Airbus ‘needs to tap talent beyond Europe’
(SINGAPORE) AS A global company, Airbus has to embrace talent and resources wherever they may be available, according to its chief executive Tom Enders.
Business fares will go up: Qantas CEO
(SYDNEY) Qantas Airways Ltd has forecast an increase in business class fares as demand recovers after a global travel slump.
Webvisions eyes 10% annual growth
FRESH from sealing a key acquisition and bolstered by the improving economy, home-grown Webvisions is gunning for sustained growth of 10 per cent yearly for the next three years, according to its group chief executive Roger Lim.
Microsoft has talked about buying RIM or Nokia: analyst
(SEATTLE) The new Windows phone software is a big improvement on its predecessor but may not be enough to reverse market share losses, and Microsoft Corp may have to eventually buy Nokia or BlackBerry maker Research in Motion (RIM) to get back into the game.
Dell’s China sales soar in Q4, sees solid growth in 2010
(HONG KONG) Dell Inc, the world’s No 3 PC seller, expects to log solid double-digit growth in China this year, following a near doubling of sales in its latest quarter fuelled by government stimulus measures.
Apple removing risque iPhone apps: reports
(WASHINGTON) Apple has begun removing risque iPhone and iPod Touch applications from its online App Store, including some which had previously been approved for sale, according to reports on Saturday.
Acer claims local PC crown on strong 2009
THINKING small and moving fast were the two attributes which helped Acer climb to the top of Singapore’s PC market for the very first time in nearly a decade. According to latest statistics released by technology research firm Gartner, the Taiwanese computer maker edged past usual frontrunner Hewlett- Packard (HP) to claim the throne in terms of local PC shipments in 2009.
China schools deny hacking charges: report
(SHANGHAI) Two prominent schools in China have disputed allegations that hacking attacks on Google and other firms originated from them, a report said.
The world is my classroom
UNIVERSITY education is about more than just obtaining paper qualifications. Now in my final semester at school, I realise the past three- and-a-half years were arguably the most challenging yet rewarding time of my life so far.
Be smart with your finances
FANCY becoming the next Warren Buffett or George Soros? Or even the famous Robert Kiyosaki? Then read on.
Turning fruits of research into viable products
WHAT do Google, Gatorade and a pacemaker have in common? These innovations were all first developed within a university, and later released into the market when their commercial potential became obvious. It is new technology inventions like these that are changing the world as we know it, making it a better place.
CNOOC, Sinopec mull Devon’s Azeri stake
(HONG KONG) CNOOC Ltd and China Petroleum & Chemical Corp (Sinopec) are considering bidding for a Devon Energy Corp stake in an Azerbaijan oil field that may fetch as much as US$3 billion, said two people with knowledge of the matter. Japan’s Itochu Corp and Inpex Corp are also among companies that may bid for the 5.6 per cent holding in the Azeri-Chirag-Gunashli oil project, four people said, asking not to be identified because they aren’t authorised to discuss the sale publicly.
More tension over China farm exports likely: US economist
(WASHINGTON) Chinese farm exports are set to become a greater source of trade tension as China boosts its production and becomes a bigger player in world markets for labour- intensive crops, a US agricultural economist said on Friday.
China FDI rises 7.8% in Jan, up for a sixth month
(BEIJING) Foreign direct investment (FDI) in China climbed for a sixth month as the effects of the financial crisis faded.
China regulator okays stock index futures rules
(SHANGHAI) China’s securities regulator has formally approved rules on contracts and services for planned stock index futures trading, clearing the way for setting up investor accounts, the Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.
Singapore is No 1 Asian investor on Wall Street
SINGAPORE overtook Japan as the biggest Asian investor on Wall Street in 2009. Investors here snapped up a net US$12.61 billion of US stocks in a year when the US equity market closed with its best annual gains since 2003.
Bharti to complete Zain deal by April
(NEW DELHI) Bharti Airtel is aiming to conclude its planned purchase of the African assets of Zain telecom by late April, it was reported on Saturday, as the Indian company’s chief defended the deal.
Global Yellow Pages files suit
DIRECTORY publisher Global Yellow Pages Ltd (GYPL) has started legal proceedings against Reed Business Information, StreetDirectory and Promedia Directories.
