Asean morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu        @stmarisewudolu
COVID-19 in Asean: update for June 16 — massive spike in Philippines critical cases
As of 00:42 GMT June 16 there was 52,628 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, a decrease of 40, or -0.08 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today
New website launching for ASEAN Covid-19 tourism updates
The nations of Southeast Asia will share all updates regarding all Covid-19 restrictions and travel advisories on a new web platform.
— Travelmole
Investment flows to developing countries in Asia could fall up to 45% in 2020
Foreign direct investment (FDI) to developing economies in Asia, hit hard by the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus pandemic, are projected to decline by up to 45% in 2020, according UNCTAD’s World Investment Report 2020.
— UNCTAD
China pressed on dams as Mekong falls to record lows
China was pressed Tuesday to show more transparency over its dam operations on the Mekong River, months after downstream water levels hit record lows and threatened millions of livelihoods.
— Asia Times
Vietnam leads Asean into post-virus era
After more than five months of combating Covid-19, the Asean leaders are now ready for the virtual 36th summit on June 26, after a 10-week delay.
— Bangkok Post
Updated Asean-Japan trade deal, covering services, to enter into force in August
Japan has ratified updates to its comprehensive economic partnership deal with the 10-nation Asean bloc, with the changes to enter into force on Aug 1, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Mofa) said in a statement on Tuesday (June 16).
— The Straits Times
No easy bounce-back for Thai, regional rubber producers
Thailand and the world’s other top rubber producers are starting to emerge from their worst quarter in over a decade, but the path to recovery looks fragile.
— Bangkok Post
After Collapse of Tourism, ASEAN Eyes Domestic Travel, Weighs ‘Travel Bubble’
On a recent afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City, the airport was teeming with strangers who crowded one another in line, filed health forms, and got on planes, three to a row.
— VOA
Mekong River Commission Annual Report 2019
Extreme low flows and extensive flooding of different communities along the Mekong River in 2019 and an increasing number of droughts that have occurred in many parts of the region in recent years are among the signs that the Mekong region is facing increasing risk from extreme weather events and developments, says a new report by the Mekong River Commission (MRC).
— Reliefweb
Will ASEAN member states united behind the South China Sea Arbitration award?
On December 12th, 2019, Malaysia submitted a proposal to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf (CLCS) concerning the limits of its continental shelf beyond 200 nautical miles.
— Modern Diplomacy
Can ASEAN achieve integration by 2025?
COVID-19 has put the biggest test yet on ASEAN. With weakened fiscal positions and a stark development gap, ASEAN integration remains uncertain.
— The Jakarta Post
Asean must take daring steps like EU
ENTERING 2020, there were many reasons for Asean to take pride in the bloc’s progress towards sustainable development. Extreme poverty has decreased from 138 million people in 2000 to 44 million in 2015.
— New Straits Times
Southeast Asia wins kudos for keeping Covid-19 in check
Unlike in Europe, North America and recently Russia and Brazil, the Covid-19 pandemic has applied the brakes to its killing spree in Southeast Asia.
— UCA News
SoftBank-backed ride-hailing firm Grab cuts staff to cope with virus impact
Southeast Asian ride-hailing and payments firm Grab said on Tuesday it would lay off more than 300 employees due to the impact of novel coronavirus, in the latest setback to major backer SoftBank Group Corp (9984.T).
— Reuters
Asean consumers keen to try new digi-bank players
DIGITAL banking looks to be in vogue in South-east Asia, with three in four consumers telling pollsters that they are keen to venture online for financial services.
— The Business Times
ASEAN-China Media & Think-Tank Online Forum successfully held
The year 2020 marks the ASEAN-China Year of Digital Economy Cooperation.
— China.org.cn
Setting new rules for the food delivery industry in a post-pandemic world
COVID-19 seemingly reshaped the food delivery world, that the number of users has rapidly grown, due to the high convenience and diversity.
— e27
ASEANTA hosts webinar on Covid-19 response
ASEANTA an association that represents the tourism and hospitality sectors across the 10-nation ASEAN community will host a webinar to address the challenges of the new normal and the emergence of travel bubbles.
— TTR Weekly
Asean should be a unified entity: CARI
Asean stands to gain from supply chain diversification if the region cooperatively acts as a unified entity.
— New Straits Times
Cambodia morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Factory suspensions in Phnom Penh total 121
Phnom Penh Municipal Labour Department said as of today, 121 garment factories have suspended their operations in the capital since the pandemic began.
— Khmer Times
Cambodian Aviation Issues Updates on Pricing Policy for COVID-19 Test, Quarantine, and Treatment Services to Foreign Travellers
The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA) of the Kingdom of Cambodia, on 16 June 2020, presents its compliment to all local airlines of Cambodia, foreign airlines, and commercial private jets (air operators) operating into and out of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap, and Preah Sihanouk International Airports (PNH/REP/KOS) and would like to update the latter on the pricing policy for COVID-19 test, quarantine, and treatment services to foreign travellers entering Cambodia.
— Fresh News
Covid fees a must amid economic uncertainty
A recent announcement by Prime Minister Hun Sen that Cambodia will not charge foreigners for Covid-19 treatment could not be implemented any further as the Kingdom looks to reopen the country and restore its economy, a senior official said.
— The Phnom Penh Post
See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news
Indonesia morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy        @justhine.aecnews
Covid-19 Update: Indonesia’s Positive Cases Top 40,000
The government’s spokesman for the Covid-19 handling, Achmad Yurianto, reported 1,106 new positive cases on Tuesday, June 16, bringing the total to 40,400.
— Tempo.co
Indonesia’s economy forecast to decelerate 3.1 pct in Q2
Indonesia’s economy is projected to significantly decelerate 3.1 percent in the second quarter, compared to a 2.97-percent economic growth from January to March, a minister said on Tuesday.
