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WEEKLY SUMMARY

By David Swartzentruber
AseanAffairs   12 September 2010

These were the most significant stories in the Asean region during the week of: September 4- September 10:

Asia leads world tourism recovery
World tourism rebounded strongly this year from the global financial crisis, led by Asia and the Middle East, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) said Friday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/asean_news/tourism/asia_leads_world_tourism_recovery

Indicators point to slower Philippine growth
Philippine economic growth is likely to slow in the third quarter of the year, based on the composite leading economic index (LEI).
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/economy/indicators_point_to_slower_philippine_growth

Strong Thai baht examined
Thai commerce and finance ministers plan to meet Tuesday to discuss preventive measures to ease the impact of the stronger baht.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/strong_thahi_baht_examined

Chevrolet models made in Malaysia
Malaysia's car distributor Naza said it plans to assemble Chevrolet cars in Malaysia, and could export the vehicles to other Southeast Asian markets by joining with General Motors.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/automotive/chevrolet_models_made_in_malaysia

USAID promotes birth control in Philippines
The Philippine government is implementing a new marketing scheme developed by the US Agency for International Development (USAID) to promote birth control to control the runaway population explosion in the people-rich and money-poor Philippines.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/environment/usaid_promotes_birth_control_in_philippines

Key Cambodian port moves forward
Cambodia’s restored railway is set to have full access to Sihanoukville’s port after key stakeholders agreed in principle to a link following months of talks.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/cambodiar_news/infrastructure/key_railway_port_moves_forward

Thai firm to make biofuels
PTT Aromatics and Refinery Plc of Thailand plans to invest US$150 million for the first jet biofuel and biodiesel products to meet European aviation regulations that take effect in 2012.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/energy/pttar_to_make_biofuels

Viet trade minister says “reduce imports”
Vietnamese businesses should reduce imports and increase the use of domestic raw materials and equipment to help curb Vietnam's trade deficit, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang said during an online meeting with business leaders. Firms also needed to find ways to reduce costs, increase the supply of skilled workers, and boost trade and export promotion efforts, Hoang said.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/trade/trade_minister_says_reduce_imports

Malaysia slips in rankings
Malaysia slipped to 26th from the previous 24th ranking in the World Economic Forum's Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011 released today.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/economy/malaysia_slips_in_rankings

Singapore most competitive in region
Singapore remains the most competitive economy in Asia, and third in the world, according to the latest World Economic Forum's (WEF) competitiveness rankings published on Thursday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/singapore_news/economy/singapore_most_competitive_in_region

Vietnam, Laos sign trade pact
Viet Nam and Laos signed a memorandum of understanding at the seventh conference for the development of cross-border trade in central Thanh Hoa Province yesterday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/trade/vietnam_laos_sign_trade_pact

Vietnam's competitiveness index up on last year
Vietnam advanced 16 places to 59 out of 131 economies in terms of competitiveness in the World Economic Forum's "Global Competitiveness Report 2010-2011" released yesterday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/economy/vietnam_s_competitiveness_index_up_on_last_year

Indonesia more competitive than ever
Indonesia moved up 10 places to 44th in the latest Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) for 2010-2011 published in the World Economic Forum in Beijing on Thursday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/economy/indonesia_more_competitive_than_ever