Asean Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
WHO calls for acceleration of efforts to tackle air pollution in South-east Asia
The World Health Organization (WHO) called upon member-countries in the South-East Asia Region on Wednesday to aggressively address the double burden of household and ambient (outdoor) air pollution.
— Nyoooz
Jolted by protectionist rhetoric, ASEAN focuses on trade
With the US and China squaring up over trade, getting the 16-country Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) signed by the end of the year seems increasingly important for the 10 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
— The Interpreter
Singapore FinTech Festival to have ASEAN, AI focus this year
This year’s edition of the Singapore FinTech Festival will have a focus on Southeast Asia, given the country’s chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and artificial intelligence (AI), the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) said.
— Channel NewsAsia
Asian countries need not fear of automation
Although jobs could be lost to artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, Asia is well-positioned to benefit from automation, says a recent report on the impact of technology on livelihoods.
— SciDev.net
Ride-Hailing Firm Grab in Talks to Raise $1 Billion
One of Southeast Asia’s most valuable startups is making another grab for new money.
— The Wall Street Journal
Now is Not the Time to Back Down in the South China Sea
On April 22, Chinese maritime researchers proposed a new boundary in the South China Sea (SCS) that they say will help the study of natural science, while adding weight to Beijing’s claims over the disputed waters and preparing for possible future changes in its SCS policy.
— The Diplomat (paywall)
Asean and EU: determined to bolster connectivity
For the European Union, a close and deep partnership with Asean member-countries is of high importance.
— The Nation
Cambodia, Timor-Leste stun Myanmar, Singapore to enter ASEAN youth football final
Cambodia and Timor-Leste upset defending champion Myanmar and tournament favourite Singapore in the 6th ASEAN Youth Football semifinals respectively on Wednesday.
— Xinhua
FINALISTS THAILAND AND INDONESIA DRAWN TOGETHER IN THE GROUP STAGES OF THE AFF SUZUKI CUP 2018
Defending champions Thailand have been drawn in Group B in this year’s AFF Suzuki Cup against Indonesia, the Philippines, and Singapore at the event’s Official Draw today in Jakarta.
— The Nation
Renewable energy in Asean
The current global energy landscape differs greatly from what it looked like a decade ago. The world is seen transitioning towards new and renewable energy (RE) in a quiet but fast pace, driven by various factors for the last ten years.
— Khmer TimesÂ
Razer-Singtel partnership aims to plug e-payment gaps in Southeast Asia
Razer and Singtel have inked a partnership that they say aims to plug current gaps in e-payment services, particularly in Southeast Asia, as well as tap growing opportunities in e-sports and digital media.
— ZDNetÂ
ASEAN Cybersecurity in the Spotlight Under Singapore’s Chairmanship
While there were a whole range of security issues discussed at the 32nd ASEAN Summit held in Singapore over the weekend, one area that got significant emphasis was the cyber domain.
— The Diplomat (paywall)
S’pore can contribute to Asean’s sustainability effort, says Heng
Singapore can promote green financing in the region given its stable finance regulatory environment, and help create a business culture of sustainable practices through its own experiences in the field, said Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday.
— The Straits TimesÂ
Slow and steady approach is best to meet Asean’s challenges
The ability to secure a consensus is vital for any regional body(S’pore seeks consensus on tackling Asean challenges; April 28).
— The Straits TimesÂ
Spotlight on business opportunities in Asean at BT Leaders’ Forum
Asean has experienced impressive growth in recent years, but is still facing hurdles to realising its full potential.
— The Straits Times
The road ahead for ride-hailing in Southeast Asia
Many probably expected Grab to dominate Singapore’s ride-hailing market, following its acquisition of rival Uber’s Southeast Asia business two months ago.
— Inquirer.net
Cambodia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Workers March in Phnom Penh for May Day as Sanctions Loom
The US and EU have threatened Cambodia with deepening economic sanctions following the ruling party’s decision to dissolve the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party.
— VOA Cambodia
KrisEnergy to up investment plans for drawing oil next year
KrisEnergy plans to produce oil from Cambodia’s offshore Block A oil deposit next year and forecasted an investment of more than $30 million in the country this year, according to its 2017 annual report.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Cambodian Rice Production Increases by 5.7% in 2018, Says PM Hun Sen
Addressing at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MoAFF)’s annual meeting 2017 on Wednesday, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Sen appreciated the Ministry’s efforts and relevant institutions on the development of Cambodian agriculture sector.
— Fresh News
See here for more of today’s Cambodia Morning News
Indonesia Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
Over 1.36 million tourists visit Indonesia in March
The number of tourists visiting Indonesia in March 2018 rose 13.62 percent to 1.36 million from 1.2 million a month earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara News
Indonesia’s Pertamina says oil, gas output climbs 7 pct in 2017
Indonesia’s state energy company Pertamina said in a statement its oil and gas production increased to 693,000 barrels of oil equivalent (boepd) in 2017 from 650,000 boepd in 2016.
— Hellenic Shipping News
Indonesia sells 1.38 trillion rupiah of Islamic bonds, below target
Indonesia’s finance ministry sold 1.38 trillion rupiah of Islamic bonds at an auction on Wednesday, below the indicative target of 8 trillion rupiah, its financing and risk management office said.
