Brunei to enter bottled water export market – The Brunei Times

Brunei’s Superwater Marketing, along with a Singaporean brand consultancy firm, will launch the Sultanate’s first bottled water product in the overseas market in February next year. The brand will showcase Brunei’s authentic and natural water, representing the country’s solid reputation in rainforest preservation. The company plans to increase production from 30,000 cartons per month to 100,000 cartons to meet overseas demand. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2010/12/20/brunei-branded-bottled-water-soon-export-markets

Tags: Brunei business, Brunei company, Brunei companies

Singapore housing cash premiums drops in Q3 - AsiaOne

The housing market in Singapore is slowly inching towards becoming a “buyer’s market” as the cash over valuation (COV), the cash demanded by resale flat sellers, falls to 10 percent in the period from July to September this year. In a survey conducted by three leading property agencies on 20 Housing Development Board (HDB) towns in the island state revealed that the Bukit Timah area has seen the biggest drop in COV figures, falling by 32 percent. Read full story here.

URL: http://business.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney/Property/Story/A1Story20101219-253518.html

Tags: Singapore property, Singapore property market, HDB Singapore, Singapore apartments

“We don’t need aerobridges,” AirAsia tells Malaysian airport authorities – The Star Online

In order to keep their rates low, budget carrier AirAsia has asked the Malaysian Airports Holdings BHD (MAHB) that it will not be requiring aerobridges in the new constructed low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT) that is presently being constructed. AirAsia chief executive officer (CEO) Tony Fernandes has officially informed the MAHB of its intent to scrap the aerobridges for its operation in the Kuala Lumpur airport since it would entail additional costs for their flyers. Read full story here.

URL: http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/20/business/7653942&sec=business

Tags: Air Asia, Malaysia airport, Malaysia, Air Asia airline, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur flights, travel to Malaysia

Vietnam bares 10-year plan to develop tourism industry – Viet Nam News

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism has embarked on a decade-long tourism development plan to further tap the country’s 3,000-kilometer coastline, which contains some of the world’s finest white beaches. Recognizing the preference of tourists for Vietnam’s coastal beaches, tourism authorities are pushing plans to enhance tourist interest in high-value beach tours particularly in markets from Europe, Australia, North America, Russia, and the former Soviet bloc markets. Read full story here.

URL: http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Industries/206735/Viet-Nam-targets-wealthy-tourists.html

Tags: Vietnam, Vietnam tourism, Vietnam travel, Vietnam tours

Prospects bright for Thailand healthcare industry – The Nation

A survey conducted by the a leading academic institution in Thailand reveals the country’s medical and healthcare sector as the newest rising industry and is expected to perform well in 2011. The University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce (UTC) ranks Thai medical and healthcare industry as top among the country's growth industries along with liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)/natural gas for vehicles (NGV) stations, finance, education, and industrial goods. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/2010/12/17/business/Medical-healthcare-highflying-Industries-Small-sca-30144603.html

Tags: Thailand industry, Thailand economy,Thailand industrial, Thailand business, Thailand market, Thailand trade

Malaysian government aims to increase agricultural productivity – Bernama

Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, speaking in front of delegates during a gathering of national farmers associations, outlined his proposal to transform agriculture from a low productive area of the economy to being a high productive sector. The prime minister aims to increase the agricultural sector’s contribution to the economy’s total output to 49 billion ringgit ($15.65 billion) by 2020. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsgeneral.php?id=550100

Tags: Malaysia, Malaysia agriculture, industry in Malaysia, agricultural industry, farming and agriculture, Malaysia economy

Brunei oil firm enters production sharing agreement with Murphy Oil – TradingMarkets

A wholly-owned subsidiary of US-based Murphy Oil Corporation has agreed on a production sharing agreement with Brunei Darussalam’s Sendirian Berhad for the exploration of CA-2 offshore block off the coast of the oil-rich Sultanate. Murphy’s increased interest in Brunei’s oil firms is in line with the company’s expansion plans in Southeast Asia. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/mur_canam-brunei-signs-production-sharing-agreement-with-sendirian-berhad-1366308.html

Tags: Brunei oil, oil drilling companies, offshore drilling companies, oil exploration companies, Brunei oil and gas, oil and gas news, oil gas investments, oil gas exploration, oil and gas investors

Myanmar trade with Vietnam increases by 60 percent – Mizzima

Myanmar’s bilateral trade with Vietnam this year could amount to a total value of $160 million, a 60 percent increase from 2009. Trade between the two countries continues to grow rapidly since 2008, boosted by more Vietnamese businessmen entering the Burmese market and the launching of direct flights between Yangon and Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Mihn. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.mizzima.com/news/breaking-and-news-brief/4675-vietnam-burma-trade-forecast-to-rise-60pc.html

