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CHINA
China and Cambodia sign multiple agreements on cooperation. ChinaView, 8 April 2006.
China and Cambodia on 7 April signed nearly a dozen agreements designed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in fields including economy, trade, health and protection of cultural relics. The documents, among others, include agreements on bilateral economic and technical cooperation and on cooperation in combating transnational crime, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on the construction of the Cambodian Section of the Greater Mekong Subregion Information Superhighway Network, and an agreement on the second phase of a project of joint protection of the Angkor Temples.
Accessed on 11 April < http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/bizchina/2006-04/08/content_563388.htm >

JAPAN
Japan and Gulf nations agree on free trade talks. Kkhaleej Times, 6 April 2006.
Japan and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates agreed to meet in Riyadh in May to prepare for free trade negotiations. GCC accounted for 75 per cent of oil imports by Japan last year. Japan and GCC countries plan to start official negotiations in July and want to reach an agreement in 2008. Japan hopes to use the talks to reduce the six states’ five per cent tariffs on most imports and to help Japanese companies export more automobiles and construction machinery. Japan has been pushing for more FTAs around the world. It has already signed accords with Malaysia, Mexico and Singapore. It has also struck basic accords the Philippines and Thailand, and launched negotiations with Chile, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Accessed on 7 April
http://www.khaleejtimes.com/Displayarticle.asp?section=theworld&xfile=data/

MALAYSIA
Syria and Malaysia discuss joint cooperation. ChamPress, 10 April 2006.
Syria and Malaysia met to discuss cooperation and ways of developing it in all fields. The talks focused on enhancing cooperation in agriculture through the exchange of scientific and technical expertise, particularly in the domain of developing the food industry and managing agricultural resources. Moreover, they also covered the possibility of establishing joint investment projects and activating the private sector's role.
Accessed on 11 April < http://www.champress.net/english/?page=show_det&id=3080 >

PAKISTAN
Pakistan and Oman to expand economic relations. Business Recorder, 4 April 2006.
Pakistan and Oman have agreed to expand their bilateral relations in diverse areas, including economy, trade, investment, education and defense. Pakistan invited Oman to consider building storage and warehouse facilities in Gwadar. Oman has also been asked to make use of Pakistan's defense production capabilities and facilities.
Accessed on 4 April
<http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=406629&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=>

Series of accords signed with Yemen. Business Recorder, 11 April 2006.
Pakistan and Yemen have signed a series of agreements to promote cooperation in the fields of media, tourism and sport. The two countries agreed to invigorate private sector participation for increased bilateral commerce and economic ties and also reaffirmed their commitment to forging cooperation in terrorism jointly.
Accessed on 11 April
<http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=409221&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=>

REPUBLIC OF KOREA
United States rice auction receives cool response from local consumers. The Korea Herald, 6 April 2006.
The first public auction of rice imported to the Republic of Korea originating from the United States was held on 5 April 2006. It was the first time foreign rice was made directly available on the market for consumers. The Ministry of Agriculture began electronically auctioning the initial shipment through the state-run Korea Agro-Fisheries Trade Corporation. However, response to the action was weak, only 16 bids were submitted. The Republic of Korea is obliged to import rice from Australia, China, Thailand and the United States under agreements made with the World Trade Organization in 2004. Rice farmers have been vociferously opposing trade agreements that call for a further opening of the rice market.
Accessed on 7 April
< http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2006/04/06/200604060047.asp >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation to work closer with Myanmar. The Moscow Times, 4 April 2006.
The Russian Federation and Myanmar agreed to step up a number of partnerships. Among others, a Russian oil company signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Myanmar's Energy Ministry. Furthermore, Myanmar called on Russian companies to invest in Myanmar, naming rubber, gas and oil as possible areas for cooperation.
Accessed on 4 April < http://www.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2006/04/04/042.html >

SINGAPORE
United Sates of America and Singapore agree to hold talks to speed up tariff cuts. Channel News Asia, 31 March 2006.
The United States and Singapore agreed on 30 March to launch discussions to consider acceleration of the elimination of tariffs on some products under their two-year-old free trade agreement (FTA).
Accessed on 3 April
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporebusinessnews/view/200795/1/.html >

