Vol. 11 Nbr. 8, September 2003

Index

• Buffett's China win.
• Indian PM wants trade with ASEAN to triple by 2007.
• Word of mouth.
• Asia fact file.
• China's biggest airport manager, Beijing Capital International Airport, said it received government approval for a 16.7 billion yuan ($2.9 billion) plan to expand facilities.
• Hong Kong's housing bureau is in talks to sell 25,000 unsold subsidised houses estimated at HK$20 billion ($3.9 billion) to China's biggest government-owned property developer, the South China Morning Post said.
• Japan has eased controls on liquor sales that protected family run businesses from competition.
• Singapore hospitals have increased precautions after a male patient tested positive for the SARS virus which killed 33 people in the city-state after the March outbreak.
• Thailand's Finance Ministry plans to sell stocks in two major government-run companies to help raise 11.2 billion baht ($412 million) in funds to buy new shares in Thai Military Bank (TMB), a local newspaper has reported.
• The US told North Korea it was willing to offer incentives, including addressing the country's security concerns, before North Korea completely and verifiably dismantled its nuclear arms program, a State Department official told reporters.
• Terror: how real is the threat to business? The smiling face of Bali bomber Amrozi bin Nurhasyim, cheering as his own death penalty was handed down in a Denpasar court in early August, has been one of the most chilling images so far in Asia's war on terror.
• Business travelers are back Shangri-La.
• Last chance to vote in awards: readers have less than a month to go before voting closes for the 2003 Best Business Hotels in Asia Awards. Business Asia now profiles the rest of the hotel finalists for this year's Awards.
• Chinese tourism boom for Hong Kong.
• Korea's regional hub aspirations: in a first of a series of articles focusing on South Korea, Denis McMahon * explores the challenges South Korea faces in its goal of becoming a regional hub.
• The Westin Shanghai--modern luxury at the Bund: Bund Center and The Westin Shanghai are proud to have hosted British Prime Minister Tony Blair in Shanghai.
• Global leaders speak at APEC CEO Summit.
• AUD up 21%--good news or bad news?
• Messages of success from SA.
• Asia Netcom goes for enterprise.
• DHL throws Surf Life Saving Australia a major lifeline with new sponsorship.
• Export Finance and Insurance Corporation (EFIC).