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

Highlights of the past week • Southeast Asian workers press for big minimum wage hikes • Google Indonesia: 81mn People Shop Online • Thailand’s July tourist arrivals up 4.8 pct y/y • Philippines outsourcing has human and robot problems • Singapore beats HK in liveability ranking • Malaysia economy expands 5.8% in Q2 • Diversified economy offers Vietnam greater resilience than Cambodia • Myanmar’s military holds key to further reform • Cambodia gets B2 Moody’s rating • What’s Behind the New Cambodia-Laos Border Crisis? • Foreigners can now own land in Brunei

ASEAN

• Why ASEAN Needs to Think Local Read
• Timor-Leste’s critical window on ASEAN Read
• The future of ASEAN’s digital economies Read
• Can ASEAN be really ‘people-centered’? Read
• ASEAN handbook on e-commerce and competition launched Read
• ‘Give migrants within Asean same social benefits as locals’ Read
• Thai firms target Asean for growth Read
• Southeast Asian workers press for big minimum wage hikes Read
• Russia’s Asean moves part of Putin’s power play Read
• Asean Pop Concert proves music a universal language Read

Indonesia

• Indonesia’s economy to grow by 5.4% Read
• Indonesia’s economy making strides with political stability Read
• Widodo Proposes 2018 State Budget Read
• Whatever happened to Indonesia’s mighty oil and gas industry? Read
• Economic Acceleration is Key Element in Indonesia`s 2045 Vision Read
• IS-linked terror suspects arrested in Indonesia Read
• BI: SME Will Become New Source of Economy Read
• Google Indonesia: 81mn People Shop Online Read
• Indonesia c.bank gov sees ‘an easing potential’ at next meeting Read
• Indonesia: ‘Twin deficits’ still a brake on high growth ambitions Read

Thailand

• Thai Q2 GDP growth seen cooling, weak private demand tempers export boost Read
• Thailand’s July tourist arrivals up 4.8 pct y/y – ministry Read
• Bank of Thailand holds interest rate at 1.5% Read
• BoT unveils SME forex option contract Read
• Thailand urged to opt for cloud computing Read
• Thailand eyes next moves in southern peace talks Read
• In Thailand, Taking a Selfie With a Beer Could Land You in Jail Read
• Old red postboxes now yellow smartboxes Read
• SCG deal boosts Vietnamese pitch Read
• Redflow chooses Thailand for battery factory Read

Philippines

• Economic Growth in the Philippines Exceeds 6% for Eighth Quarter Read
• Is the Philippines heading into a debt crisis? Read
• Philippines outsourcing has human and robot problems Read
• The Philippine president’s zany ideas have not hurt the economy Read
• ‘Peso slide has limited impact on Philippine economy’ Read
• Philippines Peso Has Further to Fall Read
• PHL courts China, Japan for $135-billion power push Read
• Rogue stockbroker strikes Read
• Philippine retail industry gears up for the future Read
• PHL-Japan to start designing Mega Manila Subway in Nov. Read

Singapore

• Singapore shows diverse and competitive economy, says Moody’s Read
• Consumer confidence rebounds in Singapore Read
• Singapore domestic wholesale trade expands 18.5% in Q2 Read
• Singapore non-oil exports growth up 8.5% in July Read
• Singapore beats HK in liveability ranking Read
• More firms closing amid tough economy Read
• Singapore’s gender wage gap shows little sign of narrowing Read
• Tax system needs to keep up with disruptions: Indranee Read
• Beyond Terminal 4, still ways for Singapore to soar as aviation hub Read
• Infrastructure the key for S’pore in Asean’s second 50 years Read

Malaysia

• Malaysia economy expands 5.8% in Q2 Read
• Private sector spending and exports fuel economic growth Read
• As Malaysia turns 60, its economy is stuck in third gear Read
• Malaysia’s economy seen on uptrend for next three to five years Read
• Banks in Malaysia getting sticky about paperwork Read
• Malaysia’s economy slows but robotic investment to pay dividends Read
• Ringgit climbs on positive market sentiment, GDP growth Read
• Malaysia’s Current Account Surplus Jumped To $2.24 Billion In June … Read
• Risk of Malaysia’s fiscal slippage remains limited, says Nomura Read
• Why are rural areas neglected if Sabah economy booming? Read

Vietnam

• Moody’s: Diversified economy offers Vietnam greater resilience than Cambodia Read
• Stable H2 economy forecast for Vietnam Read
• Higher second home tax to pose challenges Read
• APEC meetings begin in HCM CITY Read
• Banks loosen purse strings for small businesses Read
• Thailand and Vietnam: Stronger together Read
• VPBank lists over 1.3 billion shares on HoSE Read
• Advice for FDI firms on distribution rights Read
• Vietnam Confirms Purchase of BrahMos Missile From India Read
• Domestic digital content firms ask for fair policies Read

Myanmar

• No Easy Way to Improve Myanmar’s Economy, Experts Say Read
• Myanmar economy needs ‘predictable policy,’ new reform leader urges Read
• State Counsellor urges bankers to promote economic development Read
• Myanmar’s military holds key to further reform Read
• Myanmar’s infrastructure deficit outpaces the world Read
• Curbing inflation in Myanmar – fiscal discipline must continue Read
• Mission impossible? Myanmar and the path to full democracy: Expert Read
• A region crying out to be a community Read
• Myanmar freelance start-up aims for substantial growth in one year Read
• Myanmar political change brings food revolution Read

Cambodia

• Sustained and Inclusive Growth Ahead for Cambodia: World Bank Read
• Cambodia gets B2 Moody’s rating Read
• World Bank: Expect funding fall Read
• Moody’s: VN economy can absorb shocks better than Cambodia Read
• Financial inclusion through Islamic microfinance Read
• Vocational Training Institute Opens for Cambodian Garment Workers Read
• Shifting Tourist Market Leaves Handicrafts Behind Read
• Manulife sees a promising future after 5 years in Cambodia Read
• Investors & home owners putting lifestyle over returns Read
• Cambodia ‘approaching precipice’ amid threats of violence Read

Laos

• What’s Behind the New Cambodia-Laos Border Crisis? Read
• Hun Sen creates new brigade after border row with Laos Read
• Laos, India further enhance trade, investment, tourism cooperation Read
• Laos continues to face budgetary tension: deputy PM Read
• Lao firm Kolao breaks ground with Thai bond issue Read
• What Laos Taught the CIA Read

Brunei

• Foreigners can now own land in Brunei Read
• Every 10 students have a teacher in Brunei Read
• Brunei needs hi-tech monitoring of forests Read
• Brunei getting wetter, warmer Read
• Petronas spearheads major Brunei project Read
• Brunei to capitalise on geospatial technology: Minister Read

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