AsiaPulse News articles from November 2003

AsiaPulse News archives from November 2003

FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR OPENS STRONGER - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Australian dollar opened the week in stronger territory, defying broad United States dollar strength over the weekend. At 0700 AEDT the Australian dollar was trading at .7075/80 compared with Friday's close...

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE DAILY TELEGRAPH - Hazel Hawke diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. - Key hospitals diagnosed as suffering from more patients than beds. - Matrix stars prepare for...

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING INDEX RISES.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Australian manufacturing sector has been boosted in October by solid domestic demand, plus weak global demand and a higher Australian dollar, according to an economic index released today. The Australian...

US GIANT DUKE ENERGY TO BEGIN SALE OF AUSTRALIAN UNIT.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Duke Energy, a United States energy giant, is to reportedly open in 2004 bids for the $A1.5 billion ($US1.06 billion) sale of its Australian subsidiary. Investment bank JP Morgan will deliver potential buyers a...

PETSEC ENERGY TO START CHINA DRILLING PROGRAM.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Up to five wells in China's Beibu Gulf are to be drilled next month for the first time by junior explorer Petsec Energy Ltd (ASX:PSA). The explorer said today it expected to start new drilling programs in China...

STOCKS - DSE REMAINS TRADELESS - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Delhi Stock Exchange remained tradeless today as most of the market players executed their transactions on other bourses for better liquidity. Marketmen said member brokers, retail investors and financial...

STOCKS - BSE CLOSES UP - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... MUMBAI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Powered by euphoria over the credit policy that spelled out continued economic growth, the sensex today surpassed the 5000-magic mark for the first time in 42 months in a flurry of activity on the Stock Exchange,...

FOREX - US DOLLAR CHEAPER AGAINST RUPEE - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... MUMBAI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The U.S. Dollar ended cheaper against the Rupee at Rs 45.32 per dollar and the Pound Sterling closed barely changed at Rs 76.75 per pound at the close of the Interbank Foreign Exchange (FOREX) market here today. ...

AUSTRALIAN FERTILISER CO SINKS INTO THE RED.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Australia's Incitec Pivot Ltd (ASX:IPL), a listed fertiliser maker, has reported an $A18.623 million ($US13.13 million) net loss for the year to September 30, 2003, compared to an $18.526 million net profit the...

KOREAN GOV'T TO REVISE CUSTOMS LAW TO FACILITATE LOGISTICS HUB.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The South Korean government will revise current customs regulations to facilitate efforts to transform the country into a logistics hub for Northeast Asia, the Ministry of Finance and Economy said on Saturday. The...

S. KOREA'S MONTHLY EXPORTS POST ALL-TIME HIGH IN OCTOBER.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korea's offshore shipments marked a monthly record of US$19.03 billion last month on a customs clearance basis, beating the previous record of $17.15 billion in September, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and...

CHINA, N. KOREA 'SHARED WIDE SPECTRUM OF VIEWS': WU BANGGUO.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Wu Bangguo, chairman of China's parliament, issued upbeat comments on the results of his recent visit to North Korea, the North's official broadcasting station reported Saturday. The (North) Korean Central...

NEGOTIATIONS AT HANJIN HEAVY FAIL AGAIN FTER UNIONIST'S SUICIDE.
November 3, 2003... BUSAN, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Negotiations to resolve a month-long labor strike at Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction Co. (KSE:003480) fell through for the third time, the company said Friday. The strike intensified after the company's...

INDIAN GOVT PUTS UP A BRAVE FRONT OVER RISING FISCAL DEFICIT.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Indian government has put a brave front over rising fiscal deficit, saying it will remain on target at 5.6 per cent of the GDP following improved revenue collection and expenditure control. "Fiscal deficit...

STOCKS - AUSTRALIAN INDEX OPENS WEAKER - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Australian share market slid into negative territory at the open, as News Corp and key banking and resources stocks dragged down the bourse. By 1017 AEDT, the benchmark S&P/ASX 200 index fell 9.9 points to...

