Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Asean ministers agree on framework to combat fake news
Asean ministers met on the sidelines of the 14th Conference of Asean Ministers Responsible for Information yesterday in Singapore and agreed on a framework to combat the spread of fake news across Southeast Asia.
— Khmer Times
Strengthened ASEAN-Russian military links are a signal Russia is serious about its pivot to Asia
ASEAN holds economic and diplomatic opportunities for Russia. After shoring up his power at home, Putin is turning his attention to Southeast Asia.
— Asean Today
Vietnamese labor productivity among lowest in Asia despite growth: report
ietnam’s labor productivity last year was among the lowest in Asia despite showing growth, according to a report published on Tuesday.
— VnExpress International
Project looks to ensure safe, fair labour migration for ASEAN women
The UN Women and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) opened a consultation dialogue in Hanoi on May 10 to announce a project which aims to ensure that labour migration is safe and fair for all women in the ASEAN region.
— Vietnam Plus
Singapore Finance Minister outlines 3 goals of an Inclusive and Informed Digital ASEAN
On 10 May, at the opening ceremony of the 14th Conference of ASEAN Ministers Responsible for Information (AMRI), Singapore Minister for Finance Mr Heng Swee Keat delivered his keynote speech outlining the three goals of an Inclusive and Informed Digital ASEAN.
— Open Gov
ASEAN-Canada, an underrated relationship
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Great White North go way back – 41 years back to be exact.
— Asean Today
Royal Enfield to set up plant in South East Asia
Eicher Motors-owned Royal Enfield is expanding its global footprint further by setting up a manufacturing facility in South East Asia to strengthen its presence in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
— domain-b.com
Asean members make strides towards greater productivity
The 60th session of the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) Governing Body in Laos opened on Tuesday with its directors and advisors discussing progress and achievements in productivity.
— Inquirer.Net
Should Australia join ASEAN? Lessons from Vietnam
The accession of Vietnam, a formerly antagonistic communist neighbour, to ASEAN was the result of several major geostrategic power shifts that continue to impact on the grouping’s development today.
— East Asia Forum
Asean leading the way in going green
Sustainability issues are still often seen as long-term concerns, rather than requiring urgent attention, despite the Paris Agreement to take action to address climate change.
— The New Paper
Toward a free and open Indo-Pacific
The U.S. administration of President Donald Trump has launched a new Asia policy, known as the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP).
— The Japan Times
China To Enhance Cooperation With ASEAN Countries In New Media: Official
China is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in new media with ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries as well as Japan and South Korea, Guo Weimin, deputy director of the State Council Information Office of China, said here Thursday.
— Urdu Point
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Phnom Penh Post Apocalypse (photo special)
It didn’t take long for any guarantees by the new owner of Post Media to respect the editorial independence of his new purchase to fly out the window.
— AEC News Today
Cambodia economy to grow 6.9 pct this year, driven by exports – World Bank
Cambodia’s economy is expected to grow 6.9 per cent this year, compared with a 6.8 per cent in 2017, driven by a recovery in textile exports, tourism and agricultural sectors, the World Bank said yesterday.
— The Borneo Post
SEZ announces sustainable housing competition
In an effort to improve living standards for workers at one of the Kingdom’s leading industrial parks, Phnom Penh Special Economic Zone (PPSEZ) is calling on architects and designers from Cambodia and around the world to submit designs for a project to build 3,000 units of affordable housing.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia Has a $22 Billion Buffer for Defending Its Currency, Bank of America Says
Bank Indonesia has a $22 billion buffer for defending the rupiah before alarm bells ring about its foreign reserves, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch.
— Bloomberg
Central Government Allocates IDR2.5 Trillion Village Funds for NTT
The central government has allocated IDR2.5 trillion of Village Funds for fiscal year 2018 to East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province.
— Netral News
Militants surrender to end Indonesia detention prison riot
Dozens of Islamic militant prisoners who took over a police detention center near Indonesia’s capital and killed five officers surrendered to police Thursday, the country’s top security minister said.
— SFGate
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Govt sources more funding to tackle deficit
In the wake of continuing revenue shortfall, the government is planning to secure more than 7.35 trillion kip this year to cover its expenditure needs.
— Vientiane Times
Laos on alert for possible Zika virus outbreak
Health authorities will continue to collaborate with international organizations and the local population to monitor the global and national situation regarding the possibility of a Zika virus (ZIKV) outbreak.
