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

Highlights of the past week • ASEAN meet • Widodo’s eroding support • Generals Anxiety • Malaysia Digital Hub • Singapore unemployment • Investable Philippines? • Vietnam’s Green Economy • Myanmar’s investment reforms • Cambodia’s first solar power • Laos’ New Leader • When the wells run dry in Brunei

ASEAN

• Asean heads worry over fallout from war in Korean peninsula Read
• ASEAN countries at impasse on North Korea Read
• ASEAN urged to enhance connectivity, global role Read
• ASEAN designers: Governments not doing enough to help artists Read
• Where Is ASEAN On Press Freedom? Read
• ASEAN told to be wary of bureaucratic roadblocks: analyst Read
• How much does a Big Mac cost in ASEAN countries? Read
• ASEAN faced with ‘trilemma’ of woes: economist Read
• 12 ASEAN brands that have gone global Read
• Japan pursues currency swaps with ASEAN members Read

Indonesia

• Indonesia is aiming for 5.6 percent economic growth in 2018 Read
• Indonesia Still Lacks Skilled Workforce Needed by Industries Read
• Minister Wants Indonesia Ease of Doing Business Ranking Improved Read
• Indonesia holds interest rate as inflation concerns loom Read
• Indonesia relaxes reserve requirement rules to stabilise market Read
• Widodo’s support erodes as economy sags, infrastructure projects stall Read
• Mitsubishi Motors Opens Plant in Indonesia Read
• Will Indonesia fall into middle-income trap? Read
• Indonesia won’t need to repeat spending cuts this year: Indrawati Read
• Indonesia Bets on $200b Investment Read

Thailand

• Does Thailand Have Too Many Tourists? Read
• Thailand under strain from tourist surge Read
• Thai March consumption up, investment down m/m, recovery patchy Read
• Thailand’s Finance Ministry Expects 3.6% Economic Growth this Year Read
• World Bank, IMF concerned for Thailand’s economic outlook Read
• Thai stocks seen dragged lower as bad loans mount at banks Read
• Hot-money curbs to remain Read
• Thailand: Generals Anxiety Read
• Big Thai banks post profit rise for three straight quarters Read
• Thailand plans to build Bangkok-China-HK cable Read

Malaysia

• Malaysia’s economy faces more headwinds to stay resilient Read
• Moody’s: Malaysia’s economy to grow higher, GDP to pick up to 4.3pc this year Read
• IMF gives thumbs up for M’sia’s macroeconomic policies Read
• ICAEW: Malaysian economy to grow 4.4% this year Read
• Malaysia Eyes Indonesian Properties, Oil and Gas, and Toll Roads Read
• Malaysia Digital Hub launches Read
• Malaysia’s CIMB sees higher profits this year on record revenue Read
• Tesco Malaysia sees more consumers going online for their groceries Read
• Malaysia-EU FTA talks to include palm oil resolutions Read
• Malaysia’s healthcare sector provides a catalyst for growth Read

Singapore

• Singapore economy picking up but growth remains volatile and uneven: MAS Read
• Singapore unemployment hits 7-year high in Q1 Read
• Singapore’s automation incentives draw tech firms, boost economy Read
• Singapore named top maritime capital of the world for 3rd consecutive time Read
• Singapore factory output rises 10.2% in March, topping forecasts Read
• Singapore sets innovation fund to boost economy Read
• Singapore’s property prices to double by 2030 Read
• Singapore firms reflect pick up in business sentiment Read
• Singapore on track with Smart Nation push: Yaacob Read
• Office and retail rents continue to decline Read

Philippines

• Duterte Defends China at ASEAN Summit Read
• Philippines keeps investment grade rating Read
• ‘Brexit may benefit Philippine economy’ Read
• Philippine growth to ride ‘short-lived’ export boost — Nomura Read
• Philippines Wants Spotlight on Building Boom, Not Drug War Read
• Philippines: A High-Growth Market, But Is It Investable? Read
• Tycoons attend 2nd ‘DuterteNomics’ Forum Read
• Squeezing The Philippine Peso Read
• IMF sees Phl GDP growth at close to 7% Read
• Philippines to keep BPO lead in ASEAN integration Read

Vietnam

• Vietnam charts course towards green economy Read
• Vietnam’s drivers trade up from two wheels to four Read
• How can the ‘pavement economy’ contribute to the national economy? Read
• Tourism back on track in Vietnam’s pollution-hit provinces Read
• HCM City’s growth rate maintained a steady pace for the first four months Read
• Logistics key for aviation sector Read
• Foreign investment rises 40.5% Read
• Vietnam’s trade deficit increases day by day Read
• Household firms fear red tape Read
• Is Vietnamese campaign to build a Facebook alternative fighting fake news, or fostering censorship? Read

Myanmar

• Seizing the FDI opportunities Read
• How microfinance can help Myanmar meet its major funding needs Read
• China’s help crucial to Myanmar’s reform Read
• WB assists Myanmar with economic reforms Read
• What’s Behind Myanmar Military Chief’s Europe Voyage? Read
• Bus Ticketing In Myanmar Goes Digital, Thanks To This Brother-Sister Team Read
• Myanmar registers more tourist arrivals Read
• Myanmar plans to set up satellite system Read
• With logging ban lifted, Myanmar timber policy falls flat Read
• Myanmar pushes through with investment reforms Read

Cambodia

• Cambodian Construction Sites Emerge as Political Battlegrounds Read
• Việt Nam, Cambodia inaugurate cross-border bridge Read
• Cambodian PM wants US to amend deportation agreement Read
• eTrade readiness assessments for Bhutan and Cambodia Read
• Insider Analysis: Market leaders analyze 2017 prospects Read
• Shaping Professional Development in Cambodia Read
• Cambodia-Vietnam expressway Read
• Cambodia makes first solar power play Read
• Sihanoukville gets ready for listing Read
• Krungsri pumps $15 million into Cambodian microfinance subsidiary Read

Laos

• Is Laos’ New Leader Really a Reformer? Read
• Laos clothing products in demand by European markets Read
• First Lao team to compete at Microsoft’s Imagine Cup Read
• Vietnam’s PM meets with Vietnamese investors in Laos Read
• Lao cabinet approves seaport project in Vietnam Read
• Cigarettes must bear health warning labels in Laos from May Read
• WWF continues to promote sustainable aquatic development in Laos Read

Brunei

• Batik sector still untapped as it attracts buyers from Brunei Read
• Philippines, Brunei agree to cooperate on halal, energy sector Read
• When the wells run dry in Brunei Read
• Brunei chefs capable of cooking global success Read
• New era in Saudi-Brunei relations, says ambassador Read
• Tour guides set to give Brunei a fresh outlook Read

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