INDIA NEEDS LOW-COST CARRIERS : A T KEARNEY.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - India needs a host of low-cost carriers, like in other countries, to enable more people to fly, global consulting firm A T Kearney said. Enterprising entrepreneurs should come forward and start low cost or...

INDIA'S BANK OF BARODA POSTS 89.15% JUMP IN Q2 NET.
November 3, 2003... MUMBAI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Bank of Baroda (BSE:BOB) posted a 89.15 per cent jump in its net profit for the second quarter ending September 30, 2003 at Rs 2.6 billion (US$57.4 million) as compared to Rs 1.37 billion in the same period previous...

INDIA'S CORPORATION BANK NET 25.1% IN H1.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Corporation Bank (BSE:CRBK) reported a 25.1 per cent growth in its net profit at Rs 2.71 billion (US$59.8 million) for the first half of the current fiscal year compared to Rs 2.17 billion in April-September 2002....

NO RISK OF BUBBLE ECONOMY FOR TAIWAN: PREMIER.
November 3, 2003... TAIPEI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Taiwan's economy will not become a bubble economy if the government's policies and programs can continue, according to Premier Yu Shyi-kun. Yu made the remarks while giving a speech at an award ceremony for...

INDIA'S MARUTI POSTS US$27.36 MLN PROFITS IN Q2.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - India's largest car maker Maruti Udyog (MUL) (BSE:MRTI) on Friday reported robust net profits of Rs 1.24 billion (US$27.36 million) in the second quarter of this fiscal year on the back of 18 per cent sales growth....

INDIAN GOVT CONSIDERING OPEN BIDDING FOR ALLOCATION OF COAL BLOCKS.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - In a move aimed at opening the coal sector for private participation, the Coal Ministry is contemplating competitive bidding for allocation of mining blocks and permitting sale on a free market basis. Under...

TAIWAN 2003 SOFTWARE PRODUCTION VALUE TOPS $US4.41BLN.
November 3, 2003... TAIPEI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The production value of Taiwan's software industry will top NT$150 billion (US$4.41 billion) for 2003, according to an industry source. Chou Shu-ling, a senior general manager at the Market Intelligence Center...

SINGAPORE'S PRIME MINISTER OPTIMISTIC ON ASIA'S ECONOMY.
November 3, 2003... BOAO, Hainan, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Singapore's Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong is optimistic about the future development of the economy in Asia, but he has warned the region not to pursue an isolation policy. Goh made the remarks when speaking...

INDIA'S POWER FINANCE CORPORATION NET AT US$259 MLN IN H1.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - State-owned Power Finance Corporation (PFC) reported a net profit of Rs 11.74 billion (US$259 million) during the first six months of current fiscal year, a massive jump in profits compared to last year, which is...

INDIAN ECONOMY TO GROW 7.1% FISCAL DEFICIT AT 5.8% OF GDP: CRISIL.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - In line with other rating agencies and economic organisations, credit rating agency CRISIL Friday forecast over 7.1 per cent economic growth in the wake of an excellent monsoon but warned that the fiscal deficit...

SINGAPORE FIRM TO INVEST IN NORTH KOREA'S INDUSTRIAL PARK.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - A leading Singaporean construction company is pushing to invest in North Korea's ambitious industrial park project now under way in the border city of Kaesong, its South Korean partner said Sunday. Kim Yoon-kyu,...

KOREAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - NOV. 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: KYUNGHYANG DAILY NEWS - Roh urges far-reaching investigation into presidential campaign funds KUKMIN DAILY - Accurate picture of political funds should be...

KOREAN DEP PM PROMOTES ECONOMIC COOPERATION AT HAINAN FORUM.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Kim Jin-pyo promoted South Korea's business prospects and pledged closer cooperation with neighbors at this year's Boao Forum, the finance ministry said on...

KOREAN LIFE INSURERS SEE 30-PCT FALL IN FIRST-HALF NET PROFIT.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korea's insurance companies sustained steep falls in profits in the first half of the 2003 fiscal year, reeling from substantial reductions in new contracts and massive typhoon-related losses, a report said on...

