Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Poor stand to gain as more investors shun China
Not long ago, China was emerging as the economic savior of the Indo-Pacific region, but a serious push back has begun as it has become clear the country will swap debt for assets when it engages with any business — or government — that fails to repay its loans.
— UCA News
DHL ENABLES UNBANKED CONSUMERS IN SOUTHEAST ASIA TO BUY ONLINE
DHL eCommerce, a division of Deutsche Post DHL Group, has launched its Cross Border Cash-on-Delivery (COD) service to allow consumers to pay for their international purchases in cash and only upon delivery.
— Post & Parcel
New funds to boost malaria endgame
While other forms of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever are in the media limelight, malaria remains the predominant killer disease, the head of the Global Health and Healthcare System Initiative said at the World Economic Forum in Vietnam last week.
— Khmer Times
US exports of cotton to Southeast Asia increasing: USDA
Cotton is driving growth of the US agricultural exports to Southeast Asia.
— Fibre2fashion.com
Countries cautioned on actions in South China Sea
China on Monday urged countries outside the region to behave with caution and refrain from activities that undermine regional peace and stability, after Japan conducted its first ever peacetime submarine drill in the South China Sea.
— Ecns
US premium-outlet giant looks to Southeast Asia for future expansion
SIMON PROPERTY Group, a US-based operator of premium shopping outlets, has set sights on the Southeast Asia market for future expansion, Uchenna Akujuo, the group’s director for international development and finance, revealed.
— The Nation
TCEB Moves Forward to Implement MICE Venue Standards, Leveraging ASEAN MICE towards International Arena
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is moving forward to leverage MICE venues to achieve ASEAN venue standards.
— PR Newswire (media release)
Go-Jek plans to raise $2B more for Southeast Asia ride-hailing battle
Indonesia’s Go-Jek is planning to raise $2 billion from investors to fuel its ride-hailing battle with Grab in Southeast Asia.
— TechCrunch
Are QR-codes the future of payments in Southeast Asia?
In China, it is difficult to overstate how dramatically QR-codes have transformed society.
— Yahoo News
The threat of overfishing
The issue of overfishing is the greatest threat to ocean ecosystems today.
— The Asean Post
Automation and the future of work in Asean
Technological revolutions are rolling rapidly across economies one after the other — digitisation, followed by automation, and now, increasingly, the use of artificial intelligence (AI).
— The Straits Times
Nha Trang to host meeting of ASEAN social security board
The 35th ASEAN Social Security Association (ASSA) Board Meeting will take place in Nha Trang city, in the south central province of Khanh Hoa, on September 18-21.
— Vietnamnet Bridge
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47
Cambodian Political Commentator Hit With New Charges, Goes Into Hiding
A Cambodian political commentator and critic of Hun Sen has been hit with new criminal charges a month after completing a prison sentence for defamation, and has gone into hiding, fearing arrest, sources say.
— Radio Free Asia
Launch of Cambodia’s first laptop can inspire future generations, says founder
A team of Cambodian engineers are launching the Kingdom’s first homegrown laptop, and the new product promises to be as affordable as it is high-tech.
— Southeast Asia Globe
Phnom Penh’s glut of empty condos and homeless urban poor
In January 2018 Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited Cambodia and oversaw the signing of 19 new development deals.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47
Indonesia Likely to Get Rp5.9tn from IMF-World Bank Meetings
National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) head Bambang Brodjonegoro estimated the direct economic impact of the upcoming IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings could reach Rp5.9 trillion in 2017-2018.
— Tempo
Indonesia records US$1.02 billion trade deficit in August
Indonesia recorded a trade deficit of US$1.02 billion in August 2018, down from $2.01 billion a month earlier, according to the Central Statistics Agency (BPS).
— Antara
Indonesia to lower overseas online shopping limit to $75
The Finance Ministry’s Customs and Excise Office has issued a regulation to lower the import limit for online shopping to only US$75 from the initial $100.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Child’s Dream Foundation gives 26.5 billion kip boost to education
The Child’s Dream Foundation of Switzerland has provided more than 26.5 billion kip (US$3,137,600) for the development of education in Laos.
— Vientiane Times
Laotian murder suspect admits to slashing the throats of three victims and a cat
A Laotian migrant worker has confessed to a gruesome murder of a 67-year old woman and her 12-year-old grand-daughter in Samut Prakarn after he was arrested while waiting for a ferry in Muk Daharn province to across the Mekong River to Laos, police reported on Monday.
— Thai PBS World
ADB approves USD 48 mln to improve environmental services in Lao PDR
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a $48 million grant to help improve urban environmental services and enhance economic connectivity in Paksan and Thakhek, two of the least developed towns along the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Central Corridor in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Lao PDR).
