Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
India-ASEAN Trade to Touch 100 Billion USD by 2020
ASEAN-India trade is likely to touch 100 billion USD by 2020, news agency PTI has quoted Union Urban Development and Housing Minister Hardeep Singh Puri as saying.
— League Of India
‘Asean best-placed to benefit’ from disruption caused by US-China disputes
THAILAND NEEDS to prepare for the negative consequence of the increasing rivalry and conflict between the United States and a rising China, notably from a trade war now building, but might benefit in the long run as Americans increasingly move into the region in search of suppliers and customers.
— The Nation
Dismal demand for tech talent across Southeast Asia
Recruitment of tech talent in the Philippines took a turn for the worse with negative figures for two consecutive months, according to the data provided by the Monster Employment Index, released by Monster.com.
— Networks Asia
Asia-10 to surpass US in terms of GDP by 2030
The 10 major economies of Asia, including India, are expected to see robust growth and amount to over $28 trillion in real GDP (gross domestic product) terms on aggregate, more than the US by 2030, says a DBS report.
— Finanacial Chronicle (blog)
How hydropower could kill the Mekong
The Mekong is Southeast Asia’s lifeblood, pumping life into some of the region’s biggest cities.
— The Asean Post
Fishy business in the South China Sea
Commercial fishing is a matter of national security. It is a source of employment and income for thousands of fishermen in Southeast Asia.
— The Asean Post
ASEAN comes clean with public toilets
When Western tourists first arrive in the Far East, one of the culture shocks they encounter lies on the other end of local cuisine: the public toilets.
— The Asean Post
The risky business of commercial baby-making
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in a baby carriage. But for those for whom this traditional family-building strategy doesn’t quite resolve itself, advances in the artificial reproductive field have made it possible to have genetically-linked children through surrogacy.
— The Asean Post
Zarif Will Sign Friendship Agreement With Asean
Iran will sign a cooperation treaty with Southeast Asia at an upcoming meeting that will also be attended by US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and North Korean officials, a Singaporean diplomat said.
— Financial Tribune
PCOO ‘misused 2017 ASEAN Summit fund’
The Commission on Audit (COA) has recommended the filing of charges against Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) officials due to their anomalous spending of funds for the 2017 ASEAN Summit.
— Panay News (media release)
Manila Water eyeing more projects in Vietnam, Indonesia
Ayala-led Manila Water Co. (MWC) is scouting for new bulk water projects in Indonesia and Vietnam, in line with plans to expand its footprint across Southeast Asia and grow its overseas business to account for 10 percent of total business.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
Russia’s disinformation game in Southeast Asia
In December, two Russian strategic bombers made an unusual flight to the Indonesian airbase on Biak in the province of Papua, where they conducted an air alert drill. Across the Arafura Sea in Darwin, Royal Australian Air Force squadrons went into a state of heightened alert.
— The Interpreter
Seven modern buildings to visit in Southeast Asia
To many people, Southeast Asia is synonymous with ancient temples and historic monuments.
— The Jakarta Post
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia tax boss in multi-nation compliance spotlight (HD video)
After dispensing harsh penalties to miscreants such as The Cambodia Daily and The Phnom Penh Post for failing to comply with Cambodia tax law Kong Vibol, director general of Cambodia’s General Department of Taxation (GDT), is now in the spotlight for non-compliance in two countries.
— AEC News Today (video)
Salt body to import 30k tonnes from Thailand, China
The Kingdom will import 30,000 tonnes of salt to meet domestic demand as stockpiles are expected to empty by November, a leader from the Salt Producers Community of Kampot-Kep said.
— The Phnom Penh Post
National Road 4 Traffic Resumes
Kampong Speu and Sihanoukville provincial authorities on Saturday morning announced to resume traffic on National Road No. 4 after temporarily suspended due to flooding that came across the road and bridge since Tuesday.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
World Bank to fund Accelerate Agrarian Reform project in Indonesia
The objective of the Program to Accelerate Agrarian Reform (One Map Project) for Indonesia is to establish clarity on actual land rights and land use at the village level in the target areas.
— Devdiscourse
Gov’t Eyes $200m in Additional Revenue Next Year From Excise on Vaping Liquid
The Ministry of Finance estimates that the government may collect up to Rp 3 trillion ($207 million) in additional revenue next year from a new excise on tobacco extract, or vaping liquid, commonly used in electronic cigarettes.
— Jakarta Globe
Indonesia sends trade team to lobby US
Indonesia was due to send a trade mission to the United States yesterday to lobby the Trump administration into maintaining favourable trade terms amid increasing global trade tensions triggered by the US.
— The Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Lao Lai translation involves 4 cases of failure: repeatedly changing the residence to sell the property
45 years old, Beijing people, translation, polite, these features like the old Lai, but is the same as the executor, not only 4 debts, but also a delay of delay in the courts decision.
— JQK News
Joining Hands To Ensure Lives Safe From UXO In Laos
The High-Level Side Event entitled Nation SDG 18 “Lives Safe from UXO for Sustainable Development in Lao PDR”, hosted by the Government of the Lao PDR and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), organized on the margins of the United Nations High-Level Political Forum in New York on July 17.
