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

Highlights of the past week • Japan: Have we lost ASEAN to China? • Indonesia Economy Grows Less Than Expected • Thailand’s Return to Democracy May Raise Tension • Peso touches 51 to $1 • Singapore’s economy healthier than expected in Q2 • Malaysia : Cash is costly for the economy • Vietnam to increase minimum salary • Suu Kyi’s dilemma over Myanmar energy mix • Japan bankrolls Sihanoukville Port expansion • Want to Invest in Laos? This is Why You Shouldn’t • Brunei embarks on pioneering hydrogen project

ASEAN

• ASEAN’s mid-life crisis? Read
• Beijing’s Asean diplomatic coup Read
• Asean to give infrastructure a big push Read
• Asean: Due credit and formidable challenges Read
• EU no role model, but holds lessons for Asean Read
• Asean offers US a rare chance to meet N Korea Read
• Japan: Have we lost ASEAN to China? Read
• Asean needs Thailand Read
• AirAsia boss hopes Asean will move to be single market Read
• FDI Into ASEAN to Hit $100b pa Read

Indonesia

• Indonesia Economy Grows Less Than Expected on Spending Curbs Read
• Indonesia economy grows 5.01% in Q2, less than expected Read
• Indonesia, Eurasia to Sign Trade Deal Read
• Unleashing Indonesia’s digital economy potential Read
• Indonesia-S’pore business ties face complex challenges Read
• Indonesia’s June retail sales rise 6.3% yoy: survey Read
• Economy of Indonesia: Shifting from Consumption to Investment? Read
• Indonesia: ‘Twin deficits’ still a brake on high growth ambitions Read
• Bank Indonesia signals another rate cut could be on the table Read
• Caution When Investigating Indonesia ETFs Read

Thailand

• Thailand ranked 10th in Asian digital rankings Read
• Thailand steadily slipping behind its neighbours Read
• Thailand’s Return to Democracy May Raise Tension Read
• Thai banks’ loans can grow 4-6 pct this year – c.bank Read
• Thailand Is Finally Cozying Up to China — Why Now? Read
• India builds highway to Thailand to counter China’s silk road Read
• PTT poised to gain from Myanmar deal Read
• Influential Thais in push for Kra Canal project Read
• Thai Billionaire Leads Four Firms With Top-20 Return Potential Read
• Thailand travel: The dark side of touring this country Read

Philippines

• Economy not in danger of overheating — Pernia Read
• Philippines declares first ever H5 bird flu outbreak Read
• Duterte’s ‘Build, Build, Build’ plans hit Philippine peso Read
• IMF cuts 2017, 2018 Philippine GDP forecasts Read
• Philippine c.bank keeps rates steady as inflation within target Read
• China still building South China Sea islands: think-tank Read
• Japan investments plunge 57% Read
• Peso touches 51 to $1 Read
• Energy 4.0: opportunities, risks for PH Read
• Web-based recruitment in PHL grew 6% in June Read

Singapore

• Singapore’s economy healthier than expected in Q2 Read
• Economy looking up but labour market labours on Read
• Singapore retail sales up 1.9% in June compared with a year ago Read
• Management concept ‘ambidexterity’ offers lessons for Singapore firms Read
• Future Economy Council sets out 3 key areas of focus Read
• Non-oil exports rise 2.7% in second quarter Read
• Singapore is world leader in e-government penetration: survey Read
• The eagle, the lion and the dragon: Singapore’s future in the age of Trump Read
• Singaporeans need a revitalized social contract Read
• Signs of new vigour in the property market Read

Malaysia

• Malaysia June factory output up 4% yoy, above forecast Read
• Book shows how much government controls the economy Read
• Bank Negara Malaysia : Cash is costly for the economy Read
• China offers rocket launchers, radar system to Malaysia: reports Read
• Why Malaysians aren’t benefiting from country’s high growth Read
• Report: No ‘high-income’ hope if Malaysia stays on current track Read
• Malaysia’s rubber glove exports set for record year Read
• Malaysia’s central bank criticises SGX’s trading of ringgit futures Read
• Disgruntled $16-a-Day Earners Could Decide Malaysian PM’s Fate Read
• MITI: Msia remains keen on free trade talks with the US Read

Vietnam

• Vietnam’s economy may grow 6.5 pct this year: official Read
• Vietnam Learns Becoming a Tiger Economy Comes With a Cost Read
• Vietnam export revenue forecast to hit US$200 billion Read
• HCM City trials scrapping construction licence Read
• Insurance premiums surge 21% in Jan-July period Read
• VN must launch 2nd export wave: experts Read
• VN shares tumble on global tension Read
• Taxi firms slam ‘impossible’ restrictions Read
• Higher credit growth could increase listed banks’ profits Read
• Vietnam to increase minimum salary by 6.5 pct next year Read

Myanmar

• Suu Kyi’s dilemma over Myanmar energy mix Read
• All Quiet on Myanmar Exchange Read
• Sri Lanka model not fit for Myanmar Read
• Myanmar told to move now for OBOR benefits Read
• US investment in Myanmar may double by 2020 Read
• Myanmar approves $3.7 bn foreign investment Read
• Why agriculture is ailing and how best to revive the sector Read
• The Myth Myanmar Can Afford to Ditch Read
• Suu Kyi touts peace efforts in visit to Myanmar heartland Read
• Snapshots of Myanmar’s flourishing microfinance market Read

Cambodia

• Cambodia’s garment exports grow at slower pace in first half Read
• Japan bankrolls Sihanoukville Port expansion Read
• Thai vending machines for Cambodia Read
• In Japan, Hun Sen Guarantees ‘Peace, Security’ for Investors Read
• Cambodian PM accuses Laos of border violation, says mobilising … Read
• Banking sector firms up its foundations Read
• Study shows the cost of deforestation in Cambodia Read
• $5 million horticulture project Read
• Cambodia to ask Japan to invest $800 million in skytrain Read
• AirAsia adds Sihanoukville to it’s Cambodia routes Read

Laos

• Laos to withdraw troops after Cambodia threat Read
• MandaLao: Is this Laos’ most responsible elephant retreat? Read
• What is China’s PLA doing in Laos? Read
• Lao tourists worry about visiting Cambodia Read
• Laos-China railway brings changes to Laos Read
• Want to Invest in Laos? This is Why You Shouldn’t Read

Brunei

• Brunei embarks on pioneering hydrogen project Read
• PH to sign tax pact with Brunei Read
• Electric cars threaten Brunei plan for oil bonanza Read
• Brunei’s Islamic financial hub vision earns kudos Read
• Japan Military Aircraft in Brunei Spotlights Defense Ties Read
• Brunei has ‘rich ecosystem’ of motivated young entrepreneurs Read

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