Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ASEAN military chiefs push for peace in South China Sea
Military chiefs of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pushed for peace in the disputed South China Sea, as they also stressed the need to avoid moves “that may complicate the situation.”
— Rappler
How ASEAN matters in the age of Trump
In his first year in office, President Donald Trump broke sharply with many long-standing traditions in US foreign policy.
— East Asia Forum
Is ASEAN still ‘in the driver’s seat’ or asleep at the wheel?
Over its history, ASEAN has reduced the possibility of war among its members and created a platform for member states to project their common concerns and to advance shared interests. ASEAN enabled what were relatively new, developing and in some cases small states collectively to play a sort of quasi-middle power role with which more powerful actors have to contend. But it may no longer be able to inhabit such a sweet spot.
— East Asia Forum
Trade War Pain for Asian Currencies to Shine Light on Deficits
The current-account deficit is making a comeback as a reason to sell some Asian currencies, according to Credit Suisse Group AG.
— BloombergQuint
Local start-up sets up Singapore office as it eyes SEA expansion
LOCAL start-up Acudeen Technologies Inc. said it is ramping up its expansion in emerging markets, mostly in Southeast Asia (SEA), and plans to set up operations in six countries in the next few years.
— Business Mirror
PP hopes to offset Trump folly
The revised Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), including Asean’s Vietnam, Brunei, Singapore and Malaysia, could offset Donald Trump’s protectionism amid prospects of taking effect this year and future enlargement.
— Asean Economist
Singaporean experts recommend Vietnam accelerate reforms to take advantage of the CPTPP
In order to benefit more from the Comprehensive Partnership and Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), Vietnam needs to step up reforms in a number of areas.
— Bnews.vn
NSW Premier gives police anti-drone powers for ASEAN summit in Sydney
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian is set to invoke special powers to prevent drones flying over the Sydney CBD and lower north shore and to allow police to stop, search and impound cars during the ASEAN summit in Sydney next weekend.
— The Australian (paywall)
Doubts remain as RCEP inches closer to conclusion
The signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) took place last week, but questions now loom over the status of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Asean Post
PTTGC redoubles Asean efforts
PTT Global Chemical Plc (PTTGC), Thailand’s largest petrochemical producer, plans to focus more on penetrating the Asean region, as the market has great potential.
— Bangkok Post
Global and Chinese ASEAN Spring Industry – 2017
The Manufacturing and Construction Report has been published tod .ay. It provides updated in 2018 year analysis of manufacturing and construction industries.
— Military Technologies
Global and Chinese ASEAN Spring Industry – 2017
The Manufacturing and Construction Report has been published today. It provides updated in 2018 year analysis of manufacturing and construction industries.
— Military-technologies
Does ASEAN really need robotics in the manufacturing workforce?
More companies are opting for robotic automation of their manufacturing processes to get ahead, as reported by McKinsey & Company in 2017. Mainly, two types of robots, collaborative robots and industrial robots, are permeating the manufacturing sector.
— The Asean Post
Why Did Duterte Chicken out of the ASEAN-Australia Summit?
Though Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte likes to talk a tough game, he has effectively chickened out of the ASEAN-Australia Summit with his impending nonattendance.
— The Diplomat
OECD, Southeast Asia discuss regional development
Regional connectivity and removing trade and investment barriers topped the agenda at a meeting of ministers and senior officials from Southeast Asia and Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) member countries.
— Vientiane Times
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
UN Seeks Details on Land Shooting as Cambodia Silences Witness
The United Nations and a rights group on Friday called for an investigation into the shooting of land rights protesters in Cambodia’s Kratie province the previous day, as a key witness recanted her account of six dead after being arrested.
— Radio Free Asia
Japanese life insurance company to enter market
Tokyo-based insurance company Dai-icihi Life Holdings is set to enter the Cambodian market, possibly in the next few weeks, according to a report from the Nikkei Asian Review (NAR).
— The Phnom Penh Post
Death, Injuries Reported: Cambodia Army Fires on Villagers (video)
Against a backdrop of a rapidly decreasing civil space dramatic video emerged overnight of Cambodia army soldiers shooting into protestors in Kratie province, northeastern Cambodia, with local media reporting of unverified deaths and injuries to protestors, as well as injuries to security officials.
— AEC News Today (video)
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia (Again) Vows to Clean World’s Most Polluted River (video)
If everything goes according to plan 2025 is set to be a big year environmentally for Indonesia, which carries the unwanted title as home to one the world’s most polluted rivers, in addition to being the world’s second largest source of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans.
— AEC News Today (video)
China: Port of Haicang refuses entry to 7.84 tons of Indonesian durian
A shipment of refrigerated durian from Indonesia was recently refused entry at Haicang port in Xiamen because the proper permits for refrigerated fruit were not obtained. The shipment was therefore in violation of regulations regarding inspection and quarantine of plant material in China.
— Fresh Plaza
JCI Still Potentially Weakens, These are Stocks Worth Purchasing
Jakarta Composite Index (JC) at the beginning of this week is predicted to move in the range of support 6.360 to 5.840.
— Netral News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Laos Pushes E-Commerce Initiative, Seeks To Reduce Internet Costs
The Lao Ministry of Post and Telecommunications has named the development of e-commerce as one of its core strategic goals over the next ten years, Vientiane Times reported.