— Lao News Agency
Luang Namtha urged to step-up measures boosting labour market access
Provincial authorities must continue their efforts to increase access to the labour market for Luang Namtha people in line with the nation’s labour policy.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
AirAsia X’s expanded order for A330 ‘sends positive signal to investors’
MIDF Research is positive on AirAsia X Bhd’s (AAX) recent commitment to expand its fleet size with the addition of 100 A330neo long-haul aircraft, making it the first Asian airline to operate the model.
— The Sun Daily
Mahathir, 93, Aims to Lower Malaysia Voting Age to Empower Youth
Malaysia’s youth are likely to get more power after backing 93-year-old Mahathir Mohamad to topple a regime that ruled the Southeast Asian nation for six decades.
— Bloomberg
Malaysia denounces call for Sabah to become Philippine state
Malaysia on Saturday denounced repeated suggestions by an adviser to Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte that Sabah should be designated as the 13th state of the Philippines.
— The New Paper
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
3rd Myanmar Insight 2018 being held in Yangon
The Royal Thai Government, the Royal Thai Embassy in Yangon and the Thai Business Association of Myanmar are holding Myanmar Insight 2018, a seminar aimed at encouraging Thai investors to explore opportunities in Myanmar.
— You Tube
Myanmar’s Rohingya panel head refutes criticism by outgoing secretary
The chairman of an international panel set up by Myanmar to advise on the Rohingya crisis has rebutted criticism by the body’s former secretary, saying the panel is effective and the government has acted on its recommendations.
— Reuters
Myanmar’s economic downturn hits aviation sector
Three airlines in Myanmar suspended operations in the recent past, citing economic losses and a shortage of aircraft.
— Investine
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Govt-led firms remit a total of P31.297B
THE Department of Finance (DOF) has reported that 51 of 77 government-owned and -controlled corporations (GOCCs) have remitted a total of P31.297 billion to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) as of the second week of July this year.
— Business Mirror
Govt to allot P50B for war-torn areas
THE proposed Bangsamoro Organic Law (BOL) mandates the national government to allot P50 billion special development fund (SDF) to rehabilitate areas affected by armed conflict between the military and Muslim rebels, according to Sen. Juan Miguel Zubiri.
— The Manila Times
COA uncovers P11.2-B anomaly in tax credits
The One-Stop Shop Inter-Agency and Duty Drawback Center (OSS) had erroneously granted P11.18 billion worth of tax credit certificates (TCC) to 33 textile companies from 2008 to 2014, the Department of Finance (DOF) said.
— The Philippine Star
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
LTA slams SMRT with $1.9m fine for fatal accident in 2016
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) intends to impose financial penalties totalling $1.9m on SMRT for the fatal accident which took place on 22 March 2016 near Pasir Ris MRT Station, and the flooding incident in the tunnels between Bishan and Braddell MRT Stations from 7 October 2017 to 8 October 2017.
— Singapore Business Review
Race Against Cancer raises more than $1.1 million for charity
The 58-year-old, who had half a lung removed during surgery last year, paused midway through her 5km run yesterday to take her cancer medication before pressing on.
— The Newpaper
1.5 million IC numbers stolen from SingHealth but cyber security chief says no worry
It was reported on Friday (20 Jul) that cyber hackers have broken into the computer systems of SingHealth and stolen the personal particulars of 1.5 million patients. The stolen data included confidential records of patients’ name, IC number, address, gender, race and date of birth.
— The Online Citizen
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Prayut again leads candidates for PM: Nida Poll
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha is again at pole position in the top 10 candidates for prime minister under the current election law, according to the result of a survey carried out by the National Institute for Development Administration, or Nida Poll.
–– Bangkok Post
Board ‘failing Rohingya’
VETERAN DIPLOMAT and former lawmaker Kobsak Chutikul said yesterday that his resignation from the advisory board on the Rohingya crisis is a cautionary message from a long-time friend of Myanmar since the matter is now at a critical stage.
— The Nation
Thai export growth in first half of 2018 breaks 7-year record
The Ministry of Commerce has reported that export growth skyrocketed during the first half of this year despite trade conflicts in the global arena.
— News Today (video)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
New bridge project to boost transport for Vietnam port
A new bridge project is expected to boost transport in and out of a key port in Vietnam. Approval is being sought to go ahead with the bridge for the port of Haiphong, which lies on the coast close to the city of Hanoi. The project is expected to cost nearly US$304 million.
— World Highways
Vietnam may earn 4.7 billion USD from fruit, veggie exports in 2018
Fruits and vegetables may earn the country 4.7 billion USD this year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.
— VietnamPlus
Foreign investors keep flocking to Vietnam’s real estate market
The growth in Vietnam`s capital markets to US$200 billion in value from some US$35 billion five years ago, was a big draw for global investors, Jeffrey Perlman, Southeast Asia chief of Warburg Pincus told Reuters.
— VietnamNet Bridge
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
The Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news round-ups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of news reports from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. We scour hundreds of local and international news and websites to find the things that you need to know to start your working week day.
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