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

Highlights of the past week • ASEAN adjusting to a less-participatory US • Rupiah Climbs on Forex Reserves Increase • How Thailand Could Become Southeast Asia’s Next Fintech Hub • Overseas Filipinos Still Crucial to Manila’s Economy • Making the Singapore sale great again • Malaysia on high alert for terror strikes during Ramadan • VN 2017 growth below mark: WB • Finance Minister Predicts ‘Take Off’ for Burma Economy • The Cambodian Economy: Outlook, Risks and Reforms • How Laos’ Black Market Undermines China’s Ivory Ban • Mega Leap: UBD breaks into famed QS rankings

ASEAN

• Asean-HK free trade deal ‘by this year’ Read
• Why South Korea eyes Asean Read
• US to Asean: ‘We’re here for you’ Read
• ASEAN adjusting to a less-participatory US Read
• How Asean can ride globalisation wave Read
• Is sustainable growth possible for Asean? Read
• ASEAN, Beijing building ‘good momentum’ on South China Sea issue Read
• ASEAN must cooperate more to combat plastic waste: Minister Read
• Anticorruption efforts in listed firms in ASEAN not sufficient Read
• Asean steps up cooperation as IS threat mounts Read

Indonesia

• World Bank Remains Optimistic about the Indonesian Economy Read
• Indonesia Eyeing Export Opportunities to Afghanistan Read
• Indonesia, Finland to Cooperate in Air Navigation Sector Read
• Indonesia Wants to Rejoin OPEC Read
• Bank Indonesia Provides Rp70 Trillion New Cash Read
• Indonesia Adversely Affected by Boycott of Qatar Airways Read
• Indonesia’s forex reserves rise to record high at end-May Read
• Rupiah Climbs on Forex Reserves Increase Read
• Indonesia, Japan Committed to Accelerating Railway Project Read
• Indonesia may hike infrastructure spending 17% Read

Thailand

• MPC warns economy on shaky ground Read
• Thai ministers seek tech, investments from Japan Read
• B200bn plan for U-tapao Read
• Deputy PM: Thailand wary, but still interested in TPP Read
• Thailand’s Military Prepares for the Long Haul? Read
• Economy to grow more strongly in H2: JSCCIB Read
• Economy expected to drive car sales this year Read
• PR follow-up vital to boost Thai fortunes Read
• 100-yen shop operator aims for huge expansion in Thailand Read
• How Thailand Could Become Southeast Asia’s Next Fintech Hub Read

Philippines

• WB maintains Philippine growth forecast at 6.9% Read
• Economic strength to boost banks’ credit scores Read
• Asia Minute: Overseas Filipinos Still Crucial to Manila’s Economy Read
• Duterte’s development plan: Recycled, failed economic policies Read
• Asia should actively shape own future: Philippine foreign secretary Read
• Duterte admin to allot P10 billion for Marawi rebuilding efforts Read
• Philippines’ exports rise for 5th month, electronics rally seen intact Read
• Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia team up in terror fight Read
• South Korea offers to fund Philippine infrastructure projects Read
• Confusion reigns in online gaming policy Read

Singapore

• Singapore’s Economic Rebound Isn’t as Good as it Seems Read
• Singapore’s productivity challenge Read
• Singapore searches for growth in 10 promising African countries Read
• Nearly 1 in 5 Singapore employees fears losing jobs to automation Read
• Singapore business confidence improves further in Q3 Read
• Singapore strengthens economic ties with Myanmar Read
• Singapore private sector growth loses momentum in May: Nikkei PMI Read
• Protect Singapore’s legacy of corruption-free system: PM Lee Read
• Singapore Stocks: More Room to Rally? Read
• Making the Singapore sale great again Read

Malaysia

• Malaysia April factory output up 4.2% yoy, below forecast Read
• Luxury homes glut can wreck the economy Read
• Business as usual for Malaysia-Britain ties Read
• Malaysian Ringgit to Rally to Eight-Month High, Top Banker Says Read
• Malaysia’s April exports surge 20.6%, slightly below forecast Read
• World Bank revision proves M’sia can hit target Read
• Sarawak firms gain on growing confidence Read
• Guide to adapting to digital age Read
• Malaysia begins switch to digital TV Read
• Malaysia on high alert for terror strikes during Ramadan Read

Vietnam

• VN 2017 growth below mark: WB Read
• How the private sector can drive Vietnam’s growth Read
• Online payment is the best choice Read
• Huế invest $2.26m in auxiliary industry Read
• VN eyes more fruit exports to Japan Read
• Business investments rise strongly in HCM City Read
• Can Vietnam reform without the TPP? Read
• Vietnam suspends sending workers to Qatar Read
• VN promises incentive to Koreans Read
• DICO to sell 45% State capital to investors Read

Myanmar

• Finance Minister Predicts ‘Take Off’ for Burma Economy Read
• Suu Kyi, Trudeau talk federalism for Myanmar Read
• Government vows more reforms as it sees economy taking off this year Read
• MOU opens doors to Myanmar for more Singapore firms Read
• Myanmar investment forum to seek increased foreign investment Read
• More economic zones needed to boost manufacturing: MIDA Read
• In Myanmar, buying cars and homes with gunny sacks full of cash Read
• Investors’ optimism on Myanmar wanes Read
• Kyaw Win looks for farming investment Read
• Myanmar readies reforms to liberalize insurance market Read

Cambodia

• The Cambodian Economy: Outlook, Risks and Reforms Read
• As Cambodia’s economy grows, low-income residents left behind Read
• Japan takes stake in Cambodia’s Sihanoukville Port Read
• Dollar use hurting national economy Read
• Dissecting the Cambodian Election Read
• Smart’s dream for a flourishing digital economy Read
• Fledgling insurance sector grows Read
• Cambodian opposition makes gains in local elections Read
• State-owned sea port becomes fifth firm to list on Cambodian bourse Read
• Thousands quit smoking Read

Laos

• Laos provides clarifications on Mekong dam to river commission Read
• Laos, Japan PMs affirm specific steps in joint development plan Read
• How Laos’ Black Market Undermines China’s Ivory Ban Read
• Exim Bank plans rep offices in Laos, Cambodia Read
• Laos, Thailand exchange knowledge on precursor chemicals Read
• Star Telecom to build population management system for Laos Read
• Laos visits drop 12% Read
• Linfox becomes first foreign logistics company in Laos Read

Brunei

• Brunei ranked 12th in Global Islamic Economy Indicator Read
• Brunei makes significant progress in health Read
• Japan proposes technical cooperation with Brunei Read
• Hengyi aims to launch Brunei refinery in 2019 Read
• Brunei teachers take part in Asean summit Read
• Mega Leap: UBD breaks into famed QS rankings Read
• Malaysia targets 1.5M tourist arrivals from Brunei this year Read

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