Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Singapore inks new TPP trade pact with 10 other countries: 5 things to know about the CPTPP
Moving along without the United States, the remaining 11 countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Thursday (Mar 8) signed a new version of the multilateral trade pact, resuscitating a landmark deal that would slash tariffs and foster trade in a market with a combined output of US$10 trillion (S$13 trillion).
— Channel NewsAsia
Japan urges ASEAN to work with OECD on high-quality infrastructure
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono urged Southeast Asian countries on Thursday to work more closely with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to invest in high-quality infrastructure.
— Japan Today
No arms race in Asean, but rise in defence spending could undermine security
While countries in many parts of the world are reducing their military spending, Southeast Asian countries are bucking the trend. Total defence spending of Association of South-east Asian Nations (Asean) states doubled over the last 15 years in absolute terms, with countries like Indonesia and Thailand witnessing military expenditure growth rates of 10 per cent on a year-by-year basis.
— Today Online
Most SE Asian stocks gain; Indonesia snaps 6-day losing streak
Most southeast Asian markets rose on Thursday, with Indonesia and Vietnam gaining more than 1% each, as fears of a global trade war eased after the White House said some trade partners may be exempted from President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs.
— The Edge Markets
Smart cities to provide sustainability solutions for Southeast Asia
A smart city is one that adopts scalable solutions so as to take advantage of ICT in order to increase efficiencies, reduce costs and enhance quality of life, according to technology conglomerate Cisco.
— The Asean Post
Small hydropower in Southeast Asia
Renewable energy generation across the Southeast Asian region has been long driven by the deployment of hydro-based solutions. Between 2000 and 2016, hydropower capacity in the region grew from nearly 16 GW to 44 GW, according to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
— The Asean Post
ASEAN Still Believes In Globalization. But Can It Make It Work For Everyone?
They say age is only a number, but as the trading bloc of ASEAN crosses the 50-year mark, numbers speak volumes about the dynamic transformation of this region.
— Thailand Business News
Managing Disasters: Three Key Elements In ASEAN Cooperation – Analysis
As the world’s most disaster-prone region, cooperation in disaster response and management in ASEAN has been critical. Where will the successes of this regional cooperation take us?
— Eurasia Review
PH joins ASEAN in creating barrier-free tourism
As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) gears to develop more infrastructures to provide barrier-free tourism to persons with disabilities (PWDs) in the region, the Philippines expresses its full support to the bloc’s initiative.
— Philippine Canadian Inquirer
Asean Markets Strengthen as Opportunities Grow
Manfred Chan from Schuster Manfred Hubert believes US companies are optimistic about the growth outlook and investment opportunities in Asean as businesses see solid growth in domestic consumption, according to in-house analysts.
— Newswire
Succeeding in today’s digital economy
Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) form the sixth largest economy in the world valued at US$2.5 trillion with a population of almost 630 million – 40 percent of whom are below the age of 30. Studies have shown that those within this age bracket represent a
key demography of the growing landscape of Southeast Asia’s digital economy.
— The Asean Post
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 Sub-region, focusing on assisting victims of human trafficking.
— News Today
Asean defence forces chiefs discuss counter-terrorism initiatives
Against a backdrop of rising terrorism and growing sophistication of terrorists’ tactics and capabilities, Asean defence forces chiefs reaffirmed their commitment to work together to maintain peace, security and stability in the region on Thursday (March 8).
— The Straits Times (paywall)
ASEAN’s next step on migrant rights
Despite the renewed commitment to protecting migrant rights in the November 2017 Manila Consensus, recent revelations of the torture and death of an Indonesian maid in Malaysia have cast doubt over the efficacy of ASEAN’s efforts.
— The Myanmar Times
MIT aims to spark innovation in Southeast Asia with its Global Startup Workshop
MIT, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, one of the world’s most hallowed educational institutions is turning its attention to Southeast Asia where it hopes to plant the seed of innovation among a new generation of potential entrepreneurs.
