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Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Scholarship Money For English-language Essays on Auto Transport
US based auto transport company, A-1 Auto Transport Inc., has opened its scholarship programme to students living in Asean countries who write an interesting essay related to the auto transport industry.
— AEC News Today

Asia on track to emerge as leading force in take-up of 5G
ASIA is expected to emerge as the main region for use of the upcoming fifth generation mobile telecommunications standard, with a forecast of 675 million 5G connections by 2025.
— The Nation

 Data must drive preventive diplomacy in ASEAN
ASEAN countries are no strangers to conflict and violence. As a region comprising diverse nation-states, Southeast Asia has experienced a number of inter- and intra-state conflicts.
— East Asia Forum

World Economic Forum starts ASEAN Startups Programme
The World Economic Forum today launched its ASEAN “Start-Ups Programme”, aiming to bring together the region’s most innovative start-ups and connect them with business, political and academic leaders.
— Devdiscourse

Vietnam to host first UN peacekeeping course in Southeast Asia
Vietnam has been selected as the first destination for the United Nations Peacekeeping training course in the Southeast Asian region.
— VN Express International

China shares its strategy in winning war against poverty with ASEAN
China shared its strategy on how it won the fight against poverty with its Southeast Asian neighbors in an anti-poverty forum that kicked off here on Wednesday.
— Xinhua

Aspire Capital offers fast finance for SMEs in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s digital economy is tipped to grow more than six-fold to reach more than $200 billion per year, according to a report co-authored by Google , with e-commerce accounting for the dominant share.
— Gooruf

How private equity is shaking up Southeast Asia
Vietnam is still a communist country, but it is fast becoming one of the world’s hottest markets for companies that are synonymous with aggressive capitalism: private equity firms.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Google to support mobile game developers in India, Southeast Asia
Tech giant Google on Wednesday said it will offer an accelerator programme to help game developers in India and other South East Asian countries scale their gaming startups.
— Livemint

ASEAN fights rise in drug trafficking
Vietnam and other countries located near Southeast Asia’s notorious ‘Golden Triangle’ are facing numerous challenges in the fight against drug trafficking.
— Vietnam Plus

China’s demand for food a boon for Southeast Asian exporters
Rising demand for high-quality agricultural products in China has created more opportunities for Southeast Asian exporters, according to a report by an international research institute in Beijing.
— Ecns.cn

Asean’s disharmony with intellectual property
Talking about intellectual property in developing countries is often difficult and tricky.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

Asean pools knowledge to fight cybercrime
THE DEPARTMENT of Special Investigation (DSI) on Wednesday hosted a Bangkok seminar for representatives of 10 Asean countries to discuss and exchange ideas on ways to suppress cybercrime.
— The Nation

Sabah to look into reviving barter trade with the Philippines, Indonesia
Sabah state government is considering a revival of barter trade with the Philippines and Indonesia as part of an effort to boost economic activities in the state.
— New Straits Times

Palembang LRT Line Cheaper Than in Malaysia, Philippines
The light-rail transit system in Palembang, South Sumatra, which is set to be ready for the 2018 Asian Games in August, cost a fraction of similar projects in Malaysia and the Philippines, the government said.
— Jakarta Globe

ASEAN: FiT for the future
Feed-in-Tariff (FiT) schemes are widely acknowledged as one of the most effective ways of renewable energy (RE) procurement globally.
— The Asean Post

Prioritizing Digital Markets in ASEAN: 2018 Report – ResearchAndMarkets.com
Southeast Asia has a rapidly developing digital ecosystem that provides MNCs with wide-reaching online channels for customer engagement.
— Business Wire (media release)

WEF ASEAN 2018 to focus on fourth industrial revolution
The World Economic Forum (WEF) on ASEAN, hosted by Vietnam this year, will revolve around entrepreneurship and the fourth industrial revolution, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told the media on June 27.
— Nhan Dan Online

Asean steel consumption to rebound in 2018 – Seaisi
Steel consumption in the six Asean countries is expected to recover this year, Kallanish understands. Consumption in Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam is projected to grow at 5-6% YoY in 2018.
— Steel Guru 

U.S. and China Trade War: The Impact on ASEAN’s Economic Integration Policy
While the trade war between China and the United States heats up, the impact of the actions of both countries is disproportionately affecting members of ASEAN. Tawnni Castano de la Cuesta takes a closer look at the repercussions in East Asia.
— Political Insight 

2018 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Media Summit To Be Held On Jul 1-3
2018 Mekong-Lancang Cooperation Media Summit will be held between Jul 1-3 by the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism in cooperation with People’s Daily of China.
— KPL

Interview: Research Analyst Says ASEAN Needs Stronger Investment Law in Dealing with China
Courtney Weatherby, Southeast Asia research analyst at the Stimson Center, tells VOA Khmer what Asean countries could do to strengthen sustainable development in Chinese foreign direct investment projects. VOA Khmer’s Chetra Chap reports.
— VOA 

Asean states seek to protect regional oceans
A project involving several Asean member countries was launched during high-level talks in Indonesia yesterday with the aim of increasing marine environmental protection in Southeast Asia.
— Khmer Times 

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Cambodian Minister of Agriculture Calls on Chinese Investors to Invest in Agrifood in Cambodia
Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Veng Sakhon, representing agricultural ministers of ASEAN member states, called on Chinese major investors to invest in agriculture, in particular, on agricultural food products in Cambodia.
— Fresh News

Cambodia says 50,000 observers to monitor July election
Cambodia’s National Election Committee (NEC) on Wednesday said 50,000 observers, including some from China, Myanmar and Singapore, will monitor a general election next month, which is widely expected to be a landslide victory for Prime Minister Hun Sen after the main opposition party was dissolved last year.
— Reuters