Tags: Myanmar trade, Vietnam trade, Vietnam business, investment in Myanmar, international trade investment

Laos receives training on stock trading from South Korea – Lao News Agency

Nearly two dozen participants from the Lao Securities Exchange arrived from South Korea after a week-long knowledge upgrading on securities exchange. The workshop aimed to develop the management skills of local officials and drive growth in the Laos Securities Exchange. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.kpl.net.la/english/news/edn10.htm

Tags: Vientiane Laos, stock exchange market, Laos stock market, Laos PDR

Philippine mineral production surges to $1.82-B in first 3 quarters – Business Mirror

The Philippine mineral industry hiked production to nearly 80 billion pesos ($1.82 billion) for the months of January to September this year, an increase of 40.3 percent. Improved production and higher metal prices in the world market, boosted by brisk demand in emerging markets, were seen as the primary reasons for the impressive performance of the mining industry. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/home/economy/4880-phs-9-month-mineral-production-reaches-p7976-billion

Tags: Philippines minerals, Philippines gold, mineral supply, mining Philippines, geological minerals, list of companies in Philippines

Cambodia partners with Chinese firms in power plant deal – The Phnom Penh Post

The Cambodian government led by Prime Minister Hun Sen signed an agreement in China for the construction of a coal-fired power plant worth $362 million. The joint venture between Cambodian and Chinese firms was granted a 33-year concession to build the power plant in the Stoeng Hav Industrial Zone located in the Sihnoukville province, which has a capacity of 270 MW and expected to be operational by 2014. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/2010121345324/Business/china-cambodia-deal-to-back-power-plant.html

Tags: Cambodia, Cambodia energy, energy industry, business in Cambodia, China, news Cambodia, power industry   

Strong activity seen in Singapore property market – AsiaOne

A number of prime assets in Singapore’s bustling business district are up for sale, indication that activity in the real estate market is expected to be vibrant. Despite seeing a slowdown in recent months, the property sector is expecting investors to be busy bidding for assets including the 10-storey office retail building PoMo, which is predicted to fetch around $255 million. Read full story here.

URL: http://business.asiaone.com/Business/My%2BMoney/Property/Story/A1Story20101209-251844.html

Tags: Singapore property, property market, property auctions, property valuation 

Vietnam’s north-west region attracts $666-M investments – Viet Nam News

A total of 21 projects amounting to $571 million of investment certificates and three investment agreements worth $95 million were signed by delegates of the Vietnamese Government with domestic and foreign investors who attended the one-day conference to show off the opportunities and economic potential of the 12 north-west provinces of Vietnam. Foreign investment has lately surged in the region particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, and processing industry sectors. Read full story here.

URL: http://vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn/Economy/206569/North-west-boasts-666-million-windfall.html

Tags: Vietnam, Vietnam economy, Vietnam business, Vietnam news, Vietnam trade, Viet nam

Indonesia, South Korea trade to double in next 5 years – Antara News

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyoho and South Korea’s Lee Myung Bak have agreed in principle to double the trade volume between each other at the sidelines of the Bali Democracy Forum attended by both leaders. By doubling the current trade between the two major Asian economies, they have committed to proceed with plans that would reach bilateral trade levels to $40 million over the next 5 years. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1291904296/ri-s-korea-agree-to-double-bilateral-trade

Tags: Indonesia, South Korea, bilateral trade, trade agreements, bilateral agreement, free trade agreements
  

Thailand-Laos railway project gets green light – People’s Daily Online/Global Times

China has entered an agreement to facilitate the construction of a high-speed railway system connecting Thailand and neighboring Laos. The project, which is expected to be completed in 2015, is seen to enhance trade opportunities between Thailand and Laos, the communist state now seeing a resurgence in economic activity in recent years.  Read full story here.

URL: http://bx.businessweek.com/business-activity-in-thailand/view?url=http%3A%2F%2Fc.moreover.com%2Fclick%2Fhere.pl%3Fr3817013357%26f%3D9791

Tags: Thailand, Thailand and Laos, Laos economy, China

Malaysia sets sights on tourism to drive economic growth – Bernama

To achieve an average growth rate of 6 percent in the next 10 years, Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak believes the country must be able to further develop its services sector especially in the tourism industry. For years, Malaysia’s manufacturing industry has been the core of its economic progress but as its exports markets are seen to experience continued slow growth, the government needs to shift its strategy toward tourism as the potential of new markets from China and India are increasingly looking a lot more lucrative. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsindex.php?id=548650

Tags: Malaysia, Malaysia tourism, hospitality industry, Malaysia industry, sustainable tourism, tourism marketing, tourism management

Indonesia’s inflation may rise due to fuel oil subsidy limits, legislator warns – Antara News

