Asia Africa Intelligence Wire articles from January 2005, page 8

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire archives from January 2005

BPI, PNB exceed net income target.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ruby Anne M. Rubio Ayala-led Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI) and semiprivate Philippine National Bank (PNB) posted better-than-expected profit results in 2004. Second largest...

THIS WEEK.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Larissa Josephine C. Vila Recommendation: BUY Amid a difficult business environment, SM Prime Holdings, Inc. estimates an 8% to 10% net income growth for 2004, driven by increased...

THIS WEEK.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Rizzarene S. Manrique Recommendation: BUY Petron Corp. made a smooth finish in 2004, breaching by P150 million its earnings target for the year. In a disclosure to the stock exchange,...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) governor Rafael B. Buenaventura is one of the most significant personalities who have helped weave the fabric of Philippine banking...

Briefs.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Thrift banks' NPLs Five thrift banks reported single-digit nonperforming loan (NPLs) ratio as of the fourth quarter although bad loans remain mixed, an indication that borrowers continue to default...

THIS WEEK.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Ehden M. Llave Recommendation: BUY Consunji family-owned DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) has issued an additional 11.296 million shares of Semirara Mining Corp. to foreign investors due to...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) After 54 years, the Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) continues to work towards promoting management excellence in the country. The organization consists of 747 members representing a...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Gerard S. dela Pena Reform programs As Mr. Buenaventura explained, the fiscal reform is being addressed very aggressively through the introduction of new revenue and administrative...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Agribusiness and Countryside Development Florido A. Casuela and Oscar A. Torralba Best Annual Report Awards Baltazar N. Endriga and Celso P. Vivas CEO Conference Franco G. del...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) General Criteria: Any Management Association of the Philippines (MAP) member or any other person who has exceptionally distinguished himself or herself in the practice of management may be elected...

Moisturized skin, 24/7.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Raoul J. Chee Kee Although the heat can be punishing most afternoons, we are still experiencing cold dawns and evenings. While we can always slip on a sweater or snuggle under heavy blankets...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Institutions more than a quarter of a century years old take their traditions seriously, and that includes electing good officials, particularly a new president who both fulfills the old order and uses...

Take Ten.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Behn Cervantes Babes and Ellen Alvarez, my Bacolod hosts, made sure I would quickly return to the days of my youth via food. Early on, Ellen, a former Miss Silliman I was told, asked what I...

Metrobank-TBG grows 44.63% in '04.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co.-Trust Banking Group (MBTC-TBG) leads the trust industry with P141.30 billion in trust funds under management based on its latest official published statement of condition...

IT firm develops database for DoE.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Department of Energy (DoE), Global Environment Facility (GEF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and a number of renewable energy stakeholders signed a memorandum of understanding as...

PANA elects new officers (People).
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA) has elected a new set of officers and board of directors for 2005. Former PANA auditor Ma. Belen M. Fernando succeeded Raul S. Alvarez as...

Holcim Philippines relocates 36 families.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Thirty-six families of the Angkalon Farmers Association residing at the quarry site of Holcim Philippines, Inc. (formerly Union Cement Corp.) in Lugait, Misamis Oriental, were relocated. After...

Events.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) IAS, tax updates seminar The Canadian Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (CANCHAM) will hold a seminar on the International Accounting Standards (IAS) and General Tax Updates tomorrow, Feb. 1,...

SPECIAL FEATURE: MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION OF THE PHILIPPINES.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Simon "Mon" R. Paterno President Managing Partner, Credit Suisse First Boston (Hong Kong) Ltd., Philippine Branch Evelyn R. Singson Vice-President President, eBusiness Services,...

Chess Piece.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Bobby Ang NCAA JUNIOR Chess Championship Schoolyear 2004-2005 First Round Standings 1. San Sebastian, 24.0/28 2. Letran College, 23.5/28 3. College of St....

Courtside.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Anthony L. Cuaycong "Hi, Bert! Saw the game between Houston and Sacramento last Saturday?" "That goes without saying, Ernie. You know I wouldn't have missed the match unless an...

