AsiaPulse News articles from January 2008

AsiaPulse News archives from January 2008

STOCKS - INDIA'S SENSEX CLOSES UP - DEC 31, 2007.
January 1, 2008... MUMBAI, Dec 31 Asia Pulse - The year 2007 ended on an optimistic note today with the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex closing 80 points higher on good buying support from investors following a firm trend in other Asian markets. The...

NEARLY 50 PCT OF TAIWAN PEOPLE UNHAPPY WITH 2007 INCOMES.
January 1, 2008... TAIPEI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Nearly half of the Taiwanese people responding to a recent poll said they were not satisfied with their income in 2007, according to the results of a survey released by Global Views Monthly magazine Monday. The...

TAIWAN MINISTRY TO REVIEW NEED FOR GASOLINE PRICE FREEZE.
January 1, 2008... TAIPEI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - A decision will be made at the end of January on whether or not to maintain the current price levels for domestic gasoline through February, said Steve R.L. Chen, Taiwan's Minister of Economic Affairs, Monday. ...

BERI RANKS TAIWAN 6TH LOWEST-RISK COUNTRY FOR INVESTMENT.
January 1, 2008... TAIPEI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The U.S.-based Business Environment Risk Intelligence (BERI) rated Taiwan the sixth lowest-risk country for investment in its third quarterly Business Environment Risk Report of 2007. In the BERI report, which...

NORTH KOREA GREETS NEW YEAR WITH NO NUCLEAR DISARMAMENT.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - North Korea ushered in a new year on Tuesday, vowing to build up its military but failing to give any explanations about missing a key nuclear disarmament deadline set under an international accord. In a New...

INDONESIA TO CUT RICE IMPORT DUTY TO STABILISE DOMESTIC PRICES.
January 1, 2008... JAKARTA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The Indonesian government will lower the rice import duty from Rp550 (US$0.06cents) to Rp450 per kg to lighten the burden of the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) in stabilizing the domestic rice price, a senior...

WEAK DOLLAR CONTRIBUTES TO RISE IN INDIA'S EXTERNAL DEBT.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - India's external debt rose by 5.5 per cent during the July-September quarter to US$190.5 billion as the US currency weakened, domestic firms increased overseas borrowings and non-resident Indians (NRIs) sent back...

PERFORMANCE OF INDONESIAN BOURSE RATED 3RD BEST IN ASIAPACIFIC.
January 1, 2008... JAKARTA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The performance of the Indonesian Stock Exchange (BEI) has been rated the third best among stock exchanges in the Asia and Pacific region, BEI Director Erry Firmansyah said on Friday. "In terms of major indice,...

INDONESIA'S PEFINDO AFFIRMS RATING FOR PAPER MAKER TJIWI KIMIA.
January 1, 2008... JAKARTA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Indonesian credit rating agency Pefindo said on Thursday it has affirmed its ratings for publicly-listed paper maker PT Tjiwi Kimia Tbk. and the company's bond I/A of Rp58.68 billion (US$6.22 million) due in October...

BUSINESS WIRE DAILY SUMMARY - DEC 25, 26 2007.(Company overview)
January 1, 2008... A summary of news releases for December 25, and 26, 2007, compiled by Business Wire, the global leader in news distribution. To view any of these news release on Business Wire's website, please go to www.businesswire.com. 1) Category Code:...

BUSINESS WIRE DAILY SUMMARY - DEC 27, 2007.(Company overview)
January 1, 2008... A summary of news releases for December 27, 2007, compiled by Business Wire, the global leader in news distribution. To view any of these news release on Business Wire's website, please go to www.businesswire.com. 1) Category Code: Oil/Gas...

BUSINESS WIRE DAILY SUMMARY - DEC 28, 2007.(Company overview)
January 1, 2008... A summary of news releases for December 28, 2007, compiled by Business Wire, the global leader in news distribution. To view any of these news release on Business Wire's website, please go to www.businesswire.com. 1) Category Code:...

