Other Briefings
The China-ASEAN “Diamond Decade”
During the 10th China-ASEAN Expo, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang announced the proposal of a “Diamond Decade” between China and the ASEAN nations, which will seek to build greater economic cooperation between the two areas.
Laos Expands Rail Projects
Sep. 3 – At the end of August a Thai contractor, Sermsaguan Construction Company Ltd., began construction on facilities at Laos’ Thanalaeng station. This station is the start of a railway linking Laos’capital city Vientiane with Thailand’s Nong Khai province. This is just one of many upcoming rail projects for Laos. The first phase of […]
Philippines President Cancels China-ASEAN Trade Fair Visit
Pressure from Beijing over United Nations legal action causes rift amid “concerns for safety” at Nanning Expo Sept. 3 – The Philippines’ President Benigno Aquino has cancelled a visit to the China-ASEAN Expo in Nanning after Chinese officials demanded he first withdraw a legal complaint over the South China Sea the Philippines has lodged with […]
September 2013 ASEAN Regional Meetings
There are a number of important meetings being held in September, including a series of meetings for ASEAN Defense Ministers and several economic forums. The key meetings of note for our readers are as follows.
Positive Outlook in ASEAN for American Companies
Aug. 29 – According to the 2012/13 ASEAN Business Outlook Survey the majority of U.S. companies operating in the ASEAN region expect to see continued growth in their Asian operations. The survey, conducted by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and their regional affiliate AmCham Singapore, found that 90 percent of respondents will increase their trade and […]
Singapore to Deepen Bilateral Relationship with China
Aug. 28 – Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long embarked on a week-long official visit to China earlier this week upon the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. During the visit, China stated its eagerness to review and continue improving its free trade agreement (FTA) with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). In turn, […]
ASEAN Report: FDI Flows at a Record High
Aug. 23 – The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently published their 2012 ASEAN Investment Report in which the they revealed their recent foreign direct investment (FDI) successes. Specifically: FDI flows into ASEAN rose to an all-time high of US$114 billion in 2011 (up 24 percent year-on-year compared to 2010); ASEAN took in about 7.4 percent […]
ASEAN Economic Ministers Meet in Brunei
Aug. 22 – The 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Economic Ministers Meeting (AEMM) was held in Brunei this past Monday. Upon arrival the ASEAN ministers held a joint press conference at which they expressed their happiness about the strong economic performance and resilience of ASEAN in 2012. Specifically, the ministers noted that all […]
ASEAN Automobile Market to See Continued Growth
Aug. 16 – A recent report released by market research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan notes that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is expected to become the fifth largest buyer of cars by 2019. Fueled by rising incomes and a prime-age demographic, ASEAN’s automobile market has been forecasted to grow at a compound […]
Myanmar Approves Plans for New International Airport
Aug. 14 – This week Myanmar approved the Incheon International Airport Corporation’s bid for the construction of a US$1.1 billion airfield to be located within the country’s commercial center of Yangon. The airport, to be called the Hanthawaddy International Airport, will begin construction next year under the management of Incheon, a Korean company with experience […]
