AsiaPulse News articles from July 2007

AsiaPulse News archives from July 2007

MARKET AWAITS AGRICULTURAL BANK OF CHINA RESTRUCTURING PLAN.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, July 2 Asia Pulse - China is still studying the restructuring of the Agricultural Bank of China, a top banking regulator said over the weekend in Shanghai. Reform procedures for the Beijing-based Agricultural Bank will follow...

INDIA'S TANTIA CONSTRUCTIONS BETS BIG ON BANGLADESH.
July 2, 2007... MUMBAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - With a view to scaling up its global operations and enhance its margins, Tantia Constructions (BSE:532738) has accorded high priority to the Bangladesh market, where it is expecting two road projects soon. "We...

INTO ZERO NOX ZONE - COMBUSTION TECHNOLOGY OF MIURA.
July 2, 2007... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) MEDIA RELEASE PR26706 "Into Zero NOx Zone" - The Leading-Edge Combustion Technology of Miura MATSUYAMA, July 2 /Kyodo JBN-AsiaNet/-- MIURA Co., Ltd.(head office: Matsuyama City, Ehime...

STOCKS - SEOUL SHARES END SHARPLY HIGHER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - South Korean stocks closed sharply higher Monday as institutions snapped up brokerage and insurance issues such as Samsung Securities and Samsung Fire & Marine, analysts said. The local currency rose against the U.S....

SPANISH CO TO INVEST US$150 MLN IN CHINESE SILICON METAL PLANT.
July 2, 2007... CHENGDU, July 2 Asia Pulse - A Spanish company is planning to build a silicon metal plant with an investment of US$150 million in southwest China's Sichuan Province, a top company official said here Friday. The plant will turn out 150,000...

STOCKS - AUSTRALIAN INDEX ENDS LOWER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - Australian stocks ended lower in a quiet day's trade today on mixed commodity prices and a lackluster lead from Wall Street. Retailers Woolworths and David Jones were stronger after the Coles Group board...

CHINA, PAKISTAN TO CUT BILATERAL TRADE TARIFFS.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, July 2 Asia Pulse - China and Pakistan will start to cut or scrap tariffs on all products from July 1 to boost bilateral trade, said Wang Xinpei, spokesman of the Ministry of Commerce. The two-phase step is in accordance with a...

STOCKS - TOKYO SHARES END HIGHER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... TOKYO, July 2 Asia Pulse - Tokyo shares ended slightly higher Monday after a key central bank survey put business confidence at nearly a two-year high, dealers said. The Tokyo Stock Exchange's benchmark Nikkei-225 index of leading shares...

BUSINESS IN ASIA TODAY - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... Business in Asia on July 2, 2007. A summary prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, market intelligence and business opportunities: WESFARMERS LAUNCHES $US18.8 BLN OFFER FOR...

PETROCHINA HIRES UBS SECURITIES FOR SHANGHAI STOCK SALE.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, July 2 Asia Pulse - PetroChina Company Limited (PetroChina) (SEHK:0857) has hired UBS Securities Co. to help arrange its A share public offering in Shanghai this year, according to sources close to the deal. UBS Securities Co.,...

S. KOREA'S H1 VEHICLE SALES RISE 8.1 PCT ON OVERSEAS DEMAND.(Financial report)
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - South Korean auto sales rose 8.1 per cent from a year ago in the first six months of this year as overseas demand boosted exports, according to figures released by the nation's five carmakers Monday. Overall...

GEMALTO ROLLS OUT CAMPAIGN FOR THAI OPERATOR.
July 2, 2007... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) (BW)(GEMALTO)(GTO.PA) Gemalto Rolls Out Unprecedented Nationwide Over-The-Air Campaign for Thailand's Largest Mobile Operator, AIS AIS updates nearly 8 million subscribers' SIM cards...

AUSTRALIAN BONDS END FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Australian bond market has closed firmer after a drop in US consumer spending and four failed car bomb attacks in the United Kingdom prompted a wave of safe haven buying. At 1630 AEST, the yield on the...

