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WEEKLY SUMMARY

By David Swartzentruber
AseanAffairs     10 October 2010

These were the most significant stories in Asean during the week of October 2-October 8:

Yudhoyono addresses extremism

In his strongest statement so far on religious extremism, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said on Friday that mosques should not be used to preach hate and violence.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/security/yudhoyono_addresses_extremism

Malaysia hopes to balance investments

Malaysia's Ministry of International Trade and Industry hopes to balance both foreign direct investments (FDI) and domestic direct investment (DDI) to sustain economic growth.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/investment/malaysia_hopes_to_balance_investments

Normal' growth for Thailand expected

The Thai economy is expected to slow to a growth rate of 4 percent to 5 percent in 2011, with exports, private investment, agriculture and tourism the key drivers,
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/normal_growth_for_thailand_expected

Philippines may tax investors

Amid the local stock market's bull run, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) is mulling reducing the tax perks enjoyed by the stock market given the negligible number of ordinary Filipinos trading shares.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/capital_markets/philippines_may_tax_investors

Vietnam trade deficit won't go away

Vietnam faces a perennial trade deficit since most of its exports are raw materials, semi-processed goods, and contract-manufacturing goods while it imports more high-value goods, machinery, equipment, production lines, and parts.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/trade/vietnam_trade_deficit_won_t_go_away

Singapore property hits new high

Singapore's housing prices reached a fresh record high in the third quarter as the city-state's economy booms after last year's recession.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/singapore_news/property/singapore_property_hits_new_high

Thai government told to keep out of wage debate

As most who follow Thai news know, the disparity between the Bangkok elite and the rural poor has fostered some of the recent protests. The Abhisit government feels that raising wages could help breach that income disparity but has been told not to interfere.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/thai_government_told_to_keep_out_of_wage_debate

Foreign firms look to invest in Ho Chi Minh City

Small- and medium-sized foreign firms in HCM City are looking to increase their capital because they see potential for expansion and growth.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/investment/foreign_firms_look_to_invest_in_ho_chi_minh_city

Lizard King put on ice

Malaysia has revoked the permits of a rogue wildlife trader dubbed the 'Lizard King' and ordered the seizure of all his animals, including two tigers and a crocodile, an official said on Wednesday. The tough new measures come after Anson Wong, described as one of the world's most-wanted wildlife traffickers, was last month jailed for six months.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/environment/lizard_king_put_on_ice

Laos, China to cooperate in railway construction

A top Chinese railway official arrived in Vientiane this week for talks with Lao officials on the construction of a railway from the Chinese border to Vientiane.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/laos_news/infrastructure/laos_china_to_cooperate_in_railway_construction

Thai, Cambodian PMs meet

Prime Minister Hun Sen met with Thai premier Abhisit Vejjajiva at a summit in Belgium, where the two leaders affirmed their commitment to a demobilisation of troops stationed along their contentious border.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/cambodia_news/politics/thai_cambodian_pms_meet

Philippines moves on infrastructure

The Philippines government will offer 33 infrastructure projects for public-private partnership (PPP) in a road show next month.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/infrastructure/philippines_moves_on_infrastructue