In Monday’s South Asia papers

MUMBAI (ICIS news)–These were the top stories at 4:00GMT in the following South Asia newspapers’ online versions on Monday. ICIS has not verified these stories and does not vouch for their accuracy. To go to the individual websites, click the links below:

The Times of India
Front Page

Bush gives Mush wide berth, ignores discontent
The Bush administration has given Pakistan’s military dictator Pervez Musharraf a wide berth despite a “tough” public stance against the imposition of Emergency.

Companies may have to pay for shoddy goods
Remember toy major Leo Mattel being forced to withdraw Barbie dolls from the global market because they were coated with paint containing dangerous levels of lead?

Business

Asean FTA may get stuck
Malaysia continues to be a spoiler for India’s economic impetus in the south-east Asian region. A dispute between Malaysia and India on tariffs on palm oil imports is one of the few things that is holding up the conclusion of a free-trade agreement between India and the Asean countries.

HUL plans to introduce flavoured instant tea
If you are bored drinking traditional tea, your prayers have been answered. Hindustan Unilever Ltd (HUL), which has a strong presence in both packet tea and tea bag segments through umbrella brands ‘Lipton’ and ‘Tajmahal’, is set to introduce flavoured instant tea for the first time in this country.

The Economic Times
Front Page

FIIs may face tougher entry norms
The finance ministry wants to restrict investments by foreign institutional investors (FIIs) from countries whose market regulatory structure is not compliant with principles laid down by the International Organisation of Security Commissions (IOSCO).

India-listed BPOs earn more than peers abroad
Business Process Outsourcing (BPOs) listed on Indian bourses are performing better than those listed on international bourses. Nasdaq-listed ExlService Holdings and NYSE-listed Genpact and WNS have operating margins in the range of 9%-12%.

“”>The Bangladesh Today
Front Page

Hurricane death toll may run into thousands
With the recovery of more and more dead bodies every hour from the coastal districts of the southwestern region badly mauled and battered by Thursday nights powerful SIDR hurricane, the death toll has so far reached two thousand with hundreds more still missing.

Power supply may take a week to be normal
It will take nearly one week to restore full power supply across the country as transmission and distribution lines damaged by Thursday nights hurricane are yet to be restored, sources in PDB said.

Business

India discusses LoC trade with Pakistan
Undeterred by emergency rule in Pakistan, India on Saturday said it was committed to stepping up trade with Islamabad to tap the growing business interest in each other.

Banglalink, Mutual Trust Bank sign deal
Rashid Khan, CEO of Banglalink, and Kazi Shafiqur Rahman, Managing Director of Mutual Trust Bank Limited, signed the agreement on behalf of the respective organizations, says a press release.

Daily Mirror
Front Page

Controversy surrounds HRW Lanka visit
Controversy surrounds the visit of a group of Human Rights Watch (HRW) officials to the country last week for the release of a report on abuses faced by Sri Lankan migrant workers with the Foreign Ministry making inquiries to the effect that the rights group had violated local visa regulations.

No change in policy towards LTTE: Menon
There is no change in the policy of the Central Government towards the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, Foreign Secretary, Shivshankar Menon said in a communication to Janata Party president Subramanian Swamy.

Business

ESOP’s and Good Governance
The latest budget has given certain incentives to encourage more companies to provide Employee Stock Options which is a very welcome strategy to promote not only employee participation in equity but also to make them more motivated to work for an organization rather than be tempted to keep jumping without sinking roots which then results in loyalty and devotion to duty being minimal.

Christmas cheer to help the budget consumer
The rising cost of living is hitting hard on the Sri Lankan consumer a trend observed since the past 3 months showing signs that the customer is rationalizing the products they purchase.

Dawn
Front Page

Emergency to stay, US told
President General Pervez Musharraf told US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte on Saturday that emergency rule was needed for a peaceful conduct of elections, refusing to set a date for lifting it.

No illegal step taken before 3 November: president
President Pervez Musharraf said on Friday he had never done anything unconstitutional except for imposing emergency rule on 3 November.

Business

Ship-breaking industry on verge of collapse
Ship-breaking industry is on the verge of total collapse owing to large-scale import of re-rollable material under the garb of ferrous (re-meltable) scrap which does not have duty and sales tax at import stage.

Remittances show 41% growth in October
Overseas Pakistanis sent record remittances in October, setting new trends which could make another record at the end of the fiscal 2007-2008.

Business Recorder
Front Page

US urges Musharraf to end emergency, talk with Bhutto
The number two US diplomat on Sunday urged President General Pervez Musharraf to end the state of emergency in Pakistan before upcoming elections and restart talks with the opposition.

At least 70 killed in Parachinar clashes: officials
Sectarian violence in North Waziristan tribal belt has claimed 70 lives, security officials and state media reported on Sunday.

Business

Maleeha appreciates UKPCCI’s role
Eulogising the role of UK-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UKPCCI), Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr Maleeha Lodhi said the organisation has been playing an important role in promoting the trade and commercial ties between the two countries.

Toyo Nasic receives “Brand of the Year Award”
In an exclusive ceremony at the Prime Minister’s Secretariat, Toyo Nasic was awarded the highly desired Brand of the Year Award.