— Tech Crunch
Rising costs loom over Asia’s upbeat factory activity
Factory activity across much of Asia expanded in February, but manufacturers in some countries are coming under pressure from rising materials costs as local currencies weaken against the dollar, the latest Nikkei Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index shows.
— Nikkei Asian Review
China to upgrade strategic partnership with ASEAN: FM
China is looking to upgrade its strategic partnership and build a closer community of shared future with ASEAN, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Thursday.
— Xinhua
SE Asian ride-hailing major Grab close to acquiring Uber’s business in the region
Grab, the dominant ride-hailing service in Southeast Asia, is close to finalizing a deal to acquire Uber Technologies Inc.’s business in the region and may sign a deal this week or next, according to people familiar with the matter.
— DealStreetAsia
What Did the ASEAN Defense Chiefs Meeting in Singapore Achieve?
On March 8, Singapore held this year’s iteration of the meeting of ASEAN defense chiefs.
— The Diplomat
The power women of Southeast Asia
IT’S International Women’s Day today. We have many reasons to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievement of women.
— Asian Correspondent
Kono: Quality infrastructure key to boosting Asean inter-connectivity
Quality infrastructure is necessary for Asean to boost inter-connectivity within the 10-nation bloc, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said yesterday.
— The Straits Times
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Cambodia Security Forces Shoot Protesters Dead in Land Dispute
Authorities in Cambodia’s Kratie province on Thursday opened fire on a group of people protesting over a long-running land dispute with a rubber plantation, killing as many as eight people and injuring dozens of others, according to sources.
— Radio Free Asia
Uncertainty over future of cryptocurrencies in Cambodia
On Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An stood in front of a conference hall in Phnom Penh to give the opening remarks for the launch of a new cryptocurrency, Entapay, encouraging the company to follow relevant laws in Cambodia.
— The Phnom Penh post
Preliminary negotiations over Block D exploration begin
A Chinese-based oil exploration company and a Canadian partner have entered into preliminary negotiations with the government to obtain an exploration license in Block D in the Gulf of Thailand, according to a government spokesman.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
E. Kalimantan coal firm fined Rp 2 billion for dumping hazardous waste
An Indonesian subsidiary of a Thai coal mining company operating in East Kalimantan has been fined Rp 2 billion (US$145,000) for dumping nearly 4,000 tons of hazardous coal waste on an open dump, which is considered illegal in Indonesia.
— The Jakarta Post
PT PP Acquires New Contract Worth IDR5.2 Trillion
PT PP Tbk (PTPP) obtained a new contract valued at ID2.86 trillion in February 2018. The addition of a new contract consists of IDR2.65 trillion from PT PP and IDR215 billion from subsidiaries.
— Netral News
Jokowi mulls options on controversial MD3 Law
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is considering several options in response to the public outcry over controversial articles in the new Legislative Institutions ( MD3 ) Law, as the time draws near for the law to enter into force — with or without his consent.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Over 200 people killed in road accidents so far this year
A total of 212 people died in road accidents around the country from January to February this year, with many of the crashes attributed to speeding and drunk driving.
— Vientiane Times
Economic growth remains bright in medium term: World Bank
A World Bank economist team has projected that economic growth in Laos will start to recover from 2019 onwards after major hydropower plants begin commercial operation this year.
— Vientiane Times
Yani Srimichai, Trade Attaché, embassy of Thailand in Vientiane
Top Thai Brands 2018 was officially launched on Mar 7 drawing almost 200 booths representing more than 140 companies from Laos and Thailand.
— Lao News Agency
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Water disruption may lead to billion Ringgit losses
Water supply disruption in the Klang Valley may result in economic losses of billions of ringgit because of decline in production, cost increases and productivity drops.
— New Straits Times
Furniture exports at RM10.14bil in 2017
Furniture exports last year saw an increase of RM10.14 billion compared to RM7.58 billion in 2016.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia Getting Closer To High-Income Status, Says IMF
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in its latest country report on Malaysia concluded that the nation is “well on its way to achieving high-income status,” but still has work to do to “pass the finishing line.”
