AsiaPulse News articles from September 2006

AsiaPulse News archives from September 2006

FOREX - US DOLLAR ENDS FIRMER AGAINST RUPEE - AUG 31, 2006.
September 1, 2006... MUMBAI, Aug 31 Asia Pulse - The US dollar edged up further against the rupee at Rs 46.54 per dollar and the Pound Sterling also moved up to Rs 88.74 per pound at the close of the Interbank Foreign Exchange (FOREX) market here on Thursday. ...

STOCKS - BOMBAY SHARES CLOSE LOWER - AUG 31, 2006.
September 1, 2006... MUMBAI, Aug 31 Asia Pulse - Late selling by funds and retail investors reversed an early rising trend as the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark, Sensex, on Thursday lost 24.87 points to end at 11,699.05. The 30-share sensitive index touched a...

LARGEST DRUG-ELUTING STENT REGISTRY REACHES HALFWAY POINT.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) NATICK, Mass., Aug 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ - Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE: BSX) announced today that enrollment has exceeded 13,000 patients in the TAXUS OLYMPIA registry, designed...

BP ANNOUNCES GULF OF MEXICO DISCOVERY.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) HOUSTON, Aug 31 /PRNewswire-AsiaNet/ - BP America Inc., announced today an oil discovery on an exploration well which tested the Kaskida prospect in the Gulf of Mexico. The well, located on...

EMERSON IMPLEMENTS TUNDRA SEMICONDUCTOR SERIAL RAPIDIO SWITCH.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) OTTAWA, Ontario/Canada, Aug. 31 /CNW-AsiaNet/ - Tundra Semiconductor Corporation (TSX: TUN), the leader in System Interconnect, today announced that Emerson Network Power's (NYSE: EMR) new...

SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS LEADS WORLD IN 4G TELECOM TECHNOLOGY.
September 1, 2006... JEJU, South Korea, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Samsung Electronics Co. (KSE:005930) on Thursday succeeded in conducting a public demonstration of fourth-generation (4G) communications technologies for the first time in the world, paving the way for the...

SOUTH KOREAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: Vernacular dailies: - Extension of troop deployment in Iraq swirls into debate (KYUNGHYANG SHINMUN) - Students of disgraced scientist Hwang accused of fabricating papers...

FOREX - AUSTRALIAN DOLLAR OPENS SLIGHTLY FIRMER - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian dollar opened slightly higher today after see-sawing with the US dollar overnight, while traders prepare for today's local current account deficit. At 0700 AEST the local unit was trading at...

NEW SOUTH WALES ECONOMY ECONOMY BRAKE ON PROSPERITY: HOWARD.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The underachieving New South Wales economy is acting as a brake on prosperity, Prime Minister John Howard has told a Liberal Party fundraiser in Sydney. Mr Howard last night said only a change of state government...

AUSTRALIAN BOND MARKET BEGINS HIGHER - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Australian bonds opened firmer today, mirroring US Treasuries which continued to amid investor perceptions that US inflation is under control. At 0900 AEST the yield on the Commonwealth Government April 2015...

TAIWAN LYCHEE TO GAIN ACCESS TO NEW ZEALAND MARKET: MOEA.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - If all goes well, Taiwan-grown lychees will be able to make inroad into the New Zealand market next year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOEA) said Thursday. The ministry made the remarks after the conclusion...

TAIWAN GOV'T HELP VITAL FOR CORPORATE ACCESS TO INDIA: FORUM.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Fueled by Taiwan's "Go South" policy and growing uncertainty in the China market, interest on the part of Taiwanese corporations when it comes to investing in India has increased vastly. Help from Taiwan's government...

VIETNAM PROVIDES OPPORTUNITIES FOR TAIWAN PC BUSINESSES: ANALYST.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Vietnam provides the most stable investment environment in Southeast Asia for Taiwanese businesses, especially the personal computer sector, an analyst said Thursday. Although Vietnam is still a communist...

TAIWAN AIMS TO BECOME R&D HEADQUARTERS: PRESIDENT.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - President Chen Shui-bian said Thursday that the government will continue encouraging businesses to engage in research and development, with the goal of turning Taiwan into an international R&D headquarters. Chen...

