Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

China CNOOC invites foreign firms to bid for South China Sea, Bohai blocks
China National Offshore Oil Corporation, or CNOOC, has issued a tender inviting foreign firms to jointly explore and produce oil and gas in the South China Sea and the Bohai Bay area, according to a statement posted on the company’s website on Wednesday.
— Reuters

Japan-ASEAN Indo-Pacific Security Cooperation in Focus with Ship Rider Program Launch
This week, Japan launched the latest iteration of what is one of the newer manifestations of Tokyo’s security collaboration with Southeast Asian states.
— The Diplomat

ASEAN offers silver lining as dark clouds hover over the horizon
As the common English phrase goes, it never rains but it pours!
— The Business Times

China Deploys Fighter Jets at Disputed Island in South China Sea, as US Allies Conduct Naval Exercises
Satellite images recently revealed that China has deployed at least four of its J-10 mainstay fighter jets on the contested territory of Woody Island in the South China Sea.
— Spratly Islands

ASEAN’s unicorns growing
ASEAN’s attractive investment market, along with an expansive digital environment has led to the emergence of a vibrant start-up ecosystem across the region.
— The Asean Post

SEA is fastest-growing shabu market — world report
Southeast Asia has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing market for methamphetamine or shabu, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reported.
— The Philippine Star

The state of investments in Southeast Asia
Depending on whom you speak to, investments in the region are growing at a rapid pace or the market is coming to a bubble.
— KrAsia

Southeast Asia’s plastic waste problem
Seventy-five per cent of globally exported waste ends up in Asia. But since July 2017 — when China began to ban imports of plastic waste — Southeast Asia in particular has become a dumping ground for wealthier countries’ waste.
— Khmer Times

Saving the China-ASEAN South China Sea Code of Conduct
Last weekend’s Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, held in Bangkok, demonstrated a positive spirit among ASEAN members, but failed to yield substantial progress over a Code of Conduct (COC) regulating actions in the South China Sea.
— The Diplomat

Korea seeks stronger ties with young, fast-growing economies of Southeast Asia
South Korea is deepening ties with Southeast Asia in hopes of creating new growth engines in the region’s young, fast-growing economies and seeking a breakthrough amid growing uncertainties in global trade.
— The Korea Herald

China, ASEAN share experience in social development, poverty reduction
The 13th China-ASEAN Forum on Social Development and Poverty Reduction opened Wednesday in southern China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
— Xinhuanet

Grab raises $300m more from Invesco to fuel growth in Southeast Asia
Grab has received an additional US$300 million investment from global investment management company Invesco, helping the ride-hailing giant further accelerate its expansion in Southeast Asia.
— Tech in Asia

E-commerce players in Southeast Asia need to work harder as consumers wise up
Online retailers in Southeast Asia need to focus efforts on meeting the demands of their target markets as regional consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, Sharmeen Looi, Co-founder at cashback reward program ShopBack Malaysia, told the audience at TechNode’s ORIGIN conference, held during Malaysia Tech Week 2019.
— TechNode

Asean garment makers meet on working together
Garment manufacturers from Asean countries yesterday gathered for a two-day meeting in Phnom Penh to discuss challenges facing the industry and promote region-wide cooperation.
— Khmer Times

Franchise Registration Requirements in ASEAN Countries
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a region of increasingly significant interest to global businesses and corporations.
— Lexology

ARF Peacemaking Experts’ Meeting starts in Qingdao
The 7th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Peacemaking Experts’ Meeting started in Qingdao of eastern China’s Shandong Province Thursday.
— Xinhuanet

Most Common Intellectual Property Rights Problems: Focus On South – East Asia
Intellectual Property (IP) protection is an essential strategy for securing a return on investment in innovation, offering IP owners a competitive edge.
— Mondaq

How to get smart capital in Southeast Asia
Smart capital, simply put, refers to the investment that brings along additional value such as knowledge, relationships, potential partnerships in addition to cash.
— e27

Asian Companies With More Women on Boards Deliver Better Results
Southeast Asian and Chinese companies with more women on their boards delivered better financial results than those dominated by men, according to a study by the International Finance Corp.
— Bloomberg

How to rethink Southeast Asia’s energy systems to meet climate goals
Southeast Asia is the only region in the world where coal’s share of the energy mix is growing.
— Eco-Business

Invest Cyprus in campaign in three Southeast Asian countries
With a view to exploring new markets with great potential for investment, the Cyprus Investment Promotion Agency (“Invest Cyprus”) organised a large-scale campaign in Southeast Asia between June 17 and 21 entitled: “Cyprus: Your EU gateway to global investments”.
— In-Cyprus

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

At Least Five Illegal Projects Uncovered in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Following Fatal Building Collapse
A new committee tasked with inspecting construction permits in Preah Sihanouk province in the wake of a fatal building collapse over the weekend has already found five illegally operating projects, Cambodia’s Interior Minister Sar Kheng said Wednesday.
— RFA

Rise in vehicle numbers causing major problems
A ministry of Public Works and Transport official said on Monday that the number of vehicles in Cambodia had increased by 300,000 to 400,000 in the last year, with the huge growth causing problems such as traffic congestion and pollution.
— The Phnom Penh Post

Government launches eco, biodiversity policies
The Ministry of Environment has begun implementing the policies of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), an intergovernmental body which assesses the state of biodiversity in response to requests from decision makers.
— 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

 

New ADB Loans to Help Rebuild Critical Infrastructure in Central Sulawesi
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved $297.75 million for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of public works and transport infrastructure in Central Sulawesi, where a 7.4-magnitude earthquake last year claimed thousands of lives and destroyed property and livelihoods.
— Relief Web

