Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
Low Inflation in Southeast Asia Puts Analysts on Rate-Cut Watch
Low inflation sweeping across Southeast Asia is here to stay, raising the odds some of the region’s biggest economies may reverse course on interest rates this year.
— Bloomberg
Trade Tensions, Political Risks Weigh on Southeast Asian Economies’ GDP Outlook
Several Southeast Asian economies are facing a slowdown in inflation, weaker business investment, and a cooling in GDP growth amid the ongoing trade tensions between China and the US, as well as the upcoming elections.
— Sputnik International
BBL offers QR payments in Japan
Bangkok Bank (BBL) plans to start offering cross-border payments via standardised QR code in Japan later this month and aims to extend digital payment service across Asean in the next phase.
— Bangkok Post
Forcing ASEAN to take sides is doomed to fail
The Pacific does not always seem quite pacific as its waters are roiled by forces inimical to peace.
— Global Times
EU, Asean can work together to become global leaders: Panel
Europe and Asean can work together as global leaders in the light of the US stepping back and China’s unwillingness to take on the task – but doing so comes with challenges.
— The Straits Times
Can Japan contribute to equitable development in ASEAN?
The establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in December 2015 was a notable milestone in the economic integration of Southeast Asia.
— East Asia Forum
Emerging-Market Bonds Are Picking Up Steam
The pieces are falling into place for a rally in emerging-market debt.
— Bloomberg
Asean’s challenges and potentials
The current and future role of Asean has recently been discussed among academic scholars, political analysts and Asean leaders.
— Khmer Times
AI is changing the fight against human trafficking
AI is transforming the human rights space and encouraging civilian participation in the fight against human trafficking.
— Asean Today
Southeast Asia is not sleeping enough
We spend up to one-third of our lives sleeping, a basic human need which is crucial to our overall health and well-being.
— The Asean Post
Minister for Asia highlights southeast Asia opportunities at OECD
Mark Field, Minister for Asia and the Pacific, visited the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris on 11 March to address participants at a high-level forum on Southeast Asia.
— GOV.UK
Shop online and save the planet
Southeast Asia is home to some of the world’s fastest expanding economies, with a combined economy about the size of the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) or US$2.6 trillion.
— The Asean Post
RoK President concludes three-nation ASEAN tour
President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in returned home on March 16, concluding his week-long trip to three Association of Southeast Asian (ASEAN) nations.
— Saigon Giai Phong
ASEAN-Canada Joint Cooperation Committee holds 7th meeting
A Vietnamese delegation led by Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, head of the country’s permanent mission to ASEAN, attended the seventh ASEAN – Canada Joint Cooperation Committee Meeting, which took place in Jakarta, Indonesia on March 15.
— Saigon Giai Phong
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Cambodian Court Orders to Arrest Sam Rainsy and Seven Others, Treason
The investigating judge of the Phnom Penh Municipal Court, Koy Sao, issued a warrant to arrest Sam Rainsy and seven others of his accomplices, allegedly charged with a new case of treason, according to the court’s order Fresh News received Sunday.
— Fresh News
Cambodia Rejects Findings of US Rights Report
The Cambodian government on Friday rejected the findings of a US State Department of State report on the state of human rights in the country.
— VOA Cambodia
NBC launch national strategy to fight against financial crime
The National Bank of Cambodia (NBC) launched the National Strategy for Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (ML/FT) 2019-2023 on Thursday and provided stakeholders with a document outlining the key strategies to fight ML/FT in the next five years.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Death toll in Indonesia’s flash floods rises to 63
Rescuers had evacuated 63 bodies and were rushing to search and rescue dozens of missing people after flash floods struck Jayapura district of Indonesia’s easternmost Papua province Saturday night, a spokesman of the provincial search and rescue office said on Sunday.
— Xinhua
Indonesia books $329.5 million trade surplus in February
Indonesia’s trade balance is showing signs of recovery as the country recorded a US$329.5 million surplus in February, thanks to a steep drop in imports.
— The Jakarta Post
5.5-magnitude quake hits 4 km SW of Sembalunbumbung, Indonesia — USGS
An earthquake of 5.5 magnitude jolted 4 km SW of Sembalunbumbung, Indonesia at 07:07:27 GMT on Sunday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
Tourism holds the key to green growth
Protection of the country’s national parks and cultural traditions will be strengthened with the government’s commitment to the National Green Growth Strategy.
— Vientiane Times
WB Approves Support For Nutrition, Public Financial Management In Laos
The Lao PDR will benefit from US$72 million in new financing, under three projects approved on Mar 14 by the World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors, which focus on reducing malnutrition in children and improving public resource use and service delivery.