TAIWAN CABINET UNVEILS POLICY REPORT FOR 2007.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Cabinet sent its policy report for 2007 to the Legislative Yuan Wednesday, in which it emphasized that national security, social harmony and economic development are essential to ensuring the country's...

TAIWAN MINISTER'S PLAN TO LEVY ENERGY TAX COMES UNDER FIRE.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - A plan by Finance Minister Ho Chih-chin to levy an energy tax from July 1 2007 came under heavy fire Thursday from opposition lawmakers who described him as "unfit for the job" and criticized him for being "callous"...

BANK OF KOREA RETAINS Q2 GROWTH RATE OF 5.3 PCT.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea's central bank said on Friday that South Korea's economy grew 5.3 per cent in the second quarter from a year earlier, matching initial estimates. The economy expanded 0.8 per cent in the April-June...

84 PCT OF TAIWAN'S REPORTERS WANT TO CHANGE JOBS: SURVEY.
September 1, 2006... TAIPEI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Sensing a deterioration in the media environment, as many as 84 per cent of Taiwan's journalists want to leave their jobs, up from 64 per cent just two years ago, according to a poll whose results were released...

TAIWAN SHOULD SEEK OWN WAY AS CHINA KEEPS SUPPRESSING IT: ENVOY.
September 1, 2006... PARIS, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Taiwan's top envoy to France said Wednesday that if China keeps suppressing Taiwan internationally, Taiwan should find its own way to promote "substantive diplomacy." Yang Tzu-pao, who will assume the post of vice...

AUSTRALIAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: THE AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW: - Future Fund chairman David Murray says the fund will not ditch its A$15 billion (US$11.45 billion) Telstra (ASX:TLS) shares and force down...

AUSTRALIAN HOMEOWNERS LIKELY TO FACE ANOTHER RATE RISE THIS YR.
September 1, 2006... CANBERRA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Homeowners still look likely to face another rate rise later this year, despite some signs Australians' appetite for debt is easing. Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) figures released yesterday show Australians...

AUSTRALIAN MINISTER CALLS FOR SUBMISSIONS ON REMOTE BROADBAND.
September 1, 2006... CANBERRA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Communications Minister Helen Coonan has called for public submissions to the A$113 million (US$86 million) Clever Networks program, a scheme designed to get the best use out of broadband internet in remote areas....

AUSTRALIAN EXECUTIVE DEMAND RISES DESPITE HIGHER INTEREST RATES.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - A strong rise in demand for executive employment in August suggests Australian businesses have shrugged off last month's interest rate hike, underlining considerable strength in the market, an index shows. ...

AUST TRAVELLERS "USED TO" TERRORIST THREATS: TOURIST OPERATOR.
September 1, 2006... BRISBANE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Australian tourists have become used to ongoing terrorism threats, travel agent Flight Centre's (ASX:FLT) managing director Graham Turner says. Mr Turner said that while last year's London bombings led to a...

AUSTRALIA'S FAIRFAX BLAMES 7% PROFIT FALL ON AD MARKET DOWNTURN.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Newspaper publisher John Fairfax Holdings Ltd (ASX:FXJ) has blamed a seven per cent slide in annual net profit on a cyclical downturn in the local advertising market. Fairfax's net profit fell seven per cent to...

JAPANESE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... TOKYO, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: NIKKEI NET: - The Financial Services Agency is considering allowing banks and insurance companies to market wrap accounts starting as early as 2007. - Automotive parts...

KIA MOTORS, UNION WORKERS REACH AGREEMENT TO END SIX-WEEK STRIKE.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Kia Motors Corp. (KSE:000270) said Friday its labor union tentatively agreed to end a six-week strike, joining Hyundai Motor Co. (KSE:005380) and Ssangyong Motor Co. (KSE:003620) in settling labor disputes this year....

INDIAN GOVT TO REVIEW WHEAT IMPORT POLICY IN DECEMBER.
September 1, 2006... NEW DELHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Government on Thursday said further customs duty cut on wheat imports, which was brought down to five per cent in early August, was not likely in the near future. "We will review the import situation in...

