WEEKLY SUMMARY

 
AseanAffairs     26 June 2011

These were the most important news stories published by Asean Affairs during the week of June 18-24.

EU team heads to Myanmar
A European Union team is heading to Myanmar for exploratory talks with the country's new authorities, a senior EU diplomat said Friday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/myanmar_news/politics/eu_team_heads_to_myanmar

Vietnam, US call for free sea movement
The United States and Vietnam on Friday jointly called for freedom of navigation and rejected the use of force in the South China Sea, amid simmering tensions between Beijing and its neighbors.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/politics/vietnam_us_call_for_free_sea_movement

Coffee plantations expand in Indonesia
Coffee growers in Indonesia, the world’s third-largest coffee producer, have said they are looking to increase the size of their plantations to help make up for two years of falling production.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/agriculture/coffee_plantations_expand_in_indonesia

Laos stresses educational reform
Laos is making changes under a second education reform.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/laos_news/education/laos_stresses_educational_reform

Vietnam businesses lack confidence
The first quarter of this year has seen a drop in confidence among both business leaders and consumers about the nation's economic prospects, according to the Viet Nam Business Barometer Survey carried out by Nielsen.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/economy/vietnam_businesses_lack_confidence

Thai organizations call for end to violence
Five Thai business organisations along with two media associations on Monday called on all parties to desist from violence after the election and work towards reconciliation.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/thai_organizations_call_for_end_to_violence

Malaysia fingerprints voters
Malaysia plans to fingerprint voters to combat fraud in the next elections, as it comes under pressure from activists planning a mass rally next month over claims of rampant vote-rigging.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/politics/malaysia_fingerprints_voters

US companies to make shoes in
Indonesia At least one US shoe maker plans to build a factory in Indonesia, and other US companies are exploring opportunities to collaborate with local producers, to make footwear for both countries, an industry representative said on Tuesday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/investment/us_companies_to_make_shoes_in_indonesia

Investors’ roles questioned in Cambodian bourse
Stock market insiders are mixed on the role individual investors will play when trading begins on the Cambodia Securities Exchange.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/cambodia_news/capital_markets/investors_roles_questioned_in_cambodian_bourse

Bosch to open Malaysia solar facility
Malaysia has strengthened its position as the world’s third largest hub for solar production with the latest entry by Germany’s Robert Bosch Gmbh which plans to invest RM2.2 billion to set up a photovoltaic plant in Batu Kawan, Penang.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/energy/bosh_to_open_malaysia_solar_facility

Asean starts work on human rights
The Asean Intergovernmental Commission on Human Rights is taking shape as a panel will start discussions on drafting a declaration on human rights for the Southeast Asian region during a meeting in Vientiane next Monday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/asean_news/politics/asean_starts_work_on_human_rights

FDI in Indonesia lags
Foreign direct investment (FDI) has shown little growth as a percentage of gross domestic product since 2008 and “continues to underperform that in regional peers,” a leading bank says. READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/investment/fdi_in_indonesia_lags

By

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr