Asean Morning News For March 23

Asean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Asia’s new domino theory puts democracy on the run
“The return of authoritarianism will be accompanied by a revival of prickly nationalism, which presidents-for-life always need to sustain their power. So the chances of ASEAN evolving into a comprehensive market and political entity are next-to-nothing at the moment.”
— ipolitics

Asean socio-cultural ministers push for 2025 agendas
Asean ministers responsible for socio-cultural affairs have pledged a greater joint effort in attempting to realise the Asean 2025 Vision.
— Vientiane Times

Asean needs vocational skills boost — now
The wind of change is blowing with a great speed, velocity and intensity. Disruptive technologies, such as the Internet of Things, the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), automation and robotics, are no longer science fiction. In fact, these emergent technologies are fast becoming part of our everyday reality, creating profound changes for industries, workers and our daily lives.
— Bangkok Post

CPTPP and Opportunities for Businesses in ASEAN
Following the withdrawal of the United States from the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the 11 remaining signatories of the TPP agreed to move ahead with a revised TPP.
— Asean Briefing

What makes the best transaction banks in Asean and Australia?
IT was a good year for transaction banking in the Asean region in 2017 with service providers demonstrating robust performance in cash management.
— The Assert

South-East Asian nations keen to buy BrahMos
Even as the most formidable anti-ship cruise missile – the BrahMos missile – was test fired on Thursday with an indigenous seeker at a Pokhran test range in Rajasthan, several South-East Asian countries, including Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, apart from Vietnam, have evinced interest in purchasing the missile.
— The Hindu Business Line

Southeast Asia remains as Petronas’ key strategic market
Southeast Asia will remain Petroliam Nasional Bhd’s (Petronas) key strategic market in expanding its core business, while being committed to develop its gas assets in Canada and Mexico, said its Senior Vice-President of Corporate Strategy, Mohamed Firouz Asnan.
— The Borneo Post

India to start flights to Asean from Assam
India is planning to operate flights from the north-eastern state of Assam to Asean countries, including Singapore, through a scheme that subsidises air travel.
— The Straits Times (paywall)

Can ASEAN Continue to Improve Cybersecurity in the Region and Beyond?
Caitríona Heinl is an associate fellow under the NTU Singapore Cyber Risk Management Project. This material is an extract from her lecture as visiting fellow with the cyber norms program at the Leiden University Institute of Security and Global Affairs.
— Council of Foreign Relations

Cambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Forty-five countries urge Cambodia to conduct free vote, release opposition leader
Forty-five countries called on Cambodia on Wednesday to reinstate the main opposition party, release its jailed leader and ensure a July general election is free and fair.
— Business Insider

Thailand, Cambodia agree to heighten relations
The Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) has commended the two countries’ close relations and agreed to avoid border trespass.
— News Today (video)

Virtual reality tech catching the eyes of local businesses
Giant pink jellyfish float within arm’s reach as schools of migrating fish dart past. Suddenly, a giant blue whale – mouth agape and teeming with krill – surges into view.
— The Phnom Penh Post

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Indonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Pilgrimage travel agency under investigation for allegedly losing IDR1 trillion of customers’ money
It seems that there is no end to travel agencies in Indonesia literally robbing customers of their hard-earned money by exploiting their desire to go on the religious journey of a lifetime.
— Coconuts Jakarta

Noble Group hit with $260m lawsuit by Indonesian coal producer
Noble Group Ltd.’s week of woe just got worse as the commodity trader, which has defaulted on its debt and seen founder Richard Elman quit the board, said that it’s being sued by an Indonesian coal producer for more than a quarter of a billion dollars.
— Deal Street Asia

20 Indonesians on Saudi Death Row, 5 Charged with Witchcraft
The Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s civil protection director, Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, revealed that there are at least 20 Indonesians that face the death penalty in Saudi Arabia for various allegations.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

Lao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Planning authorities roll out SDG support in four provinces
The Department of Planning under the Ministry of Planning and Investment has continued to provide facilities for four provinces in reaching the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aligned to the 8th National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
— Vientiane Times

Laos, EU Enhance Cooperation On Human Rights
The Lao PDR and the European Union held their 8th Dialogue on Human Rights and Governance in Brussels, Belgium on Mar 15.
— Lao News Agency

Vietnam provides over 50 billion kip for new school in Xieng Khuang
The government of Vietnam has provided more than 50 billion kip (137.4 billion Vietnamese dong) for the construction of a new secondary school called Phonesavanh School in Phonmixay village, Paek district, Xieng Khuang province.
— Vientiane Times

