Advertisement

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Four Asean central banks to expand local currency settlement frameworks
Central banks in Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines have joined hands to promote the local currency settlement of bilateral trade by reducing transaction cost and enhancing the efficiency of trade settlements.
— The Malaysian Reserve

Asia growth forecasts drop another notch as trade war effects set in
Economic outlooks in Asia have once again been lowered due to the U.S.-China trade war, which has manifested itself in weakened exports throughout the region.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

CLMV region not immune to China slowdown: Maybank
ALTHOUGH the CLMV bloc — comprising Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Vietnam — is the fastest-growing sub-region in Asean, it is not immune to China’s slowing growth, Maybank Kim Eng analysts Chua Hak Bin, Lee Ju Ye and Linda Liu said in an April 8 report.
— The Business Times

Will Brunei’s anti-LGBT Sharia law spread across Southeast Asia?
Brunei’s new law punishing homosexual sex with death by stoning has sent a wave of fear across the LGBT population in neighboring Malaysia and Indonesia.
— CNN

ASEAN will shun the US’ geopolitical game against China
The US is expanding its resistance to Huawei’s 5G network to Southeast Asia, but the effect is obviously limited.
— Global Times

Banning palm oil is dangerous
From cooking oil to soap, from sunblock to biofuel, it’s little wonder that Europe imports as much as about 1.9 million tons of palm oil a year.
— The Asean Post

StanChart ‘go-to’ bank for clients venturing overseas
ASEAN’S mid-sized corporates have done well, riding on the region’s strong economic growth, and are now poised for their next stage of expansion.
— The Business Times

Southeast Asia’s biggest budget carrier plans to turn airasia.com into online mall for travellers
AirAsia, whose website is used by 65 million customers every month, is considering a plan to sell tickets of non-competing carriers on airasia.com, using its size to give online travel agents a run for their money.
— South China Morning Post

ASEAN’s Indo-Pacific vision
For more than 50 years, ASEAN has underpinned peaceful cooperation between its Southeast Asian member states.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)

Intra-Asia a demand hotspot for container shipping: SS Teo
The Southeast Asia region is poised for strong economic growth over the next few decades and container shipping can expect to benefit from increased volume demand, according to SS Teo, managing director of Pacific International Lines (PIL).
— Seatrade Maritime News

Why corporations are going the low-code and no-code route in their quest for digital transformation.
“Digital Transformation” is a common term which is heard these days, although many in the business community are still struggling to work through this process and some don’t even really understand it completely.
— The Business Times

SoftBank-backed Grab seeks another US$2 bln funding in expansion drive
Grab is looking to raise another $2 billion this year to ramp up expansion, its CEO Anthony Tan told Reuters, just weeks after announcing over $4.5 billion of funding in what has become Southeast Asia’s largest round of private financing.
— The Star Online

S. Korea seeks ASEAN’s cooperation for successful special summit in Nov.
South Korea’s top diplomat on Monday asked the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to continue its support for Seoul’s group summit with its member countries slated for November, the foreign ministry said.
— Yonhap News Agency

India’s economic footprint in CLMV countries: Expanding slowly and a long way to go
An ongoing ORF study looks into India’s economic footprint in CLMV (Cambodia, Laos, PDR, Myanmar and Vietnam) countries.
— ORF

Can technology save ASEAN’s food supplies from climate change?
Climate change is one of the world’s most pressing challenges, and one which impacts humanity as a whole.
— The Interpreter

MRC awards green campaign winners to raise awareness of plastic pollution
A Phnom Penh resident was among the six winners of a green campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of disposing plastic waste in the river as the Mekong River Commission (MRC) on Friday commemorated the 24th anniversary of the signing of the agreement that led to its creation.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Asean Foundation, SAP invite students to join data science competition
The Asean Foundation and software company SAP open the applications for the Asean Data Science Explorers (ASEANDSE) 2019 encouraging tertiary students across all 10 member states in the region to harness the power of data to help solve the most pressing developmental issues.
— Backend News

Enhancing ASEAN women economic empowerment
The ASEAN-Republic of Korea (ROK) Commemorative Summit will be held in Busan, Korea from Nov. 25 to 26.
— The Korea Times

Fifth Annual ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women Launched, Focuses on the Circular Economy
Today, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in partnership with UL, launched the fifth annual ASEAN-U.S. Science Prize for Women.
— International Business Times

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov          @piseth6666

Industry Associations Issue Stark Warning to Cambodia Over Trade Schemes
Eight buyers associations have expressed concern over the possible expulsion of Cambodia from international preferential trading schemes over the country’s rights record.
— VOA Cambodia

Cambodia to Face Hardship if it Loses EU Trade Preferences, Interior Minister Says
Cambodia will face severe economic hardship if the European Union proceeds with threatened plans to suspend beneficial trade preferences, Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng said Monday, calling the expected move a matter of “regret.”
— Radio Free Asia

Hydroelectric and Solar announced as alternative to cancelled Turkish floating power plant
The government has cancelled a contract it signed last week to bring a powership from Turkey to cope with the current energy deficit.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov          @piseth6666

Indonesia to implement QR Code standards by second half of the year
Indonesia’s central bank, Bank Indonesia (BI), is currently conducting a trial for QR Code standardization named QRIS (Indonesian Standard QR Code).
— Kr Asia

Rupiah Slumps despite Forex Reserve Increase
The rupiah exchange rate closed down on Monday, April 8. The increasing amount of foreign exchange (forex) reserves could not help the rupiah gain, despite the US dollar index’s depreciation.
— Tempo.co