— Devdiscourse
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s economy fundamentally strong, resilient: Finance minister
Despite uncertainty in global developments, Malaysia’s economy is fundamentally strong and resilient, said Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng on Monday (Sep 17).
— Channel NewsAsia
Malaysia to have new multimedia panel chief, expected to shake up telecoms sector
Low-key corporate executive Al-Ishsal Ishak is the next chairman of the Malaysian Commission for Multimedia and Communications (MCMC), the powerful watchdog agency supervising the country’s communications and multimedia sectors.
— The Straits Times
Malaysia to gain from cancellation of controversial China projects
It could be a case of short-term pain for long-term gain if Malaysia decides not to be fully part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by cancelling some of the more controversial China-backed infrastructure projects.
— The Star Online
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
‘Myanmar’s Assault on a Truthful Press’: Reuters Editor-in-Chief Steve Adler writes in New York Times
Reuters President and Editor-in-Chief Stephen J. Adler penned an op-ed for the New York Times on Monday, writing about the conviction of Reuters journalists Wa Lone and Kyaw Soe Oo in Myanmar:
— Reuters
Trade with China totalled US$4 billion (April to July)
The value of Myanmar’s trade with China from April to July of the current mini-budget period totalled US$4 billion, including export worth $1.89 billion and import valued $2.14 billion, according to figures released by the Ministry of Commerce, state media reported.
— Mizzima
With no #SpaceOnEarth, Ogilvy gives Rohingya children a ‘voice in space’ (HD video)
Nowhere more so has this been the case than with the Rohingya children of Myanmar.
— AEC News Today
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Typhoon Ompong threatens to deepen Philippine rice crisis
As Super Typhoon Mangkhut (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Ompong) continues its path of destruction the damaged fields and paddocks of Luzon, among others, doesn’t auger well for a country already in the grips of a food crisis, with the departing storm threatening to multiply possible malfeasance by the country’s National Food Authority (NFA) and its chief administrator.
— AEC News Today
Typhoon Mangkhut: More Than 40 Bodies Found in Philippines Landslide
Emergency workers in the Philippines recovered more than 40 bodies from the muddied wreckage of a gold miners’ bunkhouse after Typhoon Mangkhut set off a landslide, burying the remote northern town of Itogon in a river of debris, officials said on Monday.
— New York Times
ADB okays $484.3 million in loans, grants for PHL
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) said it has approved a total of $484.3 million in loans and grants for the Philippines as of August this year.
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Joanne Encantador @encantador_jo
Universal QR code SGQR ready for commercial use
A universal QR code which allows consumers to scan and transfer funds from as many as 27 e-payment apps was launched yesterday, marking a significant step in Singapore’s drive to build a national cashless system.
— The New Paper
F&B tenants get creative with limited space amidst skyrocketing costs
Running an F&B business in ultra-expensive Singapore is no easy task with skyrocketing costs prompting a growing number of players to share more than just ideas as they also embrace shared commercial spaces in a bid to outwit the city’s high-cost retail environment.
— Singapore Business Review
British journalist detained in S’pore may take up matter with British High Commission
The British investigative journalist behind whistleblower website Sarawak Report, who was detained briefly here over the weekend, may take the matter up with the British High Commission in Singapore.
— TodayOnline
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Warning of dengue fever in Bangkok
Bangkokians, especially children, have been warned to protect themselves from dengue fever which has since the beginning of this year infected more than 5,800 people in Bangkok with five fatalities so far.
— Thai PBS World
TMB introducing online account opening
From next month, TMB plans to offer electronic Know Your Customer (e-KYC), a feature enabling customers to open ME savings accounts on Android smartphones with near-field communication technology and passport documents.
— Bangkok Post
Bangkok’s street vendors decry evictions as authorities clean up
“Quick, move!” Bangkok street vendors call to each other as they rush carts laden with souvenirs and snacks from the city’s bustling Ramkamhaeng road, pushing their wares into an alley before the police spot them.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam to complete eastern section of north-south expressway project by 2021
The transport ministry has completed the feasible study of the project`s eastern section with length of 654 kilometers and investment capital of VND118.71 trillion (US$5.07 billion).
— The Hanoi Times
Vietnam’s first-ever car brand in the making
Vingroup is poised to launch Vietnam’s first-ever car brand, as it has invested more than $3 billion in a production line that is expected to churn out its first cars in 2019.
— Deutsche Welle
Seven people die of drug overdoses at Vietnam music festival
Seven people have died of suspected drug overdoses at a music festival in Vietnam.
— The Independent
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 September 18 added by Digital Editor on
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