AsiaPulse News articles from April 2004

AsiaPulse News archives from April 2004

FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR SURGES AT OPEN - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian dollar surged after the United States dollar dropped against the euro and the yen, following a disappointing report on regional manufacturing in the Chicago area. At 0700 AEST the Australian...

SINGAPORE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SINGAPORE, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE STRAITS TIMES: - Malaysian-owned, Australia-based casino operator Lasseters International Holdings is one step closer to succeeding where Cambodia's NagaCorp...

BRIEFING - ASIA JOINT VENTURES - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... An executive briefing on joint ventures for April 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. AUSTRALIA'S WOODSIDE SELLS...

AUSTRALIA SETS UP NEW TOURISM BODY.
April 1, 2004... CANBERRA, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian government is to set up a new national tourism body, Tourism Australia, to help boost national tourist numbers. Tourism Minister Joe Hockey today introduced new legislation to parliament today,...

INDONESIAN ECONOMY TO GROW 4.4 PCT IN 2004: CITIGROUP.
April 1, 2004... JAKARTA, April 1 Asia Pulse - Citigroup has forecast that Indonesia's economy will expand by 4.4 per cent this year, driven by consumption sector and favorable international condition. Citigroup's forecast is lower than the government's...

ABOUT 700,000 SOUTH KOREA SWITCH CARRIERS UNDER NEW SYSTEM.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - The number of South Korean cell phone customers who switched carriers without changing phone numbers reached 700,000 under a new system that went into effect three months ago, industry officials said Thursday. ...

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE DAILY TELEGRAPH - NRL faces fan exodus after brawl. - Dispute deepens between Latham and Howard over length of Iraq discussions. - Newly-shot Harry Potter film...

AUSTRALIAN CREDIT CARD DEBT PEAKS AT NEW HIGH.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - Australia's credit card debt has hit a new high, according to a new report. The Datamonitor Personal Lending in Australia 2004 report found the average balance on Australian's credit card jumped 70 per cent to...

KOREAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: KYUNGHYANG SHINMUN: - Regionalism Showing Signs of Collapsing KUKMIN DAILY: - Divorce Rate Soars 15 Per cent in 2003 DONG-A ILBO: - OPEC Smashes Oil...

SOUTH KOREA LAUNCHES FIRST BULLET TRAIN SERVICE.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea began commercial operation of its bullet trains, called KTX, after 12 years of construction work as the first train left Seoul for Busan early Thursday morning. The departure of the KTX No. 74 at 5:05...

ON2 TECHNOLOGIES, CNC INTERNATIONAL SIGN SATELLITE DEAL.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) BEIJING, April 1 PRNewswire-AsiaNet - On2 Technologies, Inc., The Duck Corporation today announced that it has signed a contract with China Netcom Communication International Corporation...

DIGITALGLOBE ASIA TO OPEN OFFICE IN SINGAPORE.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) SINGAPORE, April 1 PRNewswire-AsiaNet - DigitalGlobe(R), the leader in high-resolution commercial satellite imagery, announced plans for DigitalGlobe Asia, a sales and support office to be...

MITSUBISHI AUSTRALIA DENIES SALE OF FACILITIES.
April 1, 2004... ADELAIDE, April 1 Asia Pulse - Mitsubishi Australia has denied reports from Japan that the car maker is considering terminating production in Australia. A report in Japan's Asahi Shimbun newspaper said the company also planned to sell its...

HONG KONG CO ARTIFICIAL LIFE POSTS LOWER NET LOSS FOR 2003.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) HONG KONG, April 1 XFNHK-AsiaNet - The Hong Kong-based Artificial Life, Inc. (ALIF) , a leading provider of intelligent agent based mobile and Internet technology and applications, today...

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY STEPS UP.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - According to a new survey released today, Australia's manufacturing performance improved in March. This was consistent with moderate growth in the economy. The Australian Industry Group and...

LAM PHARMACEUTICAL SIGNS CHINA DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) LEWISTON, N.Y., April 1 PRNewswire-FirstCall-AsiaNet - The LAM Pharmaceutical, Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: LAMP; Frankfurt: LAM; Berlin: LAM), a biomedical company focused on the development...

RICOH TO ACQUIRE HITACHI PRINTING SOLUTIONS.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) TOKYO, April 1 KYODO JBN-AsiaNet - The Ricoh Co., Ltd. (TSE:7752/'Ricoh') and Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE:HIT/ TSE:6501/'Hitachi') today announced that Ricoh and Hitachi have signed a basic...

