Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Trump reaffirms commitment to ASEAN
US President Donald Trump has expressed his country’s continued commitment to engaging Southeast Asia, the Singaporean Foreign Ministry said in a media statement, following a tête-à-tête meeting with Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the palace on Monday.
— The Jakarta Post
China, ASEAN to forge closer community of shared future
China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will expand cooperation in various fields and forge a closer community with a shared future, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Tuesday.
— Ecns.cn
ACMECS and CLMV need reforms
Open regionalism remains on track in the Mekong region although there is an anti-globalisation wave and rising protectionism in other parts of the world. Regional integration has been and will be one of the main foreign policy objectives of the Mekong countries.
— Khmer Times
How Bitcoin and Cryptocurrencies are Transforming Southeast Asia
Cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum are widely considered by many market participants to function as investment vehicles — real-world applications of blockchain technology take a back seat to speculation with mass adoption remaining a distant goal.
— Cryptoslate
Nearly 4,000 enterprises to attend China-South Asia Expo
Nearly 4,000 enterprises will participate in the Fifth China-South Asia Expo in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, the organizer said Tuesday.
— Xinhua Net
Uber pilots a smaller version of its app for emerging market users as it exits Southeast Asia
Uber unveiled a smaller version of its ride-hailing app on Tuesday, in a bid to appeal to emerging market customers.
— CNBC
BBDO debuts diversity initiative Heels of Steel in other SEA markets
BBDO has expanded its diversity initiative called Heels of Steel across Southeast Asia.
— Marketing Interactive
Exporter describes Southeast Asian shipment strife
Many exporters of recovered materials have increased the volume they send to Southeast Asia this year in an effort to fill the void left by China.
— Resource Recycling
Freedom Of Expression Comes Under Fire In Southeast Asia
Publications, journalists, columnists, and activists face repression if they attempt to exercise their right to free expression.
— Thailand Business News
Philippines wants ‘closer’ ASEAN customs cooperation with Russia
The Philippine government has called for closer cooperation between the Russian Federation and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the field of customs administration.
— Philippine Star
Southeast Asia missing out on World Cup but its time will come
In Moscow the atmosphere is building with fans of Saudi Arabia getting ready to face hosts Russia in front of 80,000 fans on Thursday with hundreds of millions watching around the world.
— Fox Sports Asia
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
China Helping Boost Cambodia Rice’ Global Image & Quality (video)
Despite a long history and the receipt of numerous awards the global market image of Cambodia rice lags far behind that from Thailand and Vietnam. One young Cambodian is attempting to change that, however, with a partnership with China’s largest food processing companies helping boost exports and drive up quality.
— AEC News Today (video)
ASEAN MPs Say Cambodia Election ‘Not Legitimate’
The MPs from the group Asean Parliamentarians for Human Rights (APHR) said in a statement this week that the now-dissolved Cambodia National Rescue Party should be allowed to contest the vote and that all political prisoners in the country should be freed.
— VOA Cambodia
US Treasury Slaps Sanctions on Cambodian PM’s Bodyguard Chief for Rights Abuses
The United States on Tuesday imposed financial sanctions on the head of Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen’s bodyguard unit for its role in “multiple attacks on unarmed Cambodians over the span of many years,” blocking the general’s assets and preventing U.S. nationals from doing business with him.
— Radio Free Asia
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Digital Exchange Platform NFC Indonesia Seeks to Raise $24m From IPO for Expansion
Digital exchange platform NFC Indonesia seeks to raise Rp 333.33 billion ($24 million) in an initial public offering in July to fund business expansion, invest in human capital and improve its IT systems, the company said last week.
— Jakarta Globe
Research: Indonesian Retail Sales Jump in April, Oil Prices Fluctuate
Optimism on Indonesia’s economic outlook increased following reports stating that retail sales jumped 4.1 percent in April compared to a year earlier.
— Netral News
Indonesia making preparations to join TPP
Indonesia is studying the revised Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement reached by 11 nations after the U.S. exited, with a view to joining the trade pact, Jusuf Kalla, the country’s vice president, said on Tuesday.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Lao: Help Sought For ‘Little Land of Mines’ (video)
Between 1964 and 1973 some 270 million bombs were dropped on Lao PDR by US military forces, even though the country was not party to any conflict with the USA. By the end of the American war with Vietnam an estimated 78 million cluster bombs littered the tiny country, giving it the unflattering title of the little land of mines.
— AEC News Today (video)
Laos, WWF extend rattan, bamboo harvesting cooperation
The Lao government and World Wide Fund for Nature in Laos have agreed to implement Phase 5 of the Sustainable Rattan-Bamboo Harvesting and Production project.