PHILIPPINE NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: MANILA TIMES: - The wreck of the tanker Solar 1, which has been leaking oil since it sank off Guimaras Island on August 11, has been found, the Department of Environment and...

FOREX - US DOLLAR OPENS FIRMER VS WON - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The US dollar opened at 961.70 won Friday, up from yesterday's close of 961.40 won. (Yonhap) 01-09 1021

INDIA'S AURIONPRO PLANS TO ACQUIRE US-BASED COBAN CORP.
September 1, 2006... MUMBAI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - IT solution provider Aurionpro Solutions Ltd (BSE:532668) on Thursday announced its plans for acquiring US-based Coban Corporation in an all cash deal. "Coban's acquisition shall provide an added impetus to...

AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING ACTIVITY EXPANDS MODERATELY IN AUGUST.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Manufacturing activity expanded moderately in August, underpinned by a lift in domestic demand and exports. The Australian Industry Group-PricewaterhouseCoopers performance of manufacturing index (PMI) rose by...

STOCKS - KOSDAQ INDEX BEGINS HIGHER - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea's tech-heavy KOSDAQ index began at 574.51 points Friday, up 1.68 points from yesterday's close. (Yonhap) 01-09 1024

RELIANCE CITES CHINA MODEL TO BREAK PSU MONOPLY.
September 1, 2006... NEW DELHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) (BSE:500325), India's largest private firm, has asked the Government to end the monopoly in distribution of natural gas to households and automobiles on the lines of China. ...

STOCKS - AUSTRALIAN SHARES OPEN SLIGHTLY HIGHER - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Australian sharemarket opened a touch higher this morning, and was wavering between positive and negative territory due to a lack of definitive offshore leads. At 1020 AEST the benchmark S&P/ASX200 had edged...

INFOSYS AMONG TOP 3 FASTEST GROWING US FIN SERVICE PROVIDERS.
September 1, 2006... NEW DELHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Domestic IT major Infosys Technologies (BSE:500209) has been named as one of the top three fastest growing technology and service provider (TSP) to the US financial service market by leading research firm Gartner....

MICROSOFT TO LAUNCH XBOX360 IN INDIA IN SEPT; TIES UP WITH MTV.
September 1, 2006... NEW DELHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Microsoft Entertainment and Devices Division on Thursday entered into a strategic alliance with MTV Networks India to showcase the unique programming content of its gaming console 'Xbox 360' to potential gaming...

MORE ACCESS TO CENTRAL PHILIPPINES TOURIST AREAS EYED.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The government will further open up people's access to tourist destinations in Central Philippines. This aims to generate more public revenues that will help improve the socio-economic conditions nationwide,...

BLU-RAY DISC ASS'N WELCOMES SUN AS NEWEST BOARD MEMBER.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2006--The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced that Sun Microsystems, the creator and leading advocate of Java (TM) technology, has...

AUSTRALIA'S BUDERIM GINGER BOOKS H1 NET LOSS, EXPECTS H2 LIFT.
September 1, 2006... MELBOURNE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Queensland-based ginger producer Buderim Ginger Ltd (ASX:BUG) is expecting a "considerable lift" in profitability in the second half of the financial year, after Thursday booking a first half net loss of ,000....

TOURISM RECOVERY PROGRAM TO BE LAUNCHED IN PHILIPPINES' GUIMARAS.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Philippine government will launch a tourism recovery program in the province of Guimaras starting this month to address the decline in number of tourists visiting the island due to the recent oil spill incident....

AUSTRALIA'S BEYOND INTERNATIONAL POSTS 22% RISE IN YR NET PROFIT.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Television program production and distribution company Beyond International Ltd (ASX:BYI) is targeting earnings growth of up to 20 per cent a year for the next four years. Beyond today reported a 22 per cent rise...

PHILIPPINES ASSURES CLEANUP OF AREAS HIT BY GUIMARAS OIL SPILL.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Presidential Office assured the public Thursday that it would use the resources within its means for the immediate cleanup and containment of the oil spill that hit Guimaras island while ensuring the protection...

S. KOREAN BUILDERS CLINCH US$11.8 BLN IN ORDERS ABROAD JAN-AUG.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - South Korean builders are cashing in on booming construction markets in the Middle East amid high-flying oil prices, an industry body said Friday. The combined orders received by local construction firms between...