APEC MINISTERS TO MEET AMIDST CRITICAL PERIOD IN TRADE TALKS.
July 2, 2007... CANBERRA, July 2 Asia Pulse - Asia-Pacific trade ministers are meeting in Cairns this week in what is shaping up as a critical juncture in world trade talks. Trade Minister Warren Truss will this Thursday begin hosting a two-day meeting of...

RIO TINTO SHIPS IRON ORE BLEND TO JAPAN.
July 2, 2007... MELBOURNE, July 2 Asia Pulse - Rio Tinto Ltd (ASX:RIO) has shipped the first of its Pilbara Blend (PB) iron ore, a product comprising a mix of existing Brockman and Marra Mamba iron ores mined from nine of its 11 operating Australian mines. ...

STOCKS - PHILIPPINE SHARES FINISH FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... MANILA, July 2 Asia Pulse - Philippine shares firmed 0.72 per cent Monday, with financial stocks enjoying a good day, analysts said. The composite index moved forward 26.45 points to conclude at 3,691.68. ASIA PULSE 02-07 1720

BRIEFING - ASIA AVIATION - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on aviation for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. AIR FRANCE-KLM, CHINA SOUTHERN...

DONGWHA PHARMACEUTICAL SIGNS US$511MLN TECHNOLOGY EXPORT DEAL.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Dongwha Pharmaceutical Co. said Monday it had signed a US$511 million deal with Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals Inc. (P&G) to export the technology for a drug that may be developed to treat osteoporosis. The...

BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on energy for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. PETROCHINA HIRES UBS SECURITIES FOR...

SOUTH KOREA'S CONSUMER INFLATION ACCELERATES IN JUNE.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - South Korea's consumer inflation accelerated in June because of global oil price hikes, a government report showed Monday. The consumer price index gained 2.5 per cent year-on-year in June, compared with a 2.3...

SOUTH KOREAN HOUSING PRICES RISE SLIGHTLY IN JUNE.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - Housing prices in South Korea rose slightly in June from the previous month as home prices in redevelopment areas across the nation increased, data from the country's top lender showed Monday. South Korea's...

INDIA'S TCS, INFOSYS, WIPRO ACCOUNT FOR US$9 BLN EXPORT IN FY07.
July 2, 2007... NEW DELHI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE:532540), Infosys (BSE:500209)and Wipro (BSE:507685), the country's top three IT firms, accounted for about US$9 billion software exports during 2006-07, a Dataquest survey has...

BRIEFING - ASIA HEALTH - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on Health for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. DONGWHA PHARMACEUTICAL SIGNS...

BRIEFING - ASIA INFRASTRUCTURE - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on infrastructure for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. SPANISH CO TO INVEST US$150...

WINNER OF AAF TENDER CONFUSED BY INDONESIAN GOVT STATEMENT.
July 2, 2007... JAKARTA, July 2 Asia Pulse - The winners of a tender to revitalize Asean Aceh Fertilizer (AAF) have been confused by the government offering the factory, which has stopped operation since 2003, to another investor. Industry Minister Fahmi...

HYUNDAI MIPO WINS CONTRACTS WORTH US$900 MLN TO BUILD 15 SHIPS.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - Hyundai Mipo Dockyard Co. (KSE:010620), a unit of the world's largest shipyard operator, said Monday that it has recently won deals valued at US$900 million to build 15 vessels, including four chemical carriers. ...

MALAYSIA TO ASK MAS TO LOWER AGRI FREIGHT COSTS.
July 2, 2007... BIRMINGHAM, July 2 Asia Pulse - Malaysian Agriculture and Agro-based Industry Minister Muhyiddin Yassin will ask Malaysia Airlines (MAS) to consider a reasonable freight cost for Malaysian agricultural products as the government moves to...

