Asia's rapidly growing economies and aging populations are too much for their healthcare systems to cope, presenting new chances for private-government tie-ups.
One example is Phillips Healthcare in the Philippines, which opened up a heart center in cooperation with government health authorities, and is able to analyze images sent from all over the country.
As average ages increase across Asia, a rise in heart disorders and infectious diseases could see this kind of partnership become more common; a move that would be welcomed by the industry.
article & source: channelnewsasia.com
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Monday, April 5, 2010
ASEAN's Free Trade Area: 2015 a 'stretch goal'?
Larger economies such as the USA and European Union now prefer to negotiate trade agreements with individual countries, rather than the bloc as a whole. A region-wide Free Trade Agreement with China came into effect on 1 January 2010, but is now being renegotiated with ASEAN's largest economy Indonesia, after pressure from domestic industries.
Economic gaps are obvious between member states such as Singapore and Laos. A successful Free Trade Area would also necessitate improvements in transport and financial infrastructure across borders, to ensure the free movement of capital, goods and people.
article & source: Business World
Penang for heritage tourists?
Penang has begun to re-orient itself as a heritage tourism destination, especially since the addition of Georgetown's historic center to the UNESCO World Heritage List two years ago.
Traditionally promoted as a beach resort, Penang has unique and more significant cultural attractions. Investors have only just begun to understand their potential. Recent private sector initiatives have seen the restoration of Georgetown's pre-war buildings and, together with the Malasyia My Second Home campaign, have led to the area's reinvigoration. 164 pre-war properties changed hands in the first half of 2009 alone, compared to a total of 120 in the whole year of 2008.
Many formerly neglected shophouses are now boutique apartments, cafes, and art galleries. Continued promotion of Penang's historic and cultural assets to tourists and potential businesses would be a great benefit to the local economy.
article & source: Business Times (opinion piece)
Traditionally promoted as a beach resort, Penang has unique and more significant cultural attractions. Investors have only just begun to understand their potential. Recent private sector initiatives have seen the restoration of Georgetown's pre-war buildings and, together with the Malasyia My Second Home campaign, have led to the area's reinvigoration. 164 pre-war properties changed hands in the first half of 2009 alone, compared to a total of 120 in the whole year of 2008.
Many formerly neglected shophouses are now boutique apartments, cafes, and art galleries. Continued promotion of Penang's historic and cultural assets to tourists and potential businesses would be a great benefit to the local economy.
article & source: Business Times (opinion piece)
Friday, April 2, 2010
Lexus wants 10% of Thai luxury auto market
Despite the economic downturn, Thai luxury sales grew 5% last year with a total of 7,700 vehicles sold. Projections indicate this trend should continue in 2011-12. Currently, Mercedes-Benz dominates the market (as it tends to do across Asia) with a 50% share.
Lexus sales increased by 6% last year, but its share of the Thai luxury market is still only 3.6%.
article & source: Bangkok Post
Convergys wins "BPO Employer of the Year" in Philippines
The Philippines' largest private employer, Convergys, has won the "BPO Employer of the Year" award at the Information & Communications Technology (ICT) Awards in Manila.
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Convergys, which specializes in relationship management and consulting. It now employs over 20,000 people in the Philippines, mainly in the call center/software support industry, and opened five new locations in 2009.
According to the company, the award was given "based on its leadership, size, diversity, commitment to continuous improvement, corporate social responsibility involvement, and its active support of the international information and communication technology industry in the Philippines." It is the second time the company has won the award since it was first given in 2007.
article & source: Yahoo News (reprinted media release)
Cincinnati, Ohio-based Convergys, which specializes in relationship management and consulting. It now employs over 20,000 people in the Philippines, mainly in the call center/software support industry, and opened five new locations in 2009.
According to the company, the award was given "based on its leadership, size, diversity, commitment to continuous improvement, corporate social responsibility involvement, and its active support of the international information and communication technology industry in the Philippines." It is the second time the company has won the award since it was first given in 2007.
article & source: Yahoo News (reprinted media release)
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Foreigners will be allowed to buy property in Indonesia
Indonesia continues to woo more foreign direct investment by allowing foreigners to buy apartments and commercial property, hopefully by the third quarter of 2010.
Until now, foreigners looking to buy property may only do so through a nominee or via a local Indonesian firm, which offers less security than buyng direct. Gita Wirjawan, head of Indonesia's investment agency, is optimistic this will change soon.
The Indonesian government also hopes to introduce further reforms in the coming year designed to attract more overseas attention, such as changes to land and labor laws.
article & source: Reuters via Straits Times
Until now, foreigners looking to buy property may only do so through a nominee or via a local Indonesian firm, which offers less security than buyng direct. Gita Wirjawan, head of Indonesia's investment agency, is optimistic this will change soon.
The Indonesian government also hopes to introduce further reforms in the coming year designed to attract more overseas attention, such as changes to land and labor laws.
article & source: Reuters via Straits Times
Can Hong Kong stay relevant as mainland China rises?
Shanghai's economic rise might leave corporate powers wondering why they need Hong Kong as a gateway to China, says BusinessWeek.
Shanghai's economy is now larger than Hong Kong's, for the first time in three decades. While Hong Kong's per capita GDP is still nearly three times that of Shanghai, if mainland China continues to follow its current trajectory, Shanghai's population of 19 million will match it in the long term. Even Shenzhen, near the border, is attracting investment that once would have gone instantly to Hong Kong. Can Hong Kong maintain its relevance as a stepping stone when money can go instantly to the source?
There are caveats of course, and still many reasons to prefer Hong Kong. But the writer wonders whether Hong Kong's economic and relative political freedoms might eventually make it a better haven for entrepreneurs, letting other cities handle big business.
article & source: BusinessWeek
Shanghai's economy is now larger than Hong Kong's, for the first time in three decades. While Hong Kong's per capita GDP is still nearly three times that of Shanghai, if mainland China continues to follow its current trajectory, Shanghai's population of 19 million will match it in the long term. Even Shenzhen, near the border, is attracting investment that once would have gone instantly to Hong Kong. Can Hong Kong maintain its relevance as a stepping stone when money can go instantly to the source?
There are caveats of course, and still many reasons to prefer Hong Kong. But the writer wonders whether Hong Kong's economic and relative political freedoms might eventually make it a better haven for entrepreneurs, letting other cities handle big business.
article & source: BusinessWeek
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
