Asean Morning News For January 19

Asean Morning News For January 19
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Asean morning newsAsean Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Shady triangle: Southeast Asia’s illegal fuel market
An alleged oil heist in Singapore that has already led to 20 arrests, the seizure of at least one tanker and allegations that thieves siphoned thousands of tonnes of fuel from Shell’s biggest refinery is shining a spotlight on an illegal trade worth tens of billions of dollars worldwide.
— Reuters

The Cost of Registering a Trademark in Southeast Asia
From celebrating its Golden Jubilee on August 8, 2017, to Indonesia becoming the 100th member of the Madrid System for trademarks, the last few months have witnessed the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (“ASEAN”) being in the news for all the right reasons.
— IPWatchdog

Analysis: Southeast Asia’s illegal fuel market
Analysts estimate about 3 percent of Southeast Asia’s consumed fuel is sourced illegally, worth $10 billion a year.
— VnExpress

Coal power facing pushback in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian governments are finding themselves caught between pressure to meet regional power demands and backlash from citizens fearing the environmental effects of coal-fired electrical plants.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Is Promoting Human Rights in ASEAN an Impossible Task?
Last month, the Philippines handed over the chairmanship of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission of Human Rights (AICHR) to Singapore.
— The Diplomat

Women bikers contingent, folk dances of ASEAN nations: Here’s what you can expect during Republic Day celebrations
Apart from the Indian security forces displaying their might, a range of traditional and cultural programs focusing on the history and culture of the country by different states will also be held on the day.
— The Indian Express

Is Promoting Human Rights in ASEAN an Impossible Task?
Developments in the region suggest that the goal remains far from becoming a reality anytime soon.
The Diplomat 

ASEAN to benefit from connectivity partnership
On 17 January 2018, Telekomunikasi Indonesia International Pte Ltd (Telin Singapore), a wholly-owned subsidiary of PT Telkom Group, and Super Sea Cable Networks Pte Ltd (SEAX), announced a strategic partnership to offer high capacity, low latency domestic network solutions in Singapore.
Enterprise Innovation 

India and Asean look to each other to balance against China’s rise
Only twice in the past 65 years have India’s Republic Day celebrations hosted two foreign dignitaries, rather than one, as chief guests. So the presence of 10 Asean heads is expected to boost India’s acceptance across the region, and also the fledgling Indo-Pacific discourse. Its implications will be assessed in all major capitals, including Beijing.
South China Morning Post

ASEAN should be more active: Tavares
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) should be more active to address regional issues and support the collective leadership concept, Foreign Ministry`s Director General for ASEAN Affairs Jose Tavares stated.
Antara News 

Trade increases between Lancang-Mekong countries and Yunnan
Trade volume between southwest China’s Yunnan Province with five countries along the Lancang-Mekong River grew by 13.4 percent year-on-year to reach 81 billion yuan (about 12 billion U.S. dollars) in 2017, customs in the provincial capital Kunming said Thursday.
Xinhua Net 

Cambodia morning newsCambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Hun Sen seeks to clarify remarks, pledging that election will take place ‘no matter what’
Prime Minister Hun Sen hit back yesterday at suggestions that he would consider postponing this year’s elections, saying they will go on as scheduled “no matter what happens” – an apparent effort to clarify his remarks in a speech the day before that an election cannot be held “in a chaotic country”.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Cambodia’s Hun Sen appoints son-in-law to senior police post
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen has appointed his son-in-law as deputy national police chief, in a move apparently aimed at consolidating his power ahead of an election this year.
— Reuters

PM Hun Sen: Together to Improve Elderly’s Quality of Life (Video inside)
Prime Minister Hun Sen has officially launched the 2017-2030 National Ageing Policy for the purpose of improving welfare and living conditions of Cambodian ageing people.
— Fresh News (video)

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

UPDATE 1-Indonesia c.bank holds rates, to accelerate reserve rules
Indonesia’s central bank on Thursday kept its key interest rate unchanged, as expected, but pledged to accelerate planned changes of rules on reserve requirements, to give banks more liquidity and encourage them to invest money.
— Reuters

Subsidiary of PGN Distributes Electricity Supply of 5 MW to Tanjung Balai Karimun Island
The subsidiary of state-owned gas company PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (Persero) Tbk (PGAS.JK) or PGN, PT Widar Mandripa Nusantara (Widar), again expanded its business by increasing its electricity supply.
— Netral News

Solar energy not just clean, but also economically sound, says expert
Photovoltaic energy is not only a clean energy source, but it can be economically sound, particularly if it is developed in remote areas that lack access to the main electricity network, said Priyavrat Bhati, the director for energy and industry of the India-based Centre for Science and Environment.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

Focus on self-development, radio presenters urged
Broadcasters at Lao National Radio have been urged to improve their professional skills and broaden their knowledge of legal matters to boost their effectiveness.
Vientiane Times 