SK TELECOM OUTPACES RIVALS IN GAINING CUSTOMERS IN JUNE.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - SK Telecom Co. (KSE:17670), South Korea's No. 1 mobile service provider, far outstripped its two rivals in attracting new customers last month, according to data released by each company on Monday. SK Telecom...

MALAYSIA'S FDI IN SOUTHERN COUNTRIES HITS US$4.8 BLN IN 2006.
July 2, 2007... KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 Asia Pulse - Malaysia's investment in South-South countries amounted to US$4.8 billion (RM17.6 billion) last year owing to brisk efforts by the government to encourage local firms to invest in developing nations, Minister...

SET INDEX TIPPED TO BREAK 1,000 POINTS IN MID 2008.
July 2, 2007... BANGKOK, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index may sail past the 900 point level within the year and rise above the 1,000-point level in mid-2008, if the country's general election is held as planned and a...

WESFARMERS MAKES BID FOR AUSTRALIAN RETAIL GIANT COLES.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - Wesfarmers Ltd (ASX:WES) is set to become the biggest retailer in Australia, after making a A$22 billion bid (US$18.8 billion) for Coles Group Ltd (ASX:CGJ), the largest takeover in Australian corporate history. ...

OMRON MONITOR SPURS REVISED HYPERTENSION TREATMENT GUIDELINES.
July 2, 2007... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) MEDIA RELEASE PR26720 Omron(R) Non-Invasive Blood Pressure Monitor with Augmentation Index's Utility Spurs Revision of Hypertension Treatment Guidelines KYOTO, June 29 /KYODO JBN-AsiaNet/...

THAI PM SAYS ELECTION DATE CANNOT BE FIXED YET.
July 2, 2007... BANGKOK, July 2 Asia Pulse - Thailand's interim Prime Minister Gen. Surayud Chulanont said here Sunday that it was still too early to fix the exact date of the general election, because the draft constitution must first be approved by...

FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR ENDS FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Australian dollar closed higher today, hitting fresh 18-year highs as the yen-funded carry trades continue to pump up the local currency. At 1700 AEST, the domestic unit was trading at US$0.8533/39, up from...

INDONESIA'S TELKOM ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND OF US$0.03 PER SHARE.
July 2, 2007... JAKARTA, July 2 Asia Pulse - State telecommunications operator PT Telkom Tbk. has decided to set aside 55 per cent of its 2006 profit amounting to Rp6.065 trillion (US$673 million) to pay dividends. In its general shareholders meeting here...

BSR AUSTRALIA BACK IN BLACK WITH US$1.2 MLN PROFIT.(Financial report)
July 2, 2007... MELBOURNE, July 2 Asia Pulse - BSR Australia, the parent company of Betta Electrical and Chandlers, is back in the black for the first time since its predecessor went into administration last year. The new parent company was formed by a...

SOUTHERN CROSS LIKELY TO BE CARVED UP BY FAIRFAX, MACQUARIE.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - Southern Cross Broadcasting Australia Ltd (ASX:SBC) looks set to be carved up by Fairfax Media Ltd (ASX:FXJ) and Macquarie Media Group (ASX:MMG), after trading in the shares of all three companies was halted today...

OPERATORS, VENDORS JOIN TO PROMOTE FEMTOCELL DEPLOYMENT.
July 2, 2007... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) Founding Members Include: Airvana, ip.access, NETGEAR, picoChip, RadioFrame, Tatara and Ubiquisys Technology Editors LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 2, 2007--The Femto Forum launched...

INDIA'S SUZLON EXTENDS WIND CAPACITY CONTRACT WITH US FIRM PPM.
July 2, 2007... MUMBAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Wind power major Suzlon Energy (BSE:532667) on Friday said it has extended contract with the US-based PPM Energy for supply of additional 300 MW wind turbine capacity. The US-based step-down subsidiary of Suzlon...

WEST TO GET A TASTE OF MCDONALD'S MCALOO TIKKI SOON.
July 2, 2007... NEW DELHI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Global fast food chain McDonald's, which entered India over a decade ago, plans to export dishes from its unique Indian menu to please the western palate, having tasted success in the Middle East market. The...