STOCKS - SEOUL SHARES TICK DOWN AT OPEN - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - South Korean stocks edged down Friday on selling by institutional investors. The main Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) lost 2.12 points, or 0.16 per cent, to 1,350.62 in the first 15 minutes of trading....

INDIA'S WOCKHARDT GETS USFDA NOD FOR CEFOTAXIME INJECTION.
September 1, 2006... MUMBAI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Wockhardt Ltd (BSE:532300) on Thursday said it has received approval from USFDA for marketing antibiotic Cefotaxime sodium injection in the US market. The company informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that it...

ARROYO SAYS ECONOMIC GROWTH TARGET FOR 2006 WELL WITHIN REACH.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - With the peso continuing to strengthen against the US dollar, and the stock market on an upswing amid easing political tensions in the country, Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo expressed confidence...

HONG KONG NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... HONG KONG, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST: - Hong Kong-based journalist Ching Cheong, sentenced to five years in jail by a Beijing court yesterday for spying for Taiwan, maintained his...

PHILIPPINE AIR AUTHORITY GIVEN TIME TO SORT OUT NAIA-3 TAKEOVER.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Philippine International Air Terminals Co. Inc. (PIATCO) on Thursday gave the government ample time to iron out issues related to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 takeover. Moises...

AUSTRALIA'S BURNS PHILP RECOMMENDS RANK GROUP SHARE OFFER.
September 1, 2006... PERTH, Aug 31 Asia Pulse - Food brand investor Burns Philp & Co Ltd (ASX:BPC) has recommended shareholders accept the $1.10 per share cash offer from majority shareholder Rank Group Ltd. Earlier this month Rank signalled it would acquire...

INDONESIA'S EBE TO DRILL EXPLORATION WELL IN CENTRAL KALIMANTAN.
September 1, 2006... MUARA TEWEH, CENTRAL KALIMANTAN, Sept 1 Asia Palse - A national investor, Elnusa Bangkanai Energy Ltd (EBE), plans to drill a number of exploration wells in the Bangkanai oil/gas block in Barito Utara regency, Central Kalimantan, in early 2007....

PHILIPPINE ECONOMY GROWS 5.5 PCT IN SECOND QUARTER.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Philippines' gross domestic product (GDP) grew 5.5 per cent in the second quarter of 2006 from last year's 5.4 per cent, boosted by sustained growth in services and recovery in the agriculture sector. The...

KOREA'S SK TELECOM TO BUILD TELECOM NETWORKS FOR HSDPA NEXT YEAR.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - SK Telecom Co. (KSE:003605), South Korea's largest mobile carrier, said Friday that it will complete building nationwide networks for faster and more seamless wireless communications next year in a bid to secure a...

PHILIPPINE AIRLINES EYES DAVAO ROUTES TO JAPAN, KOREA, HK.
September 1, 2006... DAVAO CITY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Philippine Airlines (PAL) is set to establish new Davao air routes to Japan, Korea, and Hong Kong, Atty. Domingo Duerme, PAL senior assistant vice president for Mindanao, said. "Of the three destinations, PAL...

AUSTRALIA'S CONSOLIDATED MINERALS POSTS US$5 MLN ANNUAL LOSS.
September 1, 2006... PERTH, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Diversified miner Consolidated Minerals Ltd (ASX:CSM) has posted a $A6.55 million ($US4.99 million) annual loss after prices fell for its key commodities. The net loss follows a $65.22 million profit in 2004/05....

PHILIPPINE GOV'T VOWS UTMOST EFFORTS IN ADDRESSING OIL SPILL.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Presidential Office said the government will leave no stone unturned in addressing the oil spill now wrecking havoc in Guimaras and Negros islands in the Central Philippines. "President Gloria Macapagal...

AUSTBROKERS POSTS 47 PCT RISE IN ANNUAL PROFIT TO US$13.8 MLN.
September 1, 2006... MELBOURNE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Austbrokers Holdings Ltd (ASX:AUB) expects soft conditions in the insurance industry to continue into the new financial year, after reporting a lift in annual profit. The insurance broker Thursday posted a net...