INDIA'S HERO HONDA SALES UP 21% IN OCTOBER.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Hero Honda Motors (BSE:HROH) recorded a 21 per cent rise in its motorcycle sales in October 2003 to over 200,000 units from 1,65,066 units in the same month last year. The October sales stood higher by 27 per...

AUSTRALIA'S LIVE SHEEP EXPORTS HIT 12 YEAR LOW.
November 3, 2003... CANBERRA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Australia's live sheep exports have plunged to a 12-year low in the wake of the MV Cormo Express affair. Meat and Livestock Australia (MLA), in its weekly report on the industry, said exports of sheep dropped...

LIVING MEDIA CHIEF FAVOURS FDI HIKE IN INDIAN NEWS BUSINESS.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Questioning the media houses which oppose foreign direct investment, Living Media chief Aroon Purie on Friday asked the federal government to raise the foreign direct investment (FDI) limit in news and current...

KOREAN FIRMS' EPS LIKELY TO GROW MOST IN ASIA NEXT YEAR: SURVEY.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korean companies' average earnings per share (EPS) are forecast to grow by 33.4 per cent next year, the highest rate in Asia and third-highest in the world, according to a financial survey report released on...

AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY POWERS THROUGH SEPT QUARTER.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Australia's economy powered forward in the September quarter as a host of previously negative impulses went into reverse, according to the latest AAP indicator. The AAP economic indicator for November showed gross...

INDIA'S ICICI BANK NET UP 32.23% IN Q2.
November 3, 2003... MUMBAI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - ICICI Bank (BSE:ICBK) has reported a 32.23 per cent rise in consolidated net profit at Rs 3.61 billion (US$79.65 million) for the second quarter ended September 30, 2003, compared to Rs 2.73 billion in same period...

KOREAN LOCAL GOVTS ENERGETICALLY SEDUCING VENTURE FIRMS.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - One afternoon in June, a fire-fighting helicopter landed at the parking lot of CreaGene Inc., a biotech venture firm in Daedeok Techno Valley in the middle of South Korea. Some men in suits hurriedly got out of their...

THAI NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... BANGKOK, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE BANGKOK POST: - Thai Airways International Plc has embarked on an internal morale-boosting programme to help it regain its position as Asia's No.1 airline. -...

HONG KONG NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... HONG KONG, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE STANDARD: - Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa has warned Asian leaders attending the Boao Forum that they were in danger of forgetting the painful lessons learned during...

ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR SMES REMAINS WEAK IN KOREA.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The economic environment for smaller companies has hit its lowest ebb in 13 months, the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (KFSB) saidy. The federation said its estimate was based on the latest...

KOREA TO DEVELOP FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS FOR SMALL PLANES BY 2005.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korea will take steps to develop and produce the flight data recording devices known as black boxes for small aircraft, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation said on Sunday. The project is part of...

2003 KOREA MACHINERY FAIR TO OPEN IN SEOUL TODAY.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The 2003 Korea Machinery Fair (KOMAF) is to begin in Seoul today, featuring the latest systems and technologies in the machinery industry, its organizers said. KOMAF, a biennial international exhibition of capital...

S. KOREA TO DEVELOP DOMESTIC FLIGHT DATA RECORDERS BY 2005.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korea will take steps to develop and produce the flight data recording devices known as black boxes for small aircraft, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation said. The project is part of an ongoing...

EISTREAM EXECUTIVES TOUR CHINA, HONG KONG, TAIWAN.
November 3, 2003... (Full text of a statement, contact details below) DALLAS, Texas, Nov. 3 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ - A team of eiStream, Inc. executives is touring Asia after a series of groundbreaking contracts - totalling more than $1 million (USD) - for...

DELHI SE SETS RECORD BY REMAINING TRADELESS ON DIWALI.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Delhi Stock Exchange witnessed another tradeless week ending October 31 as most of the market participants executed transactions on the country's other bourses. Marketmen said member brokers, retail...

