Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Arms Trade Treaty reviewed for Asean
The Ministry of Interior’s anti-transnational crime task force, in collaboration with the German Federal Office for Economic Affairs and Export Control (Bafa) and the German Embassy in Cambodia, held a seminar on the third promotion of the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) to review the problem of illegal arms proliferation in Asean and the world.
— The Phnom Penh Post
Solidarity and cooperation must define the battle against COVID-19
The approach of the World Health Organization Southeast Asia region to health security is guided by a simple yet powerful logic: When we work together we are protected together. Never has this been more important.
— The Jakarta Post
Rohingya Repatriation: Cambodia to support Bangladesh within Asean framework
Cambodia has assured Bangladesh of its support within the framework of Asean as Dhaka sought Phnom Penh’s support for safe repatriation of Rohingyas to their place of origin in Rakhine State.
— UNB
A.D.B. extends $2 million more to help Asia Pacific states cope with Covid-19
THE Asian Development Bank (ADB) aims to scale up funding to support efforts to prepare and build resilience to pandemics.
— Business Mirror
Jakarta meeting reviews ASEAN+3 cooperation
The 12th meeting of the Committee of Permanent Representatives to ASEAN (CPR) and ASEAN+3 ambassadors to ASEAN took place at the ASEAN Secretariat’s headquarters in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 27.
— Vietnamplus
Southeast Asian startup funding down 30% amid tougher scrutiny
The flow of funds to startups in Southeast Asia is slowing as global investors take a harder look at new companies and their prospects for growth.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)
Asean moving up the startup menu for global investors
SOUTH-EAST Asia may have long been overshadowed by China and India on the global Venture Capital (VC) stage, but more investors are now looking to deploy their dry powder in the region – drawn by valuations that have yet to peak.
— The Business Times
Ambassador affirms Vietnam’s resolve to fulfill ASEAN Chairmanship 2020
Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Le Quy Quynh on February 27 affirmed Vietnam’s resolve to fulfill its role as Chair of ASEAN in 2020, contributing to building a cohesive and responsive ASEAN Community.
— Vietnamplus
ASEAN enhances disaster management
The ASEAN High-Level Symposium on Disaster Management was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on February 26-27 with the presence of delegates from ASEAN member countries as well as the bloc’s partner countries, regional and international organisations.
— Vietnamplus
Coronavirus: Asean Basketball League postpones 21 games in March, 4 Slingers matches affected
When the Asean Basketball League (ABL) first announced the postponement of 15 games due to the coronavirus situation this month, the Singapore Slingers were the only one of the 10 participating teams to avoid disruption to their schedule, but not anymore.
— The Straits Times
ASEAN Launches Cultural Heritage Digital Archive Website
ASEAN has launched the first phase of their ASEAN Cultural Heritage Digital Archive (ACHDA) website in the ASEAN Secretariat Building, South Jakarta, on Thursday, February 27, 2020.
— Tempo.co
ASEAN digital transformation needs market players like Huawei in building innovation ecosystem: AEC Deputy Secretary-General
The success of ASEAN’s digital transformation need the support of the private sector and market players like Huawei in building an innovation ecosystem and addressing issues related to big idea and data privacy, said Dr. Aladdin D. Rillo, Deputy Secretary-General for ASEAN Economic Community, at an online Industrial Digital Transformation Conference on Monday.
— Manilastandard.net
Islamic finance in Southeast Asia
The global Islamic finance market is growing moderately, because of the strong investments in the Halal sector, infrastructure, and Sukuk bonds. In 2018, Brunei hosted the Brunei Islamic Capital Market (BICAM) Conference, at the Rizqun International Hotel where more than a dozen international experts in Islamic finance met, deliberated and raised awareness on growing Islamic capital markets.
— The Asean Post
Despite low productivity, nation still among the most profitable countries for Japanese
A study conducted by the Japan External Trade Organisation has found Cambodia to be among the least productive countries in Southeast Asia.
— Khmer Times
ASEAN’s vehicle sector faces tough drive amid global, coronavirus woes
ASEAN’s vehicle sector faces a tough drive in 2020 as global market uncertainty stunts demand, while the COVID-19 outbreak adds further doubt amid consolidation efforts by global carmakers.