INDONESIAN GOVT ALLOCATES US$1.7 MLN FOR LOCAL FISHERIES.
September 1, 2006... JAKARTA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Indonesia's government has earmarked Rp15.6 billion (US$1.7 million) to finance efforts of improving the quality of local fishery products and upgrading human resources in the face of the ASEAN Economic...

AUSTRALIA'S DYNO NOBEL TO BUILD AMMONIUM NITRATE PLANT.
September 1, 2006... MELBOURNE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Explosives producer Dyno Nobel Ltd (ASX:DXL) has taken another step forward towards the construction of a $A500 million ($US381.12 million) ammonium nitrate plant in Queensland. Dyno Thursday said it had...

LOSSES IN INDIAN AVIATION SECTOR A POTENTIAL DISASTER: BOEING.
September 1, 2006... NEW DELHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Expressing concern over the losses incurred by the Indian aviation industry, US aircraft major Boeing has cautioned that this could lead to a "potential disaster" if it went unchecked. "The losses in the...

UZBEKISTAN, JAPAN TO DISCUSS JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF URANIUM FIELDS.
September 1, 2006... TASHKENT, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Uzbekistan and Japan will continue dialogue on development of uranium fields in the Central Asian nation, an official of Japanese Foreign Ministry, accompanying Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi during his visit to...

INDONESIA TO EXEMPT PRIMARY COMMODITIES FROM VAT.
September 1, 2006... JAKARTA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - A plenary session of the Tariff Team finally wrapped up the list of primary goods to be exempted from value added tax (VAT) expected to boost the farm sector. The result of the plenary session has been handed...

INDONESIAN GOVT TO IMPORT RICE TO REPLENISH DEPLETING STOCK.
September 1, 2006... JAKARTA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The government will maintain its decision to import rice and will soon carry it out in order to replenish depleting national rice stock, Chief Economic Minister Boediono said here on Thursday. The minister said...

TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX HOME ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES ITS 1ST BLU-RAY DISC RELEASES.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) BERLIN & LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2006-- ICE AGE: THE MELTDOWN Is First Day-and-Date Release on Blu-ray and DVD in North America, Australia and Europe Continuing its...

AUSTRALIAN INTEREST RATES SEEN TO REMAIN STEADY IN SEPT: SURVEY.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) is expected to keep interest rates on hold next week, although opinions are mixed as to whether inflationary pressures will prompt another hike in the coming months. Of the 15...

SKYPE RELEASES 1ST CORDLESS PHONES THAT DON'T REQUIRE COMPUTER.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2006--Skype (NASDAQ:EBAY), the global Internet communications company, today announced cordless phones that do not require a running computer, which are...

SAVVIS IN LEADER QUADRANT FOR N AMERICAN WEB HOSTING.
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) ST. LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2006-- SAVVIS' Position in North American Magic Quadrant Follows Its Recent Positioning in the Leaders Quadrant in the Pan European Web Hosting...

MALAYSIAN NEWSPAPER HIGHLIGHTS - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Highlights of today's newspapers: BUSINESS TIMES: - Wholesaler Makro Cash & Carry Distribution (M) Sdn Bhd?s planned exit from the Malaysian market could signal the entry of a new foreign player into...

ARROYO GRANTS TRAVEL TAX EXEMPTION TO EAST ASEAN GROWTH AREA.
September 1, 2006... DAVAO CITY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Philippine President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has granted travel tax exemption to travelers originating from Mindanao and Palawan who are bound to the East ASEAN Growth Area (EAGA) beginning next month to 2008....

THAI ECONOMY LIKELY TO PICK UP IN 2008-2009: FINANCE MINISTRY.
September 1, 2006... BANGKOK, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Thai economy is likely to pick up in 2008-2009 with a growth rate of 5-6 per cent, bolstered up by the expected recovery of state and private spending, according to the Ministry of Finance's Fiscal Policy Office...

SOUTH KOREAN EXPORTS SURGE 18.7 PCT IN AUGUST.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea's exports rose 18.7 per cent from a year ago to US$27.71 billion in August, fueled by strong overseas demand for petrochemicals, semiconductors and general machinery, a government report said Friday in a...