VARIAN MEDICAL SYSTEMS ACQUIRES PAN-PACIFIC ENTERPRISES.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) MEDIA RELEASE PR28739 Varian Medical Systems Acquires Pan-Pacific Enterprises for Marketing, Sales and Distribution of X-Ray Imaging Products in China PALO ALTO, California, Dec 26...

CLEAN-UP YOUR COMPUTER WITH DISKEEPER 2008.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(BOYERS-MARKETING) Clean-up Your Computer Technology Writers MUMBAI, India (BUSINESS WIRE) Dec 31, 2007 - Everyone has that co-worker with zero organizational skills (despite...

CONOCOPHILLIPS, PETRONAS CARIGALI, SHELL SIGN CONTRACT FOR SABAH.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(TX-CONOCOPHILLIPS)(COP.NYSE) ConocoPhillips, PETRONAS Carigali and Shell Sign Production Sharing Contract for Appraisal and Development Offshore Sabah, Malaysia Energy Writers ...

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS RATINGS OF WING LUNG INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(NJ-A.M.-BEST) A.M. Best Affirms Ratings of Wing Lung Insurance Company Limited Insurance Writers OLDWICK, New Jersey (BUSINESS WIRE) - Dec 28, 2007 - A.M. Best Co. has...

A.M. BEST REVISES OUTLOOK TO STABLE FOR GENERAL INSURANCE INDIA.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(NJ-A.M.-BEST) A.M. Best Revises Outlook to Stable from Negative for General Insurance Corporation of India Business Editors OLDWICK, New Jersey (BUSINESS WIRE) - Dec 28,...

A.M. BEST AFFIRMS RATING OF DAO HENG INSURANCE COMPANY LTD.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(NJ-A.M.-BEST) A.M. Best Affirms Rating of Dao Heng Insurance Company Limited Business Editors OLDWICK, New Jersey (BUSINESS WIRE) - Dec 28, 2007 - A.M. Best Co. has affirmed...

PETROCHEMICAL EXPORTS EARN IRAN US$530 MLN.
January 1, 2008... ASSALOUYEH, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Export of 670,000 tons of aromatic products from Borzouyeh Petrochemical Facility has fetched Iran US$530 million since March 21, 2007. Managing Director of Nuri (Borzouyeh) Petrochemical Company Hamid-Reza...

EGYPT TO IMPORT WHEAT FROM IRAN.
January 1, 2008... ALGIERS, Dec 31 Asia Pulse - Egypt's Ministry of Commerce and Industries announced on Saturday that talks are underway with Iranian officials for signing an agreement to purchase 200,000 tons of wheat from Iran. Deputy Commerce Minister of...

FIRST CARGO SHIPPING LINE LAUNCHED BETWEEN IRAN & EMIRTAES.
January 1, 2008... KISH ISLAND, Dec 31 Asia Pulse - The first shipping line was established between the Iranian island of Kish in the Persian Gulf and the United Arab Emirates to transit different cargos between the two sides, a local official said on Sunday. ...

TATA STEEL, SAIL TO FORM INDIAN COAL MINING JV.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Tata Steel (BSE:500470) and state-run SAIL (BSE:500113), India's two biggest makers of the alloy, are all set to form a joint venture to mine coal blocks for securing assured coking coal supply to meet their...

FOREIGN FUNDS CAN ACQUIRE FURTHER 7.73 PCT IN INDIA'S NDTV.
January 1, 2008... MUMBAI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Media firm New Delhi Television Ltd (BSE:532529) on Monday said foreign funds can further purchase a 7.73 per cent stake in the company. In a communique to the Bombay Stock Exchange, the company said that the...

IRANIAN DRILLING COMPANY TO SELL SHARES ON FEBRUARY 20.
January 1, 2008... TEHRAN, Dec 31 Asia Pulse - Iran's North Drilling Company Managing Director Asghar Rafiei Sunday announced that the selling of NDC shares on the Tehran Stock Exchange (TSE) would start on February 20. The NDC chief told PIN that the company...