An Indonesian parliament member expressed caution about the government’s plan to limit subsidies on fuel oil next year, which may result to a rise in inflation and could potentially hurt a large segment of the economy. House of Representatives member Aziz Syamsuddin has asked the government to look into the inflationary impact of such a move and how it will economically affect the country’s large middle class population. Government fuel subsidies in 2010 has shore up amounting to $6.8 billion, which is way above of what was originally set in the state budget for the entire fiscal year. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.antaranews.com/en/news/1291820007/subsidized-fuel-oil-limitation-to-trigger-inflation-legislator

Tags: Indonesia economic, inflation in Indonesia, Indonesia oil, Indonesia oil and gas, oil and gas industry, business Indonesia

Myanmar earns record $1.4-B in gem fair – The Star Online/Reuters

Myanmar’s gem industry raked in $1.44 billion during a 13-day emporium in Yangon showcasing the country’s jade, gems, and pearls products. Myanmar, the world’s leading producer of rubies and finely-crafted jade, has made the announcement that this year’s sales is the highest in record since 1964. Experts on Myanmar affairs are predicting a change of policy in Yangon to reverse years of isolation and promote its natural resources to attract foreign investment that may well lead to a review of the trade embargo imposed to them by the West. Read full story here.

URL: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/12/7/worldupdates/2010-12-07T170525Z_01_NOOTR_RTRMDNC_0_-534006-1&sec=Worldupdates

Tags: Myanmar, business in Myanmar, gemstones, precious stones, jewelry business

SME development gets boost in Laos – Lao News Agency

Several members of the Laos government recently received training on the development of small and medium enterprises (SME) in the country. Nearly 50 officials from the country’s Product Development and Promotion Department were introduced to new market ideas and information on how local small to medium businesses can access overseas markets.  Read full story here.

URL: http://www.kpl.net.la/english/news/edn4.htm

Tags: Laos, Vientiane Laos, business in Laos, import export, Laos economy, Laos business

First-ever merger in Cambodia’s mobile industry announced – People’s Daily Online

The merging of operations between Cambodia’s two leading mobile operators is set to boost the position of the merged company in the ever-growing Cambodian mobile market. Smart Mobile and Star-Cell jointly announced that they will merge to become simply as Smart Mobile in March 2011. It means that Smart Mobile will be able to reach 23 out of 24 provinces in Cambodia and in position to claim market leadership in terms of subscription base and new subscriptions. Read full story here.

URL: http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90777/90851/7222870.html

Tags: Cambodia mobile, wireless, telecom industry analysis, cell company, mobile manufacturers, mobile providers

Philippines plans to impose royalty on mining industry – The Manila Times

The Philippine government is looking to impose to mining companies a royalty that amounts to 5 percent of a firm’s gross profits. The proposal has already been submitted to the government’s economic team for further study. The planned levy is in accordance with the country’s constitution and is practiced in other countries like Australia, Indonesia, and Mongolia, according to Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) secretary Ramon Paje, who authored the said proposal. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.manilatimes.net/index.php/business-columns/34126-denr-seeks-royalty-from-mining-firms

Tags: Philippines, mining companies, mining industry, mining news, mining tax        

Malaysia strengthens bilateral cooperation with Singapore in summit – Bernama

The seventh working meeting of the Malaysia-Singapore Joint Ministerial Committee (JMC) produced concrete steps towards building a stronger bilateral cooperation between the two countries, according to the statement released last week by Malaysia’s Public Private Partnership Unit (UKAS). Participants in the summit agreed to proceed with projects to enhance the rapid railway transit system (RTS) and new immigration procedures to improve inter-border travel. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=547784

Tags: Malaysia Singapore, Singapore travel, trade in Malaysia, trade with Asia, Singapore industry

Brunei, UK forge ties to develop green technology – The Brunei Times

Trade and foreign ministers of Brunei and the United Kingdom met last week to discuss future projects involving development of technologies that promote low-carbon emission and clean energy technologies. The British High commissioner to Brunei announced that the UK is keen on pursuing green technology projects with the Sultanate as demonstrated by the latter’s strong support for research on energy and the environment. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.bt.com.bn/business-national/2010/12/04/brunei-uk-tie-seen-low-carbon-green-tech

Tags: Brunei, global climate change, climate change technology, low carbon technology, UK, Britain

Indonesia inks $17-M contracts for coal bed methane venture – Bisnis Indonesia

Jakarta has signed three different contracts allowing the exploration and development of coal bed methane (CBM) resources in the country which amounts to $17.05 million in value for the first three years. The Indonesian government secured the commitments of three local energy companies after conducting an open tender which also earned the government $5 million in signature bonus. The government also entered a gas selling and purchasing deal with two gas energy contractors aimed to satisfy the electricity needs in East Java. Read full story here.