SOUTH KOREAN ECONOMY GROWS 5.3 PCT ON-YEAR IN Q2: BOK.
September 1, 2006... SEOUL, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - South Korea's central bank said on Friday that South Korea's economy grew 5.3 per cent in the second quarter from a year earlier, matching an initial estimate. The economy expanded 0.8 per cent in the April-June...

WOODSIDE BUYING SHARES IN TAKEOVER TARGET US CO ENERGY PARTNERS.
September 1, 2006... PERTH, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Woodside Petroleum Ltd (ASX:WPL) has begun tendering for shares in takeover bid for US-based Energy Partners Ltd under its $US883 million ($A1.16 billion) cash offer. The offer has been lodged with the US...

BHP CONFIRMS STRIKE AT CHILE MINE IS OVER.
September 1, 2006... MELBOURNE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX:BHP) has confirmed that strike action at the world's largest copper mine, Escondida, is over after union workers voted to end a 25-day strike. A BHP Billiton spokeswoman today said miners...

PHILIPPINE ASS'N WARNS OVER ENTRY OF IMPORTED DEFECTIVE CEMENT.
September 1, 2006... DAVAO CITY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The Cement Manufacturers Association of the Philippines (CEMAP) warned local cement industry and their distributors, particularly in Southern Mindanao area, on the possible entry into the local market of 118,000...

AUSTRALIA'S ADACEL WINS CONTRACT FROM US AIR FORCE.
September 1, 2006... MELBOURNE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Air traffic control simulator provider Adacel Technologies Ltd (ASX:ADA) has won a $A4.7 million ($US3.58 million) contract from the Unites States Air Force to upgrade 51 air traffic control tower simulators. ...

FOREX - RINGGIT OPENS SOFTER AGAINST US DOLLAR - SEPT 1, 2006.
September 1, 2006... KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The ringgit opened at 3.6800/6850 against the US dollar Friday, weaker than Wednesday's closing value of 3.6790/6820. The market was closed yesterday for a public holiday. ASIA PULSE 01-09 1214

AUSTRALIA'S CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT NARROWS 3% IN JUNE QUARTER.
September 1, 2006... CANBERRA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Australia's current account deficit narrowed three per cent to A$13.2 billion (US$10.1 billion) in the June quarter, official figures show. The balance of payments, which measure the trade deficit as well as...

BAHRAIN TO INVEST IN VARIOUS SECTORS IN PAKISTAN.
September 1, 2006... KARACHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - Bahrain has shown its keen interest to make investment in power, housing and construction sectors of Pakistan. A three-member delegation of Strategic Acquisition and Investment and Kingdom Group of Bahrain led...

AUSTRALIAN TRADE DATA CONFIRMS ANOTHER MINUS FOR GDP GROWTH.
September 1, 2006... SYDNEY, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - A slightly faster increase in imports of goods and services compared with exports means foreign trade will make its eighteenth consecutive negative contribution to quarterly economic growth in the June quarter. ...

PAKISTAN GOVT TO DRAW UP PLAN TO BOOST EXPORTS TO US$40 BLN.
September 1, 2006... KARACHI, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The government has decided to formulate a plan to enhance country's exports up to US$40 billion in next five years and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has assigned this task to the Planning Commission. The Deputy...

PHILIPPINE GOV'T STUDIES OIL SPILL COMPENSATION FOR CLAIMING.
September 1, 2006... MANILA, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The government is studying the amount of compensation it will claim from the 1992 Fund Convention for the August 11 oil spill which continues to wreak havoc in Guimaras and Negros islands in the Central Philippines....

SUCDEN MARKET OUTLOOK: IS IT TIME FOR THE BULL TO TURN?
September 1, 2006... (Full text of a statement. Contact details below.) LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 29, 2006--Over the last few weeks an increasing number of global economic initiatives or apparent sentiment shifts have been emerging - operating as a balance...

S AUSTRALIAN URANIUM PROJECT GETS NOD TO PROCEED.
September 1, 2006... ADELAIDE, Sept 1 Asia Pulse - The owners of the Honeymoon uranium mine in South Australia have given approval for the development to proceed. In a statement issued in Toronto, Uranium One said its board of directors had approved the mine's...