NO PRICE HIKES UNTIL MAY: TAIWAN'S CHINESE PETROLEUM CORP.
April 1, 2004... TAIPEI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Taiwan's Chinese Petroleum Corp. (CPC) will not raise its prices before May 20, CPC chairman Kuo Chin-tsai said Wednesday. Answering questions from lawmakers at the Legislative Yuan, Kuo said prices will remain...

TRANS ASIA, XIAMEN AIRLINES TIE KNOT ON CROSS-STRAIT PACKAGES.
April 1, 2004... XIAMEN, April 1 Asia Pulse - Taiwan-based Trans Asia Airways and mainland China's Xiamen Airlines tied a cooperative knot Wednesday to jointly offer convenient cross-strait travel packages mainly targeting mainland-based Taiwan businesspeople....

EVERGREEN MARINE AFFILIATE IN INDIA TO BE INAUGURATED.
April 1, 2004... TAIPEI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Taiwan-based Evergreen Marine Corp. (TAIEX:2603) is scheduled to formally inaugurate an affiliated company in India April 1 to satisfy growing shipping demands in that area, Evergreen Marine General Manager Wang...

FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT IN TAIWAN UNAFFECTED: MOEA OFFICIAL.
April 1, 2004... TAIPEI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Foreign direct investment in Taiwan has not been affected by the current dispute over the March 20 presidential election, a government official said Tuesday. Chu Ta-wen, director-general of the Industrial...

SINGAPORE GOVT UNVEILS HIGH-TECH MANUFACTURING PLAN.
April 1, 2004... SINGAPORE, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore (IDA) has unveiled a new Collaborative High-Tech Manufacturing Plan. Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts Lee Boon Yang explained at the...

FOREX - DOLLAR OPENS LOWER AGAINST WON - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - The dollar opened at 1,144.80 won this morning, down from 1146.60 won. (Yonhap) 01-04 1030

HONG KONG TO ISSUE BONDS TO RELIEVE FINANCIAL PRESSURE.
April 1, 2004... HONG KONG, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Hong Kong government has decided to issue bonds to alleviate the Special Administrative Region's financial burdens. A government spokesman said Wednesday that the Chief Executive of the Council has...

STOCKS - KOSPI OPENS LOWER - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Kospi opened at 878.78 points this morning, down 1.72 points. (Yonhap) 01-04 1032

STOCKS - AUSTRALIAN INDEX OPENS HIGHER - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... BRISBANE, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian share market defied trends in the United States to open in positive territory, lifted by stronger resource and bank stocks. The benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index rose 10.7 points to 3426 by 1012 AEST...

STOCKS - TOKYO INDEX OPENS HIGHER - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... TOKYO, April 1 Asia Pulse - Tokyo shares opened higher today, with the Nikkei-225 index gaining 40.77 points, or 0.35 per cent, to 11,756.16 in early trade. ASIA PULSE 01-04 1035

S. KOREAN HOME SHOPPING CHANNELS MAKING INROADS IN CHINA.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - South Korean home shopping channels are turning to the Chinese market for a new source of cash as the growth of their domestic operations no longer seems as promising as they used to be. The local TV home...

TAIWAN ECONOMIC PROCESSING ZONES WELCOME INVESTORS: EPZA.
April 1, 2004... TAIPEI, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Economic Processing Zone Administration (EPZA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs has extended a welcome to both traditional and hi-tech businesses to invest in the country's economic processing zones...

ASIA.
April 1, 2004... -----Original Message----- From: ptidel_linix (mailto:ptidelpti.org.in) Sent: Wednesday, 31 March 2004 11:05 PM To: ASIA Subject: STOCKS - BSE CLOSES UP - MAR 31, 2004 STOCKS - BSE CLOSES UP - MAR 31, 2004 $in $stx pticloser MUMBAI, Mar...

ASIA.
April 1, 2004... -----Original Message----- From: ptidel_linix (mailto:ptidelpti.org.in) Sent: Wednesday, 31 March 2004 11:05 PM To: ASIA Subject: FOREX - US DOLLAR ENDS AT 4-YEAR LOW AGAINST RUPEE - MAR 31, 2004 FOREX - US DOLLAR ENDS AT 4-YEAR LOW...

INDIAN ECONOMY REGISTERS 10.4PCT GROWTH.
April 1, 2004... NEW DELHI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Economic growth in India jumped to double digit levels at 10.4% during the third quarter of the current fiscal year, on the back of good performances by industry and agriculture. During April to December,...