FANNIE MAE ANNOUNCES REDEMPTION.
November 3, 2003... (Full text of this release can be found at http://www.asianet.com.au) WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall-AsiaNet/ - Fannie Mae (NYSE: FNM) will redeem the principal amount indicated of the following securities issues on the...

WESTRAC APPOINTED AS CATERPILLAR DEALER FOR NSW AND ACT.
November 3, 2003... PEORIA, Ill., Oct. 31 /PRNewswire - AsiaNet/ - Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) has appointed WesTrac as its new dealer for New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory in Australia to be effective on April 9, 2004. In addition, WesTrac is...

TALKS ESSENTIAL TO HELP EASE KOREAN TENSIONS: FORUM.
November 3, 2003... SEOGWIPO, South Korea, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - A group of local and foreign experts on Korean affairs said on Saturday that successful six-party talks over North Korea's nuclear weapons program are essential to keeping peace and prosperity in...

FRAPORT GROUP SEES Q3 GROWTH DESPITE SLOWING ECONOMY.
November 3, 2003... (Full text of this release can be found at http://www.asianet.com.au) FRANKFURT, Oct. 31 /newsaktuell-AsiaNet/ - Fraport AG Frankfurt Airport Services Worldwide reported increases in all traffic categories for the third quarter. Well over...

KOSPI GAINING MOMENTUM, SET TO PASS 800 LEVEL: ANALYSTS.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Korean stock markets are projected to rally this week, with the main market exceeding the 800-point level, analysts said. The forecast is based on expectations that government measures against real estate...

SOUTH KOREA'S SAEHAN INDUSTRIES TO WRITE DOWN CAPITAL AT 3:1.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korean textile maker Saehan Industries (KSE:008000)said Friday it would reduce its capital at a ratio of three shares to one to improve its financial structure. The capital write-down will reduce the...

VALEO STRENGTHENS PRESENCE IN CHINA.
November 3, 2003... (Full text of a statement, contact details below) PARIS, Oct. 30 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet-AsiaNet/ - Valeo, one of the first automotive suppliers to enter the Chinese market, today announced the construction of a new technical center in Wuhan to...

KOREA'S KORAM BANK SAYS IT CAN'T CONFIRM POSSIBLE STAKE SALE.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korea's KorAm Bank (KSE:16380) said it wasn't able to confirm whether its largest shareholder, The Carlyle Group, intends to sell its entire stake in the bank. In a regulatory filing, the nation's sixth...

CARLYLE SEEKS TO SELL ITS CONTROLLING STAKE IN KORAM BANK.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - U.S. investment fund The Carlyle Group is accelerating efforts to sell off its controlling 36.6-percent stake in KorAm Bank (KSE:16830), banking industry sources said Friday. Carlyle, the biggest shareholder of...

KOREAN DPM DEFENDS LATEST REAL ESTATE PRICE CONTROL POLICY.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance and Economy Kim Jin-pyo stressed on Friday that the government's latest real estate price control policy was not "weak," and expressed confidence in its ability to bring...

ANALYSIS - NEW TRENDS IN FOREIGN INVESTMENT APPEARING IN CHINA.
November 3, 2003... BEIJING, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Foreign investment in China had been affected by the outbreak of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in the early period of this year. After that, there have been new trends appearing in foreign investment...

STOCKS - KOSPI OPENS SLIGHTLY HIGHER - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Korean share market started higher today, as the KOSPI edged up 0.72 points to 783.08. (Yonhap) 03-11 1203

CHINA'S TEXTILE INDUSTRY FACES MIXED FUTURE.
November 3, 2003... BEIJING, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Although the growth of China's textile industry is likely to slow down in the second half of this year, it is still estimated to run at 10 per cent and above for the whole year as the world economy recovers and...

TAIWAN RELIES TOO HEAVILY ON MAINLAND CHINESE MARKET: CEPD OFFICIAL.
November 3, 2003... TAIPEI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - An official of the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) of the Executive Yuan yesterday said that Taiwan is relying on the mainland Chinese market too heavily, and that it would be wise for Taiwan...