Fourth quarter score
At a glance
Too early to judge Bharti’s Zain deal
FROM questions over the price it paid for the BPL (Barclays Premier League) to criticism surrounding the recent World Cup debacle, SingTel is finding it increasingly difficult to pander to market pundits.
An absence of bears in a sceptical market
IF YOU were to search for an appropriate phrase to describe Thursday’s surprise discount rate hike in the US, it would have to be either ‘a rude awakening’ or ‘a timely reminder’.
Police raids home of PCCW’s Richard Li
(HONG KONG) Police have raided the home of Richard Li, the chairman of Hong Kong telephone firm PCCW, as part of a probe linked to the failed privatisation bid of the company last year, the South China Morning Post said.
All eyes on Bernanke testimony this week
(WASHINGTON) US Federal Reserve chief Ben Bernanke is expected to shed light this week on the central bank’s sudden decision to hike an emergency bank lending rate, triggering speculation on monetary tightening.
Asia leads global march away from easy credit
(HONG KONG) The US Federal Reserve has just kick- started its cautious exit from unprecedented emergency lending measures – but the process has been going on for months in the Asia-Pacific region, underscoring the two-speed path of the global recovery.
Fed move signals recovery on track: economists
(MADRID) The Federal Reserve’s decision to raise its discount rate shows that the global recovery is on track and other central banks can afford to keep withdrawing emergency measures, former policy makers and economists said.
US state governors warn of difficult year ahead
(WASHINGTON) Although the US national economy has begun to bounce back, governors said on Saturday that the worst had yet to come at the state level, where revenues are still falling short of projections.
Share sales in India may surge to US$30b this year: Citi
(MUMBAI) Indian equity and equity-linked offerings may jump by as much as a third this year as companies and the government tap a growing pool of domestic capital and the economy recovers, according to Citigroup Inc.
Indian govt panel seeks sugar imports amid falling output
(NEW DELHI) India needs to urgently import 3-5 million tonnes of white sugar and may ship in rice to calm food prices, a top aide of the prime minister said, signalling a tighter supply situation than previous estimates.
Indonesia aims to be world’s breadbasket
(JAKARTA) Following Brazil’s trail, Indonesia is encouraging foreign and local investors to lease huge swathes of fertile countryside and help make the country a major food producer.
Time for the silent majority to speak up
SOMETIME in the early 1980′s, someone from the opposition Parti Islam SeMalaysia suggested that Muslims found guilty of zina (illicit sex, or that out of wedlock) should be sentenced to death by stoning as prescribed by the hudud (syariah criminal law).
Maybank unit proposes rights issue
MAYBANK subsidiary Bank Internasional Indonesia (BII) has proposed a rights issue amounting to 1.4 trillion rupiah (S$212 million) to strengthen its balance sheet and to enable it to meet its investment and longer-term growth goals in Indonesia.
Penang finally shuts down its Victorian railway
(KUALA LUMPUR) After years of breakdowns and stranded tourists, Malaysia’s island resort of Penang yesterday bid farewell to its rickety Victorian funicular railway.
Several cities vying to host next America’s Cup
(SAN FRANCISCO) America’s Cup champion Larry Ellison said that San Francisco was his first choice for the next regatta – but quickly added that it was not guaranteed to host an event that will provide a significant boost to the host city’s economy.
Stressing a point by raising the feet
THE economy is turning around, and Choo Sai Wen, 63, drove home the point by standing upside down to use his feet to unfurl two scrolls bearing New Year and prosperity greetings.
Expect a bold Budget
IN THE run up to the Budget, to be unveiled by Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam this afternoon, the rumour mills have been working overtime on what might be in store.
S’pore food players take bite of Mid-East market
SINGAPORE food players are showing a big appetite for opportunities in the Middle East, judging by the strong participation and keen queries in this year’s Gulfood Conference, said IE Singapore.
The real victims of Greek tragedy
(BRUSSELS) THE crisis stalking the euro economy began with a footnote.
No plans to help Greece: Germany
(BERLIN) Germany’s Finance Ministry said it has no specific plans for helping Greece combat its deficit crisis, denying a magazine report that euro-area governments may offer as much as 25 billion euros (S$48 billion) in aid.
