Blog

ASEAN WEEKLY: 22-28 Jan 2018

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

Highlights of the past week • India-ASEAN summit • Indonesia’s Nation-Building Plan • Thai election faces delay • Philippines GDP growth slows • Singdollar hits 3-year high • Malaysia raises key interest rate for first time since 2014 • Domestic demand to fuel Việt Nam economy • Hopes for revival of Dawei SEZ • Will it be the end of Hun Sen era • Russia-Laos Military Ties • Modi meets Sultan of Brunei Darussalam

ASEAN

• India-ASEAN summit adopts ‘Delhi Declaration’ Read
• The Future of India’s Ties With ASEAN Read
• Trump could do more for ASEAN allies Read
• Tharman: Innovation at the heart of Asean’s next phase Read
• Visa-free travel to EU urged by Asean Read
• India-ASEAN ties can benefit region: China Read
• Private Equity in Southeast Asia and China: The Trends to Watch Read
• Grab may acquire Uber’s Southeast Asia operations Read
• Southeast Asia is hugely at risk of cyberattacks Read
• Mobile payments sideswipe credit cards in Southeast Asia Read

Indonesia

• Indonesia Seeks to Plug $157 Billion Gap in Nation-Building Plan Read
• Indonesian Economy Set to Maintain Positive Outlook in 2018 Read
• Indonesia Set to Deepen Trade Relations With Africa Read
• Indonesia Ranks Higher in 2018 Global Talent Competitiveness Index Read
• Bank Indonesia Says Limited Room to Cut Interest Rates Read
• Bank Indonesia launches joint initiative as rice prices bite Read
• Jakarta among top 10 in digital environment business confidence: EIU report Read
• Semen Indonesia: Rising Cement Sales, Sliding Market Share Read
• Eveready to form JV with Indonesia’s Universal Wellbeing Read
• Indonesia delays LNG import commitments Read

Thailand

• Thailand’s exports up for 10th straight month Read
• Prayuth Chan-ocha maneuvering to retain Thailand’s premiership Read
• Thai election faces delay after law change Read
• EEC to spearhead Thailand 4.0 Read
• Thailand’s auto production rises for third year Read
• All eyes on baht amid capital inflows Read
• Toyota sales in Thailand seen bottoming out in 2018 Read
• TAT to focus on Asean visits Read
• Thailand’s big four banks see profits dip for first time in two years Read
• Thai Dec car sales jump 20.1 pct y/y – federation Read

Philippines

• Philippine economy returns crown to China Read
• Philippines GDP growth slows in Q4 Read
• Nomura, Moody’s see Philippine growth pick-up in 2018 Read
• DOF sees faster economic expansion in 2018 Read
• Duterte bans Philippine nationals from working in Kuwait Read
• ‘Build, build, build’ and the working poor Read
• Manila still lags behind Asean-5 peers in inclusive economic growth rate Read
• Biz groups: Con-con for federalism shift Read
• Philippine treasurer maps out plan to face higher debt costs Read
• Philippines should spend $22.8 billion on cybersecurity — study Read

Singapore

• Singapore must accept slower rate of labour growth: MAS’ Menon Read
• War on washing machines may have early casualty in Singapore Read
• Do taxes in Singapore really need to go up? Read
• Cruise industry added $706m to Singapore’s economy in 2016 Read
• Singdollar hits 3-year high against US dollar Read
• Singapore Dec factory output falls 3.9 pct y/y Read
• Singapore firms fall behind in sustainability journey Read
• Advantages Of Investing In Singapore Stocks Read
• Singapore to sign free trade agreement with Sri Lanka Read
• Khaled: JB-Singapore RTS project will boost cross-border economy Read

Malaysia

• Malaysia raises key interest rate for first time since 2014 Read
• Malaysia-India economic ties to elevate to strategic level Read
• Malaysia will never again peg ringgit against US$: Najib Read
• Malaysia ready to take on gold industry Read
• Malaysia needs political stability to grow, says Rahman Dahlan Read
• Malaysia December retail inflation up on costlier food, fuel Read
• Will there be surprises from Invest Malaysia? Read
• Wahid: Malaysia can’t risk a sovereign rating downgrade Read
• Malaysia decries EU ban on Palm Oil as unacceptable ‘Crop Apartheid’ Read
• Can exporters hold their ground in 2018? Read

Vietnam

• Vietnam Wants Foreign Money to Overhaul Its Economy Read
• Domestic demand to fuel Việt Nam economy in 2018 Read
• Vietnam gears up to develop a digital economy Read
• Ministry clarifies decree on imported autos Read
• Export-Dependant Vietnam to Seek Global Economic Unity at Davos Read
• SBV aids access to financial services Read
• Vietnam’s $2400 income per capita disappoints economists Read
• VN’s FTAs: Boon or Bane? Read
• IPOs needed to improve market Read
• Vietnam orders banks to tighten lending in stock, real estate markets Read

Myanmar

• Myanmar, Denmark launch new SME fund Read
• View: China bounces back in Myanmar as West retreats Read
• South Korea to build $98 million logistics hub in Yangon Read
• Myanmar businesses urge closer ties with Kanchanaburi Read
• Cars, railways and cattle: China’s economic interests in Myanmar Read
• 2 armed ethnic groups agree to join Myanmar ceasefire pact Read
• Myanmar’s rush to resolve Rohingya crisis backfires Read
• Access to credit and skills gaps major concerns, survey reveals Read
• Hopes for revival of Dawei SEZ Read
• Myanmar deliberates bed tax Read

Cambodia

• Chinese investment in Cambodian province pushes up crime rate, says governor Read
• France grants $50 million in aid and loans to Cambodia Read
• 2 mln Chinese tourists visit Cambodia last year, up 45.9 pct Read
• GDP to focus on government efficiency Read
• Clean water and sanitation for rural people by 2025 Read
• Cambodia urged to focus on good corporate governance Read
• EBA with EU safe: GMAC Read
• Cambodia’s Special Relationship With India Read
• Cambodia’s low rate of unemployment doesn’t tell whole story, report finds Read
• Will it be the end of Hun Sen era Read

Laos

• Where Are Russia-Laos Military Ties? Read
• China rail through Laos underway Read
• What Did the Laos-Cambodia Security Meeting Achieve? Read
• Laos pushes for greater Asean-India cooperation Read
• Drug production in Laos and Myanmar still a major threat Read
• Laos pushes ahead with Mekong dams despite environmental risks Read
• Laos calls for investments in Savan Seno special economic zone Read

Brunei

• India, Brunei discuss defence, security, energy cooperation Read
• Brunei sultan reports social media account to Jakarta Police Read
• Brunei’s Kampong Ayer: World’s largest settlement on stilts Read
• Exploring Brunei by kayak: An eco-tourism solution waiting to happen Read
• Modi meets Sultan of Brunei Darussalam, holds bilateral parleys Read
• Social investment key priority: BSP Read

About Charting Economy

Charting Economy™ is a pioneer publisher of country-report presentations. We help our readers interpret economic numbers and incorporate them into business planning. Our expanding list of country-report presentations covers all major and emerging economies around the world. Our reports can be purchased and downloaded in PDF format at www.ChartingEconomy.com.