Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Brunei to impose death by stoning for gay sex and adultery
Adultery and gay sex in Brunei will be subject to death by stoning from next week, authorities said, under a strict Syariah law that has been on hold for four years amid heavy criticism.
— The Straits Times
Southeast Asia GDP growth to slow to 4.8 percent in 2019
Economic growth across the Southeast Asia (SEA) region is expected to moderate to 4.8 per cent this year, from 5.1 per cent in 2018, as export growth cools amid increased trade protectionism and slower Chinese import demand, according to ICAEW’s latest Economic Insight: Southeast Asia report.
— VietNamNet Bridge
New developments in fintech are hitting Southeast Asia in waves
Fintech companies that combine innovative financial service business models with digital technologies are emerging in Southeast Asia in waves.
— e27
ASEAN promotes sustainable infrastructure connectivity
The first 2019 meeting of the ASEAN Connectivity Coordinating Committee (ACCC) and the third meeting of the Lead Implementing Body for Sustainable Infrastructure (LIB-SI) took place in Jakarta, Indonesia from March 25-26.
— VietnamPlus (media release)
Malaysia, Asean to benefit from high-profile trade events in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands
A string of upcoming high-profile activities aimed at promoting investments and trade with Malaysia are slated to be held in Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
— Malay Mail
Lancang-Mekong countries strengthen joint epidemic prevention
Representatives from six Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) countries met from Tuesday to Wednesday in Kunming, capital of southwest China’s Yunnan Province, to mark the success of a joint epidemic prevention platform.
— Xinhuanet
Strong Asean can minimise US-China trade tension effects
Any impact from the United States-China trade war can be minimised if Asean member countries unite and cooperate to create a trade bloc like the European Union (EU).
— Malay Mail
Two Ways for the United States to Deepen Diplomatic Engagement with ASEAN
As the region’s economic and security landscape continues to evolve, and as Chinese interests in the region grow, the United States government must increase its engagement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through two avenues: first, by confirming an ambassador to ASEAN, and second, by sending President Trump as the head of the U.S. delegation to the 2019 East Asia Summit (EAS).
— Global Security Review
Solar power gets more cost-competitive in Asean
RENEWABLE energy sources can be just as – or even more – cost-competitive than conventionally generated power in South-east Asia, a study by the Asean-German Energy Programme has found.
— The Business Times
Migrant domestic workers drive growth and encourage female participation in Asian economies
Migrant domestic workers contribute a total of US$21.7 billion per year to the economies of Hong Kong, Singapore, and Malaysia, according to a new report from credit reporting company Experian and Hong Kong NGO Enrich.
— Asean Today
AirAsia Group eyes disruption in Southeast Asian air cargo sector
Malaysian low-cost carrier AirAsia Group aims to disrupt the Southeast Asian air cargo sector by allowing customers to deal directly with the airline for their air shipping needs.
— Channel NewsAsia
Asean: Seize initiative to act now on North-east Asia, South Asia
Asean has a strategic window of opportunity right now to act in a way that can cement its centrality in regional affairs, and showcase what an organised grouping can do for regional peace.
— The Straits Times (paywall)
Creating a more financially inclusive Asean through open banking
Open banking has increasingly been described as a key enabler of innovation for banks and financial technology (fintech) players.
— The Business Times
Insight: Why ASEAN needs regional parliament
In the view of many observers, ASEAN is a success story of regional integration.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Emerging South East Asia real estate
Colliers International recently released a white paper Decoding South East Asia Real Estate: Insights for Owners, which provides market snapshots for six emerging markets and outlines real estate investment opportunities across Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Philippines and Vietnam.
— RETalk Asia (media release) (blog)
ASEAN, Canada enhance partnership
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada have agreed to promote cooperation across three pillars – politics-security, economy, and socio-culture, during the 16th ASEAN-Canada Dialogue at deputy foreign ministerial level.
— VietnamPlus (media release)
The trajectory of ASEAN smart cities
Currently one third of ASEAN’s population live in medium-sized cities (home to between 200,000 and 2 million people) but they contribute about two thirds of its gross domestic product.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)
Andanar urges ASEAN delegates to convey gains to people
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Martin Andanar on Wednesday urged delegates of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Committee on Culture and Information (COCI) Sub-Committee on Information to step up on their efforts to communicate the gains and initiatives of the regional bloc to its respective citizens.
