or 20 percent of around 10,826 codes of harmonized system (HS) .
— Antara
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Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos-China Hi-Speed Railway Construction Progresses 16%
Laos-China Railway Construction Project stretching from Bohan-Boten (Laos-China border) to Vientiane Capital has been actively implementing and had a satisfactory progress, which is 16.4 percent complete and expected to complete as scheduled by the end of 2021.
— Lao News Agency
Vietnam, Laos share law-making experience
Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Phung Quoc Hien hosted a reception for head of the Economic, Technology and Environment Committee of the Lao National Assembly Bounpone Sisoulath in Hanoi on January 9.
— Vietnam Plus
Lao govt bolsters support for renewable energy
Ivestment in renewable energy is fully supported by the government to ensure power sustainability for domestic consumption as well as export to neighbouring countries.
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Perdana Petroleum’s unit bags RM41m contract from DESB
Perdana Petroleum Bhd’s wholly owned subsidiary, Perdana Nautika Sdn Bhd, has entered into four time charter party agreements with Dayang Enterprise Sdn Bhd (DESB) for the supply of two accommodation workbarges and two anchor handling tug/supply vessels worth RM41.8 million.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia: Stronger ringgit could lead to lower imported veg prices
As the Malaysian ringgit strengthens against the US dollar, vegetable prices could come down.
— Fresh Plaza
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand ready to retaliate on EU palm oil ban
Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand will retaliate if the EU’s ongoing discrimination and attack on the palm oil industry becomes legislative, said Plantation Industries and Commodities Minister Datuk Seri Mah Siew Keong.
— News Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Minister: No medical research in Rakhine
Ministry of Health and Sports (MOHS) Minister Myint Thwe on Thursday warned local and international organisations against conducting medical research in troubled northern Rakhine State without securing the approval of pertinent government agencies.
— Myanmar Times
Bangladesh court upholds ban on Rohingya marriage
A Bangladesh court on Monday upheld a government ruling banning marriage between its citizens and refugees from Myanmar’s persecuted Rohingya minority, who have fled ethnic violence in the neighboring country.
— Coconuts Yangon
Onions & garlic smuggled from Myanmar seized
Customs officials and soldiers have seized more than 15 tonnes of onions and garlic, illegally smuggled from Myanmar into the Mae Sot district. It is the largest catch of untaxed agricultural produce in recent years.
— Fresh Plaza
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
More Filipinos see better lives, economy – SWS survey
More Filipinos foresee better lives and an improved economy in the next 12 months, according to a recent Social Weather Stations (SWS) survey.
— Philstar
Nomura: Indonesia and Philippines to lead regional growth
Economic growth in Indonesia and the Philippines will be sustained beyond 2018 driven by domestic demand and the rollout of infrastructure projects, Nomura Securities said in an economic outlook briefing on Tuesday.
— Nikkei Asian Review
WHO hails Philippine move to raise taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages
The World Health Organisation praised the Philippine government for imposing higher taxes on sugar-sweetened drinks, saying that the move was a “great step forward in protecting the health of Filipinos”.
— GulfNews
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
11 charged over multi-million dollar Shell oil heist in Singapore
Nine Singaporeans and two Vietnamese men were charged on Tuesday (Jan 9) over their alleged involvement in stealing fuel from Shell’s Pulau Bukom refinery.
— Channel NewsAsia
Foreign Religious Leaders May Be Banned from Entry to Singapore
Home Affairs and Law Minister K. Shanmugam said in Parliament that religious leaders from other countries may be banned from entering Singapore if they teach hatred, division or intolerance among religions. According to Mr Shanmugam, these teachings are harmful to Singaporean’s diverse society, and anyone who preaches these will not be allowed to enter the country.
— The Independent Singapore
Mandatory programme for divorcing couples with older kids
Divorcing couples with children below age 21 will have to attend a Mandatory Parenting Programme (MPP) from Jan 21, to help them understand the practical issues arising from a divorce that impact their children.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Thai baht to remain strong in first quarter
The Thai baht is likely to remain strong for the duration of the first quarter as investors have grown confident of the country’s economic performance as well as its roadmap to a general election.
— NNT
CP building poultry mega project in key north China
Charoen Pokphand is building another facility in China, which will add 100 million broilers to its poultry production in the country and keep it ahead of local rivals like Guangdong Wens Foodstuff Group Co and the Tongwei Group in the race for customers in fast-urbanising China.
— Global Meat News
Thai exports seen rising 5.5 pct in 2018 – shippers’ council
Thailand’s exports are expected to rise 5.5 percent this year after increasing at least 10 percent in 2017, a group of Thai shippers said on Tuesday.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam ministries against tax on sugary drinks, one says no proven link to obesity
The agriculture ministry said ‘no study has found that the abuse of sweetened tea or coffee causes obesity’ in Vietnam.
— VnExpress
ThaiBev ownership of Vietnam’s Sabeco complete as empire grows
ThaiBev recently completed its acquisition of Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp. (Sabeco) with “action to consummate the transfer of sale shares” having taken place.
— Food Navigator-Asia
Overloaded ports weigh down Vietnam
Vietnam’s over-burdened shipping infrastructure is taking a big toll on freight operations, with the peak port authority estimating the industry loses US$2.4 billion a year because it can’t reach the country’s best docks.
— Asia Times
VNPT gets green light for restructuring plan
Vietnamese state-owned operator VNPT has announced that its restructuring plan for the next three years has received the green light from the government.
–telecomasia.net
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.