Asean morning news for June 7

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

ASEAN think tank welcomes Japan policy shift to admit more foreign workers
WITH THE DECLINE of working age employees threatening Japan’s economy, the ASEAN +3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said it backs Japan’s moves to open its doors to foreign workers to help address the issue of a shrinking working-age population.
— BusinessWorld Online

Pompeo to visit Bangkok, commit to Southeast Asia: official
Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will recommit the United States on a visit to Bangkok to supporting the development of Southeast Asian nations in the face of a rising China, an official said Thursday.
— The Business Times

Warburg Pincus nearing close of $4.3 billion China-Southeast Asia fund: sources
Warburg Pincus LLC is nearing the final close of an at least $4.25 billion private equity fund focusing on Chinese and Southeast Asian investments, people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters.
— Reuters

WB report offers roadmap to next-level digital economy
With the aim of ensuring that the economic and social dividends of technology can reach everyone, a new World Bank report, “The Digital Economy in Southeast Asia – Strengthening the Foundations for Future Growth”, analyses the opportunities and challenges facing the region to scale up digital development.
— The Nation

Maybank wants to link up Gulf Cooperation Council, Asean with Islamic banking
Maybank Islamic Bhd (MIB), the largest Islamic bank by asset in Asean, wants to be the bridge for the Islamic banking sector between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the region after its Dubai branch starts its operation by June this year.
— The Star Online

Asean faces key challenge: Go green or choke on air pollution, says US energy specialist
Increasingly foul air from rapidly growing cities and industry could force South-east Asian nations to speed up the switch to cleaner sources of energy and to meet UN climate goals, says a leading energy specialist.
— The Straits Times

ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2019 kicks off in Bangkok
For those interested in energy technology, the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) in Bang Na district, Bangkok, is holding the ASEAN Sustainable Energy Week 2019 from June 5 to 8.
— Vietnamplus

PM Lee’s Facebook post on Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia draws ire
A recent Facebook post by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong that touched on Vietnam’s invasion of Cambodia in 1978 has sparked anger in both countries.
— The Straits Times

Singapore Exchange to boost derivatives, target Southeast Asia unicorns
Singapore Exchange Ltd (SGX) aims to add products to its lucrative derivatives business and offer Southeast Asian unicorns a platform to list shares and bonds, in a multi-asset strategy aimed at sustaining growth, its chief executive said.
— Economic Times

MRC and Australia reactivate Mekong cooperation
The Mekong River Commission and Murray-Darling Basin Authority of Australia on Wednesday signed an MoU to reactivate a partnership on technical collaboration which had been in limbo over the past few years due to institutional reforms.
— Khmer Times

WB urges measures to increase affordability of internet, implement
THAILAND is closing in on two milestones marking its advancement in digital technology – the extension of internet coverage to all villages and the final testing for a national digital ID scheme.
— The Nation

Accelerating Asia launches startup accelerator for Asean sustainable city development
ACCELERATING Asia, a network of startup programmes and an early-stage venture capital fund, has partnered the Australia government to develop a Singapore-based startup accelerator programme targeting startups which solve problems related to sustainable development and improving city living.
— The Business Times

Vietnamese, Italian PMs co-chair Italy-ASEAN economic relations dialogue
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Italian counterpart Giuseppe Conte co-chaired the third High-Level Dialogue on Italy-ASEAN Economic Relations in Hanoi on June 6, held during the latter’s official visit to Vietnam.
— Vietnamplus

‘ASEAN Week 2019’ to feature art, tourism in South Korea
Intergovernmental organization ASEAN-Korea Centre is set to hold ASEAN Week 2019 from June 14 to 16 at Seoul Plaza, South Korea.
— The Jakarta Post

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

World Bank giving $60 million to help poor farmers
The World Bank will provide about $60 million in continued funding for the third phase of a project by the Agriculture Ministry to improve poor farmers’ livelihoods, a representative said.
— Khmer Times

No exchange of sovereignty for EBA access, Prak Sokhonn tells EU
Foreign Affairs Minister Prak Sokhonn yesterday met with a visiting EU delegation and reiterated that the government will not exchange its sovereignty for access to the Everything-but-arms trade scheme.
— The Korea Times

CDC Endorses some US$60 Investment Projects
Council for the Development of Cambodia has endorsed investments project worth about US$60 million, according the council’s update released yesterday.
— AKP

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Indonesia Power Generation Market Boosted by High Electricity Demand; Market to Reach US$63.6 bn by 2022
The growing population and a subsequent increasing demand for energy are by far the leading factors propelling the Indonesia power generation market.
— Technology Market

Sharks killed in secretive Indonesian trade despite government efforts to protect some species
There were only a few sharks for sale on the day the ABC was invited to the fish market in the north Javanese city of Indramayu.
— ABC News

Indonesia’s annual inflation rate seen accelerating in May
Indonesia’s annual inflation rate is seen accelerating in May from a month earlier amid Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr celebration when most Indonesians spend more for food and transportation, a Reuters poll showed on Thursday.
— Nasdaq

