Asean Morning News For March 5

Asean Morning News For March 5
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Asean morning newsAsean Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

Boracay’s White Beach the Top Beach in Asean in 2018 (video)
The White Beach in Boracay some 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines has been judged by the TripAdvisor community as the 25th Top Beach in the World in 2018, with the added distinction of being the only Asean beach to make it into the global top 25.
— AEC News Today

RCEP negotiators make progress in Singapore as Japan pushes for year-end deal on trade pact
Ministers from 16 East Asian countries negotiating the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership made progress at a meeting in Singapore Saturday but many gaps remain.
— The Japan Times

ASEAN Manufacturing PMI marks 2nd straight expansion in February
The Nikkei ASEAN Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index, or PMI, rose to 50.7 in February, up from 50.2 in January, as a relatively broad-based upturn saw five of the seven countries reporting an improvement in business conditions.
— Nikkei Asian Review

PayPal advances in SEA online payments market
ELECTRONIC payments giant PayPal sees the potential to dominate the Southeast Asian market as more self-employed workers prefer digital platforms for money transfers.
— The Manila Times

Asean must build a ‘thinkforce’
As Asean opens its 51st year, leaders face a major question: How to maintain the growth and rising standards of living enjoyed in Asean’s first 50 years.
— The New Paper

Talcum powder’s label should have warning — ASEAN advisory
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disseminated an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) advisory on the use of talcum powders in children, reiterating “that it must be labeled with a warning that states “keep powder away from children’s nose and mouth.”
— Manila Bulletin

Trade minister hopes ASEAN-EU FTA will help SMEs, overcome negative campaign on palm oil
Indonesia has expressed its hope that a free trade agreement (FTA) between ASEAN and the European Union (EU) can boost small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and subdue a negative campaign against palm oil.
— The Jakarta Post

Automated customs to roll out nationwide
The automated customs system is expected come into operation at all seaports and airports by the end of the third quarter of 2018, according to the Viet Nam Customs.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Turning the tide on crime in Asean
Ahead of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Thailand Institute of Justice’s (TIJ) first High Level Conference on Sustainable Development, Crime Prevention and Safe Societies for Southeast Asia in Bangkok on Monday, UNODC executive director Yury Fedotov gave an exclusive interview to the Bangkok Post about the challenges facing Thailand and the wider region as a whole.
Bangkok Post 

Singapore to push for ASEAN e-commerce agreement, innovation network
As Singapore takes over the rotating chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) this year, it will push for the roll-out of an e-commerce agreement and an innovation network to give businesses a leg-up when they expand across Southeast Asia.
Channel NewsAsia 

Australia to address Hun Sen’s threats at Asean summit
The Australian government has said it will use an upcoming Asean summit in Sydney to confront Prime Minister Hun Sen about his remarks aimed at Australian protesters, which continued on Friday as he goaded them by claiming they had “fallen into his trap” after they burned his effigy last month.
The Phnom Penh Post 

Mekong Nations Agree to Share Information to Jointly Manage the Transnational River
The representatives of six Mekong nations formulated guidelines at an academic conference in Chiang Rai on how to share information and technology to jointly manage the transnational river this week.
Chiang Rai Times 

$840,000 Maltese AmphiCoach deployed for first time in Southeast Asia
The first AmphiCoach, which was developed in Malta, has been deployed in Southeast Asia, to the seaside city of Kuala Terengganu, in the Malaysian east coast state of Terengganu, Travel Wire Asia has reported.
Independent

Asia may face steel, aluminum glut with Trump’s tariff plan
U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to slap hefty tariffs on steel and aluminum imports will likely make Southeast Asia the new hunting ground for global exporters seeking buyers, creating a glut that could depress prices and prompt some producers to close.
— Tuoi Tre

Will fossil fuels die in Southeast Asia?
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has answered the clarion call for the global shift towards renewable energy, in line with the pursuit of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combatting global warming.
— The Asean Post

ASEAN city councils to cooperate in regional sustainable development
Councils of ten Southeast Asian nations’ cities have pledged their cooperation in regional sustainable development during the first-ever ASEAN City Council Meeting in Bangkok.
— VietnamPlus

Cambodia morning newsCambodia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

US Lied About Latest Sanctions Says Cambodia’s Hun Sen
The US Embassy in Phnom Penh has in damage control and refusing to answer questions after Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Sen today, March 3, accused the American ambassador to Cambodia of lying about the latest sanctions and aid cuts to his country.
— AEC News Today

PM Hun Sen: Peace Creates Factories, CPP Can Maintain Peace
Prime Minister of Cambodia Hun Sen once again mentioned the importance of peace in creating jobs in Cambodia and claimed that only Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) that could maintain peace in Cambodia.
— Fresh News

Business Insider: Incubator giving Cambodia’s startups chances to compete
Cambodia’s nascent startup scene is nurtured by tech and incubation hubs, which often partner with business leaders and NGOs to provide mentoring and funding to young entrepreneurs.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News

 

Indonesia morning newsIndonesia Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

PLN Invests IDR721 Bln for 45,500 kW Diesel Power Plant in Riau Islands
State-electricity company, PT PLN (Persero), poured an investment of IDR721 billion to build a diesel power plant (DPP) in Riau Islands. Funds that size are used to build diesel-powered plants with a total capacity of 45,500 kilo Watts (kW).
— Netral News

Jokowi’s 35,000 MW program only reaches 3.8 percent progress
The government revealed that the progress of its flagship 35,000-megawatt (MW) electricity procurement program had only reached 3.8 percent as of Feb. 1 since its launch in May 2015.
— The Jakarta Post

