Asean morning news for October 15, 2019

Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

RCEP nations target final 10-day window to close talks by October 22
Countries negotiating the proposed Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) have now decided on a final 10-day window to bilaterally sort out pending differences in the mega trade deal, after which the leaders of the 16 nations will step in.
— Business Standard

CNOOC strives to reverse decline in western South China Sea
China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) is betting that undeveloped oil and gas resources beneath the western waters of the South China Sea can be a major contributor to its domestic production growth. It aims to test the theory with the development of the deepwater Lingshui 17-2 field.
— Interfax (paywall)

Vietnam pulls film over South China Sea map
Vietnam has pulled DreamWorks’ animated film ”Abominable” from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China’s unilaterally declared ”nine-dash line” in the South China Sea.
— Reuters (video)

AICHR representatives call for implementation of haze treaty
Four representatives of ASEAN’s human rights body are calling for the full and effective implementation of a 2002 regional treaty on transboundary haze, which is pushing Indonesia into a corner over its “contributions” to the worsening air quality in Southeast Asia.
— The Jakarta Post

ADB-published book on evolving ASEAN launched in Cambodia
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Cambodia on Monday launched here a publication titled “An Evolving ASEAN: Vision and Reality”, according to its press release.
— Xinhuanet

Singapore and Thailand top ranks in female CEO representation, Malaysia lags
Singapore has topped the charts globally for having the most number of female CEOs, according to a study by the Credit Suisse Research Institute (CSRI).
— Marketing Interactive

Vietnam Tops List of Trade Performers in ASEAN
Vietnam has just topped a list of economic performers in Southeast Asia, a list that Standard Chartered Bank calls the “rising stars” of global trade based on improvements the countries have made and their future potential.
— VOA

India‒ASEAN track 1.5 dialogue on cyber issues
Across the world, governments are exploring ways in which the proliferation of data in their digital economies can generate economic value for their citizenry.
— ORF

8 Asean members to go live on Asean Single Window by yearend
THE Philippines and seven other members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) are expected to exchange customs and other trade-related documents over a single integrated online platform by yearend as part of the efforts of the 10-nation bloc to boost cross-border trade and reduce the cost and time of doing business across the region.
— Sun Star

Asean nears its Thucydides trap turning point
In the whirlwind of the 554 officially listed events which marked the start of the UN General Assembly debates in New York two weeks ago, the concern raised by Secretary-General Antonio Guterres — that the world is moving towards a Great Fracture — was understandably lost in the cacophony.
— Bangkok Post

ASEAN’s intensified efforts vs. plastic pollution crucial to migratory birds’ survival
As migratory waterbirds are interconnected and interdependent to the network of wetland sites at the EAAF, regional cooperation is critical for their conservation.
— PIA

Singapore to catalyse ASEAN medical diagnostics initiative
Singapore hosted the 18th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Science, Technology and Innovation (AMMSTI-18), and the 77th ASEAN Committee on Science, Technology and Innovation (COSTI-77) and related meetings from 6 to 11 October 2019.
— BioSpectrum Asia

Gift’s Asean young leaders offer policy insights for prosperity
Last Friday afternoon, the Global Institute For Tomorrow (Gift) released findings from an intensive week-long study into the possibilities of sustainable development in Cambodia.
— Khmer Times

Old players and new challengers battle it out for Southeast Asia’s $1 trillion digital payments market
Digital payments in Southeast Asia have reached their inflection point, and are set to cross $1 trillion mark by 2025.
— Business Insider

These young Southeast Asian climate activists are fighting for their futures
You’ve heard of Greta Thunberg, a Swedish climate activist, fighting for the earth’s future across the globe.
— Mashable SE Asia

ALONE, NONE IN ASEAN INCLUDING SINGAPORE CAN STAND UP TO CHINA’S POWERFUL NAVY
The growing influence of the Chinese military across Southeast Asia and beyond is compelling the Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, which have traditionally shied away from collective regional security, to look at the issue with a new focus.
— Malaysia Chronicle

Logo designing contest for ASEAN youths launched
The 2020 Year of ASEAN Identity Logo Design Competition for ASEAN Youths has been launched by the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN-German Cooperation.
— Vietnamplus

What are the tech forces driving distribution in ASEAN?
Distributors in ASEAN will differentiate across core technology segments such as cloud, security and data in 2020, delivered as-a-service amid a changing channel ecosystem.
— Channel Asia Singapore

Asean Digest: 500 Startups backs Vietnam’s Cricket One; Thai Drivehub to expand footprint
Vietnam-based food alternative provider Cricket One has raised an undisclosed sum led by early-stage investors 500 Startups and Singapore-based Masik Enterprises while Thailand-based online car rental marketplace, Drivehub, announced that it is looking to expand its car rental service into other Southeast Asia markets.
— Deal Street Asia

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews

Health and trade MoUs signed during PM’s trip to Prague
Prime Minister Hun Sen and Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš yesterday in Prague witnessed the signing of two Memoranda of Understanding to boost cooperation in the healthcare and trade sectors.
— Khmer Times

Government seeks to turn supporters of Rainsy-led coup
Prime Minister Hun Sen on Friday devised a strategy with his Council of Ministers to prevent a coup allegedly being planned by Sam Rainsy, noting that arrested coup supporters should have their confessions and statements going against Mr Rainsy aired publicly to deter others from joining the movement.
— Khmer Times

British pedophile who operated in Malaysia, Cambodia found dead in prison
One of Britain’s most prolific child sex offenders, Richard Huckle, has died three years into a life sentence for abusing Malaysian and Cambodian children, Britain’s Ministry of Justice said on Monday, with media saying he had been stabbed to death.
— Reuters