— KPL
DPM calls on health officials to wipe out measles-rubella
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Mr Somdy Duangdy, has called on health officials countrywide to continue their advocacy efforts to prevent an outbreak of measles-rubella.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
Foreign net fund outflow reduces to RM472.2mil
Foreign net outflow of funds between Monday and Thursday reduced to RM472.2 million against RM709.9 million recorded in the same period last week.
— New Straits Times
Malaysia threatens WTO challenge to EU’s move to drop palm biofuel
Malaysia on Saturday threatened to bring a World Trade Organisation (WTO) challenge if the European Union goes ahead with recommendations to phase out palm oil from transport fuel used in the bloc.
— Reuters
Third national car project will help Malaysians learn automotive knowledge: Mahathir
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said the government’s move to launch its third national car project was to enable Malaysians to learn and understand automotive engineering technology.He said Malaysians lacked knowledge in automotive engineering industry.
— The Sun Daily
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
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Per capita income of citizens projected to grow 6.3 pc this year
Per capita income of citizens is expected to hit 6.3 per cent this year, said Vice-President Myint Swe at a Chin State Investment and Local Products Show held on March 16.
— Eleven Myanmar
Myanmar’s Rakhine State Sees Increase in Conflict, Displacement
More than 3,200 people were displaced last week in Myanmar following intensified fighting between the Arakan Army rebel group and the Myanmar Military in the northern Mrauk-U Township.
— The Globe Post
Sino-Myanmar bilateral trade worth US$3.7 bln in four months Oct-Jan
The value of Myanmar’s trade with China in the first four months (Oct-Jan) of current fiscal year 2018-2019 totalled US$3.74 billion, including $1.6 million worth of exports and $2.13 billion for import, according to data released by the Ministry of Commerce.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu
Philippines out of ICC amid drug war inquiry
The Philippines was officially out of the International Criminal Court on Sunday, though the beleaguered tribunal has pledged to pursue its examination of alleged illegal killings in the government’s drug war.
— The Sun Daily
External debt up 8% in 2018 to $79 billion
The country’s external debt went up by eight percent year-on-year to $79 billion in 2018 from $73.1 billion with more government funding through loans for infrastructure projects.
— Manila Bulletin
Signal No. 1 hoisted over Davao Oriental as “Chedeng” enters PAR
-Signal No. 1 has been hoisted over Davao Oriental as Tropical Depression “Chedeng” entered the Philippine Area of Responsibility on Sunday, March 17.
— Eagle News
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Singapore’s 2019 Budget: Key Highlights
Singapore’s 2019 budget was announced on February 19 this year. With probably an eye on elections, which are likely to be held in early 2020, social provisions for the elderly and increased military spending find center stage in this year’s budget.
— Asean Briefing
Singapore to get its first life skills centre for young adults with Down syndrome
Singapore’s first training centre for young adults with Down syndrome which will teach them to live independently will open next month.
— The Straits Times (annoying popups)
Singapore had exemption from sanctions for Trump-Kim summit: MFA
Singapore received a general exemption from United Nations sanctions on North Korea for activities during the Trump-Kim summit last June, allowing for luxury items such as Mercedes-Benz cars to be brought in by the North Korean delegation.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov         @piseth6666
Muslim Insurgents Open Fire on Passenger Train in Southern Thailand
An unknown number of men fired shots at a Yala-bound passenger train in an ambush in Rueso district on Friday evening. The attack slightly damaged the train but caused no injuries.
— Chiang Rai Times
Bangkok’s era of open-air buses to end in 2022
The Bangkok Mass Transit Authority (BMTA) aims to have all non-aircon buses off the roads by 2022.
— The Nation (very annoying popups)
2nd Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge ready for Tuesday opening
Preparations have been underway for the opening of the second Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge linking Thailand’s Mae Sot district and Myanmar’s border city of Myawaddy on Tuesday.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men          @MenSreypov
Vietnam world’s fourth biggest seafood exporter
Vietnam now ranks fourth globally, first in Southeast Asia and second in Asia in terms of exports of seafood, and its products are now available in over 170 countries and territories worldwide.
— VietnamPlus
PetroVietnam’s troubled billion-dollar investment in Venezuela probed
The Ministry of Public Security’s Investigation Agency is investigating possible fraud by PetroVietnam in its Venezuelan oil exploration and production project.
— VnExpress
HCM City port welcomes largest-ever container ship
Morotai, a container ship owned by CMA CGM Group Agencies (Australia) Pty Ltd., docked at the SP-ITC International Container Terminal in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, on March 15, following the route from the city to Australia and vice versa.
— Hellenic Shipping News
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.