— Investvine
China provides grant for hospital construction
The government has signed a document accepting grant assistance from the Chinese government for the rebuilding of Mahosot Hospital in Vientiane worth over 845 billion kip (646.8 million yuan).
— Vientiane Times
Agro-Forestry GDP Reaches 22 Trillion KIP
The gross domestic product (GDP) of the agriculture and forestry sector reached 22 trillion kip, rising by 2.8 % year on year and representing 16.3% of the total GDP of the country, said on Monday Minister of Agriculture and Forestry Lien Thikeo.
— Lao News Agency
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia unfazed by US import tariffs on steel, aluminium
While Malaysia may not see much of an impact from the United States’ move to go ahead with steel and aluminium import tariffs, the move is likely to trigger a surge in steel prices.
— The Sun Daily
Malaysia aims inking regional trade pact
Malaysia, fresh from signing a free trade pact involving 11 Pacific-rim countries, will now focus on concluding talks on Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, or RCEP to help secure new growth engines for the trade-reliant economy.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Malaysia’s DRB-Hicom sells non-industrial land assets for $486m
Malaysian conglomerate DRB-Hicom Bhd said on Thursday it was selling much of its non-industrial property assets and the entire hospitality portfolio for a total of 1.9 billion ringgit ($486.31 million).
— DealStreetAsia
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Myanmar builds military bases where Rohingya once lived and prayed: Amnesty
After driving nearly 700,000 Rohingya Muslims out of the country, Myanmar’s military is building bases where some of their homes and mosques once stood, Amnesty International said on Monday, citing new evidence from satellite imagery.
— Reuters
UN to gather evidence on genocide in Myanmar
The UN has planned to amass evidence of genocide on Rohingyas through a judicial investigation, said United Nations Special Adviser on Genocide Prevention Adama Dieng in a meeting with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Chairman Kazi Reazul Hoque.
— The Daily Star
After massacres, Rohingya in Myanmar are dying from neglect
The Rohingya, an ethnic Muslim minority who have been targeted by pogroms in Myanmar, are suffering through another lethal strategy: the denial of healthcare, food and humanitarian aid. After visiting Myanmar for a fourth time, columnist Nicholas Kristof wrote for The New York Times that the killings have shifted from “ethnic cleansing” to “slow-motion genocide.” Kristof talks to Hari Sreenivasan.
— PBS
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
ADB to provide technical aid, $5M for Marawi rehabilitation
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it will provide technical assistance and $5 million worth of funding to support the rehabilitation of Marawi City following last year’s five-month siege.
— BusinessWorld Online
Philippines struggles in war against human trafficking
Michelle thought her prayers had been answered when she finally left her home in the Philippines for Saudi Arabia last year to work as a maid.
— UCA News
PH startup expanding to Asean countries
Filipino startup Acudeen Technologies plans to expand to six countries with a combined total market of over $400 billion.
— Manila Standard
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore joins APEC cross-border privacy rules for data controllers and processors
According to a press release from the Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) of Singapore, the country has become the sixth APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) economy to participate in the Cross-Border Privacy Rules System (CBPR) alongside USA, Mexico, Canada, Japan and the Republic of Korea. Singapore has also become the second APEC economy to participate in the Privacy Recognition for Processors (PRP) System alongside USA.
— Open Gov Asia
Changes to parking provisions will be shot in the arm for car-lite vision
SINGAPORE is making yet another stride in going car-lite, this time with proposed bill amendments that will give the Land Transport Authority (LTA) more flexibility in calibrating parking provisions in private developments.
— The Business Times
Meet the Singaporean businessman reaping the benefits of WA’s untapped water supply
A Singaporean businessman says Western Australia’s pastoral industry could add a billion dollars in value by tapping into Western Australia’s vast underground water reserves.
— ABC
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
MOAC: Thailand gained over 200 billion baht trade surplus in 2017
Thailand posted 200 billion baht in trade surplus from the export of agricultural products to ASEAN countries in 2017, with a trade surplus is also expected in 2018, says official.
— NNT
Probe exposes widespread fraud
Alleged irregularities in the 493-million-baht budget allocated last year for underprivileged people has not only led investigators to the masterminds but also exposed extensive fraud committed by state officials.
— Bangkok Post
Thai Police Red Faced as Ankle Shackles Snap & Suspect Flees Court (video)
Thai police have been left red faced after a prisoner wearing a heavy steel ankle shackles managed to escape from custody while attending a hearing at the Nan Provincial Court
— AEC News Today (video)
Bangkok and Nonthaburi declared temporary rabies epidemic zone
Bangkok and Nonthaburi have been declared a temporary rabies epidemic zone for March 6 until April 4 by the Department of Livestock Development (DLD).
— Thai PBS
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam wants exclusion from US’s steel tariff
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) of Vietnam has urged the US Government to consider excluding Vietnamese products from its newly announced tariff measures on imported steel and aluminium.
— VietnamPlus
Industrial property: Stronger ties between local and foreign corporations
2017 has been another remarkable year in the manufacturing and industrial sector and 2018 will continue to see high demand for industrial and logistics properties with strong investments from operators, occupiers, and owners.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Vietnamese billionaires vow to boost agricultural development
Four Vietnamese tycoons, who have been named in Forbes Billionaires 2018, share a common interest in investing in agricultural development or businesses dedicated to benefiting Vietnamese farmers and the poor.
— VietnamPlus
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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