New business process system launched in RP.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) A new class of technology called Savvion Business Manager (SBM) 5.0 was launched by Span Asia Corp., the Philippine distributor of Savvion Co. of Santa Clara, USA. This technology promises to...

Haste puts tax bills' quality in question.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Judy T. Gulane, Jennifer A. Ng and Carina I. Roncesvalles A conscious effort by government to get itself out of its money troubles has had at least one positive effect: quicker action by...

Hot money can raise peso-dollar rate to P52.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Iris Cecilia C. Gonzales The surge in foreign portfolio investments or "hot money" since the start of the year can help the peso climb to as high as P52 to the US dollar, Bangko Sentral ng...

Hapee to help (Ernst & Young, Entrepreneur of the Year).
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines has concluded its second year search for the country's most successful and inspiring entrepreneurs. Entrepreneur Of The Year Philippines is a program of the SGV...

Tax administration crucial to minimizing VAT impact.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Judy T. Gulane and Carina I. Roncesvalles Increasing the value-added tax (VAT) rate to 12% from 10% will hit the middle class the hardest but effective tax administration will go a long way...

Malacanang urges Senate to approve higher VAT rate.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Jeffrey O. Valisno and Carina I. Roncesvalles Malacanang yesterday expressed optimism that the Senate will be "enlightened" and approve a measure increasing the value-added tax to 12% from...

TAX CLINIC.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Prescribing the Guidelines and Procedures in the Implementation of Revenue Regulations No. 29-2003 on the Advance Payment of Value-Added Tax on the Sale of Flour PROCEDURES Importation of Wheat...

Overseas worker remittances seen topping $8 billion.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Iris Cecilia C. Gonzales The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) expects remittances from overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to grow by 10% this year, surpassing the $8-billion mark and...

Give and Go.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Michael Angelo S. Murillo To see the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings and Talk 'N Text Phone Pals slug it out for the championship of the Gran Matador PBA Philippine Cup is just fitting and should...

EU seeks to minimize effects of new chemical import policy.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) European Union assistance will be forthcoming to the local chemical industry as the 25-nation bloc gears up for the implementation of a new chemical exports policy this year. EU officials in the...

Infrastructure projects lose luster post-NAIA 3.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Karen L. Lema The Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal III experience may hamper government efforts to attract investors to the infrastructure sector in the short term,...

Nurses' deployment.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Local recruiters have asked the Labor department to reevaluate its regulations on the deployment of nurses as they warn of a continuing downtrend in demand in the United Kingdom. An industry source said...

Moody's questions gov't ability to sustain reforms.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Karen L. Lema Moody's Investor Service has expressed concern over the government's ability to sustain its fiscal performance and achieve its economic goals in the near and medium terms. ...

Cebu tourist arrivals.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) CEBU CITY - Tourist arrivals in Cebu increased by 15.3% to 930,527 as of November last year. A report by the Department of Tourism Central Visayas regional office showed that domestic arrivals comprised...

Sanitary Wares Manufacturing files insolvency petition.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Roulee Jane F. Calayag Ceramics manufacturer Sanitary Wares Manufacturing Corp. recently filed a petition for voluntary insolvency at the regional trial court of Las Pinas City. The...

Measure calls for creation of housing boards nationwide.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) All provinces, cities, and first to third-class municipalities in urban and rural areas will be required to create local housing boards under a bill approved by the House of Representatives committee on...

Transgenic corn impact.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY - Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) corn has not significantly improved yields in Bukidnon. Dr. Adel Laureto of the Central Mindanao University, told a symposium that based on two studies,...

Big-ticket items hit as Congress still to OK budget.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) The delay in the enactment of the 2005 budget will have a corresponding impact on infrastructure projects expected to help the economy grow, a government think tank and an economist from the University...

Borrowing program on track.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Byline: Iris Cecilia C. Gonzales The government's first fund-raising activity for the year set the foreign borrowing program on the right track and helped improve the Philippines' debt maturity...

Philippines seen benefitting from bird flu absence.
January 31, 2005... (From BusinessWorld (Philippines)) Chicken and chicken product exports may increase 10-fold to 14 million kilos this year as countries such as Japan and South Korea take advantage of the Philippines' remaining free of the bird flu...

