Asean morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

 

COVID-19 in Asean: update for May 4 — 3.5 mln cases globally as deaths approach 250,000
As of 00:59 GMT May 4 there was 34,787 active cases of COVID-19 throughout the 10 Asean member countries, an increase of 946, or 2.80 per cent, on the day prior.
— AEC News Today

Coronavirus: Shops open as Southeast Asia takes lockdown gamble
Factories and markets are reopening in Malaysia, Singaporeans with aches and pains can visit the acupuncturist and Thailand’s ­famous street food stalls are back in business as some Southeast Asian countries begin easing lockdown restrictions.
— The Australian

ADB: Coronavirus could leave major Southeast Asian cities with 1,000 extra tonnes of medical waste per day
In tandem with the increase in coronavirus cases, cities across Southeast Asia could see a surge in medical waste that few have the capacity to deal with, warned the Asian Development Bank (ADB) as it urged governments to deal with the excess waste as soon as possible.
— Eco-Business

Manufacturing PMI falls to record low
FACTORY ACTIVITY slumped to a record low in April, as the extended lockdown continued to prevent manufacturers from operating at normal capacity.
— BusinessWorld Online

Southeast Asia rail projects stall as China focuses on recovery
As Asia focuses its resources on containing the coronavirus outbreak and its economic impact, large infrastructure projects funded by China have come to a standstill across Southeast Asia.
— Nikkei Asian Review (paywall)

Asean Para Games floored by Covid-19, funding
The fate of the Asean Para Games (APG) is now in the hands of the Asean Para Sports Federation (APSF) as the Philippines have confirmed that they will not be hosting the event.
— New Straits Times

A call for a more robust language policy in ASEAN
ASEAN encompasses hundreds of different ethnic groups speaking thousands of different languages across the region.
— Asean Today

How effective are the implemented stimulus packages in Asean?
ALL Asean countries are still fighting the coronavirus and there is no sign that the virus will disappear soon.
— The Business Times

Cambodia’s bilateral trade drops with Vietnam, yet Thailand steady
The two-way trade of Cambodia with Vietnam experienced a decrease during the first quarter of the year caused by the global pandemic.
— Khmer Times

AirAsia revamps BIG Loyalty app to include lifestyle vouchers
AirAsia has extended its BIG Loyalty programme to offer members discounts and special deals through lifestyle vouchers with F&B and retail partners.
— The Moodie Davitt Report (media release)

COVID-19 Drives Digital Transformation for ASEAN Enterprises, Says GlobalData
COVID-19 is driving digital transformation for enterprises in the Southeast Asia region (ASEAN) and will open up wider opportunities for carriers and service providers, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
— AI Thority (media release) (blog)

The Mekong Region honours innovative SMEs
Now in its third-year, Experience Mekong Showcase has shortlisted 60 Experience Mekong Collection member businesses for recognition.
— TTR Weekly (media release)

Southeast Asia stocks: Fall as U.S-China tension spark jitters; Indonesia leads losses
Southeast Asian stocks slipped on Monday as a flare-up in U.S.-China tensions over the origin of coronavirus spooked investors globally, while Indonesia fell the most after disappointing inflation data.
— Today Online

ASEAN and China – Boundless opportunities
In the face of current global economic uncertainties, a partnership between China and the wider region of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is becoming an important and strategic channel for promoting global growth.
— Central Banking

My Dinh listed among five best stadia in Southeast Asia
My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi has recently been selected as one of the five best stadiums in Southeast Asia by The-AFC.com.
— Nhan Dan Online

Notebooks in shortages due to Southeast Asia lockdowns, says Digitimes Research
Notebook supply is expected to fall short of demand in May as components production in the Southeast Asia is being hindered by local contigencies against the coronavirus pandemic, according to Digitimes Research.
— DigiTimes

Cambodia morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

 

Ministry says letter on reopening schools is fake news
The Education Ministry yesterday rejected a letter which announced all educational institutions and schools in Cambodia will reopen today, as fake news.
— Khmer Times

Concerns Remain Over Cambodia’s Lack of COVID-19 Cases
In his weekly press briefing, Cambodia’s Health Minister Mam Bun Heng said on Monday that he remains concerned over the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Cambodia as the many citizens, especially in Phnom Penh are returning to life as normal.
— Cambodianess

Cambodian mangoes cannot be exported because there are no airplanes available
The Cambodian Mong Reththy Group, the country’s largest local agribusiness company, and Korean mango exporter Hyundai Agro are discussing ways to seek a solution for mango exports.
— Fresh Plaza

See here for more of today’s Cambodia morning news

Indonesia morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

Indonesia Tourist Arrivals Sink to Lowest Since 2009
Indonesia reported the fewest foreign tourist arrivals since February 2009 as the coronavirus pandemic led to country lockdowns and a slump in travel demand.
— Bloomberg

Indonesia reports 395 new COVID-19 cases, 19 new deaths
Indonesia has reported 395 new COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 11,587, the government’s spokesperson for the COVID-19-related matters Achmad Yurianto said at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
— Xinhua

Indonesia Mass Produces Covid-19 Testing Kits
A consortium of Indonesian research agencies and companies began mass producing Covid-19 testing kits this week to cope with domestic shortage during the pandemic and meet the target of at least 10,000 diagnostic tets per day, a state official said on Sunday.
— Jakarta Globe

See here for more of today’s Indonesia morning news

Lao PDR morning news

Compiled by Mark Henry Uy

 

Mekong levels rise to normal, more rainfall forecasted
Water levels across the vast majority of lower Mekong basin have now returned to their normal long-term averages, says the Mekong River Commission (MRC). But they are still lower than those of the 2018 and 2019 dry seasons.
— KPL

