Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
Grab vanquishes Uber with local strategy, billions from SoftBank
As Uber Technologies Inc looked to conquer ride-sharing around the world, Grab was focused on serving the 620 million people that share its home in South-east Asia.
— Malay Mail
Success ensures ASEAN’s long-term importance to the United States
Considering Trump’s ‘America First’ philosophy and his disdain for past trade agreements — sentiments proclaimed at the Da Nang APEC summit and on numerous other occasions — it’s reasonable to conclude that ASEAN plays no role in Trump’s world view.
— East Asia Forum
SET, Vietnam shares outperform SE Asian peers
The Stock Exchange of Thailand and shares in Vietnam gained, while other Southeast Asian markets pulled back somewhat from early losses on Monday after global markets showed signs of recovery following reports of trade talks between the United States and China, calming fears of a full-blown trade war.
— Bangkok Post
Korean banks struggle to enter ASEAN
The nation’s major banks are having a hard time making inroads into Southeast Asia as their future growth engine despite the government’s strong drive to promote the region.
— The Korea Times
Is Australia set to join Asean as China’s assertiveness grows?
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and Australia just concluded their first-ever special summit in Sydney.
— South China Morning Post
Indonesia calls for unified ASEAN position in RCEP talks
Indonesia has called on ASEAN member countries to develop a unified position in negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Jakarta Post
Australian agtech’s Asian advance
Australia’s burgeoning agtech industry has the capability to take advantage of the huge ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) agricultural sector, with immense opportunities in areas of sustainability, marketing, financing, production, food quality and regional planning.
— BlueNotes
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation yields tangible benefits
Member countries of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) have gained tangible benefits with prospects for greater fruitful cooperation in the years to come, diplomats say.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
Success ensures ASEAN’s long-term importance to the United States
At the APEC Summit in November 2017, US President Donald Trump declared, ‘We are not going to let the United States be taken advantage of anymore … I am always going to put America first’.
— East Asia ForumÂ
Think regionally, act globally
The importance of Asean in the broader region was highlighted again last fortnight when Australia convened the first Special Summit of Leaders in Sydney. There were even calls for Australia to join the grouping and become its eleventh member! While all of this may point to Asean’s geopolitical and strategic importance, how has it fared economically?
— Khmer TimesÂ
Greens take on China’s infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia
Tougher environmental compliance facing Chinese companies at home and abroad
— Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)Â
Indonesia calls for unified ASEAN position in RCEP talks
Indonesia has called on ASEAN member countries to develop a unified position in negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Jakarta PostÂ
Ten ways to sidestep fault lines in Asean
Given the unsettled international environment, great powers’ competition and regional dynamism, the current Asean chair, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, urged the regional grouping to “maintain its centrality and relevance” in his recent speech at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
— Bangkok PostÂ
Australia and Asean can do more to face up to realities
Inviting the leaders of South-east Asia for the first time to an Asean-Australia Special Summit in Australia marks an important shift in Canberra’s thinking about how to manage its many foreign policy challenges.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Indonesia calls for unified ASEAN position in RCEP talks
Indonesia has called on ASEAN member countries to develop a unified position in negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).
— The Jakarta Post
Utility explores building hydroelectric dams in Asean
Sarawak Energy Bhd (SEB), which aspires to be a regional powerhouse is exploring the potential of building hydroelectric dams in several Asean countries.
— The Star Online
Ministry of Commerce & Trade directed to increase trade with ASEAN
A legislative body on Monday directed the Ministry of Commerce & Trade to accelerate the pace of negotiations at political and ministerial levels to increase trade with Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— Daily Times
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Hun Sen: Election will not be postponed
Prime Minister Hun Sen has announced that the democratic process in Cambodia will continue unabated, noting that the national election will not be postponed or cancelled as it has been in other countries.
— Khmer Times
Cambodia’s democracy, economy at risk: report
Cambodia has become more autocratic and its government’s claim of stable economic development rests on uncertain basis, according to a comprehensive new report.
— The Phnom Penh Post
NBC promotes riel liquidity
Commercial banks and microfinance institutions have acquired more than 209 billion riel in riel liquidity, worth $52.4 million, from the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) since the central bank began its liquidity-providing collateralised operation (LPCO) in October 2016.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
ADB provides $175.3m to support SERD’s geothermal project in Indonesia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $175.3m loan to PT Supreme Energy Rantau Dedap (SERD) to support development of the second phase of the company’s geothermal power project in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia.
— Renewable Energy Magazine (media release)
Indonesia’s first edible food packaging firm reveals automation plan to drive down costs
Indonesia’s first edible packaging firm, Evoware, has unveiled plans to automate and rapidly scale up production of its seaweed-based items, which will lead to a big cut in the final costs of its products.