(AE) Aus shares midday: ALL ORDS UP 5.9 AT 4102.3.
January 31, 2005... (From RWE) Sydney - Monday - January 31: (RWE Aust Business News) - The Australian sharemarket moved higher this morning, overcoming a nervous start following Wall Street's 40-point fall at week's end. At midday the All Ordinaries...

(MR) Ferret's MARKET REACTORS - what's hot and what's not.
January 31, 2005... (From RWE) Sydney - Monday - January 31: (RWE Australian Business News) - ***************************** Some share price moves to keep an eye on in the market: HEARTWARE (HTW) at 48c: Disheartening debut for the 50c shares, which opened...

(AEJAK) LionOre to spend $6m on Jackson nickel rights.
January 31, 2005... (From RWE) Sydney - Monday - January 31: (RWE Australian Business News) - Jackson Gold has entered into an Agreement with LionOre Mining International whereby LionOre has conditionally agreed to an earn-in and joint venture agreement to...

STILLBORN BABY'S MOTHER HASN'T COME FORWARD.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) Auckland, Jan 31 - Police investigating the discovery last week of a stillborn baby's body in a Hastings drain, today expressed disappointment the mother had still not come forward. A plumber...

SPENCER MARRIES PARTNER IN SECRETIVE WEDDING.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) Hastings, Jan 31 - Carlos Spencer's new ``grandfather in law'', Archie Williams, says he didn't recognise many All Blacks at his grand-daughter's wedding on Saturday, but did catch a glimpse of former...

(AEBOL) Boom to buy Brambles Bowen Cranes for $11.5m.
January 31, 2005... (From RWE) Sydney - Monday - January 31: (RWE Australian Business News) - Boom Logistics Ltd has entered into contractual arrangements with Brambles Australia Ltd to acquire the assets and undertakings of Brambles Bowen Cranes for $11.5...

ASCOT WEDNESDAY GREYHOUNDS 1300.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) 1 54312 Homebush Diesel nwd Mcinerney 2 66711 Homebush Trump fsdt Mcinerney 3 22324 Homebush Coyote nwd Mcinerney 4 63541 I'm Laughing Now nwd ...

SOLWAY WEDNESDAY GREYHOUNDS 1300.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) 1 67632 Miss Chiff fsdt Kettlewell 2 22322 Gungullin fsdt Morris 3 77225 Wheelchair Jim nwd Elers 4 46447 Camcaff nwd Caffell 5 44736 Ninia's...

MAN SURVIVES PARAGLIDING ACCIDENT.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) Hastings, Jan 31 - A 57-year-old Havelock North man was taken to hospital on Saturday after narrowly avoiding death in a paragliding accident on Te Mata Peak. The man, whose name has not been...

PRINCIPALS APPLAUD SCHOLARSHIP EXTENSION.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) Oamaru, Jan 31 - Waitaki Boys' High School rector Paul Baker is pleased with the new rewards scheme being brought in by the Government. The New Zealand Scholarship Awards are being extended, so an...

GOAT SHOOTERS TO BE PAID $5.5 MILLION TO KILL PIGS IN US.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) Wellington, Jan 31 - The United States National Park Service and a wildlife conservancy say they will pay a New Zealand company, Prohunt NZ Ltd, $US3.9 million ($NZ5.5 million) to kill just 2000 wild...

ROD STEWART'S GIRLFRIEND WANTS A WORD WITH RACHEL - NEWSPAPER.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) Wellington, Jan 31 - New Zealand model Rachel Hunter is expected to be approached by Rod Stewart's latest girlfriend Penny Lancaster, who is keen to see a divorced finalised between Stewart and Hunter,...

CAMBRIDGE TUESDAY GREYHOUNDS 1300.
January 31, 2005... (From New Zealand Press Association) 1 87887 Rebel Izmir fsdt Hood 2 88 All A Gamble fsdt Hood 3 66257 Aranui Sunrise nwd Boyd 4 43786 Shaka Malawi nwd Lowen 6 66557 Kiwi Blue...

