Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, Thailand & Singapore : Nov 8, 2024

INDONESIA 

1.PRABOWO SETS TONE WITH TRUMP AHEAD OF MAIDEN VISIT -- THE JAKARTA POST

President Prabowo Subianto congratulated Donald Trump for his sweeping victory in the United States presidential election on Wednesday, just days before he embarks on an expansive diplomatic tour that will include a stopover in the US to meet the sitting president and his successor.

2.PRABOWO INTRODUCES NEW INTELLIGENCE AGENCY UNDER FINANCE MINISTER -- JAKARTA GLOBE

President Prabowo Subianto has signed a decree establishing a specialized intelligence unit under the direct authority of the finance minister. This decree also includes the creation of two new directorates within the Finance Ministry, which is currently led by Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

CAMBODIA

1.MALYS ANGKOR WINS WORLD’S BEST RICE FOR SIXTH TIME - - FRESH NEWS 

Cambodia’s aromatic rice Malys Angkor, launched in 2018, won the World Best Rice Competition for the sixth time in the Philippines capital, Manila on Thursday.

2. REFINERIES PRODUCE 13 TONNES OF GOLD — AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE 

As of November 2024, refineries in the northern Mondulkiri province produced nearly 13 tonnes of gold.Renaissance Minerals (Cambodia) refined 807 gold bars weighing 12,536 kilogrammes, while Rong Cheng Industrial Investment produced 12 gold bars weighing about 22 kilogrammes.

LAOS

1.SOUTH KOREAN NGO ASSIST LAO COFFEE PLANTERS - - VIENTIANE TIMES 

South Korean non-governmental organisation (NGO) Wonders International is assisting Lao coffee  planters in promoting sustainable agriculture by helping them adopt eco-friendly practices and improve their income. Farmers in northern Laos are given seeds and training under the project.

2.LAOS-CAMBODIA DISCUSS BORDER DEMARCATION — VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos and Cambodia's technical border committees are working to advance border demarcation efforts between the two neighbouring countries, which share 80 per cent of their borders. Both countries will determine the locations for additional border markers to be installed.

MYANMAR

1.MYANMAR WANTS CLOSER TRADE TIES WITH NEIGHBOURS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar is keen to enhance trade cooperation with the Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic  Cooperation Strategy (ACMECS) member states by developing its transportation infrastructure. The government announced its intentions at the 10th ACMECS Summit held in Kunming, China.

2. MANUFACTURING ATTRACT RM362 MILLION FDI -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The manufacturing sector attracted foreign direct investments (FDI) worth more than RM362 million from 28 enterprises in the first seven months of this year, where mostly Chinese companies invested. The Myanmar Investment Commission permitted 33 foreign projects from seven countries.

VIETNAM

1. VIETNAM’S SEMICONDUCTOR SECTOR TO HIT RM77 BILLION -- HANOI TIMES

The Global Semiconductor Association has forecast Vietnam’s semiconductor sector to reach RM77 billion billion this year. The global semiconductor industry’s rapid growth, Vietnam's emergence as a  powerhouse in the field and the government's long-term vision to develop the sector are driving the industry.  

2.VIETNAM-KOREA TACKLE COUNTERFEIT BRANDS -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam and South Korean officials are working to stop counterfeit brands from entering the Vietnamese market to protect consumers. About 10 South Korean brands participated in a workshop to identify genuine products, assisting authorities in identifying fake products and addressing brand violations.

THAILAND

1. TRUMP ADMINISTRATION BRINGS NEW CHALLENGES FOR THAI BUSINESS -- THE NATION

Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US presidential election on Wednesday will result in a clear shift in the global order, with significant changes for which Thai businesses must prepare, the Thai National Shippers' Council (TNSC) said.

2. MINISTRY TO LEGALISE UNREGISTERED HOTELS -- BANGKOK POST

The Tourism and Sports Ministry has vowed to register unregistered hotels through a new draft within one year, aiming to maintain the long-haul tourist market as the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is implemented in two years, which requires adhering to strict environmental standards.

SINGAPORE

1.TRUMP’S COMEBACK: OUTLOOK FOR SINGAPORE AND ASEAN -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Once every four years, the world holds its breath when the American people go to the polls to elect their president, vice-president, senators, congressmen, governors and other officials. It does so because what happens in America will affect it in one way or another.

2.GAZA AND UKRAINE CONFLICTS CAST ‘HEAVY SHADOW’ ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND GLOBAL TALKS IN AZERBAIJAN -- CNA

Unprecedented levels of conflict in 2024 could “derail” efforts to halt global warming, experts warned, days out from international climate talks in Azerbaijan.

-- BERNAMA