INDIANS RESOLVE TO LOSE WEIGHT & SAVE MONEY IN 2008: SURVEY.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Having a lithe and supple body followed by a purse throbbing with currency notes are the most popular new year resolutions taken by Indians, an online survey says. The survey conducted by global information and...

OMAN REFINERIES & PETROCHEMICALS CO AND OMAN LNG STRIKE DEAL.
January 1, 2008... MUSCAT, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The Oman Refineries and Petrochemicals Company (ORPC) and Oman LNG Company today signed a long-term agreement for the sale and procurement of the Natural Gas condensates. The agreement was signed by Dr Adil bin...

INDIA'S MUDRA LIFESTYLE TO RAISE US$50.7 MLN VIA SECURITIES ISSUE.
January 1, 2008... MUMBAI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - India's Mudra Lifestyle (BSE:532820), which manufactures and exports garments, yesterday said it plans to raise up to Rs 2 billion (US$50.76 million) through the issue of securities in overseas markets. In this...

ADVISORY - THAI STOCKMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... BANGKOK, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Thai sharemarket is closed today for a public holiday (New Year's Day). ASIA PULSE 01-01 1150

ADVISORY - PHILIPPINE SHAREMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... MANILA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Philippines sharemarket is closed today for a New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1151

INDIAN TELCO SPICE OFFERS TO PAY ENTRY FEES FOR PENDING LICENSES.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - B K Modi-led mobile operator Spice Communications Ltd (BSE:532863) has warned the Indian government against manipulating the priority list when allocating spectrum and demanded the issuance of licences to their...

ADVISORY - SHANGHAI STOCKMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... SHANGHAI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Shanghai sharemarket is closed today for New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1155

BLOW TO INDIA'S GSM PLAYERS - DOT MAY TAKE BACK EXCESS SPECTRUM.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - In what could be another blow to existing GSM mobile operators, India's government may soon demand the return of excess spectrum held by GSM players beyond the eligible limit. The move comes after the...

16 AFGHANI VILLAGES ELECTRIFIED BY SOLAR ENERGY IN BADAKHSHAN.
January 1, 2008... FAIZABAD, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Around 12,00 families in 16 suburbs of the distant northeastern Badakhshan province were provided with US$600,000 Indian-funded solar system power supply scheme to brighten their houses, officials said on Monday....

INDONESIA MAY IMPOSE DUMPING DUTIES AGAINST INDIA'S ROLLED STEEL.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Indonesia's anti-dumping authority has recommended imposition of dumping duties against five countries, including India, for shipping hot rolled coils to that country after complaints by local steel makers. ...

ADVISORY - AUSTRALIAN STOCKMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... SYDNEY, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Australian Stock Exchange is closed today for New Years Day. It is expected to resume trade tomorrow. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1205

INDIA'S BRIGADE SIGNS CONTRACT WITH IHG FOR MANAGING HOTELS.
January 1, 2008... MUMBAI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Real estate firm Brigade Enterprises (BSE:532929) on Monday said it has signed a management contract with UK-based InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG). Brigade Enterprises' (BEL) wholly-owned subsidiary, Brigade...

ADVISORY - TOKYO STOCK EXCHANGE CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... TOKYO, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Tokyo Stock Exchange is closed today for New Years Day. It is expected to resume trade tomorrow. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1210

INDIA'S MARUTI SUZUKI STOPS PRODUCTION OF POPULAR ESTEEM MODEL.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Car market leader Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL)(BSE:532500) will draw the curtains on one of its most successful models on Indian roads -- the Maruti Esteem -- with production for the car coming to a halt after the...

INDIA'S MAHINDRA & MAHINDRA RECEIVED 2007 FROST & SULLIVAN AWARD.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(FROST-&-SULLIV/MAHINDRA) Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (Mahindra Powerol Business) Received the 2007 Frost & Sullivan India Genset Industry Excellence Voice of Customer Award for Most...

YAMAGATA SINGAPORE CLINCHES INTERNATIONAL PLATINUM STAR AWARD.
January 1, 2008... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(YAMAGATA-SINGAPORE) Yamagata Singapore Clinches International Platinum Star For Quality Award 2007 Singapore Office Receives Second Award in Two Years for Corporate Achievements,...

