In Monday's Asia papers

22 June 2009 02:00  [Source: ICIS news]

ASAHI SHIMBUN, Japan

Front page

Big firms say economic conditions improving
Fifty-nine of 100 major companies surveyed by The Asahi Shimbun said the economy had reached "a standstill," up from the previous survey in November when just one company said the same.

FSA eyes payout 'delays' by insurer
An executive of major nonlife insurer Nipponkoa Insurance Co. instructed a delay in payments of benefits in an apparent effort to inflate the company's fiscal 2008 earnings figures, a former senior company official said.

Business & Industry

No new updates.

CHINA DAILY, China

Front page

Stock market gets additional boost
Just a day after the lifting of a nine-month suspension for initial public offerings (IPOs), China is making more effort to help boost investor' confidence

Cigarette tax increased to cut smoking
The government has raised consumption tax on cigarettes by between 6 and 11 percent to curb smoking and add revenue to State coffers

Business & Industry

State shares boost pension fund
Some listed Chinese companies will have to transfer part of their State-owned shares to the National Social Security Fund as the country prepares for an aging society, the government said Friday.

Shanghai, HK to list each other's ETFs
Reciprocal listing of Exchange Traded Funds (ETF) on the Shanghai and Hong Kong bourses are likely to materialize soon, according to a city official in Shanghai.

TAIPEI TIMES, Taiwan

Front page

Tropical storm disrupts travel
Heavy rain and strong winds brought by Tropical Storm Linfa caused damage and injuries in Taiwan yesterday, disrupting about 200 flights nationwide.

‘NYT’ reporter Rohde escapes from Taliban captivity
A New York Times reporter kidnapped in November by the Taliban and held in the mountains of Afghanistan and Pakistan has escaped to freedom, the newspaper reported on its Web site on Saturday.

Business & Industry

LCD panel prices may rise: researcher
US-based DisplaySearch said stimulus plans had boosted purchases. Glass is in short supply as panel makers scramble to meet demand

Minister values service, not rank
Newly appointed Vice Minister of Transportation and Communications Yeh Kuang-shih said in a meeting with the press last week that the nation should strive to raise the added value of seaport services, rather than fixing its eyes on the international competitiveness ranking of the seaports.

KOREA HERALD, South Korea

Front page

DP opposed to Afghan troop deployment
Political circles here continued to linger on the question of whether and when the government would send troops to Afghanistan, despite continued denial of any such plan from the presidential office.

N. Korean ship likely headed for Myanmar
A North Korean ship that the United States is shadowing is likely headed for Myanmar, South Korean television reported on Sunday.

Business & Industry

Concerns grow over exports, jobs in 2nd half
Concerns linger over the anticipated recovery of Korea's economy in the second half of the year."The nation's exports are unlikely to recover this year as the Korean won gains value along with a weak demand from major economies such as the United States," said Lee Geun-tae, research fellow at LG Economy Research Institute.

Young Global Leaders meet P.M.
Young Global Leaders attending the World Economic Forum for the Asian region met with Prime Minister Han Seung-soo as part of the Meet the Leader session on Friday, the event's organizers said yesterday.

NEW STRAITS TIMES, Malaysia

Front page

Influenza A: Stay away from Australia, US
Malaysians have been advised against visiting Australia and the United States as the number of influenza A (H1N1) cases in the country continues to rise.

Pas spiritual leader finally accepts unity talk with Umno
In a change of heart, PAS spiritual leader Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat has agreed to the unity talk with Umno, though with conditions.

Business & Industry

Pheim's strategy bears fruit
Pheim Asean Emerging Companies Growth Fund has beaten big names like JF ASEAN and Fidelity to emerge top worldwide for any Asean fund in May with a 47.8 per cent return

Moves to set ideal investment climate
Liberalisation of Malaysia's economy will create an ideal investment climate and at the same time boost sectors that lack strong domestic capacity, International Trade and Industry Minister Datuk Mustapa Mohamed said.

BUSINESS TIMES, Singapore

Front page

M'sia: Shares open flat
Malaysian stock prices started the week slightly lower with the key Kuala Lumpur Composite Index down 0.23 of a point, or 0.02 per cent, at 1,059.27.

Japan: Nikkei edges down, exporters retreat as yen rises
Japan's Nikkei stock average edged 0.2 per cent lower on Monday, with exporters such as Canon Inc losing ground as the dollar dipped against the yen.

Business & Industry

Merrill ups KepLand price target to $2.60
Bank of America Merrill Lynch on Monday upgraded Singapore's Keppel Land to 'netural' from 'underperform', and raised the price target to $2.60 (US$1.79) from S$1.72.

Deutsche ups target price for S'pore banks
Deutsche Bank on Monday revised up its target prices for Singapore's three banks, citing further improvement in net interest margins and a recovery of the residential property sector.

BANGKOK POST, Thailand

Front page

Pondoks under fire
An international think tank blames private Islamic schools in the South for recruiting and training young Muslims to fight in the insurgency.

Missiles 'Burma-bound'
A US destroyer is tracking a North Korean ship suspected of carrying missiles, and currently heading for Burma.

Business & Industry

Taiwan's income gap at record high
The richest families in Taiwan earn 62 times more than the poorest five percent -- a record gap in income levels

'Cash for clunkers' to boost auto sales
A so-called "cash for clunkers" measure approved by the US Congress could help reignite sluggish auto sales

JAKARTA POST, Indonesia

Front page

No new updates.

Business & industry

No new updates.

By: Staff Reporter
+44 20 8652 3214

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