Sunny economy spurs budding enterprises
(SINGAPORE) A sunny economic climate appears to have a positive impact on the level of entrepreneurial activity, according to research by BT and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).
Speculation: ‘More steps if needed’
(SINGAPORE) The government will take more measures to curb speculative activity in the property market if it has to, Minister for National Development Mah Bow Tan said yesterday.
Edgy investors take Fed’s discount rate hike in stride
LAST Thursday’s surprise action by the Federal Reserve to tighten its discount rate couldn’t unhinge the rally in the US stock market last week, despite the unmistakable implications of the central bank move.
Don’t sell your homes prematurely for a quick buck: PM Lee
(SINGAPORE) Please take good care of your home and don’t sell it prematurely to make a quick buck.
New US bill seeks more powers for treasury secretary
(WASHINGTON) The chairman of the Senate banking committee is aiming to release a new wide-ranging bill this week that would overhaul financial regulation, including a provision that could for the first time give the treasury secretary a direct role in the oversight of individual financial companies, according to aides.
Companies don’t see revenue growth for at least a year: study
(SINGAPORE) Overall optimism in the global economy may have increased, but it continues to be tempered with uncertainty. A study has found that most businesses are still reluctant to pursue new market opportunities and believe growth cannot be achieved for at least another year.
Japan may review car recall system
(TOKYO) Japan’s Transport Ministry may review and improve its car recall system, reports said yesterday, as Toyota Motor Corp battles accusations it may have delayed acting on drivers’ complaints.
Three-Minute Digest
A SUNNY economic climate appears to have a positive impact on the level of entrepreneurial activity, according to research by BT and the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority.
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
What is your vision for Singapore in 12 years’ time, when the next Tiger Year rolls around? What needs to be done to achieve this dream?
Platinum, palladium prices seen rising higher
PLATINUM and palladium are two of the six platinum group metals (PGMs) that are silvery-white in colour and have unique chemical properties that account for their widespread use in the industrial sector, in addition to their being precious metals investments.
Director, fund manager trades low in holiday-shortened week
TRADING by directors was low during the week with the Chinese New Year holidays with only eight companies recording 13 purchases worth $2.7 million based on filings with the Singapore Exchange from Feb 17-19.
Portfolios flat as traders mull Fed move
MARKETS generally recovered somewhat from the jitters caused by the sovereign risks in a few peripheral European countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain. But a new concern emerged last week after the US Federal Reserve unexpectedly raised interest rates for emergency bank loans, triggering fears that regular borrowing costs could also move higher soon, hence slowing the recovery in the world’s largest economy.
Greenback rises for sixth week against euro
(NEW YORK) The US dollar posted its sixth straight weekly gain against the euro, the longest streak since 2000, as investors speculated on when the Federal Reserve would withdraw monetary stimulus after it raised the discount rate last Thursday.
Tall order to get US job creation back on its feet
(WASHINGTON) Job creation in the US is stuck on an uphill treadmill.
Gordon Brown denies hitting his staff
(LONDON) British Prime Minister Gordon Brown said he has ‘never, never’ hit anybody as his office dismissed media allegations of staff intimidation which have threatened his pre- election fightback.
IMF study backs capital controls in certain cases
(WASHINGTON) Capital controls are a ‘legitimate’ tool in some cases for governments facing surges in investment that threaten to destabilise their economies, an International Monetary Fund (IMF) study said.
Obama’s health care move a high wire act
(WASHINGTON) In a crucial week of high wire politics, Barack Obama is seeking to transform his top priority health care plan, now a liability for his presidency, into a trump card to outwit Republicans.
Hurt Locker wins screenplay award
(LOS ANGELES) Iraq war drama The Hurt Locker enhanced its status as front-runner for next month’s Oscars here on Saturday after scooping a top prize at the Writers Guild of America (WGA) Awards.
Tamweel to request share trading resumption in March
(DUBAI) Dubai’s Tamweel will request that its shares resume trading in the next month and is in discussions with the United Arab Emirates federal government over financial assistance in 2010, its chairman said yesterday.
AIG bonus fiasco could happen again
(WASHINGTON) To many Americans, it’s a matter of common sense: traders who failed so spectacularly at their jobs that they nearly brought down the global economy should be fired, not rewarded with handsome bonuses.
|