— S&P Global Platts
IT Priorities 2020: ASEAN firms on the frontline of digital transformation
Southeast Asia’s booming digital economy is spurring enterprises across the region to double up on driving technology change to compete with more nimble start-ups.
— ComputerWeekly.com
Leisure travellers give Southeast Asia a skip, enquiries dip 37%
Leisure travellers planning their summer holidays are looking for alternatives to Southeast Asian destinations because of Covid-19 outbreak.
— Economic Times
Grab: How Alt Data Is Closing Southeast Asia’s $175B SMB Credit Gap
It’s no accident that technology companies that have historically not operated in the financial services space are expanding into the small business lending arena.
— PYMNTS.com
Revolutionary hydropower for ASEAN
Hydropower technology is considered a clean renewable energy source. It is generated by converting kinetic and potential energy from falling water into rotating shaft power, which can be used to drive an electricity generator.
— The Asean Post
Buying Non-Performing Loans in Southeast Asia, Arena Management Says
Dan Zwirn, chief executive and chief investment officer at Arena Management, discusses the opportunities he sees in Asian credit markets.
— Bloomberg (video)
Why a Grab and Gojek merger could disrupt advertising in South East Asia
There are recent rumours around a possible merger between Grab and Gojek, South East Asia’s two unicorns that previously fended off Uber.
— The Drum
How proptech is set to empower the Southeast Asian property market
Not long ago, a real estate agent in Singapore pocketed US$132,800 of a client’s money and used it to renovate his own home. He was caught and jailed for it, but such cases have, unfortunately, occurred more than once in the city-state’s property landscape.
— e27
SE Asia Stocks-Most recover from heavy selloff in previous session, Thailand leads pack
Most Southeast Asian stocks ended higher on Thursday after a heavy selloff in the previous session that was triggered by fears of a global coronavirus pandemic as several countries reported a spike in cases.
— Reuters
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Nearly 200 Factories in Cambodia Face Shutdown due to Lacks of Raw Materials
Heng Sour, spokesperson of the Ministry of Labor and Vocational Training, said that by March 2020, around 200 factories in Phnom Penh face shutdown due to lacks of raw materials imported from China amid Covid-19 outbreak, speaking at the press conference held at the Council of Ministers on Thursday.
— Fresh News
ANZ Agrees to Landmark Settlement with Cambodian Farmers Displaced by Sugar Company It Financed
ANZ has agreed to provide a financial package to Cambodian families forcibly displaced by a sugar company the Australian bank loaned money to in 2011.
— Inclusive Development International
Vietnam border alert
Authorities in bordering provinces with Vietnam have reportedly increased the number of inspections of poultry imports to prevent a bird flu outbreak in the Kingdom.
— Khmer Times
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Govt to Only Evacuate 68 Indonesian Crews from Diamond Princess
Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudi said that the government will only bring home 68 from a total of 78 Indonesian crews on board the Diamond Princess cruise ship in Japan due to the coronavirus (COVID-19).
— Tempo.co
Jokowi Claims Indonesia Among World’s Biggest Digital Economies
Indonesia’s digital economy has been growing at the fastest pace in Asia while reaching a total value of $40 billion last year, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said on Thursday.
— Jakarta Globe
Nearly 2,000 pigs killed by African swine fever in East Nusa Tenggara
Almost 2,000 pigs across Timor Island in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) have died after contracting African swine fever (ASF), the NTT Animal Husbandry Agency reported on Wednesday.
— The Jakarta Post
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Australia, UNICEF help over 22,000 flood-affected children continue their education
The Australian Government and UNICEF have provided 100,606 re-printed textbooks and teacher guides to 581 flood-affected schools in the Lao PDR.
— KPL
Japan Supports a Secondary School Library Project in Vientiane Province
The government of Japan is providing grant assistance worth USD 288,211 for constructing school libraries and supporting reading skills of students in Vientiane Province.
— KPL
Ministry imposes new charges on goods transitting through Laos
The Ministry of Finance will impose a new charge on so-called transit goods next month as the government seeks ways to benefit from Laos’ transformation from landlocked to a land bridge.
— Vientiane Times
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Celcom, Digi, Maxis inks MOU to explore joint fibre infrastructure development
Celcom Axiata Bhd, Digi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd and Maxis have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore joint fibre infrastructure development to efficiently deploy fibre backhaul and rollout fibre to base stations in the country.