— PTV News
Realising Smart Cities In ASEAN
Rapid urbanisation poses concerning implications across ASEAN by straining infrastructure, raising inequality and compromising public safety.
— Thailand Business News
Mekong Inclusive Education Advisor, Mekong Integrated Early Childhood Development Advisor and Mekong Research and Evidence Advisor based
As part of its strategic plan for achieving breakthroughs, Save the Children is seeking to increase its technical expertise across the Mekong region (Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam).
— The Phnom Penh Post
Experts meet to turn the tide on Asian songbird extinction crisis
Against a backdrop of multiple seizures, global experts are set to meet at the end of this week to discuss the illegal and unsustainable trade in Asian songbirds.
— TRAFFIC
AJC Conducted Interpretation Training Program for the Sustainable Tourism Management in UNESCO World Heritage Site Luang Prabang, Lao P.D.R.
The ASEAN-Japan Centre (AJC) conducted a “Follow-up Training Program on Interpretation” from February 27 to March 1, 2019 in Luang Prabang, Lao P.D.R, jointly with the Department of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Luang Prabang Province and GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenarbeit) *.
— Business Wire
Southeast Asian Galleries Set Their Sights on Art Basel Hong Kong
Next to a row of luxury hotels in a bustling business district here in Bangkok, the art gallery Nova Contemporary occupies a former storage area at the base of a high-rise apartment building.
— The New York Times
Changing attitudes towards women in hospitality
Xuan Thu started at the front desk of Victoria Resort in Can Tho, located at the southern end of Vietnam, and worked her way up to the very top.
— The Asean Post
Learning to fly
Unlike tiger developed economies in the region, the CMLV bloc members have in the past been overlooked due to many factors, but primarily for their regimes, which make transparent and functional legal mainframes for business a pipe dream.
— Vantage Asia
Applications open for the 3rd Asean Data Science Explorers
The Asean Foundation and cloud company SAP have launched the call for applications for the Asean Data Science Explorers (AseanDSE) 2019, targeted at tertiary students across all 10 Asean member states to harness the power of data to help solving the most pressing developmental issues in the region.
— The Manila Times
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Chinese tourists to Cambodia up 31.7 pct in first two months of 2019
Some 418,572 Chinese tourists visited Cambodia in the first two months of 2019, up 31.7 percent over the same period last year, the Tourism Ministry’s latest report showed on Wednesday.
— Xinhua
Cambodian Court Denies Request to Drop Charges Against Detained Opposition Chief Kem Sokha
A court in Cambodia has refused to drop “treason” charges against opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) chief Kem Sokha citing an ongoing investigation, his lawyer said Wednesday, despite holding him for more than a year in pre-trial detention.
— Radio Free Asia
Japan shouldn’t act like China in Cambodia
In a dimly lit ballroom at a Tokyo luxury hotel, Sok Chenda Sophea, the secretary-general of the Council for the Development of Cambodia and the minister attached to Prime Minister Hun Sen, persistently asked about 200 Japanese businesspeople to invest in Cambodia.
— The Japan Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Deforestation triggering natural calamities in Indonesia
Palm oil production in Indonesia has been held responsible for cutting down vast swathes of tropical forests and killing biodiversity. Now, deforestation may also be the reason why the region is witnessing flash floods.
— DW
Bank Indonesia, Navy distribute cash to outermost islands
Bank Indonesia (BI) in cooperation with the Indonesian Navy is distributing cash to the country’s 116 outermost islands to help prevent the use of foreign currencies in border areas.
— The Jakarta Post
When easing risks become reality in Indonesia
WE see Bank Indonesia cutting the policy rate by 75 basis points in 3Q19 amid a weaker US dollar, a more dovish Fed, low domestic inflation, and a narrowing current account deficit in Indonesia.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Japan Funds Health Centres, Water Supply System Construction Projects
The Japanese government has provided grant assistance worth over USD 414,000 for three health center projects and four water supply system projects through its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP).
— KPL
More than a thousand projects implemented unlawfully, top inspector says
As many as 1,225 state investment projects have been implemented unlawfully over the past years, the Government Inspection Authority (GIA) reported this week.
— Vientiane Times
Authorities to bolster heritage preservation efforts
Authorities will intensify their efforts to improve the preservation of the nation’s traditional culture including the launch of inspections and official registration of heritage restoration.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Malaysian economy to sustain growth momentum, spurred by private sector
The Malaysian economy is expected to sustain its growth momentum this year, propelled by private sector activity, with private consumption projected to expand by 6.6% from a preliminary 8.1% in 2018.