Indonesia to file lawsuit over palm oil in European Court
Indonesia will file a lawsuit with the European Court, if the Delegated Regulation Supplementing Directive of the EU Renewable Energy Directive (RED) II, which will impact palm oil, is finally approved by the EU parliament.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Energy sector powering growth in Laos
Laos’ energy sector is set to boost its installed capacity to about 9,152.9 megawatts (MW) in 2019, once 12 more power plants kickstart commercial operations.
— Xinhuanet

1,000 Chinese on visit to Laos to promote tourism year
A group of 1,000 Chinese tourists including 50 officials arrived in Vientiane on Saturday, in support of efforts by the Lao and Chinese governments to boost tourism during Visit Laos-China Year 2019.
— Vientiane Times

Laos urged to address dam project impacts
Cambodia, Thailand and Vietnam have urged fellow Mekong River Commission member Laos to address cross-border and environmental impact issues following consultations on its Pak Lay hydropower dam project.
— Khmer Times

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Malaysia’s economy to experience moderate growth in 2019
The Malaysian economy is expected to experience moderate growth in 2019 due to challenging external factors, said Economic Affairs Deputy Minister Dr Mohd Radzi Md Jidin.
— The Star Online

Malaysian govt welcomes tech firm’s commitment to IR 4.0
A recent report noted that a Fortune 100 global technology and software-industrial company, has reaffirmed its strong commitment and continued contribution towards the growth and development of Malaysia’s Industry 4.0 agenda.
— OpenGovAsia

Malaysia says 200 Rohingya migrants still at sea after latest arrival
Malaysian authorities on Monday were on the lookout for boats believed to be carrying up to 200 Rohingya after dozens of migrants were found near a beach in the country’s north.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Chambers sign MOU for trade and investment
A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Union of Myanmar Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UMFCCI) and Mercosur-ASEAN Chamber of Commerce (MACC), which is based in Argentina and Indonesia, was signed at the UMFCCI office for trade and investment promotion last week.
— Myanmar Times

EU says trade privileges depend on Annan report
Implementation of the Annan report will be crucial for Myanmar to retain its trade privileges, the European Union (EU) said, as dialogues between the two sides on human and labour rights conventions related to the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) take place.
— Myanmar Times

Terrorist arrested in Myanmar western state: police
The Myanmar authority has arrested a member of terrorist group Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) in a border town in the country’s western Rakhine state, according to the Police Force Monday.
— Xinhua

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

Net ‘hot money’ flows reach $304M
Foreign portfolio investments hit a net inflow of $304.83 million in mid-March, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) data showed, lower from a net inflow posted a year earlier.
— The Manila Times

Chinese blockade of sandbars may lead to Philippines’ loss of aerial access to Pag-asa, expert says
Chinese vessels in the vicinity of Pag-asa Island in the West Philippine Sea pose a threat to any aircraft that would use the runway on the island, a maritime expert said.
— The Philippine Star

18 immigration agents suspended over P9.4-million extortion
President Duterte has ordered the suspension of 18 personnel of the Bureau of Immigration (BI) while they are being investigated for allegedly extorting P9.4 million from 15 South Koreans, the Presidential Anti-Crime Commission (PACC) said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov          @piseth6666

Singapore and Cambodia to strengthen ties in Fintech Innovation
The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen cooperation in FinTech innovation between both countries in Chiang Rai, Thailand, yesterday – 4 April 2019.
— Open GovAsia

PM Lee to meet Malaysian PM Mahathir for Leaders’ Retreat today
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong will meet his Malaysian counterpart Mahathir Mohamad in Malaysia today for the ninth Singapore-Malaysia Leaders’ Retreat. This is the first Leaders’ Retreat with the Pakatan Harapan government, which came to power last May.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

Seizure of 14 Tons of Pangolin Scales in Singapore Sets a Dismal Record
Singapore has discovered more than 14 tons of pangolin scales in what conservation specialists called the largest such seizure of a single shipment worldwide, highlighting the stubbornness of the illegal trade of the scaly anteater.
— New York Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

Gov’t Says Trying Thanathorn in Military Court is Fair
The junta has defended trialing civilians in military courts, saying it’s about maintaining peace and order.
— Khaosod English

Private hospitals urged to reduce drug prices and medical service fees
Of a total of over 300 hospitals asked to provide information about drug prices and medical service fees, only 295 have so far cooperated with authorities and about half of those have been found to be charging higher than allowed and are yet to consider reducing their prices and …
— Pattaya Mail

Industry Ministry plans end to sugarcane burning in three years
The Ministry of Industry will propose to the Cabinet a plan to end within three years sugarcane farmers’ widespread practice of cane burning before harvesting which is largely blamed for smog problem in many areas.
— Thai PBSWorld

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

Vietnam spends 570 million USD importing pharmaceuticals in Q1
Vietnam spent more than 570 million USD on importing pharmaceuticals in the first quarter of this year, marking a year-on-year increase of 16.7 percent, according to the latest statistics from the General Department of Customs.
— VNA NET

Hanoi to spend $625,000 a year on metro line subsidies
Hanoi plans to spend VND14.5 billion ($625,000) each year on subsidizing tickets for its first metro line.
— Vietnam Insider

Vietnam state steel company faces bankruptcy
Saddled with debts it cannot repay, state-owned Thai Nguyen Iron and Steel Jsc is on the verge of bankruptcy.
— VnExpress

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.

Advertisement