— Business Recorder (media release)
See here for more of today’s Indonesia Morning News
Lao PDR Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
Govt revenues expected to fall short of targets
Government revenues are expected to fail to meet the targets set for the first quarter and first half of this year, according to a report from the Ministry of Finance.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
Labour Day brings new minimum wage to Laos: $130 per month
All businesses and factories in Laos are required to increase the minimum wage from 900,000 kip (some $108) to 1.1 million kip ($133) a month, effective May 1, 2018.
— InvestvineÂ
Ministry, WHO review health sector progress
Representatives from the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Monday met in Vientiane to discuss developments in the health sector from 2009-2017.
— Vientiane TimesÂ
See here for more of today’s Lao Morning News
Malaysia Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Malaysia is key market for Airbus
Malaysia is a key strategic market in South East Asia for Airbus, with the European multinational airframe producer contributing US$400 million (RM1.57 billion) annually to the local economy.
— New Straits Times
GE14 continues to exert pressure on the ringgit
Investors are holding off on ringgit-based assets in expectation of a closely contested 14th General Election (GE14), causing the local note to lose ground against the strengthening greenback.
— The Malaysian Reserve
GST had minimal impact on inflation: economists
The Goods and Services Tax (GST) has had minimal impact on inflation since it was introduced in 2015, economists said.
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat   @leakhenakhat
The struggles of Myanmar’s peace process
Myanmar’s peace process with ethnic minority groups appears to be floundering because of a deteriorating relationship between the government and its military – or, perhaps, as some would say, the military and its government.
— Al JazeeraÂ
Myanmar court accepts testimony of policeman who said Reuters reporters framed
A judge in Myanmar declared on Wednesday that a witness who said two Reuters reporters accused of possessing state secrets were framed by police was credible, dealing a blow to the prosecution in what has become a landmark press freedom case.
— ReutersÂ
Myanmar operators surpass global average 4G speeds
Mobile operators in Myanmar began rolling out 4G services in 2016, but the average LTE download speeds in the country have already topped 28Mb/s, more than 11Mb/s faster than the global average, the latest data from OpenSignal showed.
— Mobile World LiveÂ
See here for more of today’s Myanmar Morning News
Philippines Morning News
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu   @stmarisewudolu
PH ranks 2nd in Asia-Pacific in deaths due to household pollution
Pollution caused by traditional cooking fuel is killing people in the Philippines at higher rates than those in most other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
— Philippine Daily Inquirer
SC affirms a 2015 Manila RTC order
The Supreme Court (SC) has affirmed a 2015 Manila regional trial court (RTC) order that stopped the Bureau of Customs (BOC) from canceling its P650-million information technology project.
— Manila Bulletin
DBM earmarks P490M for Boracay road repair
THE Department of Budget and Management (DBM) is seen releasing P490 million to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) for the road rehabilitation of Boracay Island during its six-month closure.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines Morning News
Singapore Morning News
Compiled by Leakhena Khat  @leakhenakhat
Singapore Has Just Become Asia’s Best-Performing Stock Market
There’s been lots of competition for the title of Asia’s best-performing stock market this year. Among the major equity indexes in the region, eight have climbed to records in the first four months alone.
— BloombergÂ
Singapore’s manufacturing expands for 20th straight month
SINGAPORE’S manufacturing sector saw its 20th straight month of expansion in April, though the rate of growth has steadied over the last six months, according to figures out on Wednesday.
— The Business Times
Technology and an ageing Singaporean population
As the only country across the globe that has the label ‘Smart Nation’ attached to it, Singapore is known for widespread integration of science and technology into its economic and social fabric.
— The Asean Post
See here for more of today’s Singapore Morning News
Thailand Morning News
Compiled by John Le Fevre   @photo_journ
Senior officials face axe for welfare fund fraud
THE SOCIAL Development and Human Security Ministry is poised to fire two senior officials for their role in the embezzlement of state funds for the destitute.
— The Nation
Officials mull changes to corporate tax
The Finance Ministry is conducting a study of the pros and cons of allowing subsidiaries that are situated in different geographic locations to separately pay corporate income tax to the areas where they are domiciled to make it more difficult to avoid tax payment.
— Bangkok Post
Continuing: The Battle for an IUU Free Thailand
Thailand’s hopes of having a ‘yellow card’ warning hanging over its fishing and seafood exports to the European Union (EU) removed a little more than three years after having it put in place appear to have been dashed.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Thailand Morning News
Vietnam Morning News
Compiled by Sreypov Men   @MenSreypov
Vietnam’s trade revenue hit nearly US$145 billion
The country’s total import-export turnover in the first four months of this year rose 14.4 percent year-on-year to US$144.13 billion, the General Department of Customs reported.
— The Hanoi Times
Petroleum, rice price hike pushes April’s inflation
Vietnam’s consumer price index (CPI) in the first four months of this year rose 2.8 percent year-on-year, mainly due to price hike of petroleum and food, the General Statistics Office (GSO) reported.
— The Hanoi Times
Real estate firms in a spin over condotel oversupply in Vietnam
Only 19 percent of the new holiday homes on the market sold in the first quarter of this year.
— 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.
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