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Friday, April 16, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Invest in Indonesia now or miss the boat, says Trade Minister
Indonesian Trade Minister Mari Elka Pangestu has put foreign investors on notice: if you want a share in Indonesia's growth, best do it soon.
The country's solid economic performance lately has put it back on the global investment radar. International ratings agencies have raised Indonesia's sovereign credit ratings and global funds are buying into local financial assets, raising the value of the local currency to its highest point in 33 months and the main stock index to record levels.
Mari said the Indonesian government was also working to create a better investment environment, particularly with its logistics blueprint to ungrade local port and ground transport infrastructure.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will also visit in late April, bringing hopes of more investment attention from the world's fastest growing economy.
source & article: The Jakarta Globe
The country's solid economic performance lately has put it back on the global investment radar. International ratings agencies have raised Indonesia's sovereign credit ratings and global funds are buying into local financial assets, raising the value of the local currency to its highest point in 33 months and the main stock index to record levels.
Mari said the Indonesian government was also working to create a better investment environment, particularly with its logistics blueprint to ungrade local port and ground transport infrastructure.
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao will also visit in late April, bringing hopes of more investment attention from the world's fastest growing economy.
source & article: The Jakarta Globe
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Asian Development Bank predicts 7.5% growth
The worst of the global financial crisis has passed for 'Developing Asia', a region including China, India and most of Southeast Asia, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), which predicted economic growth of 7.5% this year and 7.3% in 2011.
The optimism is based on a recent rebound in global trade and has been led mainly by China and India, according to the ADB. Stimulus packages and monetary easing strategies have contributed to a regional increase in investment.
Regional GDP grew only 5.2% last year, an eight-year low.
The ADB warned that there were still risks if global trade slowed, commodity prices increased or unless regional leaders maintained responsible fiscal and monetary policies.
source & article: Philippines News Agency
Regional GDP grew only 5.2% last year, an eight-year low.
The ADB warned that there were still risks if global trade slowed, commodity prices increased or unless regional leaders maintained responsible fiscal and monetary policies.
source & article: Philippines News Agency
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Singapore to showcase Asian fashion to the world
Singapore will launch trade fashion show "Blueprint" this month, showcasing 50 mostly Asian designers to an international audience and shoppers from the general public.
Organizers hope the event will become the basis of the Asian Fashion Exchange (AFX), Asia's answer to New York and Milan's Fashion Weeks.
Singapore seems a fitting location for the event, with the city-state opening a raft of famous brand and designer stores and attracting shoppers from across Asia over the past years, despite poor economic conditions. These shopping travelers have been arriving in increasing numbers recently; their spending an indicator of better things to come.
While Singapore is not yet famous as a fashion capital, AFX organizers hope a growing annual event featuring the region's best fashion talent will put it into the league of cities like New York and Tokyo.
source & article: Reuters (via Yahoo)
Organizers hope the event will become the basis of the Asian Fashion Exchange (AFX), Asia's answer to New York and Milan's Fashion Weeks.
Singapore seems a fitting location for the event, with the city-state opening a raft of famous brand and designer stores and attracting shoppers from across Asia over the past years, despite poor economic conditions. These shopping travelers have been arriving in increasing numbers recently; their spending an indicator of better things to come.
While Singapore is not yet famous as a fashion capital, AFX organizers hope a growing annual event featuring the region's best fashion talent will put it into the league of cities like New York and Tokyo.
source & article: Reuters (via Yahoo)
Malaysia's e-commerce industry will grow in 2010
Malaysia's e-commerce industry could grow by 20% this year thanks to private industry and government support, says the nation's information and communications technology association PIKOM.
PIKOM has organized National IT Month to highlight the benefits of the online economy. Events in July-August 2010 will include: the PC Fair 2010, E-Commerce Media Supplement, Strategic Review 2010, Leadership Summit, Business Success Forum, SME Business Success With ICT Series and the World Cyber Games Final Round.
The government sees e-commerce development is vital to promoting the interests of small and medium-sized enterprizes, increasing their visibility and creating opportunities for international business.
As it stands, Malaysia's e-commerce industry represents around US$6 billion in business-to consumer-transactions, and around $20bn business-to-business.
source & article: Business Times
PIKOM has organized National IT Month to highlight the benefits of the online economy. Events in July-August 2010 will include: the PC Fair 2010, E-Commerce Media Supplement, Strategic Review 2010, Leadership Summit, Business Success Forum, SME Business Success With ICT Series and the World Cyber Games Final Round.
The government sees e-commerce development is vital to promoting the interests of small and medium-sized enterprizes, increasing their visibility and creating opportunities for international business.
As it stands, Malaysia's e-commerce industry represents around US$6 billion in business-to consumer-transactions, and around $20bn business-to-business.
source & article: Business Times
Monday, April 12, 2010
Asean Infrastructure Fund coming soon?
The AIF, which will be operated through the Asian Development Bank in Manila, is intended to support entrepreneurial infrastructure projects other than those already able to raise investment through ADB bonds. Roads and transport are expected to get most attention.
The smooth flow of goods and services around the region is essential to economic development, and advances Asean's goal of becoming a more integrated economic community by 2015.
sources & articles: Bernama thestar online
Microfinance: robbing the poor to feed the rich?
As microfinance lenders grow to the point where IPOs are necessary to raise adequate capital for their operations, some are raising questions about the industry's purpose and ethics.
This comes as SKS Microfinance announced it was going public; the first Indian microfinance company to do so. The offering is expected to raise US$250-350 million.
Since the microfinance industry exists to serve poor clients, a debate is emerging over what happens once wealthier shareholders start demanding higher returns on their investments.
source & article: FinanceMarkets.co.uk
This comes as SKS Microfinance announced it was going public; the first Indian microfinance company to do so. The offering is expected to raise US$250-350 million.
Since the microfinance industry exists to serve poor clients, a debate is emerging over what happens once wealthier shareholders start demanding higher returns on their investments.
source & article: FinanceMarkets.co.uk
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