Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
China’s Belt and Road Initiative criticised for poor standards and ‘wasteful’ spending
China’s massive infrastructure spending in Southeast Asian nations under the Belt and Road Initiative has run into a series of problems including substandard work and money wasted on unprofitable projects, a new report has warned.
— Today Online
The rules-based maritime order is not completely adrift
Over two days in May 2019, navy chiefs and maritime experts from across the world gathered in Singapore for the sixth edition of the International Maritime Security Conference (IMSC).
— East Asia Forum
Intra-Asean flows gain ground even as US, China trade blows
EVEN as all eyes are trained on US-China trade tensions and the possibility of a global recession, trading within the region has been trending upwards.
— The Business Times (paywall)
PH Communications Chief Underscores Role of Regional Cooperation in Adopting Digital Technology During Media Summit
Philippines Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar participated in the 16th Asia Media Summit in Siem Reap, Cambodia on June 12, where he discussed the competitive environment in media amid the digital revolution, and how developing countries can not only catch up, but also move beyond technology.
— PTV News
‘Youth bulge’ in Asean best draw for financing for infrastructure
THE young population in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) member-countries remains its biggest asset in terms of attracting financing needed to plug the region’s infrastructure constraints like those from the United States.
— Business Mirror
ASEAN: Prioritize rights of Rohingya
As ASEAN prepares for its 34th Summit in Bangkok on June 20 to 23, the heads of member states must keep the Rohingya crisis at the top of their agenda.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Discover the latest trends in the ASEAN and China tech ecosystems at TechNode’s ORIGIN
an international conference that aims to examine the latest developments in ASEAN’s and China’s tech startup scene – is back for its second edition. It will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on June 21, 2019.
— e27
Across ASEAN, regulatory sandboxes are managing risk in fintech innovation
The ASEAN region, with high internet adoption but relatively low availability of traditional banking services, is a fertile ground for innovators in financial technology.
— KrAsia
Border province continues educational cooperation with neighboring countries
Tanapa Suraruangchai wants to settle in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, though the 21-year old Thai girl has only been here for two years.
— Xinhuanet
Andanar pushes for stronger technology links among ASEAN nations
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday pushed for stronger links in the area of technology among countries in the Southeast Asia region.
— PTV News
Asean region faces two key economic challenges, SCB Abacus chief tells forum
The Asean region faces two key economic challenges in this age of disruption, Sutapa Amornvivat, CEO of SCB Abacus, told a recent Institute of International Finance forum held in Japan.
— The Nation
U.S. eyes Southeast Asia ties to check China ambitions
FOR the United States, competing with China must now be our national priority, as indicated in multiple US high-level documents. But the US is not competing for its own sake.
— New Straits Times
ASEAN should exploit trade war opportunities: Envoy
ASEAN must be able to convince multinational companies to relocate operations to the region in order to achieve “positive impacts” from the trade rift between the United States and China, Phasporn Sangasubana, Thailand’s permanent representative to ASEAN and current chair of the regional bloc, has said.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines to hold joint exercise
Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines have agreed to hold a joint land patrol exercise next month to tackle security challenges in the waters between Borneo island and the southern Philippines, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
— The Sun Daily
GDP growth and a rise in disposable income in the ASEAN region will play a key role in growth of Flexible Packaging Market
TMR anticipates that the ASEAN flexible packaging market is expected to witness growth with a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period between 2016 and 2024.
— Market Industry Reports
Farming in the city
Urban farming could help provide a boost to the region’s food security and safety issues.
— The Asean Post
Asean finds six non-compliant cosmetic products on sale
Three cosmetic products containing banned ingredients, and another three with mercury above the permitted level, were found on sale in the region covered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) by ongoing post-market surveillance programmes.
— Chemical Watch
The Automotive Market in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, Q3 2018: Regulations, Growth Indicators, and Forecast – ResearchAndMarkets.com
The “Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar Automotive Market Regulations, Growth Indicators, and Forecast, Q3 2018” report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com’s offering.
— Yahoo Finance (media release)
10 Southeast Asian flicks to screen at free film festival kicking off next week
Ten movies from Southeast Asian nations – six features and four shorts – will be showing at a downtown cinema for the SAC ASEAN Film Festival that’s being held later this month.
— Coconuts Bangkok
Asia’s most challenging golf courses
Golfers fall in love with courses for their beautiful views, world-class services, and impeccable layouts.
— The Thaiger
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Cambodia Faces Pressure Over Push to Rid Brick Kilns of Slave Labor
A new government push to stamp out debt bondage and child labor in Cambodian brick kilns needs to be backed by a fresh commitment to enforcement, campaigners warned on Wednesday.
— The Irrawaddy
Sar Kheng concerned over laundering
Minister of Interior Sar Kheng has expressed concerns that recent money laundering cases involving huge sums will see Cambodia placed on a global financial blacklist.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Some 30K child workers saved
A senior official of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training said on Wednesday that around 30,000 Cambodian children had been rescued from the most serious forms of hard labour in the Kingdom over the past five years.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Telkomsel Indonesia to Deploy Ericsson Core in Preparation for 5G
Indonesia’s largest mobile service provider Telkomsel has selected Ericsson’s (ERIC) NFV infrastructure (NFVI) core network technology for a major core network upgrade as it moves towards 5G deployment.
