Business Asia articles from June 2002

Business Asia archives from June 2002

Japan's global fear: Japan says it's an international country, but its trade record does little to back that claim. (Frontline).(Brief Article)(Editorial)
June 1, 2002... A sign greets passengers arriving at Japan's second-biggest airport: "Welcome to Japan, an International Country in an International World." Just two problems with the notice--one minor, one major. First, it's written in Japanese,...

Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei strike LNG deal. (Update).(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... Malaysia has agreed with Indonesia and Brunei to cooperate on production and shipping of liquefied natural gas (LNG), bringing together producers of half the world's LNG as prices fall. The South East Asian rivals face excess supply and slowing...

Asia fact file. (Update).(Brief Article)(Illustration)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... Price rise This month, we list the country inflation rate. COUNTRY INFLATION RATE (Y.O.Y CHANGE) Australia 2.9 per cent China -0.8 per cent Hong Kong -3.1 per cent Indonesia 13.3 per cent Malaysia ...

Word of mouth. (Update).(banks need a good presence in Taiwan )(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... "Taiwan is becoming increasingly important given the state of the markets elsewhere in Asia. All the banks need a good presence in Taiwan or they will be dead in the water." Ernest Ip, partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers capital markets service...

Australian education exports: the challenges ahead: education has been on the rise in the past decade, but the industry is becoming increasingly concerned about how strong export growth can be maintained. (Cover Story).(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... Education exports have been, without a doubt, one of the brightest spots on the Australian trade map in recent years. Student numbers have been steadily increasing, both on-shore and off-shore, with the growth of the education export sector...

Interest in Korea on the rise. (Eye On Korea).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Having recovered from the financial crisis of 1998 and currently boasting healthy growth forecasts, Korea is making efforts to promote itself to foreign trading partners. Austrade and Australian Business Limited have come to the fore,...

Dear leader wants his visa (card): are recent developments in the finance sector a sign that North korea is coming out of its shell? (Finance).(North Koreans may be opening up to the rest of the world)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... As North Korea finds itself increasingly marginalised in world affairs, significant reforms in its banking sector are starting to take place which may foreshadow a radical change of economic and social policy in the hermit kingdom. Moves...

At the top: Asia's top companies by market cap.(statistical list of the top companies buy country and region)(Illustration)(Industry Overview)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... AT THE TOP Asia's top companies by market cap Australia Industry Market Cap Rank (US$) last ...

Regional cooperation needed. (Finance).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Asia needs to work closer together as a region in order to become an important global financial player, guests at the Asia Australia Investment Conference and Expo were told. Axiss Australia CEO Les Hosking called for more cooperation...

Market improvements key for HK. (Finance).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Continuing infrastructure improvements will be a key plank in Hong Kong's attempts to remain a leading Asian financial centre, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Secretary for Financial Services Stephen Ip says. Ip, who was in...

Australia turns out for ABAC: Australia's top political and business leaders turned out in force to welcome members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation's (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) last month. (APEC/ABAC).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The ABAC members were in Sydney from 12 to 15 May for its second meeting for 2002. Australia highlighted the importance of the visit with numerous functions and events to welcome the visiting ABAC delegates. Topping the list was a special...

ABAC to present pre-report. (APEC/ABAC).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... In an effort to promote quicker adoption of its recommendations, the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation's (APEC) Business Advisory Council (ABAC) will present a pre-report to APEC Trade Ministers for the first time in its history. ABAC...

Golden week lives up to hype. (Best Business Hotels In Asia Awards).(Japan's tourism increases during Golden Week)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... In what could be good news for Asia's beleaguered travel industry, Japan's Golden Week period proved to be a hit, almost reaching record numbers of Japanese travellers. An estimated 22.5 million Japanese travelled between 25 April and 5...

Kuala Lumpur--Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Bhd, a unit of one of the region's largest luxury hotel operators, said it expects a rebound in occupancy rates by the end of the year as it lures new customers from the Middle East and China.(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
June 1, 2002... KUALA LUMPUR -- Shangri-La Hotels (Malaysia) Bhd, a unit of one of the region's largest luxury hotel operators, said it expects a rebound in occupancy rates by the end of the year as it lures new customers from the Middle East and China. "We...

