Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
China, Vietnam seen as more corrupt while Indonesia, Philippines clean up their act: Transparency International report
China’s rating on perceived corruption has fallen for the first time in five years, pushing it down 10 places to 87 on an annual index by global watchdog Transparency International.
— South China Morning Post
ASEAN urged to boost integration
Policymakers in the 10-member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are being urged by their counterparts from the European Union (EU) to boost regional integration to counter the decline in intra-ASEAN trade, as well as global economic pressures.
— PTV News
Renewable energy investment partnership targets projects in ASEAN
A new $60 million Singapore-based investment entity has been formed to pursue renewable energy projects in Southeast Asia, with projects in the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar first in line.
— Consultancy.asia
Chinese investment in Southeast Asia is plummeting
China-funded infrastructure projects in Southeast Asia have plunged in the past year as foreign governments grow wary of Beijing’s overseas investments.
— Inkstone
European firms see ASEAN falling behind schedule on integration
EUROPEAN businesses consider the economic integration of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to be well behind schedule due to the reluctance of individual members to liberalize their markets.
— BusinessWorld Online
China’s dominance in Asean must come with moral leadership
The recent Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report regarding senior Chinese officials offering to bail out 1MDB and derail investigations into the alleged corruption in the fund in exchange for stakes in the ECRL in Malaysia, has raised serious concerns.
— Malaysiakini
ASEAN biodiversity expert urges private sector to take part in global effort vs. plastic pollution
Following the launch this month of a USD 1 billion initiative by some 30 major industrial and consumer goods companies around the world to fight plastic pollution, ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) Executive Director Dr. Theresa Mundita S. Lim called on other private companies in the ASEAN region to follow-suit.
— Philippine Information Agency
Reducing Inequality in ASEAN with Blockchain
The poverty rate in ASEAN has been reduced significantly, and the quality of life has improved for a vast number of the region’s 625 million residents.
— Brink Asia
Firms favor ASEAN over China for investment: survey
More Taiwanese companies are favoring Southeast Asia over China for overseas expansion to dodge US-China tensions, a survey by Standard Chartered Bank Taiwan Ltd (渣打台灣銀行) showed yesterday.
— Taipei Times
How digital indoor systems can bolster ASEAN’s 5G networks
Digital technologies are revolutionising consumer interactions and the way enterprises compete.
— ComputerWeekly.com
Southeast Asia’s property markets looking up thanks to young population, upbeat GDP growth, analysts say
Vietnam and Singapore are tipped to lead price growth in the property markets in Southeast Asia this year, underpinned by the region’s youthful population and relatively long period of political stability.
— South China Morning Post
Chinese company consults locals over Mekong blasting
The red-robed monk sat impatiently at the front of the consultation meeting in Chiang Saen, northern Thailand.
— Chinadialogue
ADECS 2019: Southeast Asia has a dearth of maritime patrol aircraft
There is a degree of polarity when it comes to naval assets in Southeast Asia, with some countries having a disproportionately large number of surface assets to patrol a relatively small area – Singapore is a case in point – while other countries such as Indonesia and the Philippines have far too few assets to monitor huge maritime areas.
— Shephard Media
Southeast Asia Becoming Next Large Digital Market, Cento Ventures Says
Dmitry Levit, founder and partner at Cento Ventures, talks about the investment opportunities in Southeast Asian technology companies.
— Bloomberg (video)
Southeast Asia’s Grab is adding Netflix-like video streaming to its ride-hailing app
Grab is Southeast Asia’s top ride-hailing firm thanks to its acquisition of Uber’s local business last year.
— TechCrunch
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
China Reaffirms Support for Cambodia’s Economic Growth
China has reaffirmed its support to Cambodian economy through purchasing 400,000 tons of its milled rice in 2019, providing some US$600 million from 2019 to 2021, and increasing the number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia to five millions.
— Agence Kampuchea Presse
Government, UN, NGOs meet to discuss Climate Change
More than 100 representatives from NGOs, local communities, the UN and the government gathered at Himawari Hotel in the capital on Monday to discuss and exchange ideas on climate change adaptation and funding at a sub-national level.
— The Phnom Penh Post
NGO launches $1.5 million nutrition project
Plan International Cambodia yesterday launched its 1,000 Days Nutrition project in Stung Treng province for which it will spend $1.5 million for five years to provide better nutrition to children and women.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Indonesia’s loan growth edges up in 2018 amid recovery in financial stability
Banking credit in Indonesia accelerated at a faster pace last year as financial stability commenced recovery, paring down risks of hawkish policy of U.S. Federal Reserve.
— Xinhua
National economy still faces risks in 2019: Committee
The Financial System Stability Committee (KSSK) has said Indonesia’s economy faces several risks this year, such as continuing trade and current account deficits and liquidity constraints.
— The Jakarta Post
314 Cases of Dengue Fever; Depok on Alert Status
The Depok City Government declared an alert status for dengue fever. As of January 25, 2019, there had been 314 dengue patients admitted to the hospital.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Laos, Thailand seeks ways to improve land management
Representatives of the Lao and Thai governments are meeting in Vientiane to discuss land management with the aim of strengthening the regulations and preventing the misuse of land in Laos.
