Asean morning news for May 10

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

FTA between China’s Hong Kong, 3 ASEAN nations to take effect in June
As part of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Hong Kong and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), tariff reduction and services market access between Hong Kong and three ASEAN members will come into force in June, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government said Thursday.
— Xinhuanet

Asean can create own economic system, Maybank’s Farid says
Asean powered by 600 million population, has the potential to create an economic system for itself, combining age-old collectivist, community-first values with economic rights and freedom.
— The Star Online

Ministry of Social Development to host ASEAN socio-cultural meetings
The Ministry of Social Development and Human Security has confirmed its readiness to host ASEAN meetings regarding the bloc’s socio-cultural community.
— NBT World (video)

Rohingya repatriation: Dhaka pins hope on Asean involvement for progress
Bangladesh has been trying to get the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean), a bloc of 10 nations that includes Myanmar, involved in the process of Rohingya repatriation, which was supposed to begin more than 15 months ago as per an agreement between Bangladesh and Myanmar.
— Dhaka Tribune

Asean poised for gains from trade war
INVESTORS from the United States and China are increasingly turning their sights to other regions, especially Asean markets, amid the protracted trade war between the superpowers, a conference has heard.
— The Nation

Japan mulls joining cooperation on SDGs in Southeast Asia
Japan is looking into the possibility of joining a trilateral cooperation agreement on sustainable development involving China, ASEAN and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) as China is pushing for more concrete trilateral collaboration in Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post (paywall)

Malaysia, Asean to gain as China’s rise spurs economic growth
Malaysia and its neighbours within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region stand to gain with the rise of China, as the the world’s second-largest economy challenges the global dominance of the US and Japan, within a complex global landscape in a divided world, according to members of a panel discussion at the Invest Asia 2019 event here today.
— The Edge Markets

ASEAN bolsters cooperation in human rights
A high-level dialogue on human rights in ASEAN to assess the decade-long operation of the ASEAN Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR) was held in Jakarta, Indonesia on May 9.
— Vietnamplus

STB and Traveloka in Partnership to Attract More South-East Asian Visitors to Singapore
Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s largest technology company in the travel and lifestyle industry, have signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MOC) to promote Singapore as a preferred destination for visitors from five major Southeast Asian markets: Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
— Business Mirror

New dawn breaking for SE Asian energy deals
As oil prices fluctuate and markets brace for the impact of the end of a US sanctions waiver on fuel purchases from Iran, Asia’s energy companies are making deals closer to home as bigger global players pull away from the region.
— Hellenic Shipping News

ASEAN Financial Sector Lacks Personal Accountability – Refinitiv Survey
The ASEAN financial sector lacks personal accountability, according to a poll of business and compliance leaders conducted at the 5th annual Refinitiv ASEAN Regulatory Summit yesterday (8 May).
— Regulation Asia

Fighting climate change with bamboo
The world has 11 years left, as reported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to beef up its efforts to reduce global temperatures before it crosses the threshold leading to climate catastrophe.
— The Asean Post

World Editors Forum Asia Chapter launched to build future newsrooms
Editors from 15 news organizations around Asia have come together to set up a new Asia Chapter of the World Editors Forum, a grouping of editors under the auspices of World Association of Newspapers (WAN-IFRA).
— AEC News Today/ PR Newswire (media release)

Is Southeast Asia ready for cannabis startups?
Countries around the world are beginning to change how they look at marijuana and cannabis more broadly.
— The Independent

UML Teams Up with Community on Southeast Asian Folktales Book
“Once there was a snail …” begins a Cambodian folktale about a race between a snail and a rabbit who wants to drink from the snail pond.
— UML

Amro Expects ASEAN+3 Slowdown This Year, Cambodia To Feel The Heat
In its latest regional annual report, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (Amro) said it is expecting to see a slight slump among in the region including the three tech giants South Korea, Japan, and China.
— The Business Times

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Cambodia’s Dam Troubles, Power Woes Seen as Arguments For More Solar Power
When the lights literally went out in many parts of Cambodia in February and stayed off in some areas during the following months, people immediately pointed their fingers at Prime Minister Hun Sen.
— Radio Free Asia

Clik-MYPINPAD team up to provide easier e-payments for merchants
Cambodian finch startup Clik is set to roll-out the trial of a new electronic payment solution to ease the problems of retailers forced to deal with multiple third-party payment providers, non of which interconnect.
— AEC News Today

Government: UK-Cambodian trade will remain strong
Two-way trade between Cambodia and the UK will remain strong even if the UK leaves the EU as bilateral trade between the two countries surpassed $1 billion last year, said Ministry of Commerce spokesman Seang Thay on Wednesday.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

Bukit Soeharto: This forest park in East Kalimantan could be Indonesia’s new capital
After the plan to relocate the country’s capital city gained momentum following a recent Cabinet meeting, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo named Bukit Soeharto (Soeharto Hill) in East Kalimantan a suitable place for a new capital city due to its adequate infrastructure.
— The Jakarta Post

Watch: Indonesia blows up pirate fishing boats after navy ship rammed (video)
When a Vietnamese coastguard patrol boat was caught on video last month ramming an Indonesian Navy vessel off the coast of Borneo there were no prizes for guessing that it was not going end well… for Vietnam.
— AEC News Today

