Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Malaysia to promote green industries, jobs, skills in Asean
Malaysia hopes to promote the identification of the potentials and prospects for green industries and jobs in the Asean member countries during its tenure as the chairman of Asean labour sector, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday.
— Borneo Post Online
North Korea reaches out to Asean with proposal for dialogue
North Korea has taken the initiative to kick-start Track II – or non-governmental – diplomacy with Asean, a Korea watcher has said.
— The Straits Times
Asean’s hiring outlook to remain positive in 2019: Robert Walters
Southeast Asia’s hiring outlook in 2019 is expected to remain positive as digitalisation and the region’s role as an industrial hub continue to grow, according to the latest annual Salary Survey by Robert Walters.
— The Business Times
SEA hits $12b in IPOs before last stretch of 2018
Capital markets across Southeast Asia (SEA) raised $12b in 10 months of 2018 across 135 initial public offerings (IPOs), according to professional services firm Deloitte.
— Singapore Business Review
Asia-Pacific wage growth stalls but stays ahead of the rest of the world
Worldwide wage growth reached a new low in 2017 and most of the growth was driven by modest gains in emerging and developing countries in Asia-Pacific according to a new International Labour Organization (ILO) report.
— ILO (media release)
Set up specialised Asean think tank for strategic discourse
THERE should be a discourse on establishing a specialised Asean think tank on the South China Sea (SCS) dispute.
— New Straits Times
Overcoming challenges to sustainable energy development
Today, sustainable or renewable energy development is the talk of the town given current global circumstances.
— The Asean Post
Singapore least confident in Asean when it comes to opportunities to get ahead: LinkedIn study
Singapore was the least confident of gaining access to and pursuing desired opportunities among the Asean countries surveyed, including Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, according to a study by LinkedIn.
— The Business Times
Mobile commerce app use surges in South-east Asia: Report
THE use of mobile shopping apps has more than tripled in South-east Asia over the past year, head and shoulders above the average 28 per cent growth in app use, a new study has found.
— The Business Times
OSEA2018: Digital Innovation and Investment in Gas are Key Near-Term Focus for Asia’s Oil & Gas Industry
Key strategies for new near-term growth opportunities are being spotlighted this week at OSEA2018 – Asia’s largest oil and gas industry event organised by UBM.
— AEC News Today/ PRNewswire (media release)
M’sia to sign MoU on labour supply with 3 countries
Malaysia will sign new and improved Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for labour supply with Bangladesh, Indonesia and Vietnam.
— Yahoo News
DTI sees SME opportunities in ASEAN-India free trade deal
THE Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) upcoming free trade agreement with India will expand opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
— BusinessWorld Online
Caught between giants, Asean will overcome
During the latest Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit, the list of pressing issues facing the region was overwhelming.
— The Nation
Revolutionizing healthcare in Southeast Asia begins with pharmacists
CHANGING the landscape of Southeast Asia’s healthcare system requires a clear understanding of patients, providers and any limitations they face.
— The Manila Times
Weaning ASEAN from Coal
Climate change is a pressing global issue that countries need to combat not only in their individual capacities but also at an intergovernmental level.
— Brink Asia
Brunei to grow and export Seolhyang strawberries
The Seolhyang strawberry variety, developed in South Korea, is bigger and known to be twice as sweet as regular strawberries.
— Fresh Plaza
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Judges split on whether Cambodia tribunal can pursue Khmer Rouge commander
Cambodian and foreign investigating judges issued conflicting rulings on Wednesday on whether a United Nations-backed tribunal, which this month convicted two senior leaders of genocide, should move forward with prosecution of the next potential defendant.
— The New York Times
Cambodia’s income targets “very ambitious”: World Bank experts
World Bank experts said here Wednesday that Cambodia’s 2030 upper middle-income and 2050 high-income targets are “very ambitious” that requires the country to vigorously invest in human capital and infrastructure.
— Xinhua
Cambodia and Vietnam agree to boost trade
Cambodia and Vietnam has agreed on a speedy implementation of mechanisms to facilitate trade, achieve faster transport connectivity, and apply one-stop services at border gates to help achieve a $5 billion bilateral trade target.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Doomed Lion Air jet was ‘not airworthy’ on penultimate flight
A Lion Air jet that crashed into the sea off Indonesia last month was not in an airworthy condition on its second-to-last flight, when pilots experienced similar problems to those on its doomed last journey, investigators said on Wednesday.
— Reuters
2019 draft city budget to be set at Rp 89 trillion
The Jakarta Council budget committee (Banggar) has agreed to set the 2019 draft city budget at Rp 89 trillion (US$6.13 million), after it was estimated that there would be a Rp 16 trillion deficit.
— The Jakarta Post
Indonesia plans to earn 83.5 bln USD from creative economy next year
Creative economy sector was targeted to contribute some 1,211 trillion rupiah (about 83.5 billion U.S. dollars) to the nation’s GDP next year, higher than the previous years, an Indonesian official said on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
Next year, about 1 million Chinese tourists will visit the country
In 2019, Chinese tourism is expected to reach over one million tourists, while the number of tourists arriving in Laos by 2018 will reach just over 4 million, less than the target.
— Pasaxon
Lao National Day marked in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City
A ceremony to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of Lao National Day was jointly held on November 28 by the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association and the Lao Embassy in Hanoi.
— Nhan Dan Online
Lao silk looking to put new twist on time honoured tradition
Most silk in Laos is still produced today as it has been for many centuries – small scale at village level and often for household consumption with skills passed on through the generations.
