Asean morning news for January 24, 2019

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Cambodia, Myanmar entrepreneurs off to London as AGLP 2019 heads to China (video)
A rice trading entrepreneur from Cambodia and the head of a Myanmar agriculture and trading company have been awarded scholarships to this year’s Asean Global Leadership Program (AGLP) in London, and to the fourth edition of the AGLP Asia programme in China.
— AEC News Today (video)

Trade between China and BRI countries expected to grow by USD 117 bln
Merchandise trade between China and countries involved in the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is expected to grow by USD 117 billion this year, contributing 0.3% to global trade and 0.1% to global growth.
— China Knowledge

Thousands of ASEAN product in Laos freed of tariffs
Lao authorities have reduced import tariffs on 8,536 items to zero as part of efforts in establishing the ASEAN Free Trade Area.
— MENAFN

German plastic floods Southeast Asia
Just because the plastic lands in the recycling bin doesn’t mean it will find a new life in another product.
— Deutsche Welle

WEnergy, ICMG and TEPCO-PowerGrid collaborate on a US$100 million fund for South East Asia
The newly formed Singapore based investment entity of $60 million, CleanGrid Partners will finance and operate renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia.
— pv magazine

Southeast Asian retailers drawing in Chinese customers with mobile payment
Businesses in the tourist-rich areas of Southeast Asia have experienced a significant growth in both customers and sales among mainland Chinese travelers after implementing Chinese mobile payment solutions, a survey has found.
— Shanghaiist

FACEBOOK, WHATSAPP TARGET FAKE NEWS FOR ASIA’S ELECTION SEASON, BUT IS IT TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE?
Facebook and its subsidiary WhatsApp have promised to get tougher on “fake news” ahead of key elections in Asia, but critics question whether the new policies can stop viral disinformation from influencing the outcomes.
— South China Morning Post

Econ 4.0: The future of Asean: A to J
If Asean were a country, its combined gross domestic product of US$2.8 trillion would make it the fifth largest economy in the world, after the US, China, Japan and Germany.
— The Edge Markets

ASEAN braces for digital era
The private sector has urged ASEAN to prepare for the 4th Industrial Revolution.
— NBT World (video)

ASEAN unveiled tourism marketing initiatives to sustain growth and awareness to the region
At ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2019, ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (ASEAN NTOs) revealed their collective efforts in marketing initiatives to inspire travel to Southeast Asia.
— TravelDailyNews

Saigon, Hanoi among top 10 affordable cities in Southeast Asia
Two of Vietnam’s largest metropolises are in the list of 10 most affordable cities in Southeast compiled by Numbeo.
— VnExpress International

Towards sustainable tourism in ASEAN
Southeast Asian tourism officials once again stressed the need for sustainable tourism as the region’s annual tourist arrivals grew by 7.6 percent in 2018.
— The Asean Post

Turn to Southeast Asia for growth, HSBC tells international businesses
International businesses should take a serious look at the fast-growing Southeast Asian region as a location to manufacture in, source from, and sell to, despite the downturn in global emerging markets over the past few months, says HSBC Malaysia.
— Free Malaysia Today

Over 100 Indian MSMEs to feature in Singapore export forum
Over 100 Indian firms will feature in the Singapore export forum during a business conclave here from Thursday that aims to promote India’s export-oriented industries in the strategic ASEAN region.
— The Economic Times

VCs give us their predictions for startups and tech in Southeast Asia in 2019
The new year is well underway and, before January is out, we polled VCs in Southeast Asia to get their thoughts on what to expect in 2019.
— TechCrunch

Students from ASEAN+2 countries study sufficiency economy philosophy
Seventy students from 10 ASEAN countries, Bhutan and Timor Leste are attending a seminar on incorporating the sufficiency economy philosophy into their daily lives.
— NBT World (video)

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Hun Sen in China to Promote Stronger Diplomatic Ties
In a post on his official Facebook page, Hun Sen said Cambodia was looking to “expand and reinforce its market besides the US”, saying trade between China and Cambodia had reached $5.6 billion.
— VOA Cambodia

Cambodia, Myanmar entrepreneurs off to London as AGLP 2019 heads to China (video)
A rice trading entrepreneur from Cambodia and the head of a Myanmar agriculture and trading company have been awarded scholarships to this year’s Asean Global Leadership Program (AGLP) in London, and to the fourth edition of the AGLP Asia programme in China.
— AEC News Today

Cambodia’s Foreign Affairs Minister meets with European officials
Democracy, human rights and the Everything But Arms (EBA) trade preferences were discussed in a meeting in Belgium on Monday between Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister Prak Sokhonn, his Belgian counterpart Didier Reynders, and EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Indonesia’s economy hit by international trade war
Stakeholders are worried the China-US trade war will continue to take its toll on Indonesia after it inflicted a huge blow to the country’s trade balance last year.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Two million earthquake survivors continue to suffer in Indonesia
Intellasia East Asia News Nining was about to start a work shift at a water spinach farm on Indonesia’s Sulawesi island when a 7.5 magnitude earthquake hit.
— Intellasia