S. KOREA'S CONSUMER PRICES RISE BY 3.1 PCT ON-YEAR IN MARCH.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea's consumer prices jumped 3.1 per cent on the year in March as a result of higher raw material and fuel costs, a government report said Thursday. The National Statistical Office also said consumer...

NATIONAL AUSTRALIA BANK DELAYS BRIEFING ON UK OPERATIONS.
April 1, 2004... MELBOURNE, April 1 Asia Pulse - National Australia Bank Ltd (ASX:NAB), battling to contain a boardroom crisis, has delayed a scheduled briefing on its United Kingdom operations, sparking speculating it may seek to offload the operations. ...

SWEDEN'S SKF TO ACQUIRE INDIA'S VIBRATION ENGINEERS.
April 1, 2004... MUMBAI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Sweden-based SKF, technology and solution provider of bearings and seals, is to acquire Chennai-based Vibration Engineers and Consultants Pvt Ltd (VEC) for an undisclosed amount. An agreement to this effect was...

COCA COLA'S SOUTH INDIAN PLANT HITS FRESH ROADBLOCK.
April 1, 2004... PALAKKAD, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Coca-Cola company's controversial plant at Plachimada has hit yet another road-block with the Perumatty panchayat (village level representative body), where the plant is located, turning down its appeal for a...

JAPAN EXTENDS US$1.16 BLN ASSISTANCE TO INDIA.
April 1, 2004... NEW DELHI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Japan Wednesday extended a massive assistance to India amounting to Rs 51.02 billion (US$1.16 billion) for implementation of eight projects including the Delhi Mass Rapid Transport System (DMRTS) Project. ...

HONG KONG NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... HONG KONG, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE STANDARD: - The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong has turned down a bid to resume trading in Euro-Asia Agricultural (Holdings) Company, the troubled former flagship of...

WB UN PROCUREMENT - PHILIPPINES, NATIONAL ROADS.
April 1, 2004... *** Asia Pulse Tender *** WORLD BANK UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT BUSINESS SERVICE PROCUREMENTS - MARCH 2004 Country: Philippines Project: FIRST NATIONAL ROADS IMPROVEMENT AND MANAGEMENT PROJECT Financing: World Bank ...

SINGAPORE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SINGAPORE, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE STRAITS TIMES: - Malaysian-owned, Australia-based casino operator Lasseters International Holdings is one step closer to succeeding where Cambodia's NagaCorp...

S KOREAN BANKS SEEKING TO BECOME FINANCIAL GROUPS.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - Several South Korean banks are seeking to turn themselves into financial services groups in order to meet the diverse needs of their customers, sources said today. Their move is also designed to catch up with an...

ADB PLANS US$1 BLN IN ASSISTANCE TO AFGHANISTAN.
April 1, 2004... BERLIN, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide about US$1 billion in assistance to Afghanistan for 2005-2008, ADB President Tadao Chino announced at an international conference in Berlin on the country's future. ...

S KOREA RELIEVED OF FEARS OF FURTHER OIL QUOTA CUTS.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - OPEC's decision to cut the group's daily output quota did not rattle South Korea as it was widely expected with the annual springtime lull kicking in. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)...

PAKISTAN AGRICULTURE MAY ACHIEVE 4.2% GROWTH TARGET: REPORT.
April 1, 2004... LAHORE, April 1 Asia Pulse - Despite negative impact of lower than the targeted cotton crop and huge loss to poultry sector due to the 'bird flu' scare, the agriculture sector is likely to record a reasonably good growth during the current...

INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES FALL DESPITE CONCERNS OVER OPEC CUT.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - Crude oil prices fell on international markets although the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) decided to cut daily production, South Korea's state-run oil corporation said today. According to...

PAKISTAN BANKS DISBURSE US$753 MLN FARM CREDIT JULY-FEB 2003/04.
April 1, 2004... KARACHI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Banks have disbursed Rs43.16 billion (US$753 million) farm credit in the first eight months of this fiscal year i.e. between July/February 2003/04 against the full fiscal year target of Rs65.5 billion. Thus the...

GOVT MULLS US$866 MLN INVESTMENT IN KOREA DEVELOPMENT BANK.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - The South Korean government is considering measures to invest 1 trillion won (US$866 million) worth of fresh funds into the Korea Development Bank (KDB), the finance ministry said today. The move, the...

S KOREA'S WOORI FINANCIAL TIGHTENS GRIP ON AFFILIATES.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - Woori Financial Group, South Korea's second-largest banking group, has begun tightening its grip on its affiliates, a financial source said today. Notably, its holding company has been making its system more like...

