Business Asia articles from August 2008

Business Asia archives from August 2008

The rich are getting richer while the poor get poorer in Asia/Pacific: as Senior Adviser and Head of Special Unit for Countries with Special Needs, UNESCAP, Raj Kumar believes the divide between rich and poor in Asia is growing out of control. He sees Asia-Pacific emerging as a 4-tier region, with disparities widening rather than reducing, and he's concerned. Mr Kumar shares his thoughts with Business Asia magazine.(ASIA PACIFIC)(Viewpoint essay)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Since the advent of globalization, the Asia-Pacific region has made striking progress in both the economic and social spheres. On average, in the past two decades, the performance of Asia-Pacific has been far above...

So, where the bloody hell are they? Australia's tourism authorities hose down fears of a slump: all the signs of a looming recession are there: petrol is up, gas-guzzling 4WDs are on the nose, retail spending is down, property values appear to have stalled--oh, and shoplifting is up, A pretty good bunch of indicators that the economy is, well, a bit wobbly on its feet.(AUSTRALIA'S VANISHING TOURISTS?)
August 1, 2008... Even the regular crop of snow-bunnies at our winter resorts say they're watching the pennies, forcing ski lift operators to drastically reduce their prices to lure the punters onto the pommas. Tough times, indeed. One sector of the economy...

Asia's most powerful and influential men: ReviewAsia recently published profiles and portraits of some of Asia's most influential and interesting men. Business Asia looks at some of the men who made the list.(ASIA'S MIGHTY POWER)(Cover story)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Ratan Tata The Tata Group is one of India's oldest, largest and most respected business conglomerates. The group's businesses are spread over seven business sectors: communications and information technology,...

The Lebua at State Tower Bangkok: recently in Sydney Australia to promote Asia's latest and most awarded hotel, Mr Deepak Ohri hosted a luncheon for the country's leading travel agents and journalists.(LEBUA'S AUSTRALIAN MARKETING CAMPAIGN)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As the hotel's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Ohri presented stunning images of the latest small luxury hotel and all suite property in the heart of Bankok with breathtaking views of Chao Phraya. He told the...

Interview with Kurt Wachtveitl: master of the Oriental Bangkok. This is first in a series of Q&A's with Asia's Top Hotelier's.(ASIA'S TOP HOTELIER'S)(Interview)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 1. What got you into the hotel business? I attended Lausanne Hotel School in Switzerland and also studied Philosophy at the University of Madrid and History of Art and Literature at the Dante Alighieri School in...

'The two cultures re-examined: a perspective on leadership and policy management in business and government'.(BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE)(Telstra Corporation Ltd.'s Phil Burgess)
August 1, 2008... Telstra Corp is Australia's leading telecommunications and information services company. It offers a full range of services and competes in all telecommunications markets throughout Australia, providing more than 9.6 million Australian fixed...

UNESCAP BAC.(ENERGY & CLIMATE FORUM)(United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific)
August 1, 2008... Focus on Energy Security, Climate change and Food Scarcity In March this year, delegates met in Bangkok, at a Gala dinner, to discuss how over the past few years, energy security and sustainable development have moved up sharply on the...

Top editor resigns ...(Post Publishing PCL's David Armstrong)
August 1, 2008... David Armstrong, the president and chief operating officer of Thailand's Post Publishing--the Bangkok Post company--is to retire from his position at the end of the year. Armstrong says he is retiring from full-time work after almost 40...

Dralion--a celebration of life: the dazzling Cirque du Soleil has recently returned to Australia for the fifth time since it was founded in Canada in 1984.(CIRQUE DU SOLEIL)(Cirque Productions's Dralion show)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Bringing with it the spectacular 'Dralion' show, the company's latest offering is a fusion of ancient Chinese circus traditions and the avant-garde approach of Cirque du Soleil. According to creator and Director, Guy Caron, Dralion is a...

Announcing INDOPAC: major new business group to confront issues of Indo/Asia/Pacific region.(INDOPAC)
August 1, 2008... India meets Asia in major new economic forum Advisory council formed of leading Australian, Asian and Indian business leaders and companies. Australian publisher Peter Charlton the brainchild behind INDOPAC; former Australian Prime Minister...

Iebua Group name 'Peson' as GSA's for Australia and New Zealand: formidable new GSA emerges for new Hotel Group.(NEW BUSINESS)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The lebua Group's CEO Deepak Ohri has appointed a new GSA to represent them in Australia and New Zealand--Peson Pty. Ltd. The formidable new GSA is a partnership of well-known media owner, Peter Charlton, and...

Keeping it in the family.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Maurice Terzini and Robert Marchetti)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Renowned restaurateur Maurice Terzini, in partnership with Robert Marchetti, has launched the new Giuseppe Arnaldo & Sons Italian restaurant at Crown, Melbourne. Here you will find the true flavours of Italy with the freshest and finest quality...

Yu never know if you never go.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)
August 1, 2008... Designers Yu Konishi and Kyoto Tasaka adopted Australia in 2006 leaving their homeland in Japan to find fresh new design freedom in a place that offers a more relaxed creative space. YU is for women who appreciate a feminine silhouette, special...

Dear readers.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)
August 1, 2008... Heard of Skype? It's been around for a while but few know about it in the mainstream. It's a terrific way to communicate, make and receive calls just about anywhere from your laptop or computer (with your own designated line) for free or as...

The Shower Clean Suit.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The world's first merino wool non-iron suit that can be rinsed under a normal shower stream has been created in collaboration between The Australian Wool Innovation (AWI), The Woolmark Company (TWC) and pioneering...

Sky's the limit.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... As our cities grow and more people choose to dwell in bustling urban environments our skylines reflect the booming building business which over the years has endowed our cities with progressive newness. Steve Zappia, MD and Founder Partner of...

A world first for perfect potion!(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Perfect Potion)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Budding entrepreneurs will get a lift from this story. Every now and again it's necessary to acknowledge the famous term 'it takes ten years to become an overnight success'. If you're taking two steps back and one...

Think like a billionaire.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Conference notes)
August 1, 2008... Donald Trump is coming to Australia for the first time to present a series of 'Think Like A Billionaire' seminars to be held at Crown Palladium in Melbourne, Sydney Olympic Sports Centre and Gold Coast Convention Centre. The visit was...

Bamboo socks.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Jag introduces socks for men)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... Jag introduces it's new range of bamboo socks for men. Bamboo contains natural antibacterial and hypo allergenic properties making it the logical fabric choice for socks. Bamboo is also quick to absorb moisture keeping your feet dry and odour...

Ice-cream haven.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Gelatissimo Empire )(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Brothers Domenico and Marco Lopresti, creators of the Gelatissimo Empire have created even more gelato flavours so we won't be stuck for choice. Their flavours now top 30, ranging from Caramelised Fig and Honey...

The BMW X6 creates a niche.(fashion, lifestyle and entertainment)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2008... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] At the upper end of the premium car market, BMW X6 delivers to an exceedingly discerning customer, the ultimate in driving excitement. BMW decided to extend the design envelope and combine two key areas of interest...