The Tourism Ministry and the Phnom Penh Capital Administration launched the Phnom Penh Tourism Development Plan 2026–2030 to position the city as one of the region's prominent urban tourism destinations.

2.DEEPENING TRADE WITH SOUTH KOREA -- AGENCE KAMPUCHEA PRESSE

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The Council for the Development of Cambodia and the Incheon Chamber of Commerce and Industry of South Korea pledged to strengthen further cooperation to promote investment flows and human resource development in the Kingdom.

INDONESIA

1.INDONESIA CONFIRMS 68 DEAD AFTER MAGNITUDE 7.7 NTT EARTHQUAKE -- ANTARA

Indonesia's disaster management agency said on Monday that 68 people had been confirmed dead following the magnitude 7.7 earthquake that struck East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) Province, with rescue teams continuing to search for victims.

2.INDONESIA STEPS UP BROMO FIRE CHECKS TO PREVENT NEW OUTBREAKS -- ANTARA

The Forestry Ministry continues to conduct cooling operations and ground checks in areas affected by fires in Bromo Tengger Semeru National Park (TNBTS) to ensure that no residual embers remain.

 LAOS

1.CHINA TO REBUILD 60-YEAR-OLD SCHOOL -- VIENTIANE TIMES

China has provided funds to rebuild a 60-year-old dilapidated Savannakhet Secondary School in the southern province. The project will cover new new facilities, teaching equipment and teacher training.

 2.DIGITAL INVESTMENT TO MODERNISE ECONOMY -- VIENTIANE TIMES

The government is seeking investment in data centres, artificial intelligence and other digital industries to diversify the economy and attract higher-value projects. The aim is to develop a skilled workforce and build a more diversified economy.

MYANMAR

1.FALAM REBUILDS SOLAR POWER PLANT -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Reconstruction of a 6-kW solar power plant destroyed during armed conflict in Falam District is underway. The system will power office computers, printers and other equipment with a combined capacity of about 1,000 watts.

 2.RESIDENTS URGED TO EVACUATE AS RIVER SWELLS -- THE GLOBAL NEW LIGHT OF MYANMAR

Authorities have urged residents in riverine and low-lying areas along the Ayeyarway River to evacuate as water levels continue to rise due to heavy rainfall. The water has reached 33 centimetres above the danger mark.

PHILIPPINES

1.PROPERTY DEVELOPER EXEC: PAX SILICA INITIATIVE GOOD FOR PH ECONOMY -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The head of the Aboitiz Economic Estate considers the planned Pax Silica project in New Clark City as simply another industrial economic zone that will help bolster the domestic manufacturing industry.

2.ABOITIZ ECONOMIC ESTATES ALLOCATES P7B FOR LIMA PROJECT  -- PHILIPPINE NEWS AGENCY

The Aboitiz Economic Estates in Batangas has allocated around PHP7 billion for the construction of seven multi-use buildings that will cater primarily to the manufacturing and business process management (BPM) sectors.

SINGAPORE

1. SINGAPORE, CHINA SIGN PACT ON PEACEFUL NUCLEAR TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION - CNA

Singapore and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear technology on Monday, as Singapore builds up its capabilities to assess the potential deployment of nuclear energy.

 2. RESEARCH INTEGRATING WESTERN MEDICINE AND TCM GETS BOOST UNDER NEW COLLABORATION -- THE STRAITS TIMES

Research to integrate Western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) – particularly for sleep disorders, chronic diseases and women’s health – will be strengthened under a new collaboration between the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and healthcare provider OUE Healthcare (OUEH).

THAILAND

 1. THAILAND WELCOMES 19.76M TOURISTS DESPITE 2.9% DECLINE -- THE NATION

Foreign visitors spent 957.62 billion baht from January 1 to August 15, while weekly arrivals fell 3.79% as holiday travel eased.

2. THAI GROWTH PROSPECTS RECEIVE MAJOR UPGRADE -- BANGKOK POST

The government planning agency expects Thailand's economic growth to hit 2.0-2.5% this year, an upward revision from its previous estimate of 1.5% to 2.5%.

 VIETNAM

1.BRACING FOR HEAVY RAIN, FLASH FLOODS AND LANDSLIDES -- VIETNAMPLUS

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has urged northern and north-central localities to prepare for heavy rains, flash floods and landslides this week, and take measures to protect lives and minimise damage.

2.VIETJET LAUNCHES HO CHI MINH-COLOMBO ROUTE -- VIETNAMPLUS

Vietjet will launch a direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and Sri Lanka’s capital, Colombo, on August 18. The airline will operate three round-trip flights a week on the route.

-- BERNAMA