Category: Other

DHAKA, Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – Bangladesh’s biggest textile manufacturer said Monday it would raise 102 million dollars abroad to finance expansion into high value-added textiles.The company would raise 51 million dollars by issuing global depository receipts (GDRs) in foreign capital markets and another 51 million dollars through overseas bonds and shares to sponsors, the […]

MANILA, Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – Major obstacles block Asia’s prospects of becoming a common market, but a region-wide free-trade area is a realistic goal, an Asian Development Bank official said Monday.The Philippines-based lender said 183 free trade agreements have either been signed or are being proposed or negotiated across Asia, where the share of […]

LONDON, Oct 2, 2006 (AFP) – Weapons merchants are profiting from the lack of an international judicial framework to supply arms to individuals with few human rights scruples and to states under embargo, a new report said Monday.The globalization of the weapons industry has shed light on the shortcomings of existing legislation to control it, […]

Sept 30, 2006 (AFP) – Sri Lanka’s candidate has pulled out of the race to succeed Kofi Annan as UN secretary general and the country has thrown its backing behind South Korea’s Ban Ki-Moon, officials here said Saturday.Jayantha Dhanapala announced his withdrawal after finishing last in three informal polls among members of the UN Security […]

NEW DELHI, Sept 29, 2006 (AFP) – India, the world’s second-fastest growing major economy after China, beat most forecasts Friday by reporting 8.9 percent growth in the first quarter to June, official data showed. The robust performance, driven by strong manufacturing, services and construction numbers, came as the ruling Congress-led coalition marked the midway point […]

SINGAPORE, Sept 28, 2006 (AFP) – They curled their fingers, raised their arms, and tapped their heads while their throats went dry from hours of shouting.In front of the pictures, a mannequin wears a red jacket and a chunky identity tag. His hand is sideways, making one last offer in the pit. – by Ian […]

MUMBAI, Sept 27, 2006 (AFP) – Indian first quarter gross domestic product data this week is expected to confirm widespread forecasts for Asia’s third largest economy to grow at least eight percent in the year ending March, analysts say. India’s Central Statistical Office will on Friday report economic growth for the quarter ended June, the […]

NEW DELHI, Sept 27, 2006 (AFP) – India’s outsourcing industry will be able to process up to 30 per cent of US bank transactions by 2010, more than triple the current figure, the industry’s main lobby group was quoted as saying Wednesday. “Currently, eight per cent of US banking transactions are processed by Indian BPOs […]

COLOMBO, Sept 22 (AFP) – The Maldivian government freed a top political dissident from house arrest Friday, opening the door for talks with the opposition on democratic reforms, both sides said.At the same time, the government warned that the released leader Mohamed Nasheed, better known as Anni, would continue to face terrorism charges unless he […]

BANGKOK, Sept 22 (AFP) – Thailand may seize the assets of ousted billionaire prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, the new military junta said on Friday. “It’s under consideration on how we will proceed” with Thaksin’s vast assets, said Air Chief Marshall Chalit Pukbhasuk, the head of the air force and one of the military commanders who […]