BRAND POSITIONING TAKES OFF IN CHINA.(Li-Ning)(Brief
Article)
Up to now, Chinese companies have primarily based their market
positioning on low price rather than brand recognition, but there is
increasing evidence of a change in strategy. Growing interest . . .
SINGAPORE BOUNCES BACK FROM SARS SLUMP.
The second quarter of this year proved to be particularly painful
for Singapores economy, but internal demand and export sales should
rebound by the end of 2003.
Factors that weigh in favor of . . .
SOUTH KOREAN CONSUMPTION RETREATS.
At the outset of 2003, it appeared that South Korea was poised for
another year of healthy growth in household consumption, but a number of
unexpected negatives caused consumers to retreat during . . .
NEW ZEALAND'S MODEST SALES GROWTH.
Internal demand for New Zealands goods and services lost some of
its upward momentum during the first half of 2003, but interest rates
are dropping and consumer confidence is rebounding. That . . .
JAPANESE SEAFOOD IMPORTS TO RISE.(Brief Article)
Overall seafood consumptions in Japan is slipping, yet demand for
imported seafood should rise in upcoming years.
Japans fishing companies are facing a number of obstacles that are
giving foreign . . .
ENDING AFGHANISTAN'S OPIUM ECONOMY.(Brief Article)
The change of regime in Afghanistan resolved a number of
sociopolitical problems that held back that nations development but did
nothing to break down the opium economy that feeds violence . . .
FIRM PAKISTANI DEMAND FOR IMPORTS.(Brief Article)
Confidence among Pakistans business leaders rebounded during the
second quarter of this year and their generally positive sentiment will
put upward demand on capital goods orders through the second . . .
AUSTRALIAN CONSUMERS GAIN CONFIDENCE.(Brief Article)
Australian consumer confidence dropped off sharply during the first
quarter in anticipation of the Iraq war, but an upward trend that
started during the second quarter is likely to prevail through . . .
JAPANESE CONSUMERS WORSE OFF.(Brief Article)
After more than 20 consecutive months of declining real wages,
Japanese consumers find themselves considerably worse off than they were
in 2001. The average household is likely to keep high-end . . .
CHINA SCRAMBLES TO REGAIN MOMENTUM.(Brief Article)
During the first quarter of this year, Chinas economy was expanding
at a heated pace of 9 percent year-on-year, but within two months SARS
was reversing recent gains with losses of about 2 percent. . . .
INDIAN SALES OF FINISHED GOODS TO RISE.(Brief Article)
Through the first half of 2003, sales of finished goods in India
showed year-on-year growth approaching 10 percent and healthy gains
should persist through the remainder of the year. Firm internal . . .
NO RESPITE FOR SINGAPORE'S COMMERCIAL SECTOR.
At the outset of 2003, it appeared that this might be the year when
the prolonged period of deteriorating internal demand comes to an end,
but SARS dashed that hope as the first half progressed.
. . .
NO GAIN FOR PHILIPPINE CONSUMERS.
Slow growth in demand for products from the Philippines both at
home and abroad is reflected in the reduced projection of 4 percent GDP
growth for 2003.
The real income of the average Filipino . . .
SOUTH KOREA LOSING UPWARD MOMENTUM.
The upsurge in export sales experienced by South Korea during the
latter half of 2002 and early this year is losing upward momentum. Over
the past year, firm internal demand for Korean goods and . . .
HOUSEHOLD SPENDING UP IN BANGLADESH.(Brief Article)
About a third of Bangladeshs population is distanced from formal
consumption by abject poverty, yet a growing percentage of the citizenry
is developing a modicum of discretionary income. That will . . .
MALAYSIA STILL AN UNDERPERFORMER.(Brief Article)
Private sector spending has bounced back from its 1998 low in most
of Southeast Asia, but sustainable upward momentum remains elusive in
Malaysia. Even though Malaysias economy has consistently . . .
REVISING CHINESE GROWTH DOWNWARD.
In light of the sharp downturn in economic growth due to SARS
concerns during the second quarter of this year, it is necessary to
revise growth projections for 2003 private sector expenditure . . .
NEW ZEALAND'S INTERNAL DEMAND COOLS.(Brief Article)
Slowing growth in internal and external demand for goods and
services will cause New Zealands industries to cut back on capital
expenditure as 2003 progresses. During the first half of this . . .
AUSTRALIA'S LINGERING TRADE DEFICIT.(Brief Article)
Australian demand for imported consumer and capital goods should
remain firm through the remainder of this year, in spite of depressed
export sales. Strong internal demand for goods and services . . .
SINGAPORE OVERCOMING SARS SETBACK.(Brief Article)
During the first half of 2003, SARS contributed to an economic
reversal in Singapore that undermined confidence among consumers and
business leaders.
Sectors that will be hardest hit this year . . .
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