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Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Singapore to pump in S$30m for new regional cybersecurity training centre
Singapore will be pumping in S$30 million over the next five years to fully fund the upcoming ASEAN-Singapore Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (ASCCE), which is meant to help develop the cybersecurity capabilities of Southeast Asian member states.
— Channel NewsAsia

S&P: Infrastructure development in Asean to slow over next two years
S&P Global Ratings expects infrastructure development in Asean countries to slow down over the next two years.
— The Star Online

Southeast Asia’s production gains speed as China slows
Manufacturers in Southeast Asia are ramping up production at an accelerating pace as rising labor costs in China continue pushing companies to move in.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Anger at Singapore ads offering Indonesian domestic helpers for ‘sale’
Online ads in Singapore offering Indonesian maids for sale were Wednesday condemned as “unjust and demeaning”, in a rare flare-up of tensions between the neighbours over domestic helpers.
— South China Morning Post

Vietnam takes over ASEAN Social Security Association chairmanship
The Vietnam Social Security (VSS) will take over the rotating chairmanship of the ASEAN Social Security Association in the 2018-2019 term.
— Vietnam Plus

Vietnam seafood exports to ASEAN expected to reach US$1 billion soon
With its continuous growth over the past 10 years, ASEAN has become an important market for Vietnamese seafood, and the prospect of US$1 billion worth of yearly seafood export revenue is reachable.
— Nhan Dan Online

Investors bet on the casino boom across Southeast Asia
The arrival of increasing numbers of Chinese tourists and investors in Southeast Asia has led to a boom in the construction of casinos in countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.
— Asia Times

DHL e-Commerce to launch Cash-on-delivery service
DHL eCommerce has launched a cross-border cash-on-delivery service for Southeast Asian customers.
— Retail News Asia (press release) (blog)

Chinese Initiatives Threaten Mekong River
On the sandy banks of the Mekong River, local fisherman Mana Suttawong stitches together the ropes on a worn-out net, his hands chafed from years of pulling in hefty catches on the legendary waterway.
— Voice of America

How Asean should respond to geopolitical risks
Asean is at an “inflection point” where major changes and uncertainties are unfolding.
— Khmer Times

The future of ASEAN financial services
Ever since the financial crisis of 1997 swept Asia, many observers felt that some of the affected countries would never fully recover.
— The Asean Post

AFD, FFEM, WCS Support Conservation Of Biodiversity In Indo-Burma Hotspot
The Agence Francaise de Development (AFD), the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) have signed a financing agreement to support 4-year conservation activities centered in six high biodiversity landscapes in Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia which house 14 protected areas.
— Lao News Agency

Top 5 Asian Property Markets for Chinese LGBT Home Buyers Revealed
Based on a new study by China property portal Juwai.com, international Chinese property buyers are split by lifestyle when buying homes abroad.
— World Property Journal

Japan and China Boost Connectivity in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asian countries still face major challenges in regional market integration and connectivity.
— IDN InDepth News

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47

Bogus threat to suspend Cambodia’s UN seat raises PM’s hackles
The European Union is not plotting to have Cambodia thrown out of the United Nations, despite what one Phnom Penh newspaper recently reported, and what the Cambodian government now believes.
— AEC News Today

Prime Minister Hun Sen ready for UNGA speech
Prime Minister Hun Sen yesterday said he will make an official visit to the UN General Assembly on September 27 and meet with his Cambodian supporters.
— Khmer Times

Cambodia PM denies ‘international pressure’ behind release of opposition leader
Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen batted down speculation Wednesday that he caved to international pressure after an opposition leader was released from jail, claiming the decision was made for his ailing foe’s health and safety.
— Agence France-Presse via The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47

Sri Mulyani Blames Oil for Weak Rupiah
Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati said that the unmet oil lifting target, and the declining volume, adds pressure to the rupiah exchange rate. The two factors, she said, makes it difficult for the rupiah to rebound.
— Tempo

Indonesia issues new rules for palm oil and other commodity exporters as rupiah slides
Indonesia has laid out new rules for commodities exporters to guarantee funding for shipments through Indonesian banks or branches of foreign banks in the country, the trade minister said on Tuesday, part of a bid to prop up the ailing rupiah.
— The Star

Greenpeace links forest destruction for palm oil to brands
Greenpeace says global consumer brands continue to buy palm oil from companies that are cutting down Indonesia’s rainforests despite repeated pledges to clean up their supply chains.
— Associated Press

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Taxes, fees temporarily cut in govt’s flood recovery plan
The government has agreed to cut various taxes and fees in flood-stricken areas in order to promote greater production during the coming dry-season to compensate damage by this year’s devastating floods.
— Vientiane Times

