The Lao Bullion Bank celebrated its first year of operations with over 35,000 customers have opened accounts, 50,000 downloads of its mobile app and over two tonnes of gold traded over the past 12 months.

2.LAO TECH COMPANY EXPANDING EV OPERATIONS -- VIENTIANE TIMES

Laos’ ride-hailing and electric vehicle (EV) mobility platform, LOCA Company Limited, secured RM10 million (US$2.5 million) in investments. It will now develop 54 additional EV charging stations and expand its EV taxi fleet.

MYANMAR

1.CHONGQING AIRLINES CONNECTING YANGON -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

China’s Chongqing Airlines launched its direct flight to Yangon to encourage tourism and promote investments in Myanmar. The flights will operate twice weekly — on Mondays and Fridays.

2.BAD WEATHER AFFECTS MARINE PRODUCTS SUPPLY -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Yangon is experiencing a shortage of saltwater marine products after strong winds disrupted fishing. All fishing vessels could not go out to sea last month due to choppy weather, creating a shortage in wholesale markets.

THE PHILIPPINES

1.‘DIFFERENT WORLD’: PBBM’S LEADERSHIP STYLE ‘NOT SAME’ AS HIS FATHER’S -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

 President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. said he has learned “many things” from the presidency of his father, the late President Ferdinand E. Marcos Sr., but acknowledged that his own brand of leadership is “different.”

2.PH WINS 2ND GOLD IN THAILAND SEA GAMES, CAMBODIA WITHDRAWS DELEGATION -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Philippines secured its second gold medal at the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand after its women’s swimming team won the 4x100 relay on Wednesday.

SINGAPORE

1.ASIA STILL ‘UNDER-INVESTED’ DESPITE IMPROVING PROFITS, ATTRACTIVE VALUATIONS: DBS -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Asia remains “under-invested” despite the region’s strong performance and comparatively attractive valuations, said Daryl Ho, senior investment strategist at DBS’ chief investment office.

2.WHY TANGS AND TAKASHIMAYA THRIVE WHILE OTHER SINGAPORE DEPARTMENT STORES STRUGGLE – CAN

CNA reviewed financial results for five major department stores and found that owning or controlling retail space makes the critical difference between profit and loss.

 THAILAND

1.THREE SOLDIERS SALUTED FOR SACRIFICING LIVES TO PROTECT SOVEREIGNTY -- THE NATION

Royal Thai Air Force and Navy pay tribute to three army soldiers killed in Cambodian attacks, praising their sacrifice in defence of Thailand's border.

2.DSI ACCEPTS CRYPTO CASE AS MINISTRY DITCHES MOU -- BANGKOK POST

The Department of Special Investigation (DSI) has accepted an iris-scanning cryptocurrency case at the same time as the Digital Economy and Society (DE) Ministry has cancelled a memorandum of understanding (MOU), suspected to be connected to a global money laundering network, with a Singapore firm.

VIETNAM

1.ROBUST NEW CAR SALES THIS YEAR – VIETNAMPLUS

Auto sales in the first 11 months were nearly 330,000 vehicles. For nine consecutive months, dealers sold more imported cars than locally produced vehicles.

2.AQUATIC EXPORTS DRIVEN BY CHINESE DEMAND – VIETNAMPLUS

Vietnam earned RM41 billion (US$10 billion) from aquatic exports in the first 11 months despite volatile global trade. China’s demand for live, fresh and frozen shrimps is driving the sector.

 -- BERNAMA