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

Highlights of the past week • China’s growing influence in Asean • Jakarta governor’s blasphemy conviction • Bank spread in Thailand • Philippines New Central Bank Chief • Singapore’s high-tech farming • Tax cuts in Malaysia • Corporate debt in Vietnam • Debt crisis in Myanmar • How to Invest in Cambodia • Malaysia-Laos trade • Brunei’s economic recovery

ASEAN

• 5 Takeaways from the World Economic Forum on Asean 2017 Read
• China’s growing influence in Asean Read
• Three ideas to shape ASEAN’s next 50 years Read
• Good infrastructure vital for Asean Read
• Survey: Young people in Asean see promising future Read
• Korean conflict poses a dilemma for Asean Read
• Press Freedom Day in Asean: Much more work to do Read
• UOB unit drives FDI worth over RM83bil into Asean Read
• Chile Promotes Rapprochement With Indonesia, ASEAN Read
• Seize the opportunities ASEAN offers: AirAsia chief Read

Indonesia

• Can Indonesia’s economy break out? Read
• Jakarta governor’s blasphemy conviction triggers global backlash Read
• Indonesian Islamist leader says ethnic Chinese wealth is next target Read
• An unfair trial leaves Chinese-Indonesians feeling vulnerable Read
• Indonesia Pitches Energy Investment to Canada Read
• Q1 Result Shows All Engines Running in Indonesian Economy: Sri Mulyani Read
• Indonesia strives to build financial market to match its might Read
• Joko Widodo: Islam in Indonesia is moderate Read
• Indonesia Pitches Infrastructure Projects at OBOR Read
• Indonesia to Supply 10% Global Nickel Need by 2020 Read

Thailand

• Thai first-quarter GDP growth seen at fastest pace in four years as exports rebound Read
• Thailand has given Facebook until Tuesday to remove content that insults its monarchy Read
• Thailand delays launch of 100b bhat infrastructure fund to Q3 Read
• Taiwan sees Thai fit with technology drive Read
• Economy continues to vex govt, 3 years on Read
• Korea King ad panned Read
• Thailand targets broadband in all villages by end-2018 Read
• BoT: Bourse outflows to be expected Read
• Apisak pressures banks on spreads Read
• Tesco set to open more stores in Thailand and Malaysia Read

Philippines

• Duterte returns to China for economic forum, talks with Xi Jinping Read
• New page of history for China, Philippines – Rody Read
• Philippine President Duterte Names New Central Bank Chief Read
• Philippine c.bank keeps rates on hold as inflation not a threat Read
• PHL, Japan firm up Tokyo’s infrastructure commitments Read
• Foreign investors see bright spot in infra Read
• Trade deficit widens 32% in March Read
• Steady 6.6% growth in Q1 seen Read
• PH pitches Dutertenomics to investors Read
• Philippines, US kick off annual joint military exercise Read

Singapore

• Is Singapore becoming an old young country? Read
• Singapore retail sales up 2.1% in March, reversing February’s fall Read
• Olympic high jumper shows the way for economic leap Read
• Parliament: Sixth university for Singapore to focus on lifelong learning Read
• Can Singapore millennials afford to buy a home? Read
• New farm plots with 20-year leases set aside for high-tech farming Read
• Why carbon tax is needed and what it means for Singapore Read
• OCBC to buy NAB mortgage portfolio in Singapore, Hong Kong Read
• Singapore FX reserves rise to $260.7 bln in April Read
• 77% of women in Singapore admit working from home isn’t an option Read

Malaysia

• Malaysia March factory output up 4.6% y-o-y, meets forecast Read
• Rich man’s toys mock Malaysia’s economic crunch Read
• Malaysia launches Social Outcome Fund to grow its social economy Read
• IMF: Malaysia’s 2017 economic growth seen at 4.5% Read
• Malaysia central bank holds key rate, sees growth picking up Read
• Malaysia’s manufacturing sector continues to grow Read
• Tax cuts will boost Malaysia’s competitiveness Read
• Shop at Lazada, pay at 7-Eleven Read
• TalentCorp: Malaysia to prepare for the future of work Read
• Chinese firms harbour doubts over Malaysian port projects Read

Vietnam

• Corporate debt threatens economic growth of Vietnam Read
• Experts Warn Risky Loans In Vietnam Could Seriously Threaten Its Booming Economy Read
• Vietnamese PM woos investors at World Economic Forum Read
• Almost 700 firms lose export licences to US Read
• Việt Nam retail on cusp of change Read
• How Vietnam Is Moving into the Future, One Scooter at a Time Read
• April sale of cars down Read
• Bank profits still mainly depend on lending Read
• Transfer pricing: the dark side of FDI Read
• VN-Index surging back to previous peak Read

Myanmar

• China effect? Myanmar too facing a debt crisis Read
• Politics and economy two sides of the same coin Read
• Why Myanmar’s military is not planning a coup Read
• Myanmar, France chambers sign pact for stronger economic ties Read
• Foreign business hails greater clarity in new investment law Read
• Despite crackdown, people-smuggling across Thai-Myanmar border has risen Read
• Myanmar’s First Private Bank to digitalize operations with Misys Read
• Myanmar Needs To Emulate Indonesia Read
• It’s Good to Be the Tatmadaw Read
• A modern credit bureau will help Myanmar’s MSMEs Read

Cambodia

• Shifting Economy Feeds Nation’s Uncertain Politics Read
• Cambodia: New Asian tiger thrives amid autocracy Read
• Hun Sen Slams Cambodia’s ‘Foreign Servants’ at World Economic Forum Read
• Staying ahead of the curve: the future of Cambodia’s construction industry Read
• This Cambodian entrepreneur thinks the ASEAN tech space will be hotter than India’s Read
• UN-ESCAP: Cambodia will grow at 7% Read
• Cambodia’s Hun Sen Warns of Civil War Ahead of Local Elections Read
• Insurance giant turns to Cambodia Read
• Why Is Cambodia’s Illegal Logging Problem Still Rolling On? Read
• How to Invest in Cambodia: Asia’s Best Frontier Market Read

Laos

• Lao economy to grow at 6.8 percent in 2017: IMF Read
• Belt and Road Initiative to benefit Lao economy: experts Read
• Opening way for Malaysia-Laos trade Read
• Anthony Bourdain explores the dark hidden history of Laos Read
• Do the right thing: a cinematic renaissance in Laos Read
• Chinese banana boom a blessing and curse in Laos Read

Brunei

• Brunei economy to recover in 2017 on back of reforms Read
• China, Brunei to further cooperation under B&R Initiative Read
• Saudi Arabia’s Falih says Brunei ready for global oil agreement extension Read
• Made in Brunei Market Fair gets great response and feedback Read
• Chevrolet Brunei brings in Cruze Turbo Read
• Brunei’s business heads meet at CEO Summit Read
• Brunei’s first-ever VR gaming arcade to open tomorrow Read

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