GREAT WALL AUTO CO PLANS TO ENTER SEDAN CAR MARKET.
July 2, 2007... SHANGHAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Great Wall Automobile Company (SEHK:2333), known as a SUV maker, will put its first sedan car GWPERI on the market in August this year if it gains a sedan car production license. Great Wall has invested about...

MAGNESIUM, METAL OF FASTEST CONSUMPTION GROWTH IN CHINA.
July 2, 2007... CHONGQING, July 2 Asia Pulse - Magnesium has become a metal witnessing the fastest consumption growth in China and thus ranks the fifth major nonferrous metal after copper, aluminum, lead and zinc, said Kang Yi, chairman of the China...

CHINA'S ADJUSTMENT OF EXPORT REBATES SEEN TO HURT LIGHT INDUSTRY.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, July 2 Asia Pulse - The new export rebates policy will have a profound impact on China's light industry, especially on low value-added industry, experts say. China is a big exporter of furniture, is made at low costs. However,...

CAPGEMINI REJECTS RUMOURS OF INFOSYS BID.
July 2, 2007... NEW DELHI, July 2 Asia Pulse - European software and consultancy services company Capgemini yesterday rejected speculation of an approach by India's Infosys Technologies as "rumour and market speculation". "We do not comment on market...

STOCKS - AUSTRALIAN SHARES END LOWER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... Repeating to correct value of takeover. SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - Australian stocks ended lower as choppy commodity prices took a toll on the resources sector, but local retailers gained on the recommendation by Coles' (ASX:CGJ) board of...

TERRITORY RESOURCES SHARES SLUMP 15 PCT IN AUSTRALIA.
July 2, 2007... PERTH, July 2 Asia Pulse - Shares in Territory Resources Ltd (ASX:TTY) have slumped more than 15 per cent, as the market provided its verdict on the iron ore miner's tilt for manganese producer Consolidated Minerals Ltd (ASX:CSM). ...

INDONESIA'S FOREX RESERVES JUMP TO RECORD US$51.9 BLN IN JUNE.
July 2, 2007... JAKARTA, July 2 Asia Pulse - Indonesia's foreign exchange reserves reached an unprecedented level of US$51.9 billion in the month ended on June 30, 2007, a central bank official said. "The figure is the highest ever reached," Deputy Bank...

AUST'S INDEPENDENT GROCERS CALL FOR STRONGER TRADE PRACTICES ACT.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Trade Practices Act must be strengthened to combat the dominance of Coles Group Ltd (ASX:CGJ) and Woolworths Ltd (ASX:WOW), which has created one of the most concentrated grocery markets in the western world, say...

STOCKS - SHANGHAI SHARES CLOSE HIGHER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SHANGHAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Shanghai shares rose 0.41 per cent Monday in a volatile day of trading, with power and steel firms leading the market's rebound, brokers said. The Shanghai Composite Index increased 15.59 points to finish at...

FOREX - US DOLLAR WEAKER AGAINST YEN - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... TOKYO, July 2 Asia Pulse - The U.S. dollar was trading at 122.59-122.60 yen at 5.09 p.m. Monday, down 0.88 yen. ASIA PULSE 02-07 1832

CAMPAIGN AGAINST ILLEGAL SOFTWARE VENDORS UNDERWAY IN SHARJAH.
July 2, 2007... DUBAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Joint anti-piracy entrapment operations have resulted in the arrest of three illegal traders and confiscation of various counterfeit items during separate raids launched earlier this month in Sharjah. The raids were...