— Vientiane Times
Lao, Thai provincial talks aim to prevent human trafficking
Officials from Champassak province, Laos, and Ubon Ratchathani province in Thailand are continuing cooperation to protect women and child workers from the illegal sex trade and human trafficking.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia To Scrutinise “Dubious” Battersea Power Station Deal
The new Malaysian government will probe and possibly renegotiate the Battersea Power Station deal in London, undertaken by the previous government as part of what is seen as major “dubious” property investments in the UK, Anwar Ibrahim, who leads the recently elected Pakatan Harapan party, told The Guardian during a working visit to London.
— Investvine
Anwar’s Message To The UK – Support Our Democracy And Help Us Get Our Cash Back!
Anwar Ibrahim met up with some of his most sturdy supporters from the British parliament at Westminster today (Tuesday), who had come to celebrate his freedom and return to politics.
— Sarawak Report
U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT THINKS SINGAPORE IS PART OF MALAYSIA
This week’s summit between President Donald Trump and North Korea leader Kim Jong Un was held in Singapore, the wealthy city-state known worldwide for its business-friendly politics, futuristic architecture and cleanliness.
— News Week
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
World Day Against Child Labour: Myanmar; too many children still in hazardous and unsafe forms of work
Almost one in ten of Myanmar’s 12 million children between the age of 5 and 17 are engaged in child labour, too often exposed to hazards and risks.
— ReliefWeb
Government to support SMEs in gaining access to technology, value-add
The government will provide more support to local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) which lack the technological knowhow enabling them to add value to finished goods, as this places them at a disadvantage to international peers and results in missed job opportunities for local residents.
— The Myanmar Times
Myanmar deep sea port: the next Belt and Road battleground?
China’s Belt and Road Initiative is coming under unprecedented pressure as citizens in its neighbouring countries question the cost of massive infrastructure projects and whether the host country or China will truly be the beneficiary.
— FinanceAsia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ADB approves $350 million additional SME trade financing
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $350 million in additional funding to expand the scope of a program that bridges gaps in trade financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
— Philippine Star
RTWPB 6 hikes West Visayas wages by as much as P41.50
The Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) of Western Visayas has approved an increase of P13.50 to P41.50 in the daily minimum wage of private-sector workers in the region.
— Business Mirror
Net exports to hit $120B in 2022
Net exports of Philippine goods and services are expected to hit $122 billion to $130 billion by 2022, growing at least 8 to 9 percent compounded annually over the next four years to achieve the low-end of the target.
— Malaya
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore 20th most expensive city in the world for expats: Survey
Singapore has re-entered the top 20 most expensive locations in the world for expatriates, according to the latest cost of living survey by United Kingdom based consultancy firm ECA International.
— Channel NewsAsia
Eye-disease cases in Singapore may spike in next two decades, study shows
The number of people with eye diseases in Singapore could increase sharply in the next 20 years, a local study has found.
— The Straits Times
Singapore part of Malaysia? US red-faced after ‘reunification’ blunder in Pompeo comments
As the US prepared for a summit some hoped may bring peace to the long-divided Korean peninsula, Washington accidentally hinted at another unlikely reunion by listing Singapore as part of Malaysia.
— South China Morning Post
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
BTS ‘months away’ from finalising joint investment in |high-speed airports rail link, with PTT possibly in the frame
BTS Group Holdings Plc expects to finalise within months a deal for joint investment in the high-speed train project that will connect the Don Mueang, Suvarnabhumi and U-Tapao international airports.
— The Nation
Rail link to Tak gets nod from cabinet
The cabinet accepted in principle Tuesday a proposal to construct a double-track railway linking Tak and Nakhon Phanom as part of the transport routes under the East-West Economic Corridor.
— Bangkok Post
Army to buy six new attack helicopters
The army has received approval to buy six new attack helicopters to replace existing Bell UH-1 Cobra helicopters which are due for decommissioning, Army Aviation Centre commander Maj Gen Veerayuth Inthavon said on Tuesday.
— Thai PBS
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam legislators back cyber law clamping down on tech firms, dissent
Vietnamese legislators approved a cybersecurity law yesterday that tightens control of the internet and global tech companies operating in the Communist-led country, raising fears of economic harm and a further crackdown on dissent.
— The Borneo Post
North Korea reportedly wants a ‘Vietnam-like’ debut to the world economy
Could North Korea’s economy, the most isolated in the world, ever follow in the footsteps of Vietnam’s? Even as Pyongyang warms up to the leader of the free world, some analysts doubt it.
— Business Insider
Embarrassing: Elite Vietnamese Anti-terror Police Saved by Fireworks (video)
Embarrassing and humiliating are the only two words that can describe the reaction of so-called elite Vietnamese anti-terror police to a violent assault by protestors in Bình Thu?n Province on Sunday.
— AEC News Today (video)
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.
We clearly identify the source of the story, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you. It’s all then packaged up in an easy to read format enabling you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original source, or keep on reading the headlines. AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.