ASEAN News Summary

• National 3G operator role proposed
A Thai government committee has proposed that state telecom agencies, TOT Plc and CAT Telecom, serve as national 3G operators and end their retail commercial roles to not compete with private operators, the Bangkok Post report..

• PTTEP to sign gas deal with Burma
PTT Exploration and Production Plc (PTTEP) will sign on Friday an agreement to purchase natural gas from M9 or Zawtika Field with Myanmar Oil and Gas Enterprise (MOGE), the national oil firm of Burma, Energy Minister Wannarat Channukul said on Thursday.

• Indo government translates Koran
The Religious Affairs Ministry has released a new translation of the Koran in an effort to reduce Islamic radicalism. However, the ministry refused to consider the new translation as state product, according to the Jakarta Post.

• India pledges millions in credit to Myanmar
Myanmar’s military ruler Than Shwe flew to Hyderabad on Wednesday on the latest leg of a controversial state visit to India that has garnered millions of dollars in grants for infrastructure projects, AFP reports.

• Singapore energy conservation act
The Singapore government is now looking at energy management practices for companies, Channel News Asia reports.

• Philippines investment law hassle
Companies planning to raise money through real estate investment trusts (REIT) warn that the Aquino administration’s plan to defer implementation of the new tax-eroding law, which aims to go around Philippine restrictions on foreign ownership of real estate assets, would risk turning away billions of dollars in potential investments, the Manila Times reports.

• Philippines dam proposal
Abacus Consolidated Resources & Holdings Inc. has offered to pursue the Laiban Dam Project to secure Metro Manila’s water and power supply.

• Lack of knowhow, economic imbalances hurt Vietnam
Former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan and economist Bui Kien Thanh talk about Government policies to speed up economic development.

Get the best in ASEAN Affairs at www.aseanaffairs.com

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