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

African Swine Fever; Kupang Airport Beefs up Inspection
The authority of El Tari Airport in Kupang has strengthened the goods inspection, especially on agriculture products, in order to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever, which can cause the death of pigs within a week after infection.
— Tempo.co

5G can bring $1.8b in revenues for Indonesian telecoms in 2025: Study
Although Indonesia’s adoption of the fifth generation ( 5G ) wireless technology is to likely lag behind regional peers, it can boost telecommunications operators’ revenues by US$1.3 billion to $1.83 billion in 2025, with major contributions from enterprises, a recent study suggests.
— The Jakarta Post

Garbage Plagues Indonesian Tourism Environment: PHRI
Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI) Hariyadi Sukamdani revealed that garbage had become a pressing issue in the country’s tourism sector.
— Tempo.co

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Raksmey Khoem @raksmey.aecnews

Lao Man, 69, Arrested for Refusing to Give Up Land His Family Has Held Since 1965
An elderly man in Laos was detained last month for refusing to give up land that had been in his family since 1965, family members said.
— RFA

Chinese banana plantations bring work and pollution to Laos
Chinese banana plantations first started cropping up about six years ago in Bokeo province, northern Laos, which borders Thailand and Myanmar. Nowadays they cover more than 11,000 hectares, provide US$100 million in annual exports, and make up 95% of Bokeo’s exports, according to a 2017 report by Plan International.
— China Dialogue

Vietnam to Launch 5G Technology in Laos
The Vietnamese military-run telecom group Viettel plans to roll out 5G technology in Laos by year-end. This is Vietnam’s third overseas launch of the service.
— Open Gov Asia

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Dr M: Malaysia aims to be South-East Asia’s Industry 4.0 hub
Malaysia is targeting to be an Industry 4.0 hub in South-East Asia to regain its status as an Asian Tiger.
— The Star Online

Malaysia aspires to be global halal gelatine supplier
Malaysia is taking steps to become a supplier of halal gelatine for the global market, said Entrepreneur Development Minister Mohd Redzuan Md Yusof.
— New Sarawak Tribune

GDP growth projected to pick up to 4.8% next year
Malaysia’s GDP seen growing faster at 4.8% in 2020> Gross domestic product (GDP) growth is projected to improve marginally to 4.8% in 2020 from 4.7% in 2019.> Household spending, which accounts for 58% of GDP, will continue to spearhead growth, supported by a stable labour market and benign inflation.
— The Sun Daily

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Myanmar’s draft oil and gas bill jeopardises next bidding round
Uncertainty and confusion over Myanmar’s proposed oil and gas law risk alienating existing investors and could undermine the next crucial bidding round, according to companies and experts in the sector.
— Myanmar Times

Myanmar denies using landmines along Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas
Myanmar has denied all allegations of using landmines along the Bangladesh-Myanmar border areas.
— Dhaka tribune

Yoma, Philippine AC Energy JV eyes renewable energy projects in Myanmar
FOCUSED Yoma Strategic Holdings on Monday said it will form a strategic partnership with AC Energy, the energy platform of Philippine conglomerate Ayala Corporation.
— Business Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu

Mass immunization underway in Manila after water tests positive for poliovirus
A mass immunization program is being conducted by workers from the Smokey Mountain Health Center in Manila after one river in the capital city tested positive for Type 3 Poliovirus, according to Maki Pulido’s report for 24 Oras on Monday.
— GMA Network

Filipinos lose 9 to 15 years of their lives sitting in traffic — urban planner
Filipinos sit through a cumulative nine years of their working prime sitting in traffic, urban planning specialist Felino “Jun” Palafox Jr. said on Monday.
— The Philippine Star

Philippine police chief resigns amid drug allegations
The Philippine national police chief resigned on Monday after he faced allegations in a Senate hearing that he intervened as a provincial police chief in 2013 to prevent his officers from being prosecuted for allegedly selling a huge quantity of illegal drugs they had seized.
— ABC News

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews

MAS reduces Singdollar appreciation rate ‘slightly’; first easing in over 3 years
It is the first time Singapore’s central bank has eased monetary policy in more than three years, and follows two rounds of tightening in 2018.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)

LTA incurs S$2 billion operating deficit in FY18/19, bus revenue not keeping up with expenditure
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) incurred an operating deficit of S$2.412 billion in financial year 2018/2019.
— Mothership

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ

Government and Opposition brace for budget bill showdown
Government and Opposition parties are gearing up for a parliamentary showdown starting October 17th when the 3.2 trillion baht national budget bill for 2020 fiscal year is due for deliberation…
— Thai PBS News

NHSC members who refuse to ban 3 controversial herbicides should leave the country – Deputy Agriculture Minister
Deputy Agriculture Minister Mananya Thaiseth has warned the 27 members of the National Hazardous Substances Committee (NHSC) to heed the public’s demand for a complete ban on paraquat, glyphosate and chlorpyrifos, or leave Thailand.
— Thai PBS News

PM praises students and those who fought for democracy in “Oct 14 Uprising”
Thailand’s Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha today (Monday) praised students and members of the public who stood up against a military dictatorship to fight for democracy 46 years ago on the anniversary of the 1973 student-led uprising.
— Thai PBS News

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov

Vietnam blocks ‘Abominable’ film over depiction of Beijing’s nine-dash line in South China Sea
Vietnam has pulled the animated DreamWorks film Abominable from cinemas over a scene featuring a map which shows China’s unilaterally declared “nine-dash line” in the South China Sea, state media reported on Monday.
— South China Morning News

Vietnam spends over US$10 billion paying government debts in Jan-Sep
Upon breaking downs, the government spent VND195.7 billion (US$8.43 billion) on paying domestic debts and VND41.2 trillion (US$1.77 billion) on foreign debts.
— The Hanoitimes

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

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