— Vientiane Times
Families of 71 southern Lao flood victims receive compensation
Some 710,000 U.S. dollars has been paid to the families of 71 people who died or are still missing after an auxiliary dam collapsed in Sanamxay district, some 560 km southeast of Lao capital Vientiane, local daily Vientiane Times reported on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
Jinning, home to Confucius and now a tourist draw
a legendary 7,000-year-old city in China – which was home to renowned thinkers Confucius and Mencius – is also abundant in natural beauty.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysia goes up one notch higher to 61 in corruption index
Malaysia has gone up one place to 61 out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perception Index (CPI) 2018.
— The Star Online
Wage must grow 3.5% annually for Malaysia to achieve high-income status
Salary in Malaysia must grow at an average rate of 3.5 per cent annually for the country to achieve high-income status by 2023, said an economist.
— The Star Online
Malaysia to put RM22.5b of homes on sale rack in March
Malaysia is planning a sale for RM22.5 billion of real estate to bridge the gap between property oversupply and lack of affordable homes, with developers asked to offer at least a 10% discount.
— The Edge Markets
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar to attract more than $200 billion investments over the next 20 years
Myanmar recently launched the Myanmar Investment Promotion Plan (MIPP) which aims to attract more than US$200 billion through responsible and quality business over the next 20 years, facilitating Myanmar’s transition to a middle-income country, said Myanmar State Counsellor Daw Aung San Suu Kyi at Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 on January 28.
— Eleven Myanmar
Gov’t takes steps to ease regulations in bid to attract foreign investment
U Thaung Tun, the Union Minister for Investment and Foreign Economic Relations and the Chairman of the Myanmar Investment Commission, attended the second day of the Invest Myanmar Summit 2019 in Nay Pyi Taw, and re-affirmed plans to establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and a Land Bank to ease investment procedures.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar
Myanmar official suggests downsizing or relocation of dam that frayed China ties
A top Myanmar investment official on Tuesday (Jan 29) suggested alternatives such as scaling back or relocating a stalled Chinese-backed dam project that has strained ties between the neighbours.
— Channel NewsAsia
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
2018 Corruption Index: Philippines improves 12 notches to 99th
The Philippines’ ranking has improved 12 notches in the 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) conducted by the global anti-corruption watchdog Transparency International.
— The Philippine Star
Govt debt balloons to P7.292T in 2018
National government (NG) debt ballooned to P7.292 trillion last year, expanding by over P600 billion from 2017 due to higher domestic and foreign borrowings, the Bureau of the Treasury reported on Tuesday.
— The Manila Times
P23B ‘pork’ by senators revealed
SEN. Panfilo Lacson yesterday said some senators have inserted about P23 billion worth of projects in their respective provinces without consulting the concerned agency.
— Malaya
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Singaporeans blast MOH for “covering up” HIV registry leak for years
Outraged Singaporeans have blasted the Ministry of Health (MOH) for keeping silent about the leak of confidential information from the HIV registry for years, until the information was disclosed online by a foreigner.
— The Independent sg
SIA to fuel in-house innovations with launch of KrisLab
IMMERSIVE in-flight entertainment headsets, an augmented reality colouring mobile application and a mobile service that notifies travellers abroad about nearby events and deals – these are some of the innovations brewing over at Singapore Airlines’ (SIA) newly-launched innovation lab, KrisLab.
— The Business Times
Changi Airport handles 65.6m passengers in 2018; traffic increase across all markets
Changi Airport handled 65.6 million passengers in 2018, a 5.5 per cent increase from 2017.
— Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Australian PM Asks Thailand to Free Detained Footballer
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has urged Thailand to stop the extradition to Bahrain of a detained football player who has refugee status in Australia, his office said Tuesday.
— Khaosod English
Corruption rises in Thailand, global watchdog says
Thailand dropped to 36 points, one lower than the year before, in Transparency International’s 2018 Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018 released on Tuesday. The index ranges from 100 (very clean) to 0 (very corrupt).
— Bangkok Post
Toxic smog levels soar again
Toxic smog levels soared in greater Bangkok’s stagnant air on Tuesday morning with fine dust particle readings of 50-116 microgrammes, peaking in Samut Sakhon’s Muang district.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam targets 18 million foreign holiday-makers in 2019
Vietnam aims to receive about 18 million foreign visitors and 85 million domestic ones in 2019, and earn more than 700 trillion VND (30.2 billion USD) from tourism, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
— VNA NET
Hanoi enjoys 7.3 percent rise in January’s exports
Hanoi’s export revenue in January reached 1.18 billion USD, up 1.3 percent over the previous month and 7.3 percent year on year, reported Bao Dau tu (Investment Review).
— VNA NET
Japan to remove 86 percent of tax lines for Vietnam after CPTPP
Japan is set to lift 86 percent of the tariff lines for Vietnamese products in line with its commitments in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
— 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.
Asean morning news for January 30 added by Digital Editor on
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