Home  >>  Daily News  >>  ASEAN ANALYSIS

WEEKLY SUMMARY

 
AseanAffairs     27 March 2011

These were the most significant stories published by Asean Affairs during the week of March 19-25

Thai prime minister passed no-confidence vote
Thailand's prime minister comfortably survived a no-confidence vote in parliament on Saturday following a heated debate that provided an introduction to what can be expected during elections planned for later this year.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/politics/thai_prime_minister_passed_no_confidence_vote

Japanese tragedy unlikely to derail economic recovery
The past week has been dominated by the tragedy in Japan, with problems at the Fukushima nuclear power station being the focus of attention and driving huge gyrations in investment markets.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/singapore_news/economy/japanese_tragedy_unlikely_to_derail_global_economic_recovery

Philippines hopes to create a million jobs
The Aquino administration plans to create a million jobs a year and to triple per capita income through higher economic growth and infrastructure investment in the next six years.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/philippines_news/labor/philippines_hopes_to_create_a_million_jobs

Australian take on SGX merger
Australian Treasurer Wayne Swan on Monday dismissed reports that a proposed A$8.4 billion (S$10.6 billion) merger between the Australian and Singaporean bourses is likely to be rejected.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/singapore_news/capital_markets/australian_take_on_sgx_merger

World Bank concerned about Asian subsidies
The World Bank is concerned about the fiscal burdens of Asia-Pacific and East Asian countries, urging their governments to cut, Vikram Nehru, the World Bank's chief economist for the Asia-Pacific region, said. Several countries including Thailand have subsidised their food and energy prices, which will clearly increase their governments' long-term fiscal burden.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/economy/world_bank_concerned_about_asian_subsidies

Malaysia faces water crisis
Not many would believe that there is an impending water shortage in Malaysia, especially if they are Kuala Lumpur folks who are often caught in traffic jams caused by downpours. But if climate change alters the favourable rainfall pattern, we will have to come to terms with water rationing or other drastic water conservation measures.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/malaysia_news/environment/malaysia_faces_water_crisis

Vietnam develops ports to draw Chinese exports
Vietnam is pouring $21 billion into building ports for the world’s largest container ships in a drive to draw export industries from China.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/trade/vietnam_develops_ports_to_draw_chinese_exports

Work on solar cell plant starts in Vietnam
Work started on Vietnam's largest solar cell plant in Ho Chi Minh City's Cu Chi district on March 22. The US$1 billion plant funded by the US-based First Solar Group will have four production lines turning out thin-film solar power panels and a recycling factory.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/vietnam_news/energy/work_on_solar_cell_plant_starts_in_vietnam

Activists join forces against Laos' Xayaburi Dam plan
A group of 263 non-governmental organizations from 51 countries has called on Laos to cancel its proposed hydropower dam project on the Mekong River in Xayaburi province, representatives of the group said Tuesday.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/laos_news/environment/activists_join_forces_against_laos_xayaburi_dam_plan

Sanctions against Myanmar seen as highly counterproductive
According to media sources in Yangon, European diplomats held talks with democracy icon Aung San Suu Kyi and other Myanmar activists on Tuesday about the possible lifting of Western sanctions, an opposition party leader said.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/myanmar_news/politics/sanctions_against_myanmar_seen_as_highly_counterproductive

Delayed decisions on subsidies costs Indonesia
Pushing back plans to reduce subsidized fuel usage because of worries about rising inflation is risking the country's fiscal health, analysts say.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/economy/delayed_decisions_on_subsidies_costs_indonesia

Asean corporate governance launches in 2012
A region-wide corporate governance ranking initiative will be launched next year as part of a broader plan aimed at developing the Asean capital market.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/thailand_news/capital_markets/asean_corporate_governance_launches_in_2012

Indonesia has expertise for nuclear plant
The Nuclear Energy Agency [Batan] says Indonesia has the expertise required to build and maintain a nuclear power plant in the country.
READ MORE: http://www.aseanaffairs.com/indonesia_news/energy/indonesia_has_expertise_for_nuclear_plant

By

Paul A. Ebeling, Jnr