Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
EU-Asean trade: A counterbalance to US and China
We want strong partners in Asean. Especially given the rising pressure from China.” This blunt remark is not the handiwork of a US government official. It came from EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström last Friday.
— Asia Times
How ASEAN Strongmen Use Legal Reform to Weaken Democracy
Proposed constitutional amendments in Cambodia and the Philippines could worsen impunity and legitimize authoritarianism in both countries.
— The Diplomat
Asean’s plastic shame
A video of a British diver swimming through plastic waste off Bali has shown the extent of the crisis in Indonesian waters.
— Asean Economist
ASEAN-China joint maritime drills in the works
Philippine defense chief Delfin Lorenzana said on Wednesday, March 7, that a possible joint maritime exercise between Southeast Asian countries and China won’t be happening within 2018 since the region’s top defense officials have yet to iron out its possible details.
— Rappler
Government policy crucial for future of upstream sector in Southeast Asia
As the upstream sector recovers from the 2014 oil price crash and resulting budget cuts, a number of Southeast Asian governments are adapting policies in the sector in the hope of capturing a share of new investment.
— Offshore-technology
Singapore’s Million-Dollar Investments Will Drive AI Growth In Southeast Asia
Fingerprint scanners and face-recognizing cameras will become more common sights throughout Singapore’s businesses and public utilities, and major artificial intelligence companies kicking off operations in the country expect to bring their tech throughout the ASEAN region in the near future.
— Forbes
India’s Maritime Pivot to the East
India can become a reliable and trusted partner for Southeast Asia and a counterweight to Chinese dominance.
— The Diplomat
Myanmar hosts 19th Asean-COCI Subcommittee on Information Meeting
The 19th Asean-COCI Subcommittee on Information Meeting commenced at Sky Star Hotel in Yangon on March 6.
Union Minister for Information Dr Pe Myint addressed the opening of the meeting that will last till March 8.
— Eleven Myanmar
Women must be central to Mekong dam decisions
Today, on International Women’s Day, a recent trip to the Mekong Basin serves as a reminder that women’s voices must be central to decision-making on hydropower, and in broader energy planning for Thailand…
— Bangkok Post
DHL takes 2-wheeled ride to Southeast Asian growth
DHL is making headway in Southeast Asia’s highly competitive ground shipping market largely by adopting a so-called microdelivery model employing motorcycles.
— Nikkei Asian Review
Rohingya ethnic cleansing ongoing: UN
Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh cannot be safely returned to Myanmar because ethnic cleansing is continuing, a UN rights chief has warned.
— Asean Economist
Myanmar hosts ASEAN information meeting
A meeting on information by the Sub-committee on Culture and Information (SCI) of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is underway in Myanmar’s Yangon.
— Xinhua
Mekong countries meet on provision of assistance for human trade victims
The Thai Ministry of Social Development and Human Security is playing host to a workshop of countries in the Mekong Subregion, focusing on assisting victims of human trafficking.
— NNT
ASEAN NCAP organises first blind spot monitor test
The New Car Assessment Programme for South East Asian Countries (ASEAN NCAP) has performed the first development test for blind spot monitoring systems today.
— Paultan.org
New guide packs practical advice for social enterprises in South East Asia
The ASEAN Social Enterprise Structuring Guide equips social entrepreneurs with guidance to set up operations, carry out their mission and maximise their impact.
— Pioneers Post (media release)
More firms with at least one woman in senior role but gender diversity still low: Survey
While more companies here now have at least one woman holding a senior management role, improving gender diversity at the top remains a work in progress, according to a survey by global consultancy Grant Thornton on Thursday (Mar 8).
— ChannelNews Asia
ASEAN+3 convenes narcotics workshop in Bangkok
Representatives of the Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB) and its counterparts from ASEAN+3 countries are attending the fifth ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network Operational Workshop.
— NNT
Malaysia, Singapore to participate in Indonesian Jengkol Festival
Several national and foreign small and medium enterprises (SMEs) will participate in the Indonesian Jengkol Festival to be held in Bekasi City, West Java, on March 23-25, 2018.
— Antara News
ASEAN No. 2 agro-livestock export market for S. Korea
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) became the second- largest export market for South Korean agricultural and livestock products last year as the country’s trade with China was hit by a
diplomatic row, a report said Wednesday.
— Yonhap News
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Hun Sen repeats vow to serve 10 more years, noting ‘it could be more’
In a speech to garment workers yesterday, Prime Minister Hun Sen repeated his pledge to serve “not less than” 10 more years, while implying his rule over the Kingdom would extend even beyond that.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Foreign investment in Cambodia in 2017 up 75%
Cambodia received US$6.3 billion in investment from foreign countries in 2017, an increase of 75% compared to a year earlier.
— Bangkok Post
China’s budget carrier to expand network in Cambodia and other Belt and Road Initiative regions
Spring Airlines, China’s first and largest budget carrier, plans to further consolidate and expand its flight network in the countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative, including Cambodia, as it is seeing increasing traveling demand to those destinations.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia to Turn Over Yacht in 1MDB Probe to FBI
Indonesia will hand over a luxury yacht seized on the resort island of Bali to U.S. authorities, police said Wednesday, giving the Justice Department an elusive asset connected to a $4.5 billion fraud case centered on the Malaysian state fund 1MDB.
— The Wall Street Journal
Indonesia Draws Strategies to Eliminate Tuberculosis
Indonesia is currently working on new strategies to eliminate tuberculosis, a challenge it faces as the second country with the most affected people.