INDONESIAN GOVT URGED TO CUT DUTY ON COMPUTER COMPONENTS.
November 3, 2003... JAKARTA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Indonesian computer assemblers have renewed calls for the government to abolish a 5 to 10 per cent duty on imported computer components to enable them to compete with foreign rivals. "Even though the call takes...

INDONESIA'S APP, CREDITORS SIGN MRA ON US$6.7 BLN DEBT.
November 3, 2003... JAKARTA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA), PT Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) and its creditors have signed a Master of Restructuring Agreement (MRA) on APP's debts totaling US$6.7 billion. A spokesman of IBRA,...

CHINA TO MAKE DEVELOPMENT MORE SUSTAINABLE: PREMIER WEN.
November 3, 2003... BEIJING, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Premier Wen Jiabao affirmed China's adherence to the principles of sustainable growth during its industrialization and modernization drive and said his government has set guidelines for China's endeavor to build a...

PHILIPPINE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... MANILA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE MANILA TIMES: - Banks in the country need to improve their lending practices, are still expensive to run, and require more capital, according to the Bangko Sentral ng...

FOREX - US DOLLAR OPENS STRONGER VS KOREAN WON - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The US dollar opened at 1,186.50 won, up from 1,183.10 won. (Yonhap) 03-11 1230

JAPAN GOVT TENDER - ROAD INFORMATION SYSTEMS.
November 3, 2003... *** ASIA PULSE TENDER *** MINISTRY OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT, KAGAWA TO PROCURE ROAD INFORMATION SYSTEMS The following procurement notice appeared in the Kanpo Japanese government gazette on Oct 31, 2003 Summary ...

INDONESIA'S BNI SETS ASIDE US$110.7 MLN DUE TO PROBLEMATIC L/CS.
November 3, 2003... JAKARTA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - State bank BNI 1946 has set aside Rp941 billion (US$110.7 million) as asset reserves in anticipation of losses caused by the irregular issuance of 41 letters of credit totaling Rp1.7 trillion at its Kebayoran Baru...

SMALLER HANDSET VENDORS IN KOREA SUFFER LOW MARGINS.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korea's smaller mobile phone makers are struggling with operating losses because of sales concentrating on low-end models and higher royalty payments. Despite stellar growth in handset shipments, Sewon...

DISMISSAL OF BOARD OF INDONESIA'S BNI UNCERTAIN: OFFICIAL.
November 3, 2003... JAKARTA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - There is no certainty that the discovery of a Rp1.7 trillion manipulation case in BNI 1946 bank will lead to the dismissal of the bank's present board of directors, a State Enterprises Ministry official said. ...

CUMULATIVE DEFICIT TOPS US$3.4 BLN AT KOREAN CREDIT CARD COS.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - South Korean credit card companies without ties to the banking sector marked 4.04 trillion won (US$3.4 billion) in cumulative deficit in the third quarter due to rising delinquencies and the continued economic...

KOREA AIMING FOR 10 PCT RISE IN FOREIGN TOURISM NEXT YEAR.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Korea National Tourism Organization (KNTO) said today it hopes to attract 4.85 million foreign travellers to the country next year, a 10-percent rise over this year's estimate of 4.4 million. The KNTO said it...

INDONESIA'S TELKOM, PUPUK KALTIM EXTEND CREDITS TO SMALL BUSINESSES.
November 3, 2003... MUARA TAWEH, E Kalimantan, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Indonesia's PT Telkom (JSX:TLKM) and state fertilizer company PT Pupuk Kaltim have extended business loans worth Rp372 million (US$43,790) to cooperatives and small businesses in Barito Utara...

FINANCIAL FIRMS IN KOREA FACE DISCIPLINE FOR IRREGULARITIES.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - A wave of discipline is expected to sweep through the local financial sector as the nation's financial watchdog has detected an array of irregularities. The Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) said today it has...

INDONESIAN GOVT ADVISED TO SET TIMEFRAME FOR DEBT SETTLEMENT.
November 3, 2003... JAKARTA, Oct 31 Asia Pulse - The Indonesian government should have the courage to set a timeframe for the settlement of all the country's foreign debts as part of its efforts to show the world its determination to achieve financial...