India's Satyam to set up regional centre here (HL).
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: MALCOLM ROSARIO ..HL: India's Satyam to set up regional centre here (HL) ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 361 ..PG: 01 ..PU: BT ..TX: NEW York Stock Exchangelisted Satyam Computer Services Ltd has decided to use...

BIMP-EAGA members to discuss air alliance.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: BIMP-EAGA members to discuss air alliance ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 477 ..PG: 02 ..PU: BT ..TX: REGIONAL air services linking Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines may be grouped under an...

Govt in talks to buy Airbus Military's A400M.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: KAMARUL YUNUS ..HL: Govt in talks to buy Airbus Military's A400M ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 407 ..PG: 02 ..PU: BT ..TX: MALAYSIA is still negotiating with Airbus Military for the proposed purchase of the...

LCL eyeing some acquisitions for expansion.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: Chong Jin Hun ..HL: LCL eyeing some acquisitions for expansion ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 513 ..PG: 03 ..PU: BT ..TX: INTERIOR fit-out (IFO) works specialist LCL Corp Bhd may make several acquisitions in...

REDtone faces stiff competition.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ZURAIMI ABDULLAH ..HL: REDtone faces stiff competition ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 357 ..PG: 02 ..PU: BT ..TX: REDTONE International Bhd can expect tougher competition with price cuts and other promotional...

HLG Capital divests Philippine unit.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: HLG Capital divests Philippine unit ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 213 ..PG: 03 ..PU: BT ..TX: HONG Leong Credit Bhd said its 75 per cent-owned subsidiary HLG Capital Bhd had agreed to dispose of its unit...

RAM downgrades Comsa bonds.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: RAM downgrades Comsa bonds ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 542 ..PG: 03 ..PU: BT ..TX: RATING Agency Malaysia Bhd (RAM) has downgraded the long-term rating of Comsa Farms Bhd's RM50 million redeemable...

Partnership beginnings.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: Partnership beginnings ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 133 ..PG: 03 ..PU: BT ..TX: LCL Corp Bhd's story dates back to 1985 when its group managing director Low Chin Meng went into a partnership to...

AA to spend RM3.5m on more centres.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: VIJAYALETCHUMY VELLASAMY ..HL: AA to spend RM3.5m on more centres ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 291 ..PG: 04 ..PU: BT ..TX: BANGKOK, Sun: Advance Agro plc (AA), a leading pulp and paper manufacturer in Asia,...

AmBank to boost credit card users to 750,000.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: VASANTHA GANESAN ..HL: AmBank to boost credit card users to 750,000 ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 460 ..PG: 05 ..PU: BT ..TX: AMBANK Group expects to more than double its credit card users to 750,000 by the...

Euromobil to open 2 more Audi Centres next month.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: Euromobil to open 2 more Audi Centres next month ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 178 ..PG: 06 ..PU: BT ..TX: EUROMOBIL Sdn Bhd, the local importer and distributor of Audi cars, will open two additional...

Sriwani no longer a PN4 counter effective today.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: Sriwani no longer a PN4 counter effective today ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 149 ..PG: 07 ..PU: BT ..TX: TRADING restriction on Sriwani Holdings Bhd's securities will be uplifted and its status as PN4...

Sunrise price trends on track to scale new highs.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: S.N. Lock ..HL: Sunrise price trends on track to scale new highs ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 887 ..PG: 07 ..PU: BT ..TX: SHARE prices on the Bursa Malaysia Bhd weakened last week on the consolidation of key...

Good potential for rebound this week.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: NGU CHIE KIENG ..HL: Good potential for rebound this week ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 910 ..PG: 09 ..PU: BT ..TX: THE decline in share prices on Bursa Malaysia Bhd last week has gotten investors anxious on...

Malakoff still a 'market performer'.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: Malakoff still a 'market performer' ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 394 ..PG: 04 ..PU: BT ..TX: INDEPENDENT power producer (IPP) Malakoff Bhd is not expected to continue its buying spree over the next two...

