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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Asean defence ministers expected to ink world’s first multilateral air code
Defence ministers from the Asean grouping meeting here from Friday (Oct 19) are set to ink the world’s first multilateral air guidelines on engagement between military planes, with major powers such as the United States and China possibly coming on board too.
— The Straits Times

ASEAN 4.0: What Does It Mean For Regional Economic Integration?
The Fourth Industrial Revolution refers to a set of highly disruptive technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, blockchain and 3D printing, that are transforming social, economic and political systems and placing pressure on leaders and policy-makers to respond.
— Thailand Business News

China plans developing Hainan Free Trade Zone to boost trade with ASEAN countries
The Chinese State Council has unveiled its plan to establish and develops the Hainan Free Trade Zone (FTZ) on Tuesday.
— China Knowledge

Southeast Asian power plants fail to meet UN carbon targets designed to combat global warming
Almost 84 per cent of Southeast Asia’s planned and existing fossil fuel power plants are incompatible with future scenarios that avoid catastrophic damage from climate change, according a new study from the University of Oxford.
— South China Morning Post

ASEAN calls for integration of biodiversity conservation
“Biodiversity is our life source. It is where we get our food, ingredients for medicine, materials for our clothing and shelter, and raw materials for businesses and industries.”
— Philippine Information Agency

Babies for Sale: ASEAN’s Insidious Underground Baby Market
On the 12th of October, four Indonesians in Surabaya were arrested over their involvement in an extensive baby selling operation conducted over Instagram.
— Asean Today

EU to launch programme to tackle SE Asia’s alarming plastic pollution rates
Southeast Asia has long been renowned for its vibrant tourist destinations, growing economies and rich cultures – but so too is it becoming notorious as one of the world’s leading plastic users and polluters.
— Southeast Asia Globe

ASEAN women, children commission builds results framework of work plan
A workshop on developing the results framework of the ASEAN Commission on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Women and Children (ACWC) Work Plan 2016-2020 opened in Hanoi on October 18.
— Vietnam Plus

Youths bullish on impact of technology on jobs
Youths in the region are extremely positive about the impact of technology on job prospects and income, a survey by the World Economic Forum (WEF) and Singapore-based internet company, Sea has revealed.
— The Asean Post

The potential of digital healthcare
Unlike other sectors which can be completely disrupted by automation or technology, the healthcare industry is a space where technology can complement rather than threaten.
— The Asean Post

UOB Launches Southeast Asia eLab
UOB launches its pan-regional Engagement Lab (eLab) on Thursday, making it the first dedicated unit set up by a Southeast Asian bank that focuses on using the latest technology and behavioural insights to deepen customer engagement.
— Finews.asia

Auction preview of Southeast Asian artists’ artworks bedazzle Galeri Prima
A rare masterpiece by pioneering Singaporean artist Liu Kang is centrestage at the Henry Butcher Art Auctioneer’s ‘Malaysian and Southeast Asian Works of Art’ auction preview at Galeri Prima, Balai Berita Bangsar, which began today.
— New Straits Times

UOB kicks off eLab in Southeast Asia
The bank plans to set up eLabs, which the bank deems as the first technology and behavioural insights-based unit in the region, across its network of ASEAN countries such as Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
— Singapore Business Review

The potential of digital healthcare
Data from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) shows that by 2050, persons aged 65 and older will make up 15 percent of the Southeast Asian population, tripling the 2010 percentage of 4.8 percent.
— The Asean Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

Cambodia government mulls standard for imported cars
The Cambodian government plans to standardise the import of automobile especially second-hand cars to ensure quality and safety for the end-user is not compromised, a senior official from the Ministry of Public Works and Transport has said.
— Bangkok Post

Doors open for EBA talks, EU says
If nothing else happens, a dismal outlook looms ahead as Cambodia’s trade preferences under the Everything But Arms (EBA) agreement granted in 2011 by the European Union (EU) risk termination in 18 months.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia, Thailand single visa
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to promote the use of single visa for foreign tourits, particularly among those traveling within the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) countries.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Jakarta plans $10bn waterfront airport as travel demand surges
The Indonesian government plans to build a new airport outside Jakarta to accommodate a growing number of business travelers and tourists as the country’s economy expands.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Magnitude 5.3 quake hits West Aceh
An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook West Aceh district on Thursday, according to the Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency (BMKG).
— Antara News

Indonesia`s entrepreneurship rate low: Minister
The entrepreneurship rate in Indonesia remains low, and the nation ranks 94th out of the 137 countries, Industry Minister Enggartiasto Lukita stated.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Maria Mirasol Rasonable          @Maria Rasonable

Laos commercial agricultural production increases
Agricultural production in Laos is mainly of three types – native agriculture, mixed crop plantation and commercial production, the Department of Planning and Finance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry stated at a seminar to mark World Food Day and International Day and National Week for Poverty Eradication in Vientiane on Tuesday.
— Borneo Bulletin

Lao Villagers Denied Payment for Land by Vietnamese Firm
Lao villagers formerly leasing land to a Vietnamese rubber company under a profit-sharing arrangement are now being refused compensation by the foreign-owned firm, which says the land belongs not to the villagers but to the state, Lao sources say.
— Radio Free Asia