BRIEFING - ASIA AUTOMOTIVE - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. MITSUBISHI AUSTRALIA DENIES SALE OF FACILITIES ADELAIDE - Mitsubishi...

THAI NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... BANGKOK, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE BANGKOK POST: - Nok Air, the budget airline venture spearheaded by Thai Airways International Plc, is taking the unconventional approach of using a reality TV show to...

PHILIPPINE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... MANILA, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: MANILA TIMES: - The government is unlikely to meet its fiscal deficit target this year, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The multilateral lender forecast...

JAPANESE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... TOKYO, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: NIKKEI NET: - Japanese corporate sentiment improved in all sectors in the three months to March, underscoring that the economic recovery is spreading to all corners of the...

BRIEFING - ASIA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... An executive briefing on information technology for April 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. JAPAN, CHINA, S...

BRIEFING - ASIA INSURANCE - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... An executive briefing on insurance for April 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. JAPAN'S TAKENAKA WARY OF...

BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... An executive briefing on energy for April 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. INTERNATIONAL OIL PRICES FALL...

BRIEFING - ASIA AVIATION - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... An executive briefing on aviation for April 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. TRANS ASIA, XIAMEN AIRLINES TIE...

STOCKS - MALAYSIAN STOCKS DOWN IN EARLY TRADE - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... KUALA LUMPUR, April 1Asia Pulse - The Malaysian sharemarket was down 0.94 per cent in early trade due to profit-taking in selected bluechips. At 10:36 a.m., the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Composite Index fell 8.48 points at 893.37. ...

BRIEFING - ASIA INFRASTRUCTURE - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... An executive briefing on infrastructure for April 1, 2004, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. JAPAN EXTENDS US$1.16 BLN...

STOCKS - SINGAPORE STOCKS UP IN EARLY TRADE - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SINGAPORE, April 1 Asia Pulse - Singapore shares were higher in early trade, with the Straits Times Index up 5.05 points at 1863.97 at 10:41 a.m. The market rose due to bargain hunting in selected bluechips, including Venture, Haw Par, Yeo...

JAPAN LOAN TO HELP FINANCE INDONESIA'S INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.
April 1, 2004... JAKARTA, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Japanese government has extended a loan of 104.634 billion yen or Rp8.42 trillion (US$982.5 million) to Indonesia to help finance infrastructure development. "The ultimate aim of the loan is to improve the...

S KOREAN BROADBAND FIRMS OFFER E-LEARNING PROMOTIONS.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - South Korean broadband Internet service providers said today they were offering promotions to attract subscribers amid a nationwide online learning drive targeting high school students. The move is timed with...

MALAYSIAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... KUALA LUMPUR, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE STAR: - Commerce International Merchant Bankers Bhd (CIMB) said yesterday it has completed its Tier 2 subordinated debt of US$100mil, which was oversubscribed by...

S KOREAN TRAVEL FIRMS DEBUT TOUR PACKAGES FOR BULLET TRAIN.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - A number of South Korean travel agencies are rolling out new tour packages in expectation of surging demand for domestic travel following the launch of a bullet train service, industry sources said today. South...

S KOREAN PHONE MAKERS DIVERSIFYING EXPORT DESTINATIONS.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea's big mobile phone manufacturers are focusing on South American and other emerging markets to diversify their export markets, industry sources said today. Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc....

S KOREAN GOVT ORDERED TO PREVENT INFLUX OF FAKE CHILEAN PRODUCTS.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - Acting President Goh Kun ordered the government today to take measures to prevent products from countries other than Chile from being brought into the country as Chilean goods to get tariff benefits. The interim...

STOCKS - AUSTRALIAN INDEX HIGHER AT NOON - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian share market brushed off a downbeat lead from Wall St and bounded higher at noon, as most key sectors enjoyed modest gains. "At the end of the day I think it's the strong fundamentals of the...

FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR FIRMER TO NOON - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian dollar is firmer at noon, consolidating on last night's gains on the back of a weaker United States dollar against the euro and the yen. At 1200 AEST the Australian dollar was trading at .7628/33...

INDONESIA'S TRUCK SALES DOWN FIVE PCT IN 2003.
April 1, 2004... JAKARTA, April 1 Asia Pulse - Indonesia's truck sales declined five per cent to 6,572 units in 2003 from 6,928 units in the previous year, general chairman of the Indonesian Motor Vehicle Industries Association (Gaikindo) Bambang Trisulo said...

VIETNAMESE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... HANOI, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: NHAN DAN: - Ho Chi Minh City earned more than US$2 billion from exports in the first quarter of this year, 15.3 percent more than the same period last year. Of the figure,...