Expanded Airport to Revitalize Laos Tourism and Attract Chinese Travelers
Laos’ primary international airport, in the capital of Vientiane, has just doubled the size of its international terminal in an effort to become less reliant on overland tourists from neighboring countries.
— Jing Travel

Thai firm signs 3-hotel deal in Laos
Centara, a Thai hospitality group led by Suthikiati Chirathivat, board chairman (fourth from the right), has signed a memorandum of understanding with Asia Investment, Development and Construction Co Ltd (AIDC), an investment and construction company in Laos.
— The Nation

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia’s Ex-PM Detained Over Mysterious $628-Million Transfer
Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was arrested on September 19 over allegations that $628 million linked to state investment fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) ended up in his personal bank accounts. According to Malaysia’s anti-graft agency, Najib was detained at its office and is set to be taken to court on September 20 to face charges.
— Investvine

Malaysia’s real GDP growth at five per cent in 2018-2019 — RHB Research
RHB Research expects Malaysia’s real gross domestic product (GDP) to grow at five per cent this year and next year, slower than the 5.9 per cent achieved in 2017 due to weakening external demand.
— The Borneo Post

New digital tax will increase costs, prices: Ideas
A new direct digital tax in Malaysia would increase the costs of digital goods and services, which would in turn, increase prices for consumers and businesses, said the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (Ideas).
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Parliament Approves $300M ADB Loan to Upgrade Power Grid
Parliament today approved a nearly $300 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to upgrade the national power grid in seven states and regions.
— The Irrawaddy

ICC to probe Myanmar over alleged Muslim deportations
The prosecutor of the Hague-based International Criminal Court Fatou Bensouda has opened a preliminary examination into Myanmar’s alleged deportation of the northern Rakhine Muslims from Myanmar to Bangladesh as well as other crimes such as sexual violence and killings.
— Myanmar Times

Australia considering targeted sanctions against Myanmar
Australia’s government finds there is sufficient evidence to warrant the prosecution of genocide perpetrated against the Rohingya
— Dhaka Tribune

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Ompong death toll anticipated to be over 100; US sends aid
THE DEATH toll in the Philippines from typhoon Ompong (international name: Mangkhut) has climbed to 81 and could hit triple digits as searchers dig through a landslide where dozens are presumed dead, authorities said Wednesday.
— BusinessWorld Online

PH traffic may worsen, to cost ₱5.4 billion daily – JICA
The economic cost of traffic congestion may rise.
— CNN Philippines

ADB approves USD 300 mln loan to expand financial services in Philippines
The Asian Development Bank’s (ADB) Board of Directors has approved a $300 million loan to support the Philippine government’s effort to expand financial services across the country, especially among entrepreneurs, small businesses, farmers, workers, and individuals, including women and vulnerable households.
— Devdiscourse

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Michael Johansen @mfjohansen47

Online hiring up 3% in July
E-recruitment activity across industries in Singapore rose 3% YoY in July, mainly backed by the banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), IT, and business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors, data from recruitment firm Monster revealed.
— Singapore Business Review

Singapore-China ties: Breaking new ground
2018 marks an important milestone in Singapore-China relations. It is the 40th anniversary of Mr Deng Xiaoping’s visit to Singapore in November 1978, just a month before China adopted the policy of reform and opening up.
— Straits Times

Singapore ranked second-best Asian city for tech firms: Report
Singapore is the second-best city for technology companies that are looking to establish or expand operations in Asia, according to a report yesterday.
— Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

US tariffs on China judged to support Thai export growth
The latest round of US tariff hikes on an additional US$200 billion (6.49 trillion baht) worth of Chinese goods is expected to help Thai exports, offering opportunities to replace the Chinese products in the US market, according to a Commerce Ministry study.
— Bangkok Post

Business confidence expected to rise in next three months
“WE ARE positive that the Business Confidence Index (BCI) for manufacturers will rise in the next three months”, Supant Mongkolsuthree, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), said yesterday during a press conference.
— The Nation

FTI sees flat motorcycle sales as glut nears
The Federation of Thai Industries (FTI) predicts that the motorcycle market will remain flat this year at 1.8 million units sold and that the market will soon become saturated.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam’s car imports up 50 percent in August
Vietnamese businesses imported nearly 10,000 completely built cars in August, up 50 percent compared with the previous month, according to the General Department of Vietnam Customs.
— VietnamPlus

Vietjet introduces Tet promotions
Millions of tickets available for flights during lunar new year 2019.
— Vietnam Economic Times

Minister wants to develop made-in-Vietnam social media
Vietnam needs a digital ecosystem with focus on made-in-Vietnam social media instead of foreign owned players such as Facebook and Google.
— Vietnam Insider

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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