S KOREA, CHILE FTA SHOULD BE RATIFIED QUICKLY: INSTITUTE.
November 3, 2003... SEOUL, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Korea Institute for International Economic Policy (KIEP) said today that a free trade agreement with Chile was a matter of necessity and that South Korean policymakers must ratify the pact as soon as possible. ...

INDIA'S ROYAL SUNDARAM IN BANCASSURANCE TIE WITH LAKSHMI VILAS.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Royal Sundaram General Insurance has tied up with Karur-based Lakshmi Vilas Bank to distribute insurance products through bank branches. This is the fifth bancassurance tie-up that Royal has forged after its...

INDIA'S ESSAR SHIPPING BOOKS 196.34% SURGE IN Q2 NET PROFIT.
November 3, 2003... MUMBAI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Essar Shipping Ltd (BSE:ESRS) has reported a 196.34 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 211 million (US$4.6 million) for the second quarter ended September 30, 2003, compared to Rs 71.2 million in same period previous...

BAVARIA BECOMING FOCUS OF INDIAN IT INDUSTRY, OFFICIAL SAYS.
November 3, 2003... BANGALORE, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The German province of Bavaria, with its world renowned IT hub of Munich, is slowly becoming the focus of the Indian IT industry in terms of overseas expansion, a top official of a Bavarian delegation said. ...

JAPAN GOVT TENDER - ENGINEERING WORKSTATION.
November 3, 2003... *** ASIA PULSE TENDER *** MINISTRY OF LAND, INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORT, FUKUOKA TO PROCURE ENGINEERING WORKSTATION The following procurement notice appeared in the Kanpo Japanese government gazette on Oct 31, 2003. Summary ...

MILLENNIUM GOALS CANNOT BE MET WITHOUT ENHANCED RESOURCES: INDIA.
November 3, 2003... NEW YORK, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Calling for equity in international economic relations, India has warned that the Millennium goals set by the United Nations to reduce poverty cannot be met without enhanced resource flows and transfer of technology...

AUSTRALIAN JOB ADVERTISEMENTS RISE IN OCTOBER.
November 3, 2003... SYDNEY, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Australian newspaper job advertisements rose for the sixth consecutive month in October, the longest stretch of gains in four years, a survey found. ANZ job ads rose 1.4 per cent, continuing the upward trend since...

HONDA EXAMINING VARIOUS MODELS FOR INDIAN MARKET.
November 3, 2003... NEW DELHI, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Honda Motor Co., which has identified India as one of its most vital markets in the Asia-Oceania region, said it was studying various models like the multi-purpose luxury vehicle Odyssey, the premium mid-size Civic...

STOCKS - SINGAPORE STOCKS UP IN EARLY TRADE - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... SINGAPORE, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Singapore shares were higher in early trade, with the Straits Times Index up 20.89 points at 1744.6 at 10:07 a.m. The market rose due to bargain hunting in selected bluechips, including DBS, City Developments,...

INDIA'S CENTURION BANK TO COMPLETE US$48.3 MLN CAPITAL INFUSION.
November 3, 2003... COIMBATORE, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Centurion Bank (BSE:CENB) was expected to complete an infusion of Rs 2.19 billion (US$48.3 million) in fresh capital by the end of the current fiscal, a senior bank official said. With the cash infusionl, the...

INDONESIAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... JAKARTA, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - Highlights from today's newspapers: KOMPAS - Thousands of bales of used clothes from Tawau, Malaysia, crossed the borders everyday into Indonesian town of Nunukan in East Kalimantan from which the clothes...

STOCKS - MALAYSIAN STOCKS DOWN IN EARLY TRADE - NOV 3, 2003.
November 3, 2003... KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 Asia Pulse - The Malaysian sharemarket was down 0.47 per cent in early trade due to profit-taking in selected bluechips. At 10:13 a.m., the Kuala Lumpur Stock Exchange Composite Index fell 3.81 points at 813.31. The...