Palu hospital dismisses 400 workers as revenues decline after disasters
The Anutapura Public Hospital in Palu, Central Sulawesi, has dismissed 400 contract workers, including nurses, midwives and housekeepers, because of declining revenues following the deadly earthquake and tsunami that hit the region in September.
— The Jakarta Post

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Laos eliminates tariffs on most Asean goods
Lao authorities have reduced import tariffs on 8,536 items to zero as part of national efforts in establishing the Asean Free Trade Area, according to a government report.
— Vientiane Times

Lao People’s Democratic Republic: Flash Floods Emergency Appeal n° MDRLA005
The collapse of the Xe-Pian Xe-Namnoy dam on 23 July 2018 as a result of Tropical Storm Son Tinh that had made land fall days earlier, has caused massive flash floods that affected 13,100 people and displaced 6,000 people, leaving 39 dead and around 97 missing (according to UN Situation Report no. 9)
— Relief Web

Laos: Investigate Disappearance of 3 Thai Dissidents
The Lao government should urgently investigate the disappearance of three Thai political activists who were last seen in the capital, Vientiane, in December 2018, Human Rights Watch said today.
— Human Right Watch

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia in bid to increase rice production by 5%
The production rate of local rice will be increased to 75% from the current 70% as Malaysia looks to reduce dependency on imports, said Datuk Salahuddin Ayub (pic).
— The Star Online

Malaysia ranks 27th in global talent competitiveness
Malaysia ranks 27th according to the 2019 Global Talent Competitiveness Index (GTCI) as Switzerland, Singapore and the United States continue to lead the world in talent competitiveness.
— The Borneo Post

Fewer China tourists coming to Malaysia
Fewer tourists from China are coming during the two-week Chinese New Year holiday period next month, say industry players.
— The Nation (very annoying popup)

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Industrial zones hampered by poor infrastructure but demand remains
Demand for Myanmar’s industrial zones beyond Yangon is bound to grow but poor transport and energy infrastructure have held back investments, a major study suggests.
— Myanmar Times

Border economic zone can support stable ties with Myanmar
Work on establishing an economic cooperation zone along the China-Myanmar border has reportedly started, with priority given to sectors including manufacturing. Amid some concerns about Chinese presence in Myanmar, the project is likely to be a good starting point in maintaining stability in the border area.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Gov’t keeps 7-8% growth target this year
THE GOVERNMENT will hold on to its 7-8% growth target this year, according to Finance Secretary Carlos G. Dominguez III who noted the Philippines has room to stand resilient despite a slowing global economy.
— BusinessWorld Online

Chinese tourists lift 11-month arrivals–DOT
CHINESE tourists continued to lift the total foreign visitor arrivals in the Philippines, helping overcome the sluggish South Korean market in the 11 months to November 2018.
— Business Mirror

Government offers financing assistance to potential Hanjin investor
The government is ready to provide assistance should a private entity decide to invest in the embattled Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Philippines (HHIC), the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said yesterday.
— The Philippine Star

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Singapore’s overall and core inflation pick up more than expected in December
Singapore’s headline – or overall – inflation climbed to 0.5 per cent in December year on year, after falling to a six-month low of 0.3 per cent the month before.
— The Straits Times

Actor Aloysius Pang dies, four days after sustaining injuries during SAF training in New Zealand
Actor Aloysius Pang died on Wednesday (Jan 23), four days after sustaining serious injuries while taking part in Exercise Thunder Warrior in New Zealand.
— Today Online

Singapore braces for tougher times as China slows down and the trade war heats up
Singapore, a country with a population of just about 5.6 million, is one of Asia’ top financial centers and a global trading hub.
— CNBC

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Some Bangkok private schools close temporarily due to air pollution worries
AIR POLLUTION has forced the suspension of classes at private schools across Bangkok this week, though the Pollution Control Department (PCD) yesterday reported fewer areas with unsafe levels of PM2.5 – airborne particulates 2.5 microns in diameter and smaller.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)

Thai Gov’t Pharmaceutical Organization aims to start producing cannabis oil by mid-Feb
The Government Pharmaceutical Organization (GPO) — which is overseeing Thailand’s legalization of medical marijuana — has announced their plans to start planting this February in order to extract cannabis oil to be used by May or June.
— Coconuts (paywall)

Thailand’s Junta Is Finally Ready for an Election. Here’s Why
Thailand has endured many military coups since ending its absolute monarchy in 1932.
— Bloomberg

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam records 1 billion USD trade deficit in first half of Jan
Vietnam had a trade deficit of about 1 billion USD in the first 15 days of this year, according to the General Department of Customs.
— VNA NET

Fintech accounts for maximum startup funding in Vietnam in 2018
Fintech accounted for the maximum funding in Vietnamese startups in 2018, surpassing e-commerce and other sectors.
— DealStreetAsia

Vietnam targets to attract 100,000 agricultural businesses
Vietnam wants to attract 100,000 businesses to invest in agriculture, of which between 3,000-4,000 enterprises will be large scale with the rest medium-sized.
— VNA NET

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.