— Food Navigator Asia
Ahok to stay in jail as Indonesia court rejects appeal
Indonesia’s Supreme Court has rejected an appeal by the Christian ex-governor of Jakarta to review his conviction for insulting Islam, a court spokesman said on Monday, so the politician will serve out his two-year sentence.
— The Edge Markets
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Russian Defense Ministry to Open Office in Laos
The Russian Defense Ministry plans opening an office in Laos where experts will provide assistance to the Lao side on the use of Russian-made military equipment, an order published on the official legal information website read.
— Sputnik News
Lancang-Mekong Cooperation yields tangible benefits
Member countries of the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) have gained tangible benefits with prospects for greater fruitful cooperation in the years to come, diplomats say.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
Laos, Thailand partner in nutritional therapy training
Health officials from nine central provinces met in Vientiane recently to learn about a nutritional therapy programme to enhance their practice and capacity development.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Malaysia aims to curb ‘fake news’, proposes 10 years’ jail for offenders
The Malaysian government on Monday proposed a law to combat “fake news” which could see offenders jailed for 10 years, sparking fears authorities aim to stifle criticism as elections loom.
— Business Standard
Ringgit less susceptible to spikes in volatility, says UOB
The ringgit is expected to be less susceptible to sharp spikes in volatility compared with other regional currencies due to the support from favourable domestic growth drivers.
— The Sun Daily
Malaysia’s Central Bank Looking To Integrate Blockchain Into Banking System
Malaysia’s national bank hinted it is planning to integrate Blockchain in its banking part, its agent senator revealing ongoing advancement work in a discourse Thursday, March 22.
— HIBusiness
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Myanmar improving but still ‘super challenging’ for business: Study
Family-run firms, a lack of transparency and murky money networks in the former junta-led country continue to make doing business in Myanmar “super challenging”, a new study mapping the country’s top companies said on Monday (March 26).
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Is Facebook contributing to genocide in Myanmar?
It’s not every day that a country of over 51 million people goes online virtually overnight.
— Asia TimesÂ
Myanmar to select new president Wednesday
The Myanmar parliament will select a new president on Wednesday, with lawmakers choosing among three vice presidents for the successor to Htin Kyaw, the country’s civilian president who resigned last week.
— Bangkok PostÂ
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
PH consumer confidence at lowest level in Q1 2018 on expected commodity price upticks
The Philippine consumers’ confidence dropped to its lowest level in the first quarter of 2018 on expectations of higher prices of goods.
— Philippine Magazine
Consultative panel head: Duterte can’t serve two terms
Consultative committee head Reynato Puno said Monday that President Rodrigo Duterte cannot run for a second term even if the new Constitution would allow a President to serve for two terms.
— CNN Philippines
Old plants, rising demand threaten PH power supply
The country’s aging power plants put the country’s power supply situation at risk, according to the Energy Department and power retailer Manila Electric Co.
— Manila Standard
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat  @leakhenakhat
Singapore’s competition watchdog not notified about Grab-Uber deal
While it is aware of Grab’s acquisition of Uber’s Southeast Asia business, Singapore’s competition watchdog said it has not received formal notifications from both parties.
— Channel NewsAsiaÂ
LTA Singapore testing Automatic Number Plate Recognition and communication beacons
The tests will enable LTA to determine the performance and reliability of the technologies under real-life environmental and traffic conditions for future traffic management systems which will leverage Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) technology.
— Open Gov AsiaÂ
Singapore factory output up 8.9% in February, better than expected
Singapore’s factory output continued its winning streak in February, beating expectations from economists despite concerns about the Chinese New Year (CNY) effect.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre   @photo_journ
Rabies vaccine supplies run low as infections creep up
More cases of rabies infections in dogs have been found in Buri Ram and Nakhon Ratchasima, while vaccine supplies are reportedly running low.
— Bangkok Post
Merger of Grab and Uber drive monopoly, pricing concerns
The merger between Grab and Uber is driving market concentration to monopoly levels, underlying the urgency of regulations that legalise and keep in check ride-sharing service in Thailand, say industry and research analysts.
— Bangkok Post
Thailand to consider opening some service businesses to more foreign investment: Report
Thailand is considering opening some businesses in the service industry to more foreign investment, the Bangkok Post reported on Monday (March 26).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Mechanical engineering sector to lift exports by 2020
Vietnam’s mechanical engineering industry is striving to apply advanced technology, produce high-quality products meeting international standards and join the global value chain by 2035.
— VietnamPlus
Banks seek expats for leading roles
Vietnam’s finance and banking sector has attracted quite a number of foreigners to leading roles over the years. This trend is expected to continue, as foreign expertise and experience are in high demand for the sector’s development and expat incomes have become more competitive over the years.
— VietnamNet Bridge
Industry to contribute 40% to Vietnam’s GDP by 2030
The Poliburo recently issued Resolution 23-NQ/TW to develop the national industry until 2030, with vision to 2045, aiming to finalize the industrialization and modernization targets and become one of the top three countries in industry in ASEAN.
— 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.
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