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Malaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Illicit trade costing Malaysia almost RM8 billion a year
Malaysia needs more coordinated efforts between the private and public sectors to effectively tackle illicit trade, said Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs Director of Research, Ali Salman.
— New Straits Times

OCBC Bank launches new service for high net worth individuals
In line with the country’s rising affluent population and competition for a slice of the lucrative high net worth individual (HNWI) segment, OCBC Bank (M) Bhd has launched OCBC Premier Private Client (PPC), a service for those with assets under management (AUM) of RM3mil and above.
— The Star Online

Sapura Energy to start production at B15 field offshore Sarawak
Sapura Energy Bhd (Sapura Energy) will commence production at the B15 field offshore Sarawak with the first gas milestone achieved within two years of the sanction of its field development plan (FDP).
— New Straits Times

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Myanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Second law firm exits Myanmar, calls Companies Law delay a mistake
The govt has a mentality that, if something has to be done, “all you need to do is to pass a new law and that’s going to solve the problem.” It’s time to focus on communications with the private sector and actual implementation.
— The Myanmar Times

Myanmar earns over US$1-bn from rice exports this year
Myanmar earned more than US$1 billion (1.33 trillion kyat) from rice and broken rice exports to 57 countries as of March 9 in 2017-18 FY, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
— Black Sea Grain

Doubts are growing about Myanmar’s political leadership
The sudden resignation of Myanmar President Htin Kyaw is a worrying development for the country’s future, according to one politics watcher, especially as a crescendo of criticism engulfs de-facto ruler Aung San Suu Kyi.
— CNBC

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Philippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

ICC told: PH won’t assist in probe
The International Criminal Court (ICC) could expect no cooperation from the Duterte administration, even if it continues with its efforts to look into the human rights situation in the Philippines amid killings in its war on drugs.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

Philippines’ exchanges merger under threat
The Philippine Stock Exchange’s bid to create a unified bourse for stock and bond trading is in danger of being scuttled, with no less than a state-backed lender moving to thwart the merger.
— Nikkei Asian Review

Megaworld P30-billion bond bags PDS award as top traded issue in 2017
MEGAWORLD Corp.’s P30-billion bond issue bagged the “Top Traded Corporate Bond Issue of the Year” given by the Philippine Dealing System Group held during its annual awards night in Makati City.
— Business Mirror

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Singapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat

Singapore EDB to fund Smart Industry Readiness Index assessments for 300 companies
The Index was launched by EDB last year to help industrial companies harness the potential of Industry 4.0 in a systematic and comprehensive way. EDB will also be developing an accreditation programme to train a pool of qualified Index assessors.
— Open Gov Asia

Singapore wins sixth consecutive title of ‘world’s best airport’
Singapore’s Changi Airport has been named “world’s best airport” for the sixth consecutive year — as regional rival Hong Kong came in fourth place.
— CNBC

Tech giants express concern over Singapore plan to fight fake news
Global tech giants including Facebook and Twitter on Thursday expressed concern about a possible Singapore plan to bring in a new law to tackle the threat of fake news, saying sufficient rules are already in place.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

Thailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

EJF praises Thailand’s crackdown on illegal fishing
Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister General Prawit Wongsuwan has welcomed executive director of the Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF), Steeve Trent who is on a visit to the country to observe and discuss the progress of the government’s crackdown on illegal fishing.
— NNT

Thai-Chinese rail project falls in price
Nakhon Ratchasima: A 3.5-kilometre pilot stretch of the Thai-Chinese high-speed railway in this northeastern province will be 9% cheaper than its initial valuation of 398 million baht, said Thanin Somboon, chief of the Department of Highways (DOH).
— Bangkok Post

Bangkok and its vicinity step up anti-rabies efforts
Local authorities in Bangkok and its surrounding provinces are working together to strengthen their efforts to contain the rabies virus.
— NNT

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

Vietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

State budget to offer start-ups 30 percent of investment
Start-ups will be given support from the State budget in localities with no more than 30 percent of total investment mobilised from investment funds.
— VietnamPlus

Logistics firms to cut costs, up labour
The logistics sector needs to cut costs and improve labour quality, experts said at a seminar held by the Viet Nam Logistics Association (VLA) and HCM City’s Department of Industry and Trade on Tuesday.
— Bizhub

Wood industry eyes international markets
Domestic wood producers can expand export markets this year as the global demands are projected to rise amid limited supply sources, experts said.
— The Hanoi Times

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.