Indonesia to cull 3 million chickens in a bid to boost prices
Indonesia has told poultry breeders to cull around three million chickens over a two-week period from Wednesday (June 26) to prop up plunging prices, as farmers protested by giving away thousands of live birds for free.
— Strait Times

World Bank approves US$300 million for poverty reduction in Indonesia
The World Bank Executive Board of Directors approved a loan of US$300 million to accelerate poverty reduction and improve services in more than 66,000 villages in 380 districts across Indonesia.
— Antara News

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

Two Years Later, 60 Families in Laos Still Waiting for Compensation for Dam Collapse
Sixty families in Laos who were affected by the collapse of a small hydroelectric dam two years ago may finally learn when they can expect cash compensation now that a central-government-backed investigation into the damages is complete.
— RFA

Foreign firms eye bigger markets in Laos
Companies from Asia, Asean states and Europe are eyeing markets for their products in Laos, which is witnessing strong demand.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Australia Announces Additional Funding For UXO Clearance In Attapeu
The Government of Australia has increased its contribution to UXO clearance operations in the areas flooded last year in Attapeu in order to ensure the safety of resettled communities dislocated by the floods.
— KPL

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Budget 2020 to focus on shared prosperity through high income economy
Budget 2020 will focus on the government’s shift towards high-quality growth to achieve developed nation status.”At the same time, it is important that the growth must be felt by all segments of our society,” Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng (pix) said today.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia posts net FDI inflows of RM32.6b in 2018
Malaysia’s foreign direct investment (FDI) recorded net inflows of RM32.6 billion in 2018 against RM40.4 billion a year before.
— The Star Online

Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines sign deal to expand codeshare ties
National carriers Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS) on Thursday (Jun 27) signed a preliminary agreement that could see them “significantly” expand codeshare flights.
— Channel NewsAsia

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Yangon’s standard land prices reduced 10pc
Land prices on a per square foot basis in Yangon’s townships for the 2019/2020 fiscal year has been reduced by 10pc compared to the last fiscal year in order to support more sales transactions as well as encourage landowners to pay their taxes.
— Myanmar Times

Foreign Developer Proposes 7,000-Acre Project in Sittwe
Foreign developer Gold Coast KTMG Myanmar has proposed a US$38 billion “new city” project in the suburbs of Sittwe, Rakhine State’s capital.
— Irrawaddy

Myanmar Migrants Released as Murder Convictions Overturned in Thailand
Two Myanmar migrants serving six- and eight-year sentences for the alleged murder of a Thai woman in Ranong, Thailand in 2015 won their appeal in a southern Thailand court Wednesday.
— The Irrawaddy

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu          @stmarisewudolu

 

South China Sea: Philippine leader caves to China amid calls for impeachment
Senate President Vicente Sotto III said that he sees no issue with Chinese fishermen venturing into private Philippine waters – despite his country having exclusive rights to their use.
— Spratly Islands

Gordon starts probe on PhilHealth irregularities
SENATOR RICHARD J. Gordon on Thursday said he plans to hold an investigation on irregularities in the Philippine Health Insurance Corp. (PhilHealth) when the 18th Congress opens on July 22.
— BusinessWorld Online

South China Sea: Philippines risk Bejing’s wrath after cancelling diplomatic passports
Beijing and Manila have found themselves locked in a bitter diplomatic row over the ownership of the South China Sea, with both countries claiming a right to the strategically important area.
— Spratly Islands

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

Singapore reviewing again 2019 growth forecast: MAS chief
BARELY a month after the government lowered the upper-range of the full-year growth forecast by one percentage point to between 1.5 and 2.5 per cent, it is again reviewing this estimate, as recent indicators suggest that second-quarter growth could even be weaker than the 1.2 per cent recorded in the quarter before.
— The Business Times

Netizens raise concerns on announcement of 10,000 tech-related jobs to be created by new government office
With the formation of a new government office announced by the Minister for Communications and Information S Iswaran on Wednesday (26 June), the private sector in Singapore is all set to witness the creation of about 10,000 new tech-related jobs in the next three years.
— The Online Citizen

PM Lee quashes all hope that S377A will be repealed anytime soon, says the law will be around “for some time”
Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has quashed all hope that Section 377A will be repealed in Singapore anytime soon, as he asserted that the law criminalising gay sex will be around “for some time.”
— The Independent

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre          @photo_journ

 

The Nation ceases publication after 48 years
After 48 years on the newsstands, The Nation, Thailand’s leading English-language daily known for its independent and aggressive news reporting, publishes its last print edition today.
— Thai PBS World

Thai June headline inflation rate seen easing to 1.1%
Thailand’s annual headline inflation rate in June likely slowed from the previous month, but remained within the central bank’s target range for a fourth straight month, a Reuters poll showed.
— Reuters

Thailand cannabis clinic reaches limit upon opening
Chao Phraya Abhaibhubejhr Hospital has announced that its medical cannabis clinic, which opened on Monday, will not accept any more patients as the clinic had reached its limit.
— Asia One

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men           @MenSreypov

 

Vietnam aims for 6.8% GDP growth in 2020
Vietnam will strive for a GDP growth of around 6.8% in 2020, according to Directive 16/CT-TTg on the building of socio-economic development plans and State budget estimates for 2020.
— NDO

Infrastructure perfection urged to boost investment attractiveness
Vietnam needs to swiftly perfect its infrastructure to meet growing development requirements as well as foreign investors’ demand, especially when it is expected to become the most attractive investment destination in the region, heard a forum in Hanoi on June 26.
— VietnamPlus

Vietnam eager to work with Japan to help fill labor gap under new visa program
Vietnam is eager to deepen its cooperation with Japan in the field of labor dispatch, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said.
— Japan Times

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.