Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
5G to bring $1.2 trillion industry opportunity in Southeast Asia: Huawei
5G will bring industry opportunities worth $1.2 trillion in Southeast Asia in the next five years, Huawei’s regional president said at the MWC 2019 Media interview in Barcelona on Sunday.
— Ada Derana
Minimum wage rises squeeze Southeast Asia sourcing | Apparel Industry Analysis
Changes in minimum wage rates are likely to be of significant concern to apparel brands and retailers sourcing from Southeast Asia in 2019, with pay in many countries continuing on an upward trajectory.
— Just-style
Chinese manufacturers are facing more competition from their regional neighbours
If you’re looking for wondering what nation may become the world’s next global manufacturing powerhouse, especially in basic goods, this chart from HSBC provides a few clues.
— Business Insider Australia
Dr Mahathir warns against foreign meddling in Asean
Southeast Asian countries should guard against the involvement of big powers in the region, as such meddling may fuel conflict and lead to an arms race, according to Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
— The Edge Markets
Russia offers ASEAN countries access to database on militants
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries are positive about Moscow’s offer to provide them with access to the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) database on members of terrorist organizations.
— Tass
Google launches space for SEA’s developers to learn and connect
Last Friday (22 February), Google launched a space for Southeast Asian developers, known as Developer Space @ Google Singapore.
— Human Resources
TCEB launches ‘ASEAN MaxiMICE’ targeting MICE travellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore
The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Thai Airways International (THAI) have unveiled their first joint campaign in 2019 called “ASEAN MaxiMICE” for MICE travellers from Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Singapore.
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)
Why Asian nations should invest in cross-border education: the Thailand opportunity
International higher education has evolved over the last several decades, influenced by global economic changes.
— Bangkok Post
Can the centre hold in Asian affairs?
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is at the centre of regional affairs, acting as a buffer in a theatre of major power interactions in Asia and as a platform for their cooperation.
— East Asia Forum
Unspoken challenges of Asean: Jakarta Post contributor
According to the alphabetic rules set for the annual rotation of the Asean chair, Thailand is to steward the grouping through 2019 in between Singapore and Vietnam.
— The Straits Times
Batam to host three ASEAN countries` culinary festival
Batam will host “The Best of Street Food,” a culinary festival in March that will present various cuisines of three different countries in Asia: Indonesia, Thailand, and Malaysia.
— Antara News
Illicit streaming devices a growing concern
Southeast Asia’s appetite for pirated content via TV boxes or illicit streaming devices (ISDs) is an increasing concern for governments, content creators and the broadcasting industry.
— The Asean Post
Time for bolder steps from ASEAN
The realignment of great power relations in the Asia Pacific means the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) needs to pick up its game like never before.
— Financial Review
Challenging times for Asean
These are challenging times for Southeast Asian countries. On the economic front, China’s slowdown is becoming more pronounced, which could have dire consequences since it is Asean’s largest export market and a major source of foreign direct investment (FDI) to the region.
— Bangkok Post
Study: State of Analytics in South East Asia 2019
Analytics India Magazine conducted an independent study to understand how Southeast Asia has become an analytics enabler and is winning the race when it comes to growth and innovation in analytics ecosystem.
— Analytics India Magazine
Black pepper prices hit 12-year low as Southeast Asian output grows
Prices of black pepper have fallen to their lowest level in about 12 years due to increased production in Southeast Asia.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
PE firms look to cut smaller checks to tap the Southeast Asia growth story
Southeast Asia’s growth story, fuelled by a growing middle class and a vibrant internet economy, has lured private equity investors.
— Deal Street Asia (paywall)
P2P Lending: Lessons from Asian Governments
The digital transformation that has swept industries from retail to transportation has now set its sights firmly on the financial services industry.
— Brink Asia
German FDI in ASEAN Part I: Brunei and Cambodia
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), featuring ten dynamic and growing economies, has become increasingly favorable for foreign investment in recent years.
— Asean Briefing
Here’s how Southeast Asian businesses can survive in the hotbed of ad fraud
Media spend has grown exponentially – especially so in the Asia Pacific, where digital ad expenditure constituted 46 per cent of total expenses in 2018 and is set to rise to 55.1 per cent by 2022, according to eMarketer.
— Yahoo News
ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee convenes 26th meeting
The 26th meeting of the ASEAN-EU Joint Cooperation Committee (AEJCC) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 20, reiterating its commitment to enhancing cooperation between the two blocs.
— NNT
Baby, maternity products enjoy booming sales in Asean
A young demographics and higher fertility rates across most of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are boosting sales of baby and maternity products, according to a new report from HKTDC Research.
— Malaya
SOUTHEAST ASIAN COMMUNITY FACES UPHILL BATTLE FOR MENTAL HEALTH
According to her driver’s license, Lao-American and Fresno resident Tout Tou Bounthapanya just turned 43 — unofficially, she’s 45. A refugee, she said, has a real age and a fake one.
— The Business Journal
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Cambodia’s population will reach 20 million by 2030: PM
Prime Minister Hun Sen said that the Kingdom is projected to have a population of about 20 million by 2030 with a growth of 1 percent to 1.5 percent per year and that most of them will be moving to settle in urban areas.
— Khmer Times
Six to Face Punishment For Crackdown on Protest in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville
Five Cambodian police officers and a soldier will be punished for their role in suppressing a land-rights protest on Jan. 24 in southwest Cambodia’s Sihanoukville province, with two cases already referred to the courts for action, a police spokesperson told reporters on Monday.