FOREX - US DOLLAR WEAKER VS SINGAPORE DOLLAR - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SINGAPORE, July 2 Asia Pulse - The US dollar was trading at 1.5264 Singapore dollars at 4.33 p.m. Monday, down from 1.5315 Singapore dollars at 4.43 p.m. Friday. ASIA PULSE 02-07 1836

FOREX - US DOLLAR WEAKER AGAINST BAHT - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... BANGKOK, July 2 Asia Pulse - The US dollar was trading at 31.715 baht at 4.24 p.m. Monday, down from 31.770 baht at 4.06 p.m. Friday. ASIA PULSE 02-07 1839

PAKISTAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... KARACHI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: DAWN: - Over two million severely hit: Balochistan death toll 100; 15 districts affected; Loss estimated at Rs10 billion (US$166 million); Relief operations continue -...

COUNTERFEITING AND PIRACY COST ARAB COUNTRIES US$50 BLN ANNUALLY.
July 2, 2007... DUBAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - A landmark agreement paving the way for the first Arab Consumer and Brand Protection Forum was signed today between Arab League and Hemaya Universal at the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry headquarters. ...

AUSTRALIA'S TRAVEL.COM.AU TO BUY 25 PCT IN LASTMINUTE.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - Online travel agent travel.com.au (ASX:TVL) will spend $A4.75 million ($US4.04 million) buying the 25.1 per cent stake in lastminute.com.au Australia Ltd it does not already own, taking full control of the company....

CHINESE WATCHDOG ANNOUNCES NEW STANDARD FOR LIGHT VEHICLES.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, July 2 Asia Pulse - China's State Administration for Environmental Protection (SAEP) has announced recently that starting from July 1 of this year, the country will start implementing the national third-stage restriction on pollutant...

TAIWAN SEEKS TO HELP MITIGATE IMPACT OF WAGE HIKE ON SMEs.
July 2, 2007... TAIPEI, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Council of Labour Affairs (CLA) has worked out five measures to help mitigate the impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) of the 9.09 per cent minimum wage hike, which went into effect Sunday. ...

CHINA'S AFTER-SALES AUTO MARKET SEEN TO EXCEED US$39 BLN BY 2010.
July 2, 2007... CHANGCHUN, July 2 Asia Pulse - The market value of China's after-sales service for motor vehicles is expected to reach more than 300 billion yuan US$39.4 billion) by 2010, said an official at a forum on development of auto after-sales market...

CHINA'S EXPORT PRICE OF LEATHER PRODUCTS RISES.
July 2, 2007... BEIJING, July 2 Asia Pulse - China's leather products export price will rise as a result of the cancellation of export rebate tax, the rise of labor cost and raw materials price and the appreciation of RMB, experts predicted. Statistics showed...

STOCKS - TAIPEI BOURSE ENDS FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... TAIPEI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Taiwanese share prices ended 0.63 per cent firmer Monday, driven by gains in real estate and building stocks, brokers said. The weighted index climbed 56.28 points to close at 8,939.49. ASIA PULSE 02-07 1920...

BRIEFING - ASIA AGRIBUSINESS - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on agribusiness for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. MALAYSIA TO ASK MAS TO LOWER...

BRIEFING - ASIA AUTOMOTIVE - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on the automotive industry for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. CHINA'S...

BRIEFING - ASIA BANKING - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on banking for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. MARKET AWAITS AGRICULTURAL BANK OF...

BRIEFING - ASIA ELECTRONICS - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on electronics for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. BSR AUSTRALIA BACK IN BLACK...

BRIEFING - ASIA INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on information technology for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. CAMPAIGN AGAINST...

BRIEFING - ASIA MINING - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on mining for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. TERRITORY RESOURCES SHARES SLUMP 15...

BRIEFING - ASIA RETAIL - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on retail for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. AUST'S INDEPENDENT GROCERS CALL FOR...

BRIEFING - ASIA SHIPPING - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on shipping for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. HYUNDAI MIPO WINS CONTRACTS WORTH...

BRIEFING - ASIA TELECOMMUNICATIONS - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http:/ www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. INDONESIA'S TELKOM ANNOUNCES DIVIDEND OF US$0.03 PER SHARE JAKARTA...

