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(The Philippines) – On May 29, the US-ASEAN Business Council held its first SME webinar event kicking off a series in response to the COVID-19 crisis. More than 200 owners and executives of Philippine Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) participated in the webinar session titled “Digital Payments for SMEs in COVID-19” focusing specifically on in the Philippines. The webinar was conducted in close collaboration with the Philippines Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and Philippine Trade and Training Centre (PTTC).
Myanmar Update | March 11, 2010
Authors: Jack Myint and Ingyin
THE COUNCIL'S TAKE
The US-ASEAN Business Council Board of Directors, members and staff convey deepest condolences to the Matthews family, the U.S. Embassy in Brunei and the broader American diplomatic corps, and the ASEAN community on the passing of the Honorable Matthew J. Matthews, U.S. Ambassador to Brunei Darussalam. Ambassador Matthews died on May 20.
"I am deeply and personally saddened by the loss of Ambassador Matt Matthews, who we are proud to consider a friend and supporter of the Council” said Alexander C. Feldman, Chairman, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council. “Ambassador Matthews had a big and positive impact on ASEAN, APEC, and of course, though cut short, Brunei.”
Officials in the Lao People's Democratic Republic say they are ready to further lift lockdown restrictions. Confirmed COVID-19 cases in Southeast Asia's only landlocked country have remained steady at 19 for over a month, and there are zero reported deaths.
After a strict nationwide lockdown was partially lifted earlier this month, restaurants, some retail and service businesses like salons and auto shops were allowed to open, but people could not travel outside their provinces. Offices were allowed to reopen if they adopted "rotating shifts," the Nikkei Asian Review reported.
The country's National Task Force for COVID-19 Prevention and Control announced at a Friday press conference that more offices and businesses will resume normal operations on Monday, May 18. Some schools will reopen and certain sports activities will be permitted, reports The Laotian Times.
WASHINGTON - How countries respond to and manage the Covid-19 pandemic is a new factor in risk assessments, analysts say, as companies increasingly look to South-east Asia as an alternative to China as a manufacturing and supply engine.
"Companies definitely evaluate how countries are managing Covid-19 risk as they make investment decisions in the current environment," said Ms Kellie Meiman Hock, managing partner at global consultancy McLarty Associates.
"In particular, transparency in government response is critical," she added. For instance, decisions regarding essential versus non-essential industries must be consistent to allow companies to reasonably assess the impact of movement restrictions on their business, she told The Straits Times.
Singapore Analytical Update | April 24, 2020
Authors: Marc Mealy, Shay Wester, Kim Yaeger, Lilibeth Almonte-Arbez, Sarah Lessing, Julianne Alberto, and J-Ren Ong
Singapore extends Circuit Breaker measures
Myanmar Update | April 27, 2020
Authors: Jack Myint & Ingyin
LOOKING AHEAD
Vietnam Update | April 23, 2020
Authors: Hai Pham and Minh Vu
LOOKING AHEAD
April 23: 2020 Health & Life Sciences Committee Quarterly Call (Q2-2020)
Malaysia Update | April 23, 2020
Authors: Kim Yaeger, Tina Jamaluddin, Emma Tabatabai, Marc Mealy, Alberto Coria, Nick Zuroski
THE COUNCIL'S TAKE
Malaysia Extends Movement Control Order Until May 12