Top News Headlines In Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam & Singapore: Jan 24, 2025

INDONESIA

1. KPPU FINES GOOGLE FOR MONOPOLY PRACTICES -- THE JAKARTA POST

The competition watchdog has fined Google Rp 202.5 billion (US$12.4 million) for engaging in monopolistic and unfair business practices related to its payment system services on Google Play Store, its software distribution platform.

2. MARCO RUBIO, SUGIONO TALK ABOUT SOUTH CHINA SEA OVER PHONE -- JAKARTA GLOBE

Newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump’s chief diplomat Marco Rubio had a phone call with Indonesia’s Foreign Minister Sugiono for talks about the South China Sea, among others, on Thursday.

CAMBODIA 

1. FILIPINO BUSINESS WOMEN EXPRESS INTEREST IN CAMBODIA -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE

The Women's Business Council of the Philippines visited Cambodia to expand business ties with their Cambodian counterpart. Women entrepreneurs from both countries are exploring opportunities in agriculture, handicrafts, education, health, tourism and retail businesses. 

2. LOCAL AVIATION SECTOR RECORDS ROBUST 2024 -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE

The State Secretariat of Civil Aviation said Cambodia experienced brisk business with the three international airports handling a record high of 6.2 million passengers last year. Flight movements were 58,354, while air cargo transport reached nearly 80,000 tonnes last year.

LAOS

1. ECONOMIC ZONES ATTRACTING JAPANESE COMPANIES -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Fifty-seven Japanese companies are operating in Laos Special Economic Zones, including 41 wholly-owned and 16 joint ventures with Lao partners. They have invested RM824 million (US$183 million) and Japan ranks 14th out of 53 foreign investors in Laos.

2. JAPAN TO DEVELOP TEACHERS’ TEACHING SKILLS -- VIENTIANE TIMES 

Japan will assist Laos in enhancing the teachers’s expertise to improve quality of education. Developing teachers’ classroom skills and training for in-service teachers will be part of the “Project for the Improvement of Provincial Teacher Development Centres”, funded by Japan. 

MYANMAR

1. STRONGER MYANMAR-BRUNEI DIPLOMATIC TIES -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister U Than Swe attended the groundbreaking ceremony to construct a new embassy building in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei. During a meeting with his counterpart, trade, defence, health and education matters were discussed. 

2. LOCAL TOURISM BOOMING, FOREIGN ARRIVALS DIP  -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism announced that Myanmar’s domestic tourism reached 10 million visitors last year while international tourist arrivals dipped. Local tourists visited popular spots in Yangon, Bago, Ayeyarwady and Mandalay regions, Nay Pyi Taw, Shan and Mon States.

VIETNAM

1. SOARING REMITTANCE AHEAD OF LUNAR NEW YEAR -- VIETNAMPLUS

State Bank  of Vietnam said Ho Chi Minh City received nearly RM2.2 billion (US$493 million) in remittances in the first 20 days of January. This is due to stable monetary market, flexible exchange rates and user-friendly money transfer payment systems.

2. RICE EXPORTERS MAY FACE HEADWINDS -- VIETNAMPLUS 

Experts predict the Vietnamese rice sector could face challenges in exports this year after healthy growth in 2024. The country’s rice exports are likely to decline in both volume and price due to weakening demand and rising competition among rice exporters.

SINGAPORE

1. MAS EASES SINGDOLLAR POLICY FOR FIRST TIME SINCE 2020 AS IT LOWERS KEY INFLATION FORECAST -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Singapore’s central bank tweaked its monetary policy stance to favour a more gradual appreciation of the Singapore dollar, saying it now expects core inflation in 2025 to be lower than projected.

2. MAS EASES MONETARY POLICY FOR FIRST TIME IN NEARLY FIVE YEARS, LOWERS 2025 CORE INFLATION FORECAST -- CNA

 The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) has moved to loosen its monetary policy for the first time in nearly five years, amid expectations for slower growth and easing inflation in the year ahead.

-- BERNAMA