1-7 Feb 2016

ASEAN WEEKLY

1-7 Feb 2016

Weekly roundup of ASEAN economic news and updates from local and international press.

Highlights of the past week • ‘Not anti-China’ US-ASEAN summit • Indonesia’s 4Q15 growth • Can Thai Junta Convince Investors? • Malaysia’s ‘broken’ system • Is Singapore heading for technical recession? • Philippines’ middle class • Reflection on Vietnamese leadership decision • Myanmar’s New Government • India-Brunei ties • Cambodia’s Timber Tycoon • New Cold War Battleground in Laos

ASEAN

• ASEAN agrees on MICE standard Read
• India mulling easing visa for ASEAN to boost Buddhist tourism Read
• How Safe is ASEAN from Global Economic Turmoil? Read
• Asean searches new strategic ties with US and China Read
• The Asean Economic Community is finally here. Now what? Read
• TPP Spurs EU to Make Up Lost Ground in Asia Trade Diplomacy Read
• S. says summit with ASEAN nations ‘not anti-China’ Read
• How to scale up financial inclusion in ASEAN countries Read
• Keeping Asean united: What the US can and cannot do — Simon Tay Read
• AEC: Addressing the skills gap Read

Indonesia

• Indonesia economy gains speed in Q4, outlook brightens Read
• Indonesia inflation a mixed bag Read
• Indonesia’s Brodjonegoro: Rupiah ‘Quite Strong’ in 2016 Read
• Panasonic & Toshiba Close Factories in Indonesia Read
• Indonesia to relax foreign ownership rules in power, e-commerce, retail sectors Read
• Indonesian Tycoons Find Tax Haven in Singapore Read
• Indonesia’s Manufacturing Industry Remains Low in 2016 Read
• Indonesia Loan Growth Misses 2015 Target Read
• Indonesia’s tourist arrivals drop 0.16 pct y/y in Dec Read
• Indonesia lures Indians with free visas Read

Thailand

• Thai central bank holds rates, says fiscal spending to help economy Read
• Can Thai Junta Convince Investors It Knows What It’s Doing? Read
• China wealth fund eyes Thai stake Read
• Thai January consumer prices fall for 13th straight month Read
• Thailand takes another wrong turn Read
• Because I’m happy: Thailand rated world’s ‘happiest economy’ in Misery Index Read
• One million Indians travelled to Thailand in 2015 Read
• Thailand’s queen of instant noodles takes a hit due to slowing economy Read
• Inside the Secretive and Fearful World of the Chinese Exile Community in Thailand Read
• Thai Skin-Whitening Ad Sparks Outrage on Social Media Read

Malaysia

• IMF: Malaysia’s economic growth set to remain solid Read
• Mustapa: Malaysia’s economy will not be ‘colonised’ by other countries under TPPA Read
• Malaysia’s workplace is still hiring Read
• Malaysia’s Prime Minister Weathers Corruption Scandal – OpEd Read
• Malaysia’s ‘broken’ system needs more than an economic fix, Rafidah says Read
• Malaysian central bank chief’s imminent exit highlights succession risks Read
• Malaysia to scrap visas for Chinese tourists Read
• Malaysia December exports way below forecast as commodities drag Read
• Indonesia, Malaysia Agree on Palm Oil Council Structure Read
• Levies on foreign workers should be appropriately imposed – TK Chua Read

Singapore

• Singapore’s future economy: Tomorrow’s companies, today Read
• Singapore as ‘innovation lab’ will have its place in the world: Heng Read
• Is Singapore heading for technical recession? Read
• Another monetary policy easing is unwarranted, says DBS Read
• Singapore still second-freest economy: Survey Read
• Foreign investments to drop but more skilled jobs ahead Read
• Singapore’s manufacturing activity contracts in January Read
• Singapore’s consumer confidence dips in Q4: Nielsen index Read
• Singapore property prices could fall by 24% in 2016 Read
• Economic uncertainties to put dent in Singapore birth rate: Sociologists Read