INDIA'S REAL ESTATE & RETAIL SECTORS TO THRIVE IN 2008: ASSOCHAM.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - India's industry body Assocham said the year 2007 saw a growth of 30-35 per cent and 40-45 per cent in retail and real estate sectors respectively and predicts this boom will continue in 2008 too. According to...

INDIAN GOVT UPS MINIMUM EXPORT PRICE OF RICE TO SLOW EXPORTS.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - India's government has raised the minimum export price of rice to US$500 per ton to discourage its export and make more of the foodgrain available in the domestic market. The Commerce Ministry agreed to the...

INDIAN OFFICIALS TO BE IN GENEVA FOR JAN 3 WTO TALKS.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - India is sending a high level team of officials to Geneva to participate in World Trade Organisation talks convened from January 3 in yet another effort to narrow down differences on agriculture between developed...

INDIAN MOBILE USERS TO GET HARD COPY OF THEIR BILLS FREE OF COST.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Mobile users will soon be able to receive a hard copy of the bill free of cost, with telecom regulator TRAI on Monday proposing an amendment to the Telecommunication Tariff Order. TRAI today initiated a...

SOUTH KOREAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - JAN 1, 20078.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse -- The following are the top headlines in major South Korean newspapers today: VERNACULAR DAILIES: - The drive towards being advanced country begins with observance of law and order: president-elect (Kyunghyang...

INDIAN MARKET REGULATOR EXEMPTS MF INVESTORS FROM ENTRY FEE.
January 1, 2008... MUMBAI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - In a new year gift to mutual fund investors, Indian market regulator SEBI on Monday exempted them from payment of entry fee on applications filed directly to the Asset Management Companies (AMC). "It has now...

1,768 BANGLADESHI WORKERS KILLED IN WORKPLACES IN 2007: SURVEY.
January 1, 2008... DHAKA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - A total of 1,768 workers were killed and 1,782 injured in different workplaces in Bangladesh in 2007, according to a survey finding on occupational hazards and health. Bangladesh Occupational Safety, Health and...

SOUTH KOREAN EXPORTS FORECAST TO RISE STEADILY IN 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - South Korean exports are projected to have a heyday this year because of strong demand for ships, steel and autos, although the country's strong won against the U.S. dollar and an expected slowdown in the global...

BANGLADESH'S BEST AIR STARTS OPERATION ON JANUARY 14.
January 1, 2008... DHAKA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Best Air, a new private airliner, will start operations on January 14 with a Boeing 737, the first ever in Bangladesh, through a flight from Dhaka to Chittagong. The company will initially start operations with one...

LEE'S PRAGMATIC REFORMS SET TO JOLT SOUTH KOREA IN 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea is expected to undergo across-the-board changes this year under the incoming Lee Myung-bak administration, ending a decade of liberal rule that critics say was riddled with economic woes, security concerns...

NEW LEADERS IN SOUTH KOREA, U.S. OPEN OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALLIANCE.
January 1, 2008... WASHINGTON, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The inauguration of a new government in South Korea, marking a shift to the right, opens new opportunities this year in Seoul-Washington relations, perhaps based more on rhetoric and perceptions than on actual...

S.KOREAN ECONOMY SEEN TO GROW THIS YEAR DESPITE EXTERNAL RISKS.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Many economists predict South Korea's economy will maintain its growth in 2008, while others warn of volatile external risks. A number of state and private think tanks in South Korea predicted last year that the...

BANGLADESHI FARMERS EXPECTING GOOD MUSTARD SEED HARVEST.
January 1, 2008... JHALAKATI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Farmers are expecting a good harvest of mustard seeds this season even after cyclone Sidr extensively damaged vast croplands in the district. Officials from the department of agricultural extension said...

N.KOREA HAS NO EXPLANATIONS RE MISSING NUKE DISARMAMENT DEADLINE.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - North Korea greeted New Year's Day, vowing to strengthen its military power but missing a year-end deadline to carry through with key denuclearization steps it promised under an international accord. In a New...