URL: http://www.bisnis-english.com/business/1id219517.html?PHPSESSID=9b341cdd8d45a2183f3f3c08ed2f444f

Tags: Indonesia, gas exploration, coalbed methane, methane coal bed, coal exploration, CBM gas, methane drilling, coal methane gas, natural gas development

Singapore car prices seen to go up in 2011 – AsiaOne

Singaporeans will have to brace for increased car prices in 2011 even as it has already seen a steep rise in 2010. Supply of cars in the island state are expected to fall next year with the declining number of certificates of entitlements (COE) due to the lack of deregistrations of cars and government efforts to cut the car population into half. COE supply is seen to fall under 40,000 next year, much lower than the lowest recorded of 40,710 units in 1996. Read full story here.

URL: http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Story/A1Story20101203-250589.html

Tags: car prices, Singapore, new car prices

Foreign banks eager to invest in Vietnam banking sector – Vietnam Financial News

Existing regulations regarding capitalization requirements imposed by the central bank have made Vietnamese bank rush into partnering with foreign banks. Representatives from foreign banks such as Standard Chartered have expressed optimism in the country’s banking sector and have praised the implementation of regulations which has led to a “fairer” playing field in the industry.  Recently, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia bought 15 percent stake at VIB Bank becoming the Vietnamese bank’s largest strategic shareholder. Read full story here.

Or go to: http://www.vietnammarkets.com/news.php?nid=6840

Tags: Vietnam banks, foreign investor, international investment, investment companies, banking sector, WTO Vietnam, Vietnam investment

Thai bank expands lending to boost SME investments abroad – Bangkok Post

The strong economic performance in Asia has prompted Bangkok Bank (BBL) to extend loans to Thailand’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for expansion opportunities in the region. The country’s largest banks in terms of assets will provide funding for SMEs venturing abroad and plans to put up regional networks in India, Indonesia, and Malaysia.  The banks admitted Thai companies are increasingly looking to other high- growth markets in the region including China and Vietnam.  Read full story here.

Or go to: http://www.bangkokpost.com/business/economics/209273/bbl-backs-new-regional-investment

Tags: business in Asia, SME, investment, Thailand business, in Thailand, Thailand banks

Cambodia bent on thumping out corruption – Yahoo! News

The Cambodian government has sent a clear message to the international community that it has the teeth to eliminate corrupt elements in its bureaucracy. The new anti-corruption unit has made their first arrests this week when a government prosecutor was held by authorities for alleged abuse of power and extortion which has led to illegal detention of several Cambodians. Phnom Phen is trying to improve its reputation from being one of the most corrupt nations in ASEAN and the entire world. In March this year, the Cambodian parliament passed into law that heavily penalizes those caught of accepting bribes in government. Read full story here.

Or go to: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20101201/wl_asia_afp/cambodiacorruptionarrest_20101201170511

Tags: Cambodian news, Cambodia, corruption, investment, foreign investment

Philippine outsourcing industry gets gov’t funding – Business Mirror

The Philippine government recognizes the economic potential of its business process outsourcing (BPO) industry and has allocated 62 million pesos ($1.4 million) for programs that increase their pool of trained workforce catering to BPO companies who invest in the country. Philippine President Benigno Aquino has unveiled the plan to encourage more multinational companies to put up their BPO and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO) businesses to boost the country’s outsourcing industry that is expected to generate up to $13 billion of revenues by 2011. Read full story here.

Or go to: http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/economy/4434-aquino-bares-p62-m-fund-for-bpo-industry

Tags: Philippines, funding, outsourcing companies, investment companies, BPO companies

Aston announces new hotel project in Surabaya business district – Bisnis Indonesia

Indonesia’s leading international hotel group Aston International has publicly announced its building of a brand new 3-star hotel in the Surabaya Central Business District. The new project, which will be under the Quest Hotel brand, will have 150 guest rooms and 3-star standard facilities aimed to attract business and leisure travelers. Quest Hotels was launched just 2 years ago and has a hotel in Semarang in Central Java as well as upcoming projects in Bali and Cebu, Philippines. Read full story here.

Or go to: http://www.bisnis-english.com/business/1id219400.html

Tags: hotel in Indonesia, travel business, Surabaya hotel

Prospects bright for Malaysian information security industry – Bernama

The growth potential of Malaysia’s information security sector is huge and is set to become a global leader in the industry, according to an executive of a leading cyber security company in the country. CyberSecurity Malaysia chief executive officer (CEO) Husin Jazri noted Malaysia’s strategic advantages including vast well-trained workforce and good business relationship with key markets in the world.  Read full story here.

Or go to: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsbusiness.php?id=546695

Tags: Malaysia, network security, security services, business security, computer security, security systems, security industry