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

Highlights of the past week • Trump in for Asean summit • Fear of communist revival grips Indonesia • Thai c.bank raises 2017 growth forecast again • Foreign investors jittery on the Philippines • Singapore’s creative economy • Malaysia imposes travel ban for North Korea • Vietnam’s Economic Growth Surges • In her own words: Aung San Suu Kyi • Cambodia wants more tourists • Laos is ‘world’s fastest growing’ ivory market • Brunei jumps 12 places in global index

ASEAN

• Trump confirmed for Asean summit Read
• ASEAN OKs 20% energy intensity reduction by 2022 Read
• Asean crisis; Malaysia rejects Rohingya stance Read
• ASEAN endorses East Sea code proposal Read
• Singapore-listed firms enjoy Asean boom Read
• ASEAN and EU must improve connectivity Read
• ASEAN must not align itself with major powers: experts Read
• Singapore a powerful spur to ASEAN-China ties and beyond Read
• Belt and Road greases the wheels of ASEAN Read
• Ford taps Thai for head of Asean hub Read

Indonesia

• Indonesia Climbs Up Global Competitiveness Ladder: WEF Report Read
• Indonesia ready to divert tourists as Bali volcano rumbles Read
• Indonesia’s Indrawati warns of ‘default risk’ at utility PLN Read
• Indonesia’s SOE Minister hits back at Indrawati’s warnings Read
• Fear of communist revival grips Indonesia Read
• Street Hawkers Pave the Way to Indonesia’s First E-Commerce IPO Read
• China’s panda ‘diplomats’ have tough job to do in Indonesia Read
• Indonesian economy resilient to global pressures: ADB Read
• Indonesia to open new investment doors to Qatar and Middle East Read
• Private Sector to Help Drive Indonesia’s Public Education Overhaul … Read

Thailand

• Thailand to Kick Start $45 Billion Economic Revamp Before Polls Read
• Thailand edges up in global ranking of most competitive economy Read
• Thailand Light-Vehicle Sales Rise Alongside Economy Read
• Thailand PM: Fugitive former leader Yingluck Shinawatra in Dubai Read
• Thai Aug factory output rises 3.74% yoy, beats forecast Read
• Thai c.bank raises 2017 growth forecast again, holds key rate steady Read
• Long-term tourism sustainability hinges on diversity Read
• Dysfunctional schools crimp Thai economic growth prospects Read
• Japan, China compete for influence in Thailand Read
• Yingluck verdict a political game changer in Thailand Read

Philippines

• PH inches up in 2017 WEF Global Competitiveness Index Read
• Infrastructure remains weak link in Philippines’ competitiveness Read
• ADB retains PH growth outlook, sees no signs of economy overheating Read
• Duterte’s Philippines, Still Corrupt And Less Competitive Read
• Foreign investors jittery on the Philippines Read
• Philippine government tries to lure private Japanese investment Read
• Moody’s maintains stable outlook on Philippine banking system Read
• WB OKs $207.6-M funding for Metro flood project Read
• Taiwan to allow visa-free entry for visitors from Philippines Read
• Iloilo reclaims ‘Queen City’ title Read

Singapore

• Singapore’s creative economy is in full bloom Read
• Singapore drops one spot to 3rd most competitive economy: WEF Read
• Singapore fifth most visited city in the world: report Read
• Singapore investments in Latin America, the Caribbean still growing Read
• Singapore factory output beats forecasts to soar 19.1% Read
• Singapore is world’s best expat destination for third straight year … Read
• Commentary: Singapore’s case for space Read
• Taxman cometh for the digital economy Read
• Boost in S’pore, Hungary industry tie-ups Read
• Nightspot Zouk’s former site up for sale Read

Malaysia

• PM: Asian Development Bank’s outlook proves naysayers wrong Read
• Malaysia moves up two spots in WEF’s Global Competitiveness … Read
• HK and Malaysia are biggest Asian growth surprises, says ADB Read
• ‘Minister of Finance Inc’ – an economist’s probe of GLICs in M’sia Read
• Tourism Sector To Maintain As Third Largest Contributor To Economy Read
• Trump’s push for tax reform has no major impact on Malaysia Read
• Mega port projects risk failure, say industry experts Read
• Malaysia, Singapore forming subway shuttle company Read
• Oracle opens first Southeast Asia digital hub in Malaysia Read
• Malaysia imposes travel ban for North Korea Read

Vietnam

• Vietnam’s Economic Growth Surges to Above 7% as Exports Climb Read
• Vietnam moves up global competitiveness list Read
• VN to reach $70b trade with S Korea Read
• Expats in VN earn $88000 per year Read
• Stable Vietnam Currency Is Aiding Central Bank in Growth Push Read
• Banks face charter capital difficulties Read
• Government to ease gas trading Read
• Vietnam says bad debts under control Read
• More Vietnamese using electronic payments: Visa Read
• Home sales slowdown in September in major cities Read

Myanmar

• Economics and Democracy: Myanmar’s Myriad Challenges Read
• Military legacy still stalling Myanmar Read
• In her own words: Aung San Suu Kyi speaks to the Nikkei Asian Review Read
• Myanmar Rohingya hatred has roots in Buddhist nationalism Read
• Myanmar’s new Companies Act can be ‘game changer’ Read
• How Myanmar’s understanding of China is paving the way for economic success Read
• Shan businesses press for Mandalay-Muse route revamp Read
• Bankers warn of economic disruption unless rule deadline eased Read
• Businesses push for better communications with Nay Pyi Taw Read
• Rohingya crisis and the China factor Read

Cambodia

• Cambodia wants more tourists Read
• Uber praises Cambodia policies as it launches in Phnom Penh Read
• The worldview from Cambodia Read
• ADB retains forecast of robust economic growth for Cambodia Read
• EuroCham: Confidence falls a bit Read
• Rising middle classes set to snap up mid-range properties Read
• Is Hun Sen turning Cambodia into a pariah state in ASEAN? Read
• Cambodian opposition MPs flee from crackdown Read
• Who’s Playing Whom on Cambodian Facebook? Read
• Cambodia’s ties with US frayed, says official Read

Laos

• Will Laos Buy New Weapons from Indonesia? Read
• Laos is ‘world’s fastest growing’ ivory market Read
• Laos seals Malaysia energy deal Read
• Firm economic growth expected for Laos: ADB Read
• Laos grows as hydro exporter through new ASEAN agreement Read
• China Southern Airlines launches Vientiane-Guangzhou direct flight Read
• Laos markets 14bn baht multi-tranche bonds Read

Brunei

• China, Brunei to further promote bilateral relations: ambassador Read
• Brunei jumps 12 places in global index – Borneo Bulletin Online Read
• Bank Islam Brunei delays IPO on Bursa to H1 of 2018 Read
• People-to-people exchanges strengthen Brunei-Korea ties: Envoy Read
• RB launches enhanced website, booking platform Read

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