UNCERTAINTY LOOMS OVER 7 SE ZONES IN INDIA AS OPPOSITION BUILDS.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - As uncertainty looms large over the fate of SEZs in Goa, India's central government will have to go by the advice of the state where large-scale political opposition has built up against these tax free zones, an...

ADVISORY - INDONESIAN SHAREMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... JAKARTA, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Indonesian sharemarket is closed today for New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1344

RICE SOLD TO BANGLADESH WITHHELD AT PETRAPOLE LAND PORT.
January 1, 2008... BENAPOLE, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Indian customs authorities at Petrapole land port disallowed export of 4,000 tons of rice sold to Bangladeshi traders. Reports from Petrapole land port said Indian exporters had several meetings with customs...

ADVISORY - MALAYSIAN SHAREMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Malaysian sharemarket is closed today for New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1345

INDIAN STATES SEEK PETROCHEM INVESTMENT POTENTIAL WITH ONGC.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Four Indian states, including Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, have applied to set up special petroleum and chemical investment hubs in their states, most of them listing Oil and Natural Gas Corp (BSE:500312) as the key...

ADVISORY - SINGAPORE SHAREMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... SINGAPORE, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Singapore sharemarket is closed today for New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1349

ADVISORY - HONG KONG SHAREMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... HONG KONG, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the Hong Kong sharemarket is closed today for New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1351

VIETNAM MAGNET STARTS ATTRACTING RUSSIAN PRIVATE FIRMS.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Following large state-owned and joint stock enterprises, Russian private firms have started looking at investment opportunities in Vietnam , said Chairman of the Russia-Vietnam Business Council Mikhail Slipenchuk. ...

ADVISORY - SOUTH KOREAN SHAREMARKET CLOSED - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Please be advised that the South Korean sharemarket is closed today for New Year's Day. ASIA PULSE 01-01 1354

VIETNAM'S TECHCOMBANK INKS PACIFIC AIRLINES DEAL.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The Technological and Commercial Bank of Vietnam (Techcombank) on December 28 inked a deal to provide payment services for customers of Pacific Airlines. Customers can pay for tickets via Techcombank transaction...

SINGAPORE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... SINGAPORE, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE BUSINESS TIMES: - The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)'s industrial land sales programme for H1 2008 seems to reflect a slowdown from the preceding programme for...

SHANGHAI PORT CONTINUES TO RANK 1ST IN CARGO THROUGHPUT IN 2007.
January 1, 2008... SHANGHAI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The cargo throughput of Shanghai port reached 560 million tonnes in 2007, ranking first in the world for the third straight year, the Shanghai Port and Shipping Bureau said Monday. Cargo volume grew by 4.2 per...

AIR INDIA ANNOUNCES THREE SCHEMES FOR PASSENGERS TO CELEBRATE.
January 1, 2008... NEW DELHI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - At the break of the New Year, the newly-merged Air India on Monday announced three new schemes, including one in which a passenger can get a free return ticket to a foreign destination if he or she flies 25 times...

DECREASING TEXTILE, GARMENT EXPORTS DRIVE DOWN MACAO'S EXPORTS.
January 1, 2008... MACAO, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Macao's total export value during the first 11 months of 2007 dropped by 1.4 per cent year-on-year, as its textile and garment export value, accounting for 65.4 per cent of the total, decreased by 11 per cent,...

S.KOREA'S ECONOMY FORECAST TO EXPAND AT UPPER 4 PCT THIS YEAR.
January 1, 2008... SEOUL, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The South Korean economy is expected to increase at the upper 4 per cent-range this year, mainly because of optimism about exports and domestic spending, the country's top economic policymaker said recently. The...

HONG KONG NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... HONG KONG, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: - Industrial Commercial Bank of China has no plans to privatise its Hong Kong subsidiary ICBC (Asia), said Stanley Wong Yuen-fai, executive...

BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... An executive briefing on energy for Jan 1, 2008, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. INDIAN STATES SEEK PETROCHEM...