— Borneo Bulletin
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Economy to grow between 4.7-4.8 pct in 4Q
Malaysia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to expand between 4.7 per cent and 4.8 per cent in the fourth quarter of this year, with growth continued to be driven by domestic private consumption, said Malaysian Institute of Economic Research (MIER).
— The Borneo Post
Malaysia remains on top of emerging markets list
Malaysia remained at the top of the emerging-market list, thanks to its current-account surplus, relatively stable economic growth outlook and valuations.
— The Star Online
Malaysian-made “Magic Sticker” will keep fruits fresh for longer
In the process of transporting produce all the way to supermarkets , it is estimated that 52% of fresh fruits and vegetables go to waste before they even make it to the consumer (US figures).
— Fresh Plaza
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
Hong Kong firm close to finalizing new Yangon city proposal
Hong Kong-listed China Communications Construction Co. Ltd (CCCC) has nearly finalized its proposal for the development of US$1.5 billion (2.4 trillion kyats) worth of initial infrastructure for the controversial “New Yangon City” project across the Yangon River from Myanmar’s commercial capital, according to a government body established to oversee the project.
— Consult-Myanmar
Mandalay chases dream of becoming Myanmar’s first smart city
With ambitions of becoming a genuine smart city, Mandalay — the country’s last royal capital at more than 160 years old — is in the midst of a high-tech makeover at the government’s behest thanks to an eclectic team of doctors, engineers, lawyers, writers, journalists and IT experts.
— The Irrawaddy
China, Myanmar vow to push forward building of China-Myanmar Economic Corridor
China and Myanmar have pledged to jointly push forward the building of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor under the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative. The pledge came as Ning Jizhe, deputy head of China’s National Development and Reform Commission visited Myanmar from November 24 to 27.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Govt spent P571b for infra projects in first nine months
Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III said Wednesday he welcomes the plan of Congress to conduct an inquiry on the alleged underspending by the Duterte administration, saying this will be an opportunity for the Finance Department to show that the “bad old days of underspending” was gone.
— Manilastandard.net
Philippine leader slammed over threat to create ‘Duterte death squad’
Philippine leftists reacted with dismay on Wednesday (Nov 28) to a threat by President Rodrigo Duterte to create a “death squad” to hunt what he said were Maoist assassins, a plan critics said could trigger a spree of killings similar to his bloody war on drugs.
— Channel NewsAsia
BOI registers 2 inclusive biz projects worth P3.8-B
The Board of Investments (BOI) has so far registered two projects using inclusive business models, with combined investments amounting to PHP3.78 billion.
— Philippine News Agency
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Mark Roy @electricnerve
Technical issue delays second Scoot flight in two days, this time by 29 hours
Barely a day after a Bangkok-bound Scoot flight from Changi Airport was delayed by 7 hours, passengers on another flight by the airline were hit by another delay on Monday (Nov 26), this time by 29 hours.
— Today Online
Bilateral trade between Singapore and Shanghai climbed 33.8% to $24.11b in 2017
Shanghai firms invested about $8.27b in Singapore as of end 2017. Singapore’s bilateral trade with Shanghai jumped 33.8% YoY to $24.11b US$17.5b in 2017, Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) deputy managing director Jacqueline Loh revealed.
— Singapore Business Review
State Courts’ criminal case management system accessed without authorisation, files not tampered with
In the first such incident of its kind, more than 200 case files belonging to the State Courts have been accessed without authorisation — as a result of a system loophole.
— Today Singapore
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Manufacturing expansion on the cards for next year
The Office of Industrial Economics (OIE) forecasts the Manufacturing Production Index (MPI) next year to rise 2.5%, in line with the GDP contribution from the manufacturing sector.
— Bangkok Post
Arrivals up 20% – visa fee waiver
The Tourism and Sports Ministry is sprouting anecdotal evidence that tourist arrivals are up a massive 20% for the second half of November. This follows the hastily prepared visa-on-arrival fee waivers for 21 countries, introduced on November 15 and intended to run through to January 13 next year.
— The Thaiger
Doing Business Outside China: It’s Thailand’s Time
With all that has been happening with China lately on trade, Thailand is emerging as a highly attractive investment destination. Thailand has consistent and well-defined investment policies, increasing regional connections, and a government committed to improving its transportation infrastructure.
— China Law Blog
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam’s first exclusive passenger port opens
The five-star Celebrity Millennium cruise ship from Hong Kong was the first ship to dock at the Ha Long International Passenger Port, bringing 2,000 visitors and almost 1,000 sailors to northern Quang Ninh Province.
— VnExpress
Vietnam invests US$357.5 million abroad in first 11 months
Vietnam’s total investment abroad was reported at US$357.5 million in the first 11 months of this year, including both newly registered and supplemented capital, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency.
— Nhan Dan Online
FDI disbursement up despite a decrease in registered inflow
The disbursement of foreign direct investment (FDI) posted an increase of 3.1 per cent in January – November over the same period last year to total US$16.5 billion, despite a fall in the registered FDI inflow.
— Bizhub
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
The Asean morning news roundup and its individual country morning news round-ups are the most comprehensive hand-curated selection of news reports from around the Asean Economic Community (AEC) published. We scour hundreds of local and international news and websites to find the things that you need to know to start your working week day.
We clearly identify the source of the story, whether it is behind a paywall, a media release, or whether the site uses annoying pop-up advertising or auto-play video, in case those things annoy you. It’s all then packaged up in an easy to read format enabling you to make an informed choice of whether you want to learn more by clicking directly through to the original source, or keep on reading the headlines. AEC News Today: Governance, not government; policies not politics.
Asean morning news for November 29 added by Digital Editor on
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