— FMT
94pct of SMEs able to secure financing
There is virtually no problem for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to obtain loans from financial institutions.
— New Straits Times
FMM: Tariff cut can ease pressure on manufacturers
A tariff reduction would help ease the pressure currently faced by manufacturers amid concerns of an impending economic slowdown, said the Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers (FMM).
— New Straits Times
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar — investors should be cautious but take the risk
A humanitarian crisis that has been brewing at the border between Myanmar and Bangladesh since 2016 is reaching a critical point. At Cox’s Bazar, just inside Bangladesh, an estimated 740,000 displaced Muslim Rohingya from Myanmar’s Rakhine State are encamped in temporary shelters, hoping that the international community will take them in as refugees or facilitate their safe return to the homes they claim in Myanmar.
— Nikkei Asian Review
New export strategy launched, but barriers remain
With export revenues having only increased by around US$2 billion over the past five years, Myanmar is aiming to boost its exports in the next five years by adding new sectors to its National Export Strategy (NES).
— Myanmar Times
Local investment reaches to over Ks4 B in real estate sector
Local investors put over Ks4 billion in real estate sector and it is over 24 per cent of total investment in Myanmar by local investors, according to Directorate of Investment and Companies Administration (DICA).
— Eleven Myanmar
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
MADE IN CHINA: Loan terms with waivers, shrouded in secrecy
The Philippine government has repeatedly downplayed fears of the country falling into what is dubbed as the Chinese debt trap.
— Rappler
Economists count budget delay’s Q1 cost
ECONOMIC GROWTH this quarter could hover close to last quarter’s pace but will be substantially slower than the year-ago clip when official data is reported on May 9, according to economists asked on Wednesday, citing primarily the impact of delayed enactment of the P3.757-trillion national budget for this year.
— BusinessWorld Online
Budget delay, poll ban threaten infra targets — DOF
The Department of Finance (DOF) yesterday expressed uncertainty on whether the government may still be able to catch up with its infrastructure spending plan for 2019, considering the delay in the approval of the national budget as well as the upcoming election ban.
— The Philippine Star
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666
Singapore to have more CBD living, go underground to free space
The garden city of Singapore wants to be even more green. It also wants more homes in its central business district, and plans to move facilities underground to free up living space.
— The Edge Singapore
Singapore Will Invest S$724 Million in Technology Transformation
Singapore will allocate S$724 million ($535 million) under a current plan to transform its economy into one that relies more on fields such as research and on companies that create new markets and jobs.
— Bloomberg
Smart City adoption needs tailored approach
BRING up the term “Smart Nation” anywhere in Singapore and, quite possibly, most people would associate it with government initiatives such as the SGQR code and SingPass mobile. Chances are that you will hardly find two people describe “Smart Nation” in the same way.
— The Business Times
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
Anti-Junta bloc announces coalition with at least 255 seats
by Kas Chanwanpen The Pheu Thai Party’s de facto leader Sudarat Keyuraphan has announced this morning that an ‘anti-junta’ bloc had mustered at least 255 MPs from seven parties to form a coalition government.
— The Thaiger
Phalang Pracharath Insists on Leading Coalition, Won’t Name Allies
A party backing junta chairman Prayuth Chan-ocha said Wednesday it would have enough support from other parties to form a coalition government, though it will not disclose who they are.
— Khaosod English
Airport rail deal talks put on hold
A consortium led by Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) has asked to put off Thursday’s talks with the State Railway of Thailand (SRT) over a high-speed rail project linking three major airports. The talks are likely to begin next Thursday.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Viet Nam’s overseas investment reaches $120 million in three months
Viet Nam’s total outbound investment in the first quarter of the year hit an estimated US$120 million, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
— Viet Nam News
Hanoi reports 6.99 percent GDP growth in Q1
Hanoi has recorded a GDP growth rate of 6.99 percent in the first quarter of this year, equivalent to the same period in 2018, it was reported at a meeting of the municipal People’s Committee on March 26.
— VNA NET
Marine economy makes up 10 percent of Vietnam’s GDP
Sea-based economic sectors contribute 10 percent of Vietnam’s gross domestic product (GDP), according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
— 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 March 28 added by Digital Editor on
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