Indonesia Digest: Kalbe to invest $51m on new plant; Artajasa eyes $3.2m via IPO
Indonesia’s pharmaceutical firm Kalbe Farme has invested $35 million on the construction of a new factory with another $16 million to be spent for operation support, while electronic transaction service provider Artajasa Pembayaran Elektronis has said that it will offer 437,505,800 new shares priced at Rp 100 apiece in its IPO.
— Deal Street Asia

See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News

 

Lao PDR morning newsLao PDR Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

New software to help with collection of climate data
The use of Kobo toolbox software will enable officials to make more effective decisions regarding the planning and implementation of climate-resilient infrastructure development projects.
Vientiane Times 

Building bridges between Laos and Thailand for better lives
Waking up in one country and shopping in another may sound like the life of a high-flying chief executive, but not for Vannasinh Phrasavath, who does it every time she needs groceries.
Channel NewsAsia

Australia, EU give boost to Lao education with new schools
Teachers and students in Savannakhet province will have 40 new primary schools, supported by the Australian government and the European Union (EU), to improve basic education quality and boost school enrollment.
Vientiane Times 

See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News

 

Malaysia morning newsMalaysia Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

US tariff on steel, aluminium imports will impact Malaysia
The imposition of tariffs on the import of steel and aluminium products by the United States (US) will also impact Malaysia.
— New Straits Times

Malaysia’s TNB acquires 80% in two UK renewable energy firms for $235.6m
Malaysian state-owned power company Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has acquired 80 per cent stake in two UK-based renewable energy companies — GVO Wind Ltd and Bluemerang Capital Ltd – for an enterprise value of about $235.6 million (RM923 million).
— DealStreetAsia

No free trade agreement if EU bans palm oil: Mah
Malaysia’s free trade agreement talks with the European Union (EU) must address trade barriers that discriminate palm oil because this is a priority, a Cabinet minister said.
— New Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

 

Myanmar morning newsMyanmar Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat    @leakhenakhat

 

Former Rohingya MP, Aung Zaw Win, arrested in Myanmar
A former Rohingya MP has been arrested in Myanmar, in move that has been condemned as a further escalation of the attacks on the Rohingya community.
The Guardian 

Myanmar targets LNG imports to fuel nation’s power surge
Myanmar will begin importing liquefied natural gas as soon as 2020 to feed the country’s growing power demand, aiming to allay concerns among businesses about electricity shortages even as domestic gas output begins to drop.
Nikkei Asian Review (metered paywall)

Myanmar set for transition to digital economy with corporates’ support
FIVE YEARS after Myanmar’s liberalisation of the telecommunications sector, the nation has now over 50 million mobile subscribers, a figure that almost encompasses its total population, and is set for adoption of digital economy with the help of industry leaders worldwide.
The Nation 

See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News

 

Philippines morning newsPhilippines Morning News

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu    @stmarisewudolu

 

Boracay’s White Beach the Top Beach in Asean in 2018 (video)
The White Beach in Boracay some 315 km (196 mi) south of Manila in the Western Visayas region of the Philippines has been judged by the TripAdvisor community as the 25th Top Beach in the World in 2018, with the added distinction of being the only Asean beach to make it into the global top 25.
— AEC News Today

EU agrees Philippine aid package
The European Union is set to provide the Philippines with 243.1 million peso (€3.8 million) for its drug rehabilitation programme, despite having rocky relations with President Rodrigo Duterte.
— Asean Economist

32 El Nido easement violators evicted
Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu on Sunday ordered the eviction of at least 32 establishments found to have been built illegally on the beach of a cove in El Nido town, Palawan’s prime beach destination.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News

 

Singapore morning newsSingapore Morning News

Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat

 

The House That Lee Built And the Power of Fear (HD video)
A new documentary by Al Jazeera English examines the life and legend of Singapore’s founding father Lee Kuan Yew.
AEC News Today 

Reserves cannot be further tapped for healthcare: PM
Singapore cannot draw more from its reserves to fund healthcare spending in the future, as this will quickly deplete its nest egg, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
The Straits Times (paywall)

Commentary: Singapore, Hong Kong budgets show hongbao mentality must be quelled
When I asked a taxi driver the other day what he thought about the 2018 Singapore Budget, he seemed confused and then with a ray of realisation, clarified: “Do you mean the SG Bonus hongbao?”
Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News

 

Thailand morning newsThailand Morning News

Compiled by John Le Fevre    @photo_journ

 

Thailand dreams of 100 smart cities
As a part of its Thailand 4.0 initiative – a plan to transform Thailand’s economy into a digitally powered ecosystem – the country has set itself the target of creating no less than 100 smart cities within its borders over the next two decades.
— Investvine

Jan exports set record high in half decade
The value of Thai exports in the first month of 2018 surged by 17.6%, the highest in 5 years and 2 months.
— News Today (video)

Government’s rating increases while PM’s popularity drops: Bangkok Poll
More people are satisfied with the government’s performance in the past three and a half years, but they are less satisfied with Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha’s performance, according to Bangkok Poll.
— Thai PBS

See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News

 

Vietnam morning newsVietnam Morning News

Compiled by Sreypov Men    @MenSreypov

 

Vietnam’s Data Localisation Push To Hurt Economy, Deliver Few Benefits
Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) thinks that it is killing two birds with one stone by passing new laws regulating data storage.
— AEC News Today

Vietnam’s Start-Up Scene Thrives, Funding Almost Doubles
Vietnamese start-ups received $291 million in funding last year, an increase of 42 per cent over 2016, according to a recent report by Topica Founder Institute, a Hanoi-based accelerator.
— Investvine

Leather Sector: Vietnam set to invest $100m
A Vietnamese company is set to invest around $100 million in Bangladesh’s leather sector.
— The Daily Star

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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