In Monday's Asia papers

20 April 2009 02:00  [Source: ICIS news]

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

Front page

Direct mail sent after aide's visit
Japan Post Service Co. initially refused to deliver direct mail that abused a postal discount system, but it was later sent out after an aide to an opposition lawmaker intervened, sources said.

No place to call home for 11 fire survivors
A month after a fire at a nursing home killed 10 residents, 11 of the 12 survivors remain in limbo, having lost their de facto permanent home.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

Wen: Key currency countries need watching
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said on Saturday that the economic polices of countries which issue global reserve currencies require closer supervision.

Central SOEs saw recovery in March
China's centrally-administered state-owned enterprises reported a rebound in performance in March with a 26 percent growth in profits from a year ago.

Business & Industry

Wen: Stimulus package plan paying off
China's economic stimulus package plan is already paying off, and positive changes have taken place in the economy, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said Saturday.

New stock issuance to start after reform
A senior official from China's securities watchdog said on Friday that new stock issuance will restart for sure, but it should take place after relevant reform has been completed.

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

Chinese tourist quota may rise
Two groups of Chinese tourists were allowed to enter without valid entry permits last week at Kaohsiung, but another was turned back on Saturday

US activists back Chinese dissident
Liu Xiaobo’s wife said that he had been arrested after helping draft Charter 08, a document that called for comprehensive reforms

Business & Industry

CSBC to run idle on Israeli order loss
Fears spread that the cancelation of nearly 20 months of orders may prompt the ship builder to lay off employees or cut its payroll, but executives said not to worry

Hon Hai chairman Gou sees tough year ahead
The head of Taiwan’s largest electronics maker said nothing during Hon Hai’s AGM last week about promises he made in 2007 to retire last year

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

Koreas to meet on Gaeseong industrial park
The two Koreas will hold talks tomorrow over their joint industrial park in Gaeseong amid rising tension following the North's rocket launch, the Unification Ministry said yesterday.

Ex-Roh aide held on new graft charge
Prosecutors yesterday detained one of Roh Moo-hyun's key associates as they prepare to summon the former president, possibly late this week, to investigate his alleged corruption.

Business & Industry

Unemployment worst for males in 30s, 40s
The economic downturn has driven the nation's employment rate to its lowest since the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis, as more of the core active age group see the number of jobs erode away.

Tycoons reap huge gains on stocks shares see value rise
Business owners who bought stocks in their companies last year are now reaping huge profits thanks to the current bull market, industry officials said yesterday.

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

Committee set up to fight graft
THE state government has set up several mechanisms to achieve "zero graft" in its administration.

'Let people decide through by-election'
MENTERI Besar Datuk Seri Azizan Abdul Razak does not agree that a by-election for the Penanti state seat in Penang would be a waste of the people's money.

Business & Industry

Foray into investment banking
Al Rajhi Bank has obtained the licence to set up an international Islamic banking unit in Malaysia, giving it a platform to undertake non-ringgit transactions on a bigger scale

BCHB chief's pay cheque halved last year
Datuk Seri Nazir Razak, the top executive of Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Bhd (1023), took home a 45 per cent smaller pay cheque last year as the group earned less amid the global financial crisis.

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

GM may give away stake in European unit
General Motors Corp could give away a controlling stake in its European unit as it decides whether to file for bankruptcy, the Financial Times newspaper reported on Monday.

Japan: Nikkei edges up after earnings reassure Wall St
Japan's Nikkei average inched up 0.1 per cent on Monday, helped by exporters, after the US Dow posted its biggest six-week gain since July 1938 on reassuring results from General Electric and Citigroup.

Business & Industry

Malaysia's Axiata may list Bangladesh unit
Malaysian mobile phone company Axiata Group may float its Bangladesh unit over the next two years when market conditions stabilise, a newspaper reported on Monday.

Japan: Tokyo stocks open slightly lower
Japanese share prices opened slightly lower on Monday with the benchmark Nikkei-225 index losing 7.99 points or 0.09 per cent, to 8,899.59 in the first minutes of trading.

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

Media wars heat up
The government has ordered security agencies to watch an alleged secret group responsible for feeding lies about the red shirts to international media.

Communications gap
The ICT minister refuses to meet with the TOT and CAT Telecom, and without her guidance the rate of rot is increasing at the state enterprises.

Business & Industry

Communications gap
The ICT minister refuses to meet with the TOT and CAT Telecom, and without her guidance the rate of rot is increasing at the state enterprises.

Unrest may lead to contraction
Local telecoms industry could face a period of contraction if the political unrest is prolonged.

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

SBY: three presidential candidates to contest July election
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said Sunday it was almost certain he would face former president Megawati Soekarnoputri in the presidential election once again, but with different vice presidential candidates.

Thailand extends state of emergency in capital
Authorities on Sunday extended a state of emergency in Thailand's capital, saying efforts to restore security were still incomplete after anti-government rioting last week and a brazen attack on a protest leader.

Business & industry

PLN to select banks for debt hedging
State power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara will invite banks to assist with debt hedging, a PT PLN senior official says.  

Indo Tambangraya 2009 output to go up 16%
The country’s third largest coal producer, publicly listed PT Indo Tambangraya Megah (ITM), is targeting to raise production by 16 percent this year as the company starts mining in a new area.

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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