14th Lao COVID-19 case returns to hospital
The National Taskforce Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control announced on Sunday that 10 infected patients continue to be cared for at Mittaphab Hospital in Vientiane with the 14th infected case also returning for treatment.
— Vientiane Times

Secretive Laos reports very few Covid-19 cases
Laos has remained largely unscathed by the Covid-19 pandemic, the country’s government says.
— UCA News

See here for more of today’s Lao morning news

Malaysia morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Covid-19: 55 new cases today, 71 recover, no deaths
The Health Ministry reported 55 new Covid-19 positive cases as of 12pm today, bringing the total number of infections in the country to 6,353.
— The Sun Daily

Malaysia’s migrant workers to undergo mandatory COVID-19 tests as restrictions ease despite spike in cases
Migrant workers in Malaysia are now required to be tested for coronavirus, a senior minister said, as the Government eased six-week long curbs on movement and businesses.
— ABC

Minister: Malaysia now in Phase Five, Putrajaya’s new rules for CMCO applies nationwide
Senior Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob said today that Malaysia has currently moved to the fifth phase of the movement control order (MCO), a week before it was supposed to end on May 12.
— Malay Mail

See here for more of today’s Malaysia Morning News

Myanmar morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Myanmar govt extends temporary suspension of microfinance operations to May 15
The Financial Regulatory Department under the Ministry of Planning, Finance, and Industry has extended Directive No (2/2020) suspending microfinance institutions from operations until May 15 as a precautionary COVID-19 measure.
— Myanmar Times

Total Covid-19 cases reach 161
COVID-19 Situation Report released at 8:00 pm on 4 May Laboratory tests of the National Health Laboratory (Yangon) on the 95 samples and 119 samples by the Department of Medical Research, totalling 214, on 4 May afternoon have showed that 5 new cases, and ONE new case was tested at No.2 Defence Services Hospital (1,000-bed).
— The Global New Light of Myanmar

Myanmar economy unlikely to recover this year: MIFER
Despite a huge increase in approved foreign investments from US$1.9 billion to $3.3 billion during the period between October and March, the actual inflow of foreign direct investments (FDI) are lower.
— Myanmar Times

See here for more of today’s Myanmar morning news

Philippines morning news

Compiled by Stella-maris Ewudolu         @stmarisewudolu

 

Philippines’ Duterte hikes tariffs on imported oil, refined petroleum
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday temporarily increased tariffs on imported crude oil and refined petroleum products to fund measures aimed at mitigating the economic impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
— Reuters

National economy losing P18 billion daily since lockdown–lawmaker
AN economist-lawmaker on Monday revealed that the country loses around P18 billion for each day of lockdown, especially amid coronavirus fears that would hinder an effective reopening of the national economy.
— Business Mirror

Press groups report 61 cases of attacks vs media since January 2019
A day after the commemoration of the World Press Freedom Day, the Freedom For Media, Freedom for All network said it had documented 61 incidents of attacks and threats against journalists between January 1, 2019 to April 30,2020.
— Philippine Star

See here for more of today’s Philippines morning news

Singapore morning news

Compiled by Justhine De Guzman Uy         @justhine.aecnews

 

Singapore factory sentiment falls for straight third month to end-2008 levels
SINGAPORE’S manufacturing sentiment fell for the third straight month in April to its lowest level since November 2008, data on Monday showed, as every segment of the Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) stood in negative territory amid the crippling Covid-19 pandemic.
— The Business Times

66 COVID-19 cases among healthcare workers and support staff: Gan Kim Yong
As of Apr 26, there were 66 cases of confirmed COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers and support staff, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in Parliament on Monday (May 4).
— Channel NewsAsia (very annoying popups)

Singdollar could weaken to 1.425 per USD this year on coronavirus risks: Fitch Solutions
FITCH Solutions has lowered its forecast for the Singapore dollar’s (SGD) 2020 average exchange rate to S$1.425 per US dollar (USD), from its previous average forecast of S$1.385, in light of the Covid-19 crisis.
— The Business Times

See here for more of today’s Singapore morning news

Thailand morning news

Compiled by John Le Fevre         @photo_journ

 

Roadside ambush in Pattani kills 1 and injures another
Last night southern police reported that at 7pm a paramilitary ranger was shot dead and another injured in a roadside ambush in Sai Buri district in the Pattani province.
— The Thaiger

Princess Ubolratana frets end of ban could see resurgence of virus
Princess Ubolratana has expressed her concern about a possible surge in new coronavirus cases following the lifting of the ban on sales of alcoholic beverages in most provinces.
— Bangkok Post

Thailand reports 18 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
Thailand’s new coronavirus cases rose to 18 on Monday (May 4), after falling to single digits for the past week, but the country reported no new deaths.
— CNA

See here for more of today’s Thailand morning news

Vietnam morning news

Compiled by Sreypov Men         @MenSreypov

 

Vietnam reports first new coronavirus infection in 9 days, taking its tally to 271
Vietnam reported its first new coronavirus infection in nine days on Sunday (May 3), a British oil expert who was quarantined on arrival, the Health Ministry said.
— The Straits Times

Vietnam faces increasing tax evasion and avoidance
Vietnam faces increasing tax evasion and avoidance as policies have not kept up with reality, according to a report by Vietnam Institute for Economic and Policy Research (VEPR) and Oxfam.
— The Star Online

Vietnam’s exports surge 4.7 percent in four months
Vietnam’s export value saw a year-on-year increase of 4.7 percent to an estimated 82.9 billion USD in the first four months of this year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).
— VietnamPlus

See here for more of today’s Vietnam morning news

 

 

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About Asean morning news.

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