— Xinhua
Finance Ministry Eyes to Collect Digital Tax per August 2020
The Tax Director General at the Finance Ministry, Suryo Utomo, said his side planned to order providers of traders through electronic systems or PMSE abroad to collect value-added tax or VAT.
— Tempo.co
See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news
Lao PDR morning news
Compiled by Mark Henry Uy
Lao Shoppers Hard Hit by Doubled Prices of Essential Foods
Prices for essential foods have recently surged in village markets in Laos despite growing levels of unemployment due to business closings to prevent the spread of coronavirus, sources in the one-party communist state say.
— RFA
3,449 people being isolated over Covid-19 concerns in Laos
The Laos National Taskforce Committee for Covid-19 (coronavirus) Prevention and Control on Tuesday (June 16) announced it has been monitoring 3,449 people across the country.
— The Star
Lao Villager Held in Detention Three Months After Land Protest in Vientiane
Authorities in the Lao capital of Vientiane are holding a young villager detained three months ago during a land dispute in Saysettha district’s Xiengda village, depriving him of adequate food and forbidding family members from seeing him, Lao sources say.
— RFA
See here for more of today’s Lao morning news
Malaysia morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men        @MenSreypov
Malaysia’s New Government Cracks Down on Critics
A wave of criminal charges and police probes targeting critics of Malaysia’s embattled new government has rights groups worried the country is backsliding on free speech protections following the brief spell of a reform-minded administration.
— VOA
Matrade launches MDG guidelines for online export promotion
Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (Matrade) has introduced the guidelines of Market Development Grant (MDG) for online export promotions in view of the Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Borneo Post
Sarawak allows 24-hr business premises to operate fully from Wednesday
All 24-hour business premises in Sarawak will be allowed to operate fully from Wednesday, said State Disaster Management Committee (SDMC) chairman Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas.
— Malay Mail
See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News
Myanmar morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men        @MenSreypov
Myanmar expects worst of Covid’s economic impact from Sept
Myanmar’s de facto leader Aung San Suu Kyi said the most severe economic impact from the novel coronavirus outbreak is expected in the final four months of this year.
— Bangkok Post
Public sector manufacturing exports down by $388 mln as of 5 June
Exports of finished industrial goods by public sector sharply plunged to US$2.4 billion between 1 October and 5 June in the current fiscal year 2019-2020, which is a decrease of $388.79 million compared with the corresponding period of the previous financial year, according to the Ministry of Commerce.
— The Global New Light of Myanmar
Investors challenge Myanmar govt over VFV land law
An existing policy requiring mineral exploration permit applicants to obtain land grants could deter investors and “kill off” foreign investments in mineral exploration in Myanmar.
— Myanmar Times
See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news
Philippines morning news
Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu        @stmarisewudolu
PH moves notch higher in world competitiveness
The Philippines just moved up one spot to 45th place this year from 46th last year among 63 countries ranked for their overall competitiveness and ability to generate prosperity with little improvement on major indicators, according to the World Competitiveness Ranking 2020 (WCR) conducted by the Swiss-based Institute for Management Development’s (IMD) Business School.
— Manila Bulletin
Population density making COVID-19 fight tougher — Palace spox Roque
Population density is making the fight against COVID-19 more challenging, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said Tuesday.
— GMA Network
Several Philippine areas see increase in active COVID-19 cases
Aside from Cebu City, a number of other areas in the Philippines are experiencing an increase in coronavirus cases.
— ABS-CBN News (video)
See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news
Singapore morning news
Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy        @justhine.aecnews
Singapore retains top spot in global competitiveness ranking
SINGAPORE has once again come up tops as the most competitive among 63 global economies.
— The Business Times
All foreign workers have to download and activate TraceTogether app by June 19: MOM
All workers staying in dormitories will have to download and activate the national contact tracing app TraceTogether by June 19, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said on Tuesday (June 16).
— Straits Times (annoying popups)
MOH preliminarily confirms 151 new cases of COVID-19 infection; Total tally at 40,969
As of Tuesday noon (16 June), the Ministry of Health (MOH) has preliminarily confirmed an additional 151 cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore.
— The Online Citizen
See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news
Thailand morning news
Compiled by John Le Fevre        @photo_journ
Cabinet rolls out support for those who missed out on previous subsidy schemes
Thailand’s Cabinet has rolled out four new schemes to help people affected by business closures caused by COVID-19 and who missed out on previous aid packages.
— Thai PBS News
Thailand sees dip in competitiveness ranking
Thailand has fallen four places to 29th in the World Competitiveness Ranking 2020 report, weighed down by a decline in rankings over economic performance and government efficiency.
— Bangkok Post
Thai household debt could rise beyond 80 pct of GDP due to COVID-19 impact: think tank
Thailand’s national economic planning agency on Tuesday told the media that the COVID-19 crisis has had a massive impact on household debt which may soar beyond 80 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
— Xinhuanet
See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news
Vietnam morning news
Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov
Entrepreneur’s ‘free rice ATMs’ for Vietnam’s poor
A Vietnamese entrepreneur is installing “free rice ATMs” across the country to help those affected by the coronavirus.
— BBC
Qantas selling stake in Vietnam airline JV
Qantas has confirmed its intention to offload its shareholding in its Jetstar branded joint venture in Vietnam.
— Travel Mole
Vietnam sets no-fly zones for drones, ultra-light aircraft
Flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and ultra-light aircraft have been prohibited in Vietnam’s areas considered of significant national defense and military importance under management and protection of the Ministry of Defense.
— Xinhua
See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news
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Asean morning news for June 17 added by Digital Editor on
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