— Prensa Latina
Millions of Indonesian kids still plagued by malnutrition
At the age of four, Ayu Santika should be in pre-school like other children her age. But unlike them she is thin, weak and pale — telltale signs of malnutrition.
— UCA News
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Bananas from Laos obtain export permission for China
According to news from the Jiangsu Office for Quality Supervision, Inspection, and Quarantine, the Chinese General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine, published an online report titled “Public Report on Requirements for Import of Laos Bananas” (2018 no. 16).
— Fresh Plaza
President pushes for rural development, increased forest cover
President Bounnhang Vorachit has told authorities in charge to work harder to drive rural development, ensure food security, and increase forest cover.
— Vientiane Times
Job skills improving but higher standards needed: labour minister
Labour authorities and experts in Laos need to do more to improve workers’ skills in response to the needs of the job market.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia central bank holds policy rate as inflation eases
Malaysia’s central bank kept its benchmark interest rate unchanged as expected, after inflation eased and an early rate hike this year helped to bolster the currency.
— Bangkok Post
Palm oil prices in KL drop to six-week low
Malaysian palm oil futures declined today, as traders feared the prospect of cancelled shipments to India and after forecasts made at an industry conference in Kuala Lumpur.
— The Sun Daily
Govt committed to strengthening fintech ecosystem
The government remains committed to strengthening the local financial technology (fintech) ecosystem.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
U.S. Holocaust Museum Revokes Award to Aung San Suu Kyi
The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum has revoked a prestigious human rights award it had given to the Nobel laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, now Myanmar’s civilian leader, faulting her for failing to halt or even acknowledge the ethnic cleansing of her country’s Rohingya Muslim minority.
— The New York Times (metered paywall)
Forced starvation prompts fresh Rohingya exodus
Raids by Myanmar’s military on villages have prompted hundreds of starving Rohingya to flee restive Rakhine State for neighboring Bangladesh.
— Ucanews
Myanmar police witness says searched Reuters reporter’s home ‘for news’
Police in Myanmar searched the family home of Reuters reporter Wa Lone looking for material “related to news” the night after he and a colleague were arrested on suspicion of violating the Official Secrets Act, an officer told a court on Wednesday.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Sanofi may seek U.S. approval for Dengvaxia despite Philippines outrage
Sanofi will decide shortly whether to seek regulatory approval for its dengue vaccine Dengvaxia in the United States and remains committed to the medicine despite a health scare in the Philippines, a senior executive said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
Forex buffer down to $80.62 Billion
The country’s foreign exchange buffer declined for the second straight month to $80.62 billion in February amid strong outflows and lower gold prices in the international market, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.
— Philippine Star
House minority leaders back move to probe alleged 2016 poll anomalies
Minority leaders of the House of Representatives on Wednesday backed the move of Senate Majority Leader Vicente Sotto III seeking a probe into alleged irregularities in the 2016 national elections.
— Inquirer.net
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
MPA Singapore plans to launch Maritime Transformation Programme and set up one-stop data repository
MPA has unveiled four broad strategies to drive Singapore’s next phase of growth as a Global Maritime Hub for Connectivity, Innovation and Talent: Strengthening Singapore’s Connectivity and Inter-linkages; Building a Vibrant Innovation Ecosystem; Developing a Future-Ready and Skilled Maritime Workforce; and Enhancing the Maritime Cluster Fund.
— Open Gov Asia
More firms with at least one woman in senior role but gender diversity still low: Survey
While more companies here now have at least one woman holding a senior management role, improving gender diversity at the top remains a work in progress, according to a survey by global consultancy Grant Thornton on Thursday (Mar 8).
— Channel NewsAsia
Singapore’s 2018 Budget: Key Highlights for Businesses
On February 19, Singapore’s finance minister Mr. Heng Swee Kiat delivered the 2018 budget.
With an emphasis on Asia, emergence of new technologies, and an aging population, this year’s budget focused on helping businesses in Singapore prepare for future challenges and create new opportunities.
— Asean Briefing
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
‘Progress and persistent abuses’ in Thailand’s fishing industry, says U.N.
Fishermen in Thailand remain at risk of forced labor, and the identity documents and wages of some continue to be withheld, despite pressure from major retailers to clean up the industry, the International Labor Organization (ILO) said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
PM Prayut : Thai economy certainly on path to recovery
The Prime Minister has expressed satisfaction over the continuous recovery of the Thai economy.
— News Today (video)
Thailand blasts Nigerian government over false claims on rice mills
Thailand’s ambassador to Nigeria, Wattana Kunwongse, has denied remarks made by the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, that rice mills are collapsing in the Asian country.
— Daily Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Hanoi to create transparent environment and investment for the private sector
The Hanoi People’s Committee has recently issued Plan No. 53/KH-UBND on developing the private sector and making it one of important driving forces of the socialist-oriented market economy, completing the socialist-oriented market economy.
— The Hanoi Times
Eight exports each exceed US$1 billion in two-month revenue
Eight Vietnamese exports saw their revenues surpass US$1 billion in the first two months of 2018, three more than January 2018, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
— Nhan Dan Online
Amazon opens door to Vietnam exports in herald of market entrance
Amazon, the world’s largest Internet retailer by revenue and market capitalization, is set to officially open up its platform to exports from Vietnamese businesses this month, an insider told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.
— Tuoi Tre
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.