Indonesia Upbeat about OBOR despite Concerns over China’s Growing Clout
Indonesia’s investment chief expressed optimism about the future of China’s massive One Belt One Road (OBOR) infrastructure initiative in his country, despite lingering domestic criticism about Beijing’s growing economic influence.
— Radio Free Asia

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

US$52 million projects to address high levels of stunting in Lao PDR
Two new projects, totalling US$52 million, will jointly address high levels of stunting in northern provinces of Lao PDR.
— Devdiscourse

Vietnam bolsters investment in Lao public works and transport, energy and mines
Vietnam has invested US$4.1 billion in 409 projects in Laos, with the largest investments being in the public works and transport, energy and mines, and agriculture sectors.
— ANN/ Vientiane Times

Lao electricity to bring forex
Electricity generation looks set to take a leading role in supplying Laos with foreign exchange in the coming years, according to data from the Bank of the Lao PDR.
— The Phnom Penh Post

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Malaysian PM Says No Timetable for Handing over Power
A year after his election victory, Malaysian Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad has defended his government’s record but gave no timetable for handing over power to his successor Anwar Ibrahim.
— NewsMax

Malaysia Rail Link: Improved ECRL deal driven by transparency, accountability
The improved deal for the 640-km East Coast Rail Link (ECRL) project is rakyat-centric and driven by transparency and accountability, Malaysia Rail Link Sdn Bhd (MRL) said.
— The Star Online

Penang to call for fresh proposals to reintroduce free Wi-Fi service
State exco man says earlier request for proposal was too stringent for telcos to comply with and that the new one will be less rigid.
— FMT News

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Govt begins digitising personal information for ID cards
The Labour, Immigration and Population department has already digitised information of some 1.3 million citizens as part of the government’s modernisation process, Labour Minister U Thein Swe said.
— Myanmar Times

Trade deficit shrinks to $700 mln as imports decline
A fall in imports in the past seven months of the fiscal year has helped narrow Myanmar’s trade deficit to US$700 million, a significant drop from a deficit of $2.4 billion registered in the corresponding period of the 2017-2018 FY, according to data from the Ministry of Commerce.
— Global Newlight of Myanmar

Myanmar’s Central Bank warns against cryptocurrency use
The Central Bank of Myanmar has joined the view of many central banks across the globe that see cryptocurrency as a risky investment that should be avoided at all cost, according to industry website coingeek.
— Mizzima

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Philippine GDP growth slowed to 5.6% in Q1
As lawmakers scrambled for pork and delayed the approval of the P3.7-trillion 2019 national budget, reenacted appropriations at the start of the year slashed 1 percentage point from the country’s economic growth potential in the first quarter, resulting in a four-year low gross domestic product (GDP) expansion of just 5.6 percent.
— Philippine Daily Inquirer

DTI calls for suspension of alleged Chinese-only food park in Las Piñas
The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recommended that the Las Piñas government suspend the operations of a food park in the city which allegedly only catered to Chinese nationals.
— Rappler

PH tourist arrivals up by 7.59% in Q1 2019
The Department of Tourism (DOT) reported a 7.59 percent increase in tourist arrivals to the Philippines in the first quarter of 2019, indicating that the country’s tourism “is on the right track.”
— Philippine News Agency

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Piseth Pov @piseth6666

NSF charged for remaining outside of Singapore without valid exit permit
A national serviceman was charged on Thursday (May 9) for leaving and remaining outside of Singapore without a valid exit permit for a combined duration of more than five years.
— CNA (very annoying popups)

Financial services, healthcare among sectors to see strongest job growth in 2019: report
FINANCIAL services and healthcare are among sectors poised to see the strongest job growth in Singapore this year, the latest research by recruitment agency Kelly Services shows.
— The Business Times

Construction: Singapore remains 4th most expensive city in Asia
Singapore remains the fourth most expensive city in Asia to build in, according to an international Construction Costs 2019 report published by Arcadis.
— The Independent

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Ceremony foresees abundant food, sufficient water
Their Majesties the King and Queen presided over the Royal Ploughing Ceremony at Sanam Luang on Thursday and the ceremony led to the prediction of abundant food and sufficient water for this farming year.
— Bangkok Post

Health tech startup OOCA to represent Thailand at OTEC semi-finals (video)
It took just four minutes for Thai health tech startup OOCA to impress the judges enough to earn a place in the semi-finals of the Investible Overseas Talent Entrepreneurship Conference (OTEC) in Kunming, China, later this month.
— AEC News Today

27 deaths from Dengue fever already this year
27 people have died from dengue fever in Thailand so far this year. That’s the highest fatality rate, year on year, in the past five years.
— The Thaiger

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

State Bank vows to flexibly direct monetary policy
Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) Nguyen Thi Hong has affirmed that the SBV will direct monetary policy in a proactive, flexible, and cautious manner, and in harmony with fiscal and other macro-economic policies to curb inflation, maintain macro-economic stability, and fuel economic growth.
— Nhan Dan Online

Vietnam’s Free Trade Agreements – Opportunities for Your Business
Free trade agreements (FTAs) are when two or more countries agree on the terms of trade between them. They determine the value of tariffs and duties that countries impose on imports and exports. In 2007, with Vietnam’s ascension into the World Trade Organization (WTO) – it took a significant step integrating with world trade and subsequently entering into several free trade agreements.
— Vietnam Briefing

Opening Vietnam up to Industry 4.0
The country’s big potential in IT and large smartphone penetration are the key enablers for Vietnam to develop its digital economy.
— Vietnam Insider

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.