— Investvine
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Myanmar says it would like to see ‘clear evidence’ of genocide
Myanmar wants to see clear evidence to support accusations that ethnic cleansing or genocide has been perpetrated against its Muslim minority in Rakhine state, National Security Adviser Thaung Tun said on Thursday (March 8).
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Myanmar government is rogue and evil, says Bangladesh minister
A senior minister in Bangladesh has condemned the Myanmar government as “evil” and said he did not believe the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya refugees could be repatriated.
— The Guardian
Myanmar’s Buddhist Rakhine Rebels
Last week three bomb blasts hit Sittwe, the regional capital of Myanmar’s restive Rakhine state, just as the international media began marking the fact it had been six months since the Tatmadaw (as Myanmar’s armed forces are called) had begun its ethnic cleansing operations in the north of the state against the Muslim Rohingya minority.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Philippines seeks ‘terrorist’ tag for 600 alleged communist guerrillas
A U.N. special rapporteur, a former Philippine lawmaker and four former Catholic priests are among more than 600 alleged communist guerrillas the Philippines wants declared “terrorists”, according to a government petition filed in court.
— Reuters
CLSA eyes a piece of Belt and Road with $10b Manila airport project
CLSA, the offshore platform of Chinese investment bank CITIC Securities, is working on the finance for a new $10 billionairport in Manila as part of its push into Southeast Asia and China’s ambitious Belt and Road initiative.
— Deal Street Asia
PHL 9th best economy for female entrepreneurs
THE PHILIPPINES was rated 9th in a global study of conditions conducive for the development of female entrepreneurs, MasterCard said in a statement.
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Singapore inks new TPP trade pact with 10 other countries: 5 things to know about the CPTPP
Moving along without the United States, the remaining 11 countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) on Thursday (Mar 8) signed a new version of the multilateral trade pact, resuscitating a landmark deal that would slash tariffs and foster trade in a market with a combined output of US$10 trillion (S$13 trillion).
— Channel NewsAsia
U.S. destroyer McCain collision which killed 10 sailors caused by ‘sudden turn’: Singapore
A U.S. guided missile destroyer’s deadly collision with an oil tanker near Singapore in 2017 was caused by “a sudden turn” made by the warship that put it in the path of the commercial vessel, said a report by the Singapore government on Thursday.
— Reuters
What Did the ASEAN Defense Chiefs Meeting in Singapore Achieve?
On March 8, Singapore held this year’s iteration of the meeting of ASEAN defense chiefs. Though meeting was just one of a number of defense-related interactions that the city-state is hosting, it offered some sense of how Southeast Asian states view the region and what agenda items they are prioritizing.
— The Diplomat
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Consumer confidence takes a turn for the worse
Consumer confidence dropped for the first time in seven months in February, as people were worried about low commodity prices, the baht’s strength, the political situation and wage rises.
— Bangkok Post
Investors show confidence in Thailand’s EEC policy initiative
Investors appear to be gaining confidence in the government’s investment promotion policy, particularly the much-anticipated Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) policy initiative.
— NNT
Thai monetary policy needs to remain accommodative – c.bank chief
Thailand’s monetary policy needs to remain accommodative to aid the country’s economic recovery as inflationary pressure remains soft, the central bank governor said on Thursday.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam imposes official safeguard duty on some imported fertilizers
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) announced to slap official safeguard measures on DAP and MAP fertilizers imported to Vietnam from March 7 due to its damage to the domestic production.
— The Hanoi Times
Vietnam revokes foreign owned, $3.2b oil refinery project investment license
Vietnam has revoked the investment license for a foreign-owned $3.2-billion oil refinery project in the country’s central province of Phu Yen, a local government official told Reuters on Thursday.
— DealStreetAsia
Vietnamese steel firms face wrath of Trump’s protectionism drive
Local steel producers may lose their foothold in the U.S. market and face fierce competition from China.
— VnExpress
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.
Asean Morning News For March 9 added by Digital Editor on
View all posts by Digital Editor →