Tambon Natan to be site of sixth Thai-Lao Friendship bridge
A committee charged with selecting the location for the sixth Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge has selected Tambon Natan in Ubon Ratchathani’s Natan district for the construction, a deputy governor said on Thursday.
The Nation 

Ministries issue advertising ban on Gentiko herbal product
The Food and Drug Department, under Ministry of Health along with the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism recently ordered a company to stop advertising ‘Gentiko’ following bogus

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

 

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Malaysia vows necessary actions to safeguard palm oil sector
Malaysia will take necessary actions to secure the future of palm oil sector, the plantation industries and commodities minister said Thursday after the European Union’s parliament voted to exclude palm oil in its bio-fuel mix.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Malaysia state investor Khazanah raises $320.8m in exchangeable sukuk
Malaysia’s state investor Khazanah Nasional Bhd said on Thursday it has raised $320.8 million through a sukuk that is exchangeable into CITIC Securities Co Ltd’s Hong-Kong listed H-shares.
— DealStreetAsia

Malaysia’s Digital Free Trade Zone
Malaysia’s Digital Free Trade Zone (DFTZ) went live in November 2017 as a joint undertaking between the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and China’s Alibaba Group.
— Asean Briefing

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

Myanmar arrests MP after Rakhine riot
Myanmar police on Thursday arrested a prominent Rakhine Buddhist MP for allegedly provoking ethnic violence, state media and his party said, after a deadly riot highlighted simmering tensions in the troubled state.
Bangkok Post

Myanmar makes record drug bust with 30 million meth pills
Myanmar has seized 30 million meth pills along with more than two tonnes of “ice” and heroin in a record bust, the government said on Thursday (Jan 18), as drugs pour from labs in lawless border regions.
Channel NewsAsia

Will Rohingya issue alter Myanmar’s ties with China?
Although Myanmar has deftly managed its relations with China and is not a Chinese satellite state, this could change due to mounting pressure over the Rohingya crisis.
The Phnom Penh Post/ The Straits Times 

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

Duterte govt’s approval rating highest in 4 decades
PUBLIC satisfaction with the Duterte administration rose to its highest at 79 percent in December 2017 – the highest satisfaction rating ever received by a president since post-Edsa People Power days.
Malaya 

Government to spend P4.82 trillion for 4,095 infrastructure projects
The National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) on Thursday said the national government will spend P4.82 trillion for 4,095 infrastructure projects, which are expected to create 6.27 million jobs, until 2022.
BusinessMirror 

Philippines-China maritime cooperation shows good start
Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte allowed China to research with the University of the Philippines at the Benham Rise, an area off the Philippines’ Pacific coast, according to Reuters.
Global Times

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore morning newsSingapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

 

Ageing population to drag down S’pore’s annual GDP per capita growth for decades: IPS study
If fertility rates in Singapore remain at current levels, the ageing population will cause a drag of 1.5 percentage points on per capita gross domestic product (GDP) growth every year until 2060.
Today Online 

Review of Singapore Government’s Budget: 2009-2017
The government of Singapore is set to announce its budget plans for 2018 on Monday, 19 Feb 2018. While many media outlets have been speculating what we could expect to hear from Minister Heng Sweet Keat next week, few have covered what actually has been happening with the government spending for the last few years.
The Online Citizen 

Singapore startups to step up 2018 fund-raising for global expansion: KPMG
SINGAPORE startups are likely to step up their canvassing for venture capital (VC) funding in 2018 for regional and global expansion.
The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

 

Thailand morning newsThailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

 

NO BAHT INTERVENTION
Deputy Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak insists that Thailand will not intervene in the baht’s movement, while inviting the United States to monitor the situation.
— The Nation

Modest variable minimum wage hike comes under criticism from workers and employers
ACADEMICS and workers believe a consistent nationwide “flat rate” hike for the minimum wage should be in place instead of the variable Bt5 to Bt22 daily wage increase that comes into effect on April 1 after Cabinet approval.
— The Nation (annoying popups)

Workers, bosses joust over minimum wage increases
Workers and employers are still not satisfied with increases in the minimum daily wage following seven hours of talks involving a tripartite wage committee.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

PTT and Shell chase 49% of PV Oil, Vietnam’s No. 2 distributor
PetroVietnam Oil, the distribution arm of Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group, is to debut 20% of its outstanding shares on the Ho Chi Minh City Stock Exchange on Jan. 25, with Anglo-Dutch concern Shell and Thailand’s PTT among potential buyers.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Vietnam posts record-high $3bn trade surplus
Vietnam set new records for total export revenue and trade surplus in 2017, with exports passing the US$400 billion threshold and a positive trade balance meeting the country’s $3 billion benchmark.
— Tuoi Tre

Vietnam hindered by weak logistics
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the Ministry of Transport to investigate the high transportation fees which are affecting local import-export companies.
— VietnamNet Bridge

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.

 

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