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Lao trade figures struggle to reach target
Laos’ combined exports and imports for this year are struggling to achieve the target after figures for the first four months of the year reached only 22.7 per cent of the plan for 2019, the National Assembly (NA) reported.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Laos approves Tadsakoi hydropower plant
The government has given the green light to Tadsakoi Power Company Limited to build the Tadsakoi hydropower project in Sepon district, Savannakhet province.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

More Northeast transport links to Laos in the works
Numerous transport infrastructure projects in the Northeast are in the pipeline to establish links between Thailand and Laos, Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith says.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysia set to become preferred location for semiconductor industry
Malaysia is poised to become the preferred location for international companies looking to expand their semiconductor businesses, especially in the wafer fabrication (fab) industry.
— The Star Online

Shrinking factory activity nothing to worry about, says economist
An economist has shrugged off news that factory activity in most Asian countries has contracted due to the escalating trade war between the US and China, saying it should not be cause for worry.
— FMT

With 500 drownings annually, Malaysian hotspots need more warning signs
More warning signs should be prominently placed at recreational swimming areas that pose a high risk of drowning.
— New Straits Times

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Thilawa special economic zone to launch new phase
A Japan-backed special economic zone in Myanmar is expanding as an alternative production hub for China and Vietnam, attracting growing numbers of Japanese and other foreign firms to the outskirts of Yangon.
— Bangkok post

Myanmar GDP expected to rise 6.8 percent by 2020
Myanmar’s economy is expected to grow in coming years while the country’s GDP is estimated to rise to 6.8 percent in 2020, Vice President Myint Swe quoted Asian Development Bank as saying.
— Eleven Myanmar

Govt relaxes visa restrictions for Europe, urged to regulate ‘zero-dollar tours’
The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism will reduce visa restrictions for six European countries to boost the number of inbound tourists to Myanmar and give the sector a needed boost.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Foreign investment pledges hit P46B in Q1
FOREIGN-INVESTMENT approvals saw a substantial increase in the first quarter of 2019, the government reported on Thursday, with four investment-promotion agencies (IPA) recording growth in the period.
— The Manila Times

ADB grants $3-M for climate resilient PPP projects
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is providing an additional $3-million technical assistance (TA) grant to the Philippine government through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Center for local climate-resilient PPP projects.
— Manila Bulletin

Duterte backs use of Marawi rehab fund to Mecca trip: ‘Ano ba naman ‘yang P5M?’
President Rodrigo Duterte has defended the use of Marawi rehabilitation funds for the pilgrimage of some displaced residents to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
— Inquirer.net

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

PUB plans massive floating solar panel system in reservoir
One of the world’s largest single floating solar photovoltaic (PV) systems will find a home in the waters of Singapore’s Tengeh Reservoir by 2021.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

JLC Advisors’ partner Jeffrey Ong faces S$6m cheating charge
JLC Advisors managing partner Jeffrey Ong Su Aun was a picture of calm on Thursday when he requested that the judge balance the prosecution’s application to extend his period of remand with his wish to be bailed out earlier.
— The Business Times

Heng Swee Keat urges Singapore youth to grab opportunities across Asia
Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has urged Singapore’s young to go forth and seize the fast-growing opportunities in Asia to build a better tomorrow for themselves.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Palang Pracharat warned government in trouble if cabinet seat promises not kept
Democrat party leader Jurin Laksanavisit said today he believes the Palang Pracharat party will keep its promise over cabinet seats to be allocated to the Democrats, whereas Thepthai Senpong, a…
— Thai PBS News

Activists Debate Taking to Streets to Protest Prayuth
Campaigners who spent much of the past five years leading anti-junta protests were divided on Thursday over whether they should do the same in response to parliament electing junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha to a second term in office.
— Khaosod English

Slump first test for new government
Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha’s new government faces the immediate task of shoring up a buckling economy after being picked by lawmakers to continue as prime minister following March’s disputed general election.
— Bangkok Post

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam’s car localization rate remains low: ministry
Vietnam’s automobile industry has witnessed progress in the last two years, but the localization rate remains low, not meeting the set target, according to its Ministry of Industry and Trade.
–Xinhua

Vietnam’s envoy to Cambodia on PM Lee’s online remark: We have not forsaken lessons of history
Radio Free Asia (RFA) reported yesterday (‘Singapore PM Stirs Flap in Cambodia by Bringing up Vietnam’s 1979 Invasion’, 5 Jun) that the Cambodian officials are unhappy with a recent online remark by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, recalling Vietnam’s January 1979 invasion and …
— The Online Citizen

Vietnam: Facebook user gets six-year jail for ‘anti-state’ posts
Dissident activist Nguyen Ngoc Anh is sentenced to six years in prison for online posts as the EU calls for his release.
— Aljazeera

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.