Cambodian PM now ‘fully fledged military dictator’, says report
Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen has become a “fully fledged military dictator” according to Human Rights Watch in a report released on Thursday investigating the extent of his personal control over the military and the police.
— The Guardian

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

BI Notes Cash Needs during Ramadan Reaches Rp191.3 Trillion
Executive Director of the Department of Communications of Bank Indonesia (BI), Agusman Zainal, said that the system of payment and management of rupiah money increased during the period of 2018 Ramadan or Eid Day.
— Tempo.co

Indonesia provides US$2 million for Palestine capacity building
The Indonesian Government has set aside US$2 million for capacity building programs in Palestine, as part of its commitment to help in the struggle of Palestinian people.
— Antara News

Dr Mahathir to go on two-day state visit to Indonesia
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad will travel to Indonesia tomorrow for a two-day working visit since coming to power again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today.
— The Edge Markets

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

SME promotion policy improvements win cabinet support
The government cabinet has announced improved policies to enable small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to access more finance to grow their businesses and boost production.
— Vientiane Times 

Over 2,500 Villages Benefit From Poverty Reduction Fund
Over 2,500 villages in rural areas of fifty five districts have reportedly benefited from the Poverty Reduction Fund since 2002.
— KPL 

NA debate amendment to Law on Social Security
Amendment of the Law on Social Security has resulted in numerous changes to the policy which the government hopes will strengthen development of the nation’s social security system.
— Vientiane Times 

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Malaysia 1MDB: Seized tiaras, cash and Hermes bags ‘worth $273m’
Malaysian police have seized a trove of jewellery, handbags and cash worth up to $273m (£206m) from properties linked to former prime minister Najib Razak and his wife Rosmah Mansor.
— BBC News

Ultra-luxury Bijan bag seized from Najib-linked condos from ‘most expensive store’ in the world
A “special order” bag from The House Of Bijan seized from condos linked to former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak comes from “the most expensive store” in the world.
— The Nation

Dr M: Govt may replace ringgit notes with new ones to fight corruption
The government is looking to replace the current currency notes with new ones to combat corruption.
— The Star Online

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

Myanmar sets all companies to re-register in line with new companies law
Myanmar has set all companies in operation in the country to re-register within six months from Aug. 1 when the new Myanmar Companies Law takes effect, according to the Myanmar Investment Commission (MIC) Wednesday.
— Global Times 

Rice industry urges legislation to regulate supply chain
The country’s leading business group for rice is pushing the parliament to legislate a new law to regulate the sector.
— The Myanmar Times 

Basic Energy invests in Myanmar solar project
DE Venecia-led Basic Energy Corp. has signed a deal to acquire a 15 percent interest in two Thai firms that bagged the contract to build a 220-megawatt (MW) solar power plant project in Myanmar.
— The Manila Times 

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

Filipinos to spend P121 billion online this year: PayPal
Fifty-five percent of Filipinos expect to spend more online this year, with purchases made through electronic channels seen to reach P121 billion, a payment solutions firm said Wednesday.
— ABS-CBN

IC okays release of P650-million collateral for PAL’s retrenchment case in 1998
THE Insurance Commission (IC) has authorized the release of the collateral security amounting to P650 million for the supersedeas bond posted by Philippine Airlines Inc. (PAL) before the National Labor Relations Commission (NLRC).
— Business Mirror

Infrastructure push to generate P31 trillion – NEDA
The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) projected that the government’s planned P10.6-trillion investment in infrastructure will return threefold to P31 trillion.
— Rappler

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

Singapore’s perceived openness to blockchain, cryptocurrency tech a cybersecurity risk: CrowdStrike VP
There is a need to be aware of online threats revolving around cryptocurrencies like bitcoin and blockchain given how Singapore is being seen as “favourable” to such technologies, CrowdStrike vice president Adam Meyers suggested.
— Channel NewsAsia 

3M launches one of Singapore’s largest solar farms
One of Singapore’s largest solar farms, which can produce enough energy to power 500 four-room Housing Board flats, was officially opened on Wednesday (June 27).
— The Straits Times 

NUS sets up joint lab to drive innovation in food tech and sustainable biochemicals
The S$110 million research facility will deepen knowledge of good macronutrients and micronutrients, food products and ingredients, as well as design eco-friendly bio-factories to produce industrial biochemicals
— Open Gov Asia 

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

Foreign experts join rescue mission
Three cavediving experts from UK arrive; US assistance on the way as search for 13 footballers in cave continues.
— The Nation (annoying auto-play video popups)

ASP warns of 5-year capital outflow high
Capital outflows from Thailand’s stock market are expected to persist and could reach a five-year high of 200 billion baht this year, mainly due to the US’s macroeconomic policies, says Asia Plus Securities (ASP).
— Bangkok Post

His Majesty urges streamlined rescue of youth soccer team
His Majesty the King has urged authorities in charge of the operation to locate and rescue the team of young soccer players believed lost in a large cave complex in Chiang Rai province, by reducing the number of officials in the cave for greater efficiency.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

Vietnam promotes programme on electrical energy efficiency and conservation
According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MIT), the implementation of the national programme on electrical energy efficiency has achieved the target of 3.4% and 5.65% of total energy consumption conservation during the 2006-2015 period and 2011-2015 period, equivalent to about 4.5 million tonnes and 11.261 million tonnes of oil (TOE), respectively.
— Nhan Dan Online

Six-month cement exports expand 50% year-on-year
Vietnam has exported more than 15 million tonnes of cement in the first six months of 2018, a sharp increase of 50% over the corresponding period last year.
— Nhan Dan Online

‘Touch-to-pay’ ecosystem taking shape in Vietnam
The mobile payment service market in Vietnam has yet to enter a boom period, but many big players are present.
— 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.

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.

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