Laos set to attract more ‘quality investment’
Laos will attract more quality investment, including from the United States, as the small landlocked country continues to improve its investment climate, a senior official from the US State Department said this week.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

Mahathir to table Malaysia’s midterm review of five-year economic plan
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad is expected to table the midterm review of the 11th Malaysia Plan, a five-year economic blueprint, on Thursday (Oct 18).
— The Straits Times

Malaysia lets go of high income nation by 2020 dream
Malaysia will drop its long time dream to hit US$15,000 (RM62,300) per capita income by 2020 to meet its high income nation aspirations, as it now looks to ensure high income levels commensurate with higher purchasing power.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia’s actual long-term debt is RM885.9 billion, says accountant
THE government, who has listed the national debt at RM1.087 trillion on its balance sheet, should note that its actual long-term debt is RM885.9 billion, says an accounting and consulting firm.
— The Malaysian Insight

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Maria Mirasol Rasonable          @Maria Rasonable

Myanmar President Intervenes in Case of Three Journalists Jailed Over Article
Myanmar President Win Myint on Wednesday issued a directive to the Yangon regional government to cooperate with the country’s press council to resolve a lawsuit an official filed against three Eleven Media Group journalists accusing them of committing offenses against the state, amid growing disapproval over attacks on freedom of expression.
— Radio Free Asia

Myanmar has changed, but remains firmly in China’s grip
April 2018 marked the second anniversary of Aung San Suu Kyi assuming the position of state councillor of Myanmar. Despite predictions that Myanmar’s tentative steps towards democracy would weaken the country’s long-standing relationship with Beijing, the security situation in Myanmar’s border regions and tepid relations with the West ensure that China remains the Suu Kyi government’s dominant regional partner.
— AEC News Today

Will Myanmar’s ‘Genocide Gems’ Become the New Blood Diamonds?
A little more than a year ago, Myanmar’s military carried out what the United Nations has called a campaign of genocide and war crimes against the Rohingya minority, driving almost 1 million people from their homes.
— Bloomberg

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

BoI: Investments up to P454.8B in Jan-Sept
Investment pledges approved by the Board of Investments (BoI) grew by 19 percent to P454.8 billion in January to September this year from P381.2 billion in the same period last year, the Board of Investments (BoI) said yesterday.
— The Manila Times

Filipino makes splash in ADB’s water photo contest #WaterYouDoing (photo gallery)
A 27-year-old education researcher from the Philippines was the lone representative of an Asean member country to garner an award in the recent Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Youth Water Photo Competition, #WaterYouDoing.
— AEC News Today

The 15 best Philippine companies to work for in Asia
A human-resource survey of more than 5,200 workers at 150 companies across the Philippines has named more than a dozen domestic employers as among the Best Philippines Companies to Work for in Asia 2018.
— AEC News Today

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Maria Mirasol Rasonable          @Maria Rasonable

PM Lee, German Chancellor Merkel welcome upcoming signing of EU-Singapore trade deal
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Thursday (Oct 18) welcomed the upcoming signing of the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA) when they met on the sidelines of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting Summit in Brussels.
— ChannelNewsAsia

Cafe in Tanah Merah posts job ad hiring ‘helpers to chase away birds’, pays S$1,700 – S$1,900
A job advertisement in the print edition of The Straits Times classifieds section has attracted tonnes of curious attention.
— Mothership

Unauthorised access to 72 HealthHub accounts and higher than usual attempted log-ins detected: HPB, IHiS
Seventy-two accounts on the Health Promotion Board’s (HPB) HealthHub portal were accessed without authorisation, the agency said on Thursday (Oct 18).
— TodayOnline

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Thai commerce ministry says exports expected to grow 8 pct in 2019
Thailand’s exports are expected to grow 8 percent next year, the commerce ministry said on Thursday.
— Reuters

CPs ‘Gratitude’ sadvertisement campaign masks deeper Thai issues (HD video)
It’s another typically tear-jerking tale from the world of Thai advertising — but this one has already garnered more than 5.3 million YouTube views, while touching on deeper issues that many in Thai society will face in the future.
— AEC News Today

KBank: Baht could shave B125bn off export revenue
More than 100 billion baht in possible export revenue could be lost this year if the baht’s year-end value remains unchanged from 32.57 against the dollar, the level at the end of last year, says Kasikornbank (KBank).
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov

Export turnover to top $239 billion this year
Agricultural and seafood exports were expected to reach 27.5 billion USD, representing a 5.4 percent year-on-year increase; material and minerals 5.1 billion USD, up 6 percent; and processing 196.1 billion USD, up 12.5 percent.
— VietnamNet Bridge

Tax incentives are not enterprises’ priority: Oxfam
Vietnam should focus on restructuring of state budget expenditures, increasing transparency and efficiency in state budget spending with people`s oversight, and avoiding tax evasion and unnecessary tax incentives.
— The Hanoi Times

National standards for chilled meat issued
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) has issued national standards on chilled meat and technical requirements to meet expectations of markets at home and abroad.
— VietNamNet Bridge

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.

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