VENTURE CAPITAL INVESTMENT IN CHINA HITS U$3.2 BLN IN JAN-NOV.
January 1, 2008... BEIJING, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Venture capital institutions from home and abroad pumped US$3.18 billion into 428 deals in China from January to November 2007, according to a report from a leading Chinese consulting firm. The investment was...

LOW CHANCE OF RADIATION EXPOSURE AT VIETNAMESE OIL RIG: EXPERT.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - A radiation and nuclear expert said on December 30 that the possibility for radiation exposure to people working nearby is very low after a device containing iridium was missing at an oil rig in southern Vietnam. ...

HONG KONG EXCHANGE FUND'S TOTAL ASSETS REACH US$181 BLN.
January 1, 2008... HONG KONG, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Hong Kong Exchange Fund's total assets amounted to 1.41 trillion HK dollars (US$181 billion) on November 30, up 24.5 billion HK dollars from October, the Monetary Authority of Hong Kong said Monday. ...

CHINA ADDS 85 MLN KW OF POWER CAPACITY IN 11 MONTHS.
January 1, 2008... BEIJING, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - China added 85 million kilowatts of power generating capacity from January to November this year to fuel its double-digit economic growth, according to the China Electricity Council (CEC). The installed power...

VIETNAM AIRLINES WELCOMES 8 MILLIONTH PASSENGER.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Vietnam Airlines welcomed its 8 millionth passenger on December 31, registering a 15.5 per cent year-on-year increase in the number of passengers in 2007. The 8 millionth passenger travelled from Ho Chi Minh City...

OLYMPICS TO BOOST CHINA'S FLAT-PANEL TV SALES IN 2008: REPORT.
January 1, 2008... BEIJING, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - The coming Beijing Olympic Games will boost by 50 per cent the flat-panel television sales in China in 2008, according to a report from the China Electronic Chamber of Commerce. Flat-panel television sales will...

VIETNAM'S ENERGY DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY UNTIL 2020 APPROVED.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - To meet the energy demand for socio-economic development, the energy sector aims to produce 47.5-49.5 million tonnes oil equivalent (TOE) by 2010, 100-110 million TOE in 2020 and 310-320 million TOE in 2050. The...

CHINESE GOV'T INJECTS US$20 BLN INTO MAJOR STATE POLICY BANK.
January 1, 2008... BEIJING, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Central Huijin Investment Co. (Huijin), an investment arm of the Chinese government, signed a contract with the China Development Bank (CDB) here Monday to inject US$20 billion into the state-owned policy bank. ...

BRIEFING - ASIA ECONOMIC NEWS - JAN 1, 2008.
January 1, 2008... An executive briefing on the economies of Asia for Jan 1, 2008, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. S.KOREA'S ECONOMY...

VIETNAM TO REMAIN FASTEST GROWTH ECONOMY IN ASIA: US RADIO.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Voice of America's December 30 broadcast gave a projection that in 2008 Vietnam will continue to be one of the fastest growing economies in Asia and will soon become a supplier of manufactured products to the world...

MACAO'S ECONOMIC PROSPERITY TO BENEFIT ALL, SAYS CHIEF EXECUTIVE.
January 1, 2008... MACAO, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Macao's government will make efforts to ensure that the whole community will benefit from the booming economy by enhancing public services and curbing inflation, said Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR) Chief...

HSBC AGREES TO MARKET BAO VIET INSURANCE PRODUCTS IN VIETNAM.
January 1, 2008... HANOI, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Starting today, insurance products from Vietnam's leading insurer, Bao Viet, will be supplied through HSBC distribution channels in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, under an agreement signed last Saturday. Under the...

CHINA GROWTH YIELDS FISCAL WINDFALL, MORE TO SOCIAL UNDERTAKINGS.
January 1, 2008... BEIJING, Jan 1 Asia Pulse - Strong economic growth means that fiscal revenues for 2007 will far exceed forecasts made at the beginning of the year, according to a report by the State Council to the top legislature here on Saturday. The...