S KOREA'S FIRST BULLET TRAINS SUCCESSFULLY FINISH FIRST JOURNEY.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - "The country's first high-speed train from Busan will soon arrive at Seoul Station," driver Yang Se-woo announced over the intercom as the train slid slowly into the station Thursday. The train, which left Busan...

S KOREA'S FTC TO IMPOSE INVESTMENT CEILING ON 18 BUSINESS GROUPS.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Fair Trade Commission Thursday added Daewoo E&C (KSE:047040), Shinsegae Department Store and LG Cable (KSE:006260) to 15 other companies, including Samsung and Hyundai Motor Co. (KSE:005380), on its list of...

BRAMBLES INDUSTRIES TO ACQUIRE 49% OF STADTREINIGUNG DRESDEN.
April 1, 2004... SYDNEY, April 1 Asia Pulse - Global support services group Brambles Industries Ltd said today that it was acquiring 49 per cent of the shares in Stadtreinigung Dresden GmbH (SRD) for 13 million euros (US$15.9 million). The acquisition will...

S KOREA TO BEGIN TEST-PRODUCTION AT EAST SEA GAS FIELD.
April 1, 2004... SEOUL, April 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea will soon join oil- and gas-producing countries as its first gas field in the East Sea nears the start trial production, head of the state-run oil company said Thursday. "(We) plan to begin...

GASTROTECH PHARMA, LILLY TO COMBAT DIGESTIVE CONDITIONS.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement, contact details below) COPENHAGEN, March 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- Gastrotech Pharma A/S has acquired an ongoing collaboration agreement with Eli Lilly and Company, (NYSE: LLY) to continue the development of...

INDONESIA'S ANTAM RECORDS 28 PCT RISE IN 2003 NET PROFIT.
April 1, 2004... JAKARTA, April 1 Asia Pulse - State tin mining company PT Aneka Tambang (Antam) (JSX:ANTM) announced on Wednesday its net profit last year rose by 28 per cent to Rp226.55 billion (around US$26.7 million) from Rp177.40 billion a year earlier....

XANDMAIL ADDS NEW MULTI-DEVICE VIDEO MODULE.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement, contact details below) PARIS, March 31, /PR Newswire-AsiaNet/ -- XandMail SA, the digital communication solution provider today announced the availability of Video Management Module, an innovative solution which...

CHINESE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - APRIL 1, 2004.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: PEOPLE'S DAILY - An editorial calls on the whole nation to further study and implement the Constitution. - President Hu Jintao and French President Jacques Chirac had...

CHINESE RESIDENTS BUY MORE FOREIGN CURRENCY.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - The amount of foreign currency bought by Chinese residents with Renminbi (RMB) has soared by over 50 per cent since China adopted a new policy on individual foreign exchange last October. From October 2003 to...

SALES OF JEWELRY IN CHINA RISE RAPIDLY.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - Jewelry consumption in China is expected to hit 200 billion yuan (US$24.2 billion) in ten years, according to sources with the Gemmological Association of China. In 1982, jewelry sales in the country stood at...

VALEO'S LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM DEBUTS ON NISSAN INFINITI.
April 1, 2004... (Full text of a statement, contact details below) PARIS, March 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- Valeo today announced that its Lane Departure Warning System employing Iteris' technology will make its market debut in North America on Nissan's...

BEIJING'S ESTATE MARKET STILL HAS GREAT POTENTIAL.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - The rapidly growing economy in the next five to 10 years will bring about further growth in Beijing's real estate market, said Song Yu, director of the municipal development and reform commission's investment...

OFFICIAL EXPECTS CHINA'S POWER SHORTAGE PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED BY 2006.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - China's power shortage situation will be fundamentally altered by 2006, Vice Minister Zhang Guobao in charge of the State Development and Reform Commission told Xinhua in a recent interview. The power shortage...

CHINA ANNOUNCES ANTI-DUMPING INVESTIGATION AGAINST IMPORTED KRAFT BOARD.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - China announced Wednesday it would start an anti-dumping investigation against imported un-bleached Kraft liner and board originating from the United States, South Korea and Thailand. Such products from Taiwan...

CHINA ALLOCATES FUND IN SUBSIDIES FOR RICE GROWERS.
April 1, 2004... BEIJING, April 1 Asia Pulse - The Chinese government has allocated 940 million yuan (US$114 million) in subsidies for rice growers in seven provinces, the Ministry of Finance said Wednesday. The move was designed to encourage rice growers...