— New Sarawak Tribune
Political think tank supports Pakatan’s minority govt instead of Dr M’s non-partisan govt
Political think tank the Institute of Political Studies for Change (KPRU) has voiced its support for a minority government under the Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition as opposed to a non-partisan government mooted by interim.
— Malay Mail
A botched power grab leaves Malaysia without a government
he pictures showed Mahathir Mohamad, the prime minister, working calmly at his desk. “Just another day in the office”, read the accompanying caption, tweeted on February 25th. Yet outside the doors of his office there was pandemonium.
— The Economist
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Myanmar govt reveals 58 national development projects in project bank
The government revealed 58 national development projects during the launch of its online project bank website yesterday.
— Myanmar Times
Myanmar exports over 45,000 tons of rice and broken rice in second week of Feb
Myanmar is exported over 45,000 tons of rice and broken rice in second week of February and it is less than 3,000 tons in compared with last week export, according to Ministry of Commerce.
— Eleven Myanmar
UN to Myanmar: Repeal laws discriminating against Rohingyas
Myanmar should repeal and review laws and policies that discriminate against the Rohingyas based on their ethnicity, religion, language and culture, said Michelle Bachelet, United Nations high commissioner for human rights.
— Dhaka Tribune
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu @stmarisewudolu
Duterte declares state of calamity in Calabarzon due to Taal Volcano unrest
President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of calamity in Calabarzon to aid in the relief and rehabilitation of the region following the eruption of Taal Volcano .
— Rappler
1.2K pigs culled in CamSur due to ASF
A total of 1,245 hogs were culled this week in the towns of Calabanga and Bombon in Camarines Sur after several pigs that died there were tested positive for African swine fever (ASF), the Department of Agriculture (DA) in Bicol said on Thursday.
— Philippine News Agency
Gov’t spends big in December, lifting 2019 expenditures above target
The Philippine government managed to pull off a spending catch-up in December 2019 after operating under a reenacted budget for the 1st quarter, according to the Bureau of the Treasury (BTr) on Thursday, February 27.
— Rappler
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy @justhine.aecnews
Coronavirus cases in Singapore can rise anytime, premature to say worst is over, says MOH’s chief health scientist
Professor Tan Chorh Chuan said that given the rate at which new cases are being reported around the world, there is always a risk of new imported cases.
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
3 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 12-year-old student from Raffles Institution: MOH
Three new COVID-19 patients were reported in Singapore on Thursday (Feb 27), the Ministry of Health (MOH) in a daily update, including a 12-year-old Singaporean student from Raffles Institution.
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)
Singapore firms look to Vietnam for agricultural goods
At the end of February, a delegation of firms from Singapore is expected to visit Vietnam in search of suppliers of fruits and vegetables.
— Fresh Plaza
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre @photo_journ
COVID-19 status as dangerous infectious disease effective from Friday
Thailand’s Public Health Minister has signed an announcement designating COVID-19 as a dangerous infectious disease.
— Thai PBS News
PM “concerned” about campus rallies
Thai PM Prayut Chan-o-cha has expressed “concern” over growing support for student rallies at universities and now high schools, throughout Bangkok and elsewhere, to protest the recent dissolution of the popular Future Forward party, and the possibility of confrontation and unrest.
— The Thaiger
MPs fear virus contagion in House
Lawmakers are concerned about possible Covid-19 transmission at the parliament after a fellow-MP had a fever after returning from Japan.
— Bangkok Post
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men @MenSreypov
Vietnam May Back Off From Coal as Plants Get Harder to Build
Vietnam may scale back a plan to boost coal’s role in its power generation as financial restrictions and local environmental concerns make it more difficult to build plants.
— Bloomberg
PM urges tax sector to continue with reforms
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuân Phúc on Wednesday praised the tax sector for reshuffling working apparatus, and urged it to continue with reforms to better serve taxpayers.
— Viet Nam News
Singapore firms look to Vietnam for agricultural goods
At the end of February, a delegation of firms from Singapore is expected to visit Vietnam in search of suppliers of fruits and vegetables. This visit is a countermeasure against the falling imports from China as a result of the Covid-19 virus outbreak.
— Fresh Plaza
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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Asean morning news for February 28 added by Digital Editor on
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