STOCKS - SINGAPORE BOURSE ENDS FLAT - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SINGAPORE, July 2 Asia Pulse - Singapore stocks ended broadly unchanged Monday, in listless trade, brokers said. The Straits Times Index edged up 2.14 points to 3,550.34. ASIA PULSE 02-07 1944

STOCKS - MALAYSIAN SHARES END FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... KUALA LUMPUR, July 2 Asia Pulse - Malaysian share prices ended 0.73 per cent firmer Monday, buoyed by interest in energy and banking stocks, brokers said. The Kuala Lumpur Composite Index put on 9.99 points to 1,364.37. ASIA PULSE...

PLATTS WORKS TO ENSURE INTEGRITY OF N. SEA BRENT OIL BENCHMARK.
July 2, 2007... (Full text of a statement. Contact details follow below.) NEW YORK, July 2 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ -- Platts, the world's leading energy information provider and a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies (NYSE: MHP), today said it will...

INDIAN CORPORATES LOG ANNUAL SALARY BILL OF MORE THAN US$24 BLN.
July 2, 2007... NEW DELHI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Driven by ever-expanding workforce and salary levels, the employee expense bill of Indian corporates has grown beyond Rs 1 trillion (US$24.6 billion) level with public sector companies and private sector IT giants...

STOCKS - THAI SHARES END FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... BANGKOK, July 2 Asia Pulse - Thai stocks ended 2.05 per cent firmer Monday, hitting a three-year high after the release of positive economic date, brokers said. The Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) composite index leapt 15.92 points to...

INDIA'S GLENMARK GETS TENTATIVE USFDA NOD FOR TOPIRAMTE TABS.
July 2, 2007... MUMBAI, July 2 Asia Pulse - Drug major Glenmark Pharmaceuticals on Monday said it has received the United States Food and Drug Administration's (USFDA) tentative approval to market Topiramate tablets, used in the treatment of migraine. The...

INDIA, JAPAN TO FORMULATE ENERGY EFFICIENCY ACTION PLAN.
July 2, 2007... NEW DELHI, July 2 Asia Pulse - India and Japan on Monday agreed to set individual goals and voluntary action plans to improve energy efficiency and increase cooperation in the development of renewable sources. "Based on the 'Cebu...

STOCKS - JAKARTA SHARES ENDS FIRMER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... JAKARTA, July 2 Asia Pulse - Jakarta stocks ended 1.33 per cent firmer Monday, to hit a record high buoyed by positive consumer price index data, brokers said. The Jakarta Stock Exchange composite climbed 28.542 points to 2,167.820. ...

ASIAN MARKETS - SHARES END BROADLY HIGHER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... A round-up of Asian stock markets for July 2, 2007 prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - Asian...

BRIEFING - ASIA FOREX - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... An executive briefing on Forex for July 2, 2007, prepared by Asia Pulse (http://www.asiapulse.com), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities. FOREX - US DOLLAR WEAKER AGAINST...

FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR OPENS LOWER - JULY 2, 2007.
July 2, 2007... SYDNEY, July 2 Asia Pulse - The Australian dollar opened lower today after closing last week at an 18-year high. At 0700 AEST, the domestic unit was trading at $US0.8487 95, down from Friday's close of $US0.8501/07. It traded between a...

SOUTH KOREAN BUSINESS CONFIDENCE DROPS IN JULY.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - South Korean manufacturers' business confidence for July worsened over growing concerns about the high cost of raw materials and weak domestic demand, the central bank said Monday. The business survey index (BSI)...

S. KOREAN MISSION TO VISIT VIETNAM TO BOOST ECONOMIC COOPERATION.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - A South Korean delegation of government officials and businesspeople is to visit Vietnam next week to discuss ways of improving economic cooperation, a business organization said Sunday. The 250-member delegation...

S. KOREA, UKRAINE SIGN MOU ON NUCLEAR ENERGY COOPERATION.
July 2, 2007... SEOUL, July 2 Asia Pulse - South Korea and Ukraine have agreed to expand cooperation in nuclear power and the development of uranium and copper deposits, the government said Sunday. A memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining the...