Philippines

• Boost from PPP rollouts, poll spending: Growth to pick up pace this year – Moody’s Read
• The Philippines’s consumer economy and Singapore’s crisis Read
• Philippines Companies, Formerly Fusty, Become Big Dealmakers Read
• Standard Chartered proposes own calculation of core inflation to analyze Philippine economy Read
• Middle class reaping fruits of fast-growing economy Read
• Philippines rises six notches in global economic freedom index Read
• FDI up for grabs, PHL opening critical Read
• Industrial output seen to have slowed in December Read
• Local fashion businesses face conundrum of good economy Read
• Poor Philippine small and medium enterprises (SMEs) Read

Vietnam

• Vietnamese leadership decision reflects power of faceless collective over charisma Read
• What Political Upheaval? In Vietnam, One Communist Leader Like Another Read
• Vietnam: The Quiet Economic Success Story Of Asia Read
• No turning back the reform clock for Vietnam Read
• Survey reveals how Vietnamese consumers plan on spending for Tet Read
• Old Age, Debt Threaten Vietnam Economy Read
• Sri Lanka expects stronger economic ties with Vietnam: Deputy FM Read
• Vietnamese bankers arrested over fraud ‘worth millions’ Read
• What price has Vietnam paid for FDI? Read
• Vietnam’s economic freedom index rises Read

Myanmar

• Suu Kyi allies form Myanmar ruling party after decades of struggle Read
• Business leaders confident about political transition Read
• Myanmar’s New Government Is Still Shrouded in Secrecy Read
• Myanmar´s high economic hopes as parliament opens Read
• New Democratic Era Dawning in Myanmar Read
• Why corporate governance is crucial to Myanmar’s growing private sector Read
• China: Big Neighbour, Big Money, Big Influence Read
• AYA Bank opens underwriting business, eyes IPO Read
• Myanmar, consortium sign deal in new international airport project Read
• Unemployed, Myanmar’s Elephants Grow Antsy, and Heavier Read

Brunei

• India, Brunei to boost defence ties, ink three pacts Read
• Tremendous potential for India, Brunei in hydrocarbon sector: Hamid Ansari Read
• India offers its retired soldiers to guard Brunei Read
• Insolvency law needed to create pro-business environment Read
• More homes to be connected to fibre network Read
• Investors keen on ASEAN markets Read
• How social media saved a young Bruneian soul Read

Cambodia

• China, Cambodia Aim to Further Boost Trade to $5 Billion Read
• Opposition Leader Wants US Mediation in Cambodian Political Strife Read
• Ambassadors Urged to Monitor PM’s Facebook Read
• Timber Tycoon Back in Spotlight Read
• Corruption Keeping Economy ‘Mostly Unfree’ Read
• Cambodian Citizens Want to Throw World Bank out of Phnom Penh Read
• Cambodia gets about 320 mln USD investment from ASEAN last year Read
• Sector unsure over construction law implementation Read
• New Tool To Help Cambodian Gov’t Detect Disease Outbreaks Read
• Hun Sen highlights politics of road safety Read

Laos

• Laos, Vietnam: New Leaders Reflect Struggle To Stay the Course Read
• Laos PM, Party Boss Set for Political Exit After Congress Vote Read
• Fiscal restraints likely to delay construction of 5th Thai-Lao Mekong bridge Read
• Cold Weather Bears Down Once Again on Laos Read
• Laos to export electricity to Myanmar, more for Vietnam Read
• Pig Farmers in Laos Face Debt And Bankruptcy Due to Falling Pork Prices Read
• Lao Airlines ordered to compensate Korean victims for plane crash Read
• VN to cut tariffs on Laos imports Read
• Laos: The New Cold War Battleground You Don’t Know About Read
• Laos’ Elephants Take to the Road to Save Their Forest Home Read

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