— Inquirer.Net
Use of immigration forms waived at four international airports
Lao citizens and foreigners who are permanently resident in Laos will no longer need to fill in an immigration form when leaving or entering the country via international airports in Vientiane, LuangPrabang, Savannakhet, and Pakxe.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
What mattered in GE14: campaigns, Islam, 1MDB, cost of living
To kick off our live blog of Malaysia’s momentous 14th general election (GE14), we asked six experts of Malaysian studies to contribute their thoughts on what stood out most about the campaign.
— New Mandala
Mahathir to focus on economy, trade after being sworn in as Malaysian PM
Mahathir Mohamad said he’d lead a business-friendly administration and seek ways to boost Malaysia’s stock market in his first remarks after being sworn in as prime minister.
— Financial Review
Mahathir says will steady ringgit
Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said on Thursday that he will try to make the ringgit currency as steady as possible, and return billions of dollars lost in a graft scandal at state fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
The Fishing Port That May Become a $10 Billion Chinese Debt Bomb
The town of Kyaukpyu, nestled around a small fishing port on the Bay of Bengal, has the air of a place expecting to get rich soon.
— Bloomberg
Atrocities in Myanmar laid bare
Even if you don’t care about the Rohingya, please seek out on YouTube the episode titled “Myanmar’s Killing Field” from the American television network PBS series “Frontline”.
— The Nation
Sushma Swaraj Calls on Myanmar President U Win Myint; Holds Bilateral Talks
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Thursday called on Myanmar President U Win Myint soon after she arrived here for talks with the country’s top leadership on key bilateral and regional issues, including the Rohingya refugee crisis.
— News18
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Japan grants Sorsogon town P4.1-M fund for learning center
The Japanese government, through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP), has provided a municipality in Sorsogon province a PHP4.1 million grant, it was learned Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency
Foreign direct investment inflows climbed 46.4% to $573-million in February
Net inflows of foreign direct investments jumped 46.4 percent in February to $573 million from $392 million a year ago on investors’ sustained confidence in the economy, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said Thursday.
— Manila Standard
Banks’ rediscount borrowings climb to P615M at end-April
BANKS SECURED fresh rediscount loans from the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) last month, largely to fund commercial lending and capital expenses.
— BusinessWorld Online
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat @leakhenakhat
Trump-Kim Jong-un summit set for Singapore on 12 June
US President Donald Trump will meet North Korean leader Kim Jong-un in Singapore on 12 June, he has said.
— BBC News
Singapore businesses unfazed; await new KL government’s plans
SINGAPORE’S business community is surprised but unworried by Pakatan Harapan’s (PH) shock victory in Malaysia’s general election, with industry associations waiting to see what the new government’s plans are.
— The Business Times
Indonesian embassy’s new performance bond for maid employers: MOM questions who will mediate in disputes
The Indonesian embassy referred 64 foreign domestic workers with employment issues to Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) last year, but there was no breach of regulations in nearly 90 per cent of the cases, the ministry said on Thursday (May 10).
— Today Online
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Authorities Mum on Capture of ‘Grandmother’ of Ugandan Human Trafficking in Thailand
Thailand immigration authorities are reported to have taken into custody a Ugandan national said to be the ‘grandmother’ of human trafficking of Ugandan women into the Thailand sex industry, and a reported ‘under boss’ who was once a human trafficking victim herself.
— AEC News Today
Somkid upbeat on growth but flags digital concerns
DEPUTY Prime Minister Somkid Jatusripitak has expressed confidence on projections for economic growth to top 4 per cent for the first time in a decade.
— The Nation
BOI approves investment in projects worth a combined 37 billion baht
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) has approved investments in six major projects worth a combined 37 billion baht in support of the Smart City program aimed at improving the lives of workers across the nation.
— NNT
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam jails Facebook user for posts seen as anti-state propaganda
Vietnam has jailed a Facebook user for 4-1/2 years over posts that “distorted” the political situation in the Southeast Asian country, a branch of the ruling Communist Party said.
— Reuters
Vietnam arrests oil execs as anti-graft sweep broadens
Vietnam arrested the chairman and chief accountant of a leading state-run oil refining firm on Thursday (May 10) for alleged abuse of power and property appropriation, as the government forges ahead with its massive anti-graft sweep.
— Channel NewsAsia
Many banks yet to shift to ATM chip cards
Most ATM domestic card holders still have to wait until 2020 to be able to use chip cards instead of magnetic stripe cards as currently despite growing card information theft.
— 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.