Merge Housing rating lowered.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: Merge Housing rating lowered ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 297 ..PG: 04 ..PU: BT ..TX: K&N Kenanga has lowered its rating of Merge Housing Bhd's shares to "market performer" after lower-than-expected...

Bank to offer more products, services.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: ..HL: Bank to offer more products, services ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 394 ..PG: 05 ..PU: BT ..TX: THE AmBank Group expects the proposed merger of the banking and finance units of the group - AmBank and...

Healthy balance key to success.
January 31, 2005... (From Business Times (Malaysia)) Byline: GARRY CARGEGIE ..HL: Healthy balance key to success ..ZO: B-ALL ..LE: 559 ..PG: 04 ..PU: BT ..TX: IN THE corporate world, the past three years or so have witnessed the emergence of a strong...

XEROX MODICORP SIGNS DISTRIBUTION PACT WITH INDIA'S SALORA.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) NEW DELHI, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - Document management solution provider Xerox Modicorp today announced appointment of Salora International as Xerox distributor in India. The agreement, which comes into force with...

ANGLO AMERICAN MINE TAKES ON NEW IDENTITY IN MAJOR EXPANSION.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) $all $aus $us $min $jtv $jp MOURA, Qld, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - One of Australia's most accident-prone mines has undergone a change of identity as part of a $A1 billion ($US772.8 million) international joint-venture...

BUSINESS WIRE DAILY SUMMARY - JAN 28, 2005.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) A summary of news releases for January 28th, 2005, compiled by Business Wire, the global leader in news distribution. To view any of these news releases on Business Wire's Web site, please go to www.businesswire.com....

BUYERS LIMITATION RESTRICTS PAKISTANI GAS PRODUCTION: PPEPCA.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) KARACHI, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - The Pakistan Petroleum Exploration and Production Companies Association (PPEPCA) - the country's oil and gas producers - said that they are unable to produce natural gas at optimum levels...

SINGAPORE TO CHECK EMPLOYERS OF FOREIGN WORKERS.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) MANILA, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) said that Singapore has set up a new unit that is tasked to conduct spot checks on employers of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and other...

NORTHERN MINDANAO EXPORTS UP 73% IN 2004.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - At least US$109.63 million worth of exports have been recorded in Northern Mindanao from July to September, 2004, posting an increase of 73.16 per cent over the US$63.31 million...

CHINA'S MACHINE TOOLS MARKET PROMISES HUGE POTENTIAL.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) SHENYANG, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - The machine tools market in China promises huge potential, with the total spending on metal working machine tools topping US$8 billion in 2004, including US$5 billion in imports. The...

LG TELECOM TO OFFER MOBILE BANKING WITH CITIBANK KOREA.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) SEOUL, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - LG Telecom Ltd. (KOSDAQ:032640), the smallest of South Korea's three mobile phone operators, said Monday it will jointly offer a mobile banking service with Citigroup's local banking unit. ...

PHILIPPINE GOVT HAILS OPENING OF MINDANAO CONTAINER PORT.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - Jobs Generation Secretary Luis "Cito" Lorenzo hailed the decision of the Court of Appeals-Mindanao, ordering the reopening of the Mindanao International Container Terminal...

DEBATE RESURFACES OVER SSANGYONG MOTOR SALE PRICE.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) SEOUL, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - A renewed controversy is stirring over whether Ssangyong Motor Co. (KSE:003620), South Korea's fourth-largest automobile manufacturer, was sold for a song to a Chinese company last year. ...

S KOREA'S HYUNDAI DEVELOPMENT SEES 2004 NET PROFIT EDGE UP.
January 31, 2005... (From Asia Pulse) SEOUL, Jan 31 Asia Pulse - Hyundai Development Co. (KSE:012630), South Korea's fourth-largest builder by capacity, Monday said its net profit rose 1.4 per cent on an annual basis to 210.2 billion won (US$205.15 million)...

(ED) Housing finance edges higher as total credit gains.
January 31, 2005... (From RWE) Sydney - Monday - January 31: (RWE): - Total credit provided to the private sector by financial intermediaries rose by 1.1 per cent in December 2004, following a rise of 0.7 per cent in November. Over the year to December,...