— Radio Free Asia
Cambodia’s tourism makes 4.35 bln USD revenue last year, up 19.8 pct
Cambodia’s tourism earned gross revenues of 4.35 billion U.S. dollars in 2018, up 19.8 percent from 3.63 billion dollars in a year earlier, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said here on Monday.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Governor calls on people to cultivate peatlands for farming
West Kalimantan Governor Sutarmidji has called on people to utilize peatland areas in the region to plant horticulture commodities as part of the efforts to prevent land and forest fires in the region.
— Antara News
Tradition meets tech in Indonesia’s mental health sector
Barriers to accessing mental health treatment have meant many patients go untreated in Indonesia. Modern technological solutions could help fill the treatment vacuum and disrupt the faith-based approaches that have germinated in the mental health space.
— Asean Today
Indonesia’s Medco climbs energy ranks with UK peer purchase
Major Indonesian oil and gas company Medco Energi Internasional will purchase British peer Ophir Energy for 390 million pounds ($510 million), positioning itself to take on top player Pertamina by increasing output in Southeast Asia.
— Nikkai Asian Review (paywall)
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
Storm demolishes 30 houses in Huaphan
Some 30 houses in Xiengkhor district, Huaphan province, were damaged by a storm that lashed the area last week, bringing thunder, rain, hail and strong winds.
— Vientiane Times
Laos, Thailand review progress in worker legalisation
Lao and Thai labour authorities met in Bangkok, Thailand, last week to review the results of ongoing operations on labour cooperation.
— ANN
Laos seeking sweeter deal on sugar exports to China
Laos is seeking to significantly increase sugar exports to the Chinese market this year to 100,000 tonnes, up from 55,000 tonnes in 2018.
— ANN
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov
Penang government wants urban regeneration law
The Penang state government has called for an urban regeneration law to allow for old housing schemes to be demolished and rebuilt.
— Malay Mail
ERCL to proceed only if Malaysia can afford it
Malaysia will only proceed with the East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project, if the nation can afford it, failing which, it would be postponed.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia committed to making vaccinations compulsory: Health minister
Malaysia’s health ministry is committed to making vaccinations compulsory despite the challenges it faces in making coverage mandatory.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov
Imports of consumer goods hit US$1.261 billion
Myanmar’s import of consumer goods hit US$1.261 billion during the current 2018-2019 fiscal year, down by $110 million against the same time last 20172018 FY, according to state media.
— Mizzima
Is Myanmar ready for cryptocurrency?
The recent coverage of Chinese blockchain company Shellpay Internet Technology Co’s plan to issue digital coins in eastern Shan has sparked widespread social media attention on the cryptocurrency industry.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar ethnic group wants greater role from China in peace process in the country
As the political reconciliation is underway in Myanmar, Shan State Army-South (SSAS) chair, Lieutenant General Yawd Serk, hopes China will play a greater role in the process of achieving peace in the country.
— Mizzima
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
Govt eyes P4.25-T budget for ’20 on infra spending hike
THE government is eyeing a P4.249-trillion national budget for 2020, as the Philippines continues to ramp up infrastructure spending, economic managers told Japanese business leaders.
— Business Mirror
Measure lifting restrictions on foreigners in business could still make it out of 17th Congress
A MEASURE further relaxing restrictions in Republic Act No. 7042, or the Foreign Investments Act of 1991 (FIA), could be one of the bills that could secure approval in the remaining days of the 17th Congress, Senate leaders said in separate interviews late last week.
— BusinessWorld Online
‘Wutip’ may enter PH on Thursday morning — Pagasa
TYPHOON “Wutip” may enter the Philippines on Thursday and will be named locally as “Betty,” the state-run weather bureau said on Monday.
— The Manila Times
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ
More new drug abusers arrested in 2018, most under 30: CNB
More first-time drug abusers were arrested last year compared to 2017, with the majority arrested under 30 years old, said the Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) in a press release on Monday (Feb 25).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
The Big Read: As more cyberattacks loom, Singapore has a weak ‘first line of defence’
Collaboration between governments, educational institutions, professional bodies and enterprises is needed, but companies and individuals can also take action to protect data and develop cyberawareness.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Cheep thrills: Over 700 animals born at Wildlife Reserves Singapore parks last year
More than 700 animals from across 131 species were born at the four parks under the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) last year.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ
Smog in 9 northern provinces to increase March-April
Smog problem in nine of Thailand’s Northern provinces is likely to get worse during March and April due to forest fires, despite a complete ban on the open burning of…
— Thai PBS News
Why the role of the non-elected Senate will be crucial
Though not elected, the Senate will play a very important role in Thailand’s Thai post-election politics.
— Thai PBS News
Exporters up in arms against plan to hike daily minimum wage
EXPORT companies in more than 40 provinces are voicing loud opposition to plans of raising the minimum daily wage.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
NGOs seek slowdown of Group worries about environmental impact of speedy development on lives of local people
Environmentalists are urging the government to slow down the development of the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC) in order to protect locals from environmental impacts and related conflicts.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov
Vietnam Air may buy up to 100 Boeing 737 Max jets
VIETNAM Airlines is considering an order of 50 to 100 Boeing Co 737 Max planes this year to replace its ageing fleet of Airbus SE single-aisle aircraft and may also buy long-range jets in preparation for flights to California.
— Business Times
New mechanisms to keep maritime transport sector afloat
Although there have been some positive signs in recent years, Việt Nam’s sea transport sector still face difficulties with many enterprises suffering heavy losses. The maritime industry is proposing support mechanisms to help the sector out of its stagnant state.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam: New food safety measures in agricultural sector
Under Vietnam’s action plan to ensure food safety in the agricultural sector, large-scale production areas for key national products will be expanded this year.
— Fresh Plaza
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.