Bangkok--Royal Garden Resort Pcl, one of Thailand's largest hotel operators, expects sales to rise more than 20 per cent this year and profit growth to surpass the sales increase as hotel occupancy rises and costs are contained.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... BANGKOK -- Royal Garden Resort Pcl, one of Thailand's largest hotel operators, expects sales to rise more than 20 per cent this year and profit growth to surpass the sales increase as hotel occupancy rises and costs are contained. The company...

Tokyo--All Nippon Airways Co, Japan's largest domestic carrier, said it will cut 600 more jobs than earlier planned to cope with falling demand for travel and increased domestic competition.(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... TOKYO -- All Nippon Airways Co, Japan's largest domestic carrier, said it will cut 600 more jobs than earlier planned to cope with falling demand for travel and increased domestic competition. It will make the cuts from the parent company...

Leaders in their field: as part of the 2002 Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards, Business Asia will profile all of the finalist hotels. In this edition, we take a look at Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines and South Korea. (Best Business Hotels In Asia Awards).(describes hotel buildings, organized by country)(Industry Overview)
June 1, 2002... MALAYSIA JW Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur Linked to the prestigious Starhill Centre, the JW Marriott Hotel, Kuala Lumpur, is minutes away from internationally acclaimed retail stores. The hotel itself offers 518 guest rooms and 13...

Rising dollar hits the farm. (Australian Export Awards).(mentions decreases in specific types of exported agricultural products, such as wool, meat, etc.)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Australia's farmers have pinned their business hopes on the local currency, which until this year was doing just fine--slumping almost one quarter against the US dollar. After two years of declines, the Australian dollar has gained eight...

Track and trace systems becoming critical: track and trace is not a new concept in freight, but its importance is increasingly being acknowledged. (Australian Export Awards).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Any trader worth their salt knows just how important managing freight and transportation costs are. In an environment where competitors can come from anywhere in the world, having greater control of your goods in transit is an essential. ...

Columbus' cool purchase. (Freight And Shipping).(Carrier Transicold sells refrigerated containers to Hamburg Sud)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... North-South marine transport and intermodal logistics specialist Hamburg Sud has ordered 2300 advanced refrigeration Volumax containers. The purchase, valued at more than $40 million, is the industry's largest single order ever for the...

Hall of fame unveiled at export awards launch. (Freight And Shipping).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... The 39th Australian Export Awards have been officially launched, and now the build-up begins in earnest. A number of events are planned over the months leading up to the national awards ceremony in November, including a top exporters panel...

P&O backs Agribusiness. (Freight And Shipping).(P&O Nedlloyd)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... P&O Nedlloyd will again sponsor the Agribusiness category in 2002 as part of their commitment to the Australian Export Awards. In 2001, the P&O Nedlloyd Agribusiness Award was won by BRL Hardy, one of Australia's largest producers and...

Aussie fashion's overseas goals. (Fashion).(Mercedes Australian Fashion Week)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Mercedes Australian Fashion Week has become a key event in the style world's calendar. But how far does the Aussie fashion influence reach when it comes to overseas markets? What are the chances of spotting a Wayne Cooper in Korea, or a...

World of buyers. (Fashion).(Mercedes Australian Fashion Week attracted buyers from around the world)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Success in the fashion world not just about creating great designs--it's also about displaying them to the right people and promoting the brand. Mercedes Australian Fashion Week attracted buyers from around the world. Here is a list of who...

Sister cities need to evolve. (Taurus).(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Over the years, the concept of Sister City relationships has steadily grown, one example is the link and formal relationship between Melbourne and Tianjin (China) and Osaka (Japan). On a smaller scale, many country towns and regional cities...

Career focus not always the way. (Recruitment).(employment decisions based on lifestyle over career advancement)(Brief Article)
June 1, 2002... Why is it that we seem to value staff and executives more highly if they climb or seek to climb the corporate ladder compared to those that don't? What is wrong with the people who are currently enjoying what they do and want to stay in...