Business Asia articles from August 2002

Business Asia archives from August 2002

Thaksinomics bearing fruit: Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra may have many faults, as his critics are forever reminding us, but steering Thailand's economic course cannot be counted among them. (Frontline).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Thaksin has been East Asia's most prominent advocate of a revamped economic model focused on domestic consumption--and away from multinational exporters--from his first day in office. And he's now being proven right as rain, not only by...

ASEAN pledges to fight terrorism. (Update).(Association of South-East Asian Nations)
August 1, 2002... The 10 member countries of the Association of South-East Asian Nations (ASEAN) said they will undertake a joint effort to counter terrorism in the region, Agence France-Presse and Reuters said. "We recognise that terrorism is a global...

Land grab. (Asia Fact File).(arable land in Asian countries)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... In this Fact File, we look at the percentage each Asian country sets asides as arable land within its borders ARABLE COUNTRY LAND (%) Australia 6 China 10 Hong Kong 6 India ...

[Word of mouth]. (Update).(comments on government in India and Japan)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... "I wish to emphasise my unflinching commitment to the principle of secularism, which is the cornerstone of our nationhood." New Indian president A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in his inauguration speech. He said he would "work for bringing about unity...

Risky business: in these tough economic times globally, it pays to not rush into uncharted trade waters. Randolph Ramsay looks at how exporters can minimise their risk exposure. (Cover Story).
August 1, 2002... A slowing global economy, exacerbated by the events of 11 September last year, has made the world a riskier place to export to. For exporters, the equation is simple--a depressed world economy equals more companies struggling or going...

Don't avoid Japan: Austrade. (Eye On Japan).(Japan's economy has many niches)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The Japanese economy has suffered under the weight of the global recession, with rising unemployment and decreasing GDP, not to mention major problems with debt in the banking industry. All the bad publicity surrounding Japan's unhealthy...

Building up to a recovery: it's been tough in the Asian building and construction industry, but a new report says relief might soon be on the way. (Property).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Building and construction activity in the Asia Pacific region is still generally weak, but upward momentum is expected to begin in most countries this year ahead of recovery in 2004, according to a study by the economic and...

At the top: Asia's top companies by market cap.(listings of top few for each country)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... AUSTRALIA Industry Market Cap Rank last (US$) month Telstra Corp Telecoms 33,921.75 1 National...

Shanghai Mayor special guest at Hotel Awards. (Best Business Hotels In Asia Awards).
August 1, 2002... Shanghai Mayor Chen Liangyu has been confirmed as the special guest and keynote speaker at the fifth annual Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards gala ceremony. The attendance of the Mayor is a major coup for the Awards and 2002 event host...

Beijing--China's aviation regulator said it has ordered China Southern Airlines Co and other carriers based in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing to drop flights to six major Chinese cities to ease overcapacity.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Beijing--China's aviation regulator said it has ordered China Southern Airlines Co and other carriers based in Shanghai, Guangzhou and Beijing to drop flights to six major Chinese cities to ease overcapacity. China's biggest carrier, along with...

Hong Kong--Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd will increase the frequency of its flights to Malaysia's main international airport, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, the sole operator of the country's 37 airports, said in a statement.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Hong Kong--Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd will increase the frequency of its flights to Malaysia's main international airport, Malaysia Airports Holdings Bhd, the sole operator of the country's 37 airports, said in a statement. Cathay Pacific...

Singapore--Raffles Holdings Ltd, best known for its 115-year-old Raffles Hotel in central Singapore, wants to add hotels in Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, part of a plan to double its rooms to 25,000 in the next three years.(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Singapore--Raffles Holdings Ltd, best known for its 115-year-old Raffles Hotel in central Singapore, wants to add hotels in Tokyo, Shanghai and Hong Kong, part of a plan to double its rooms to 25,000 in the next three years. "These are cities...

Last chance to cast your vote: voting for the 2002 Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards closes on 22 August, so readers only have a few weeks left to put in their choices for Asia's top hotels. In this edition, we profile the finalists for Vietnam, the Best New Hotel category, and the Best Airport Hotel category. (Best Business Hotels In Asia Awards).
August 1, 2002... VIETNAM The Caravelle Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City Centrally located in Ho Chi Minh City's business, shopping and entertainment district, The Caravelle Hotel prides itself on offering traditional refinement that reflects the city, combined...

Hitting the ground running: Austrade's Peter O'Byrne; Austrade's new managing director Peter O'Byrne has a big task ahead of him to try and double Australia's exporter numbers by 2006. But as Randolph Ramsay reports, the new MD has already started the groundwork. (Exclusive Interview).
August 1, 2002... Peter O'Byrne had to hit the ground running as soon as he took the reins as the new managing director of Austrade in May this year. Just weeks before, Federal Trade Minister Mark Valle released the Trade Outcomes and Objectives Statement...

Sound sailing for Fremantle Port. (Ports And Shipping).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Fremantle Port is continuing its growth surge, with the port recently meeting new benchmarks and establishing new facilities. The port has proved itself to be a leader in handling a significant amount of cargo, with figures showing...

Sydney Port's trade growth. (Ports And Shipping).(Sydney Ports Corp., Australia)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... Sydney Port's trade cargo volume has increased by nearly two per cent, and containers have exceeded one million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent unit containers) with growth in containerised exports and imports, according to preliminary end of year...

Commodities on the rise in Melbourne. (Ports And Shipping).(Port of Melbourne, Australia)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
August 1, 2002... Trade through the Port of Melbourne has increased by almost six per cent in the last 12 months, recently released figures show. Around 23.6 million mass tonnes of cargo moved in and out of the port over the last 12 months. This...

Top exporters converge in QLD. (Australian Export Awards).(Top Exporters Panel Luncheon, Queensland)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Queensland's leading exporters will have the opportunity to discuss success stories, share experiences and future challenge at the Top Exporters Panel Luncheon at Brisbane's Stamford Plaza Hotel on 29 August. The interactive event is being...

IDP's conference focus. (Australian Export Awards).(16th Australian International Education Conference, IDP Education Australia Ltd.)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Key international education and business trends and opportunities will come under the spotlight during two international conferences in Melbourne and Hobart later this year. The 16th Australian International Education Conference (AIEC) will...

DHL sets new standard.(DHL Airways Inc., Time Definite Delivery for urgent consignments)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... DHL Worldwide Express--the global market leader in international air express--has set a new standard in delivery of urgent consignments with Time Definite Delivery now available in the major cities of Australia and New Zealand. For urgent...

APEC: amazing, yes--awesome, no. (Taurus).(performance of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... NOW well into its second decade, it could be said that APEC rolls along, without breaking any records, and it is the only major international economic grouping which has involved both China and Chinese Taipei from inception. The first...

Taking the skills test. (Recruitment).(auditing skills, ambitions of current staff)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... At a time where recruitment costs are spiralling and good people are difficult to find, it would be thought that a company-wide skills audit would be a standard practice and an obvious policy for the majority of organisations. But unfortunately...