— Yahoo News
Ministry Blocks Online Cigarette Advertising
Communication and Informatics Minister Rudiantara, said that he had received a letter on restricting cigarette advertising on the internet, which was delivered by the Health Ministry.
— Tempo.co
Jakarta Crime Rate Drops 24 percent in 2019
Jakarta Metro Police Chief Insp. Gen. Eddy Pramono announced the police’s Ketupat Jaya operation succeeded in reducing the number of criminal cases and accidents compared to the same period last year.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Dengue Claims 14 Lives Nationwide
The first six months have witnessed 14 people’s lives claimed by dengue fever with five casualties reported in Vientiane Capital, three each in Savannakhet and Champassak, two in Saravan and one in Bolikhamxay.
— KPL
Largest trade exhibition to kick off next week in Laos
The largest professional trade exhibition of the country, Lao Top 3 Expo 2019, will kick off at the National Convention Centre in Vientiane next week and showcase products aimed at the building, construction, water supply, food and beverage and trade industries.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times
China’s Belt and Road Initiative criticised for poor standards and ‘wasteful’ spending
China’s massive infrastructure spending in Southeast Asian nations under the Belt and Road Initiative has run into a series of problems including substandard work and money wasted on unprofitable projects, a new report has warned.
— Today Online
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Approved FDI in Q1 up 73% to RM29.3b, says Guan Eng
Approved foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first quarter of 2019 surged by 73.4% to RM29.30bil from RM16.90bil a year ago, Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng said.
— The Star Online
Transport Ministry caps bus fares between KL and Seremban at RM6.50
Bus companies travelling between Kuala Lumpur and Seremban in Negri Sembilan can only charge each passenger a maximum of RM6.50 per trip, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said today.
— Malay Mail
Trade War Spurs 1,360% Investment Jump in Malaysian State
The Malaysian state of Penang is winning from global investors’ search for safe havens amid the U.S.-China trade tensions.
— Bloomberg
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Emerging Opportunities in Myanmar’s Construction Sector
Myanmar’s economy is expected to register a 6.9 percent growth in 2019, following a previous slow down due to political reasons.
— Asean Briefing
Myanmar to allow private plantations to export timber
The government will allow trees grown in plantations owned by the private sector and state-owned companies to be harvested for their timber and exported.
— Myanmar Times
Govt allows foreign companies to export rice, other commodities
The Ministry of Commerce (MOC) will now allow foreign and joint venture companies to export specific food and commodity items, according to Notification 24/2019 released on June 6.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
PhilHealth corruption: all healthcare providers “being watched” (video)
The Philippines National Bureau of Investigations (NBI) has launched a wide ranging inquiry into medical clinics and health service providers associated with Philippine Health Insurance Corporation (PhilHealth).
— AEC News Today (video)
Duterte prodded to invoke Unclos, file case vs China over ‘hit and run’ at sea
ANGERED by reports that a Chinese boat “rammed” a Filipino fishing vessel anchored in the West Philippine Sea (WPS) and then abandoned 22 fishermen as their boat sank, senators on Thursday prodded the Duterte administration to lodge a strong formal protest over what they deemed a blatant violation of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
— Business Mirror
Safeguards in place for graft-free UHC implementation, DOH chief assures
Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III on Thursday assured that anti-corruption safeguards are in place for the implementation of the Universal Health Care (UHC), even as he warned all health-care providers and Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) officials not to “cheat the system nor even attempt to do it.”
— Business Mirror
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
FTI: Agriculture stimulus needed for growth
The new government is being urged to stimulate the country’s agricultural sector because crop prices remain low and farmers have limited purchasing power in the local market, says the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI).
— Bangkok Post
Moody’s: Ageing, labour issues dog Thailand
Despite a strong fiscal position and low external vulnerability constituting credit strengths amid recurring political uncertainty, Thailand’s ageing society, moderate competitiveness and labour shortages will weigh on economic growth and public finances over time, says Moody’s Investors Service.
— Bangkok Post
Stranded Rohingyas linked to human trafficking: Thai police
Many Rohingya Muslims have boarded boats in recent months to try to reach Malaysia, part of what authorities fear could be a new wave of people smuggling by sea after a 2015 crackdown on trafficking.
— Reuters
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam creates optimal conditions for foreign investors: NA leader
Vietnam is willing to create favourable conditions for foreign companies, including those from the US, to invest and expand business and production in the country, said Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Phung Quoc Hien.
— NDO
Ministry issues ICT reference framework for smart city development
The ICT (information and communication technology) reference framework for the development of smart cities (version 1.0) has been issued by the Ministry of Information and Communications as a basis for localities and businesses to develop smart city projects.
— Viet Nam News
Vietnam’s auto sales increase 22 pct in 5 months
Vietnam’s total automobile sales grew 22 percent on-year to 126,646 units in the first five months of this year, the Vietnam Automobile Manufacturers Association said on Thursday.
— Xinhua
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.