Singapore and Indonesia to establish Batam and Bintan as Special Economic Zones. Channel News Asia, 4 April 2006.
Singapore and Indonesia have agreed to jointly establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) encompassing the Indonesian islands of Batam and Bintan. It will be the first of seven such zones Indonesia wants to have across the country.
Accessed on 11
< http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/201522/1/.html >

WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION
China, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka team up to voice resource constraint. The Financial Express, 18 April 2006.
China, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka have demanded that the multilateral trade facilitation rules being negotiated at the World Trade Organization (WTO) should take into account the resource constraints in developing countries and address their concerns in the area of implementation. In a joint submission, the countries claimed that given their limited resources and comparatively low levels of development, a major concern is that commitments they have to make might be beyond their implementation capability. They also apprehended that the promised technical assistance and capacity-building support may not be sufficient to meet their needs.
Accessed on 20 April < http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=124070 >

AUSTRALIA
Customs shops for ID management. ZDNet Australia, 18 April 2006.
The Australian Customs Service (ACS) issued tender for installing a new identity management systems, saying its current capabilities "pose challenges" to security, privacy and efficiency within the agency. The new identity management system will be installed in Canberra, and possibly Sydney. According to the tender, ACS wants a comprehensive system based on off-the-shelf software, including the ability to archive all events like identity creation and password resets for audit records. The system must also generate cryptographic keys for secure access. The system is part of the ACS' overall identity management strategy, which aims to address risk and audit requirements over the next three to five years.
Accessed on 20 April
http://www.zdnet.com.au/news/software/soa/Customs_to_toughen_ID_management/

CHINA
China and Japan sign agreement on customs cooperation. ChinaView, 2 April 2006.
China and Japan have signed an agreement on mutual assistance and cooperation in law enforcement, information exchange, technical cooperation and personnel training between their customs departments. Under the agreement, customs of the two countries are obliged to provide each other with information on possible activities breaching the Customs laws and regulations within their jurisdiction. Furthermore, they should, at the request of the other, conduct special surveillance of people suspected of breaking customs laws. The agreement will further consolidate the legal basis for bilateral cooperation between the Customs departments of the two countries.
Accessed on 3 April < http://news3.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/02/content_4376034.htm >

INDIA
Government revises imported oil, brass scrap tariff. The Financial Express, 18 April 2006.
India has revised tariff values on various imported vegetable oils and brass scrap. These revised tariff values come into effect immediately. The tariff value on crude palm oil (CPO) will be US$ 20 per tonne, while that on refined, bleached and deodorized (RBD) palm oil will be US$ 435 per tonne and that on other palm oils US$ 428 per tonne. For crude palmolein, the tariff value has been fixed at US$ 442 per tonne, while that on RBD palmolein is fixed at US$ 445 per tonne and that on other palmolein at US$ 444 per tonne. The tariff value on crude soybean oil is fixed higher at US$ 518 per tonne. The tariff value on all grades of brass scrap is fixed at US$ 2,327 per tonne. India makes periodic adjustments in tariff values on imported vegetable oils and brass scrap taking into consideration the fluctuations in global prices and the external value of the Indian rupee in relation to United States dollar.
Accessed on 20 April < http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=124104 >

KAZAKHSTAN
Kazakh Prime Minister issues resolution to simplify customs clearance of fruits and vegetables. UzReport.com, 17 April 2006.
The Prime Minister of Kazakhstan has adopted a resolution on additional measures on stabilization of prices in consumer markets. Among other policies, the document entrusts corresponding bodies to simplify customs clearance of fruits, vegetables, berry, melons and gourds by using the single-window principle and to adjust customs clearance of products with the Uzbek and Kyrgyz sides.
Accessed on 17 April < http://business.uzreport.com/aziya.cgi?lan=e&id=8813 >

PHILIPPINES
Government to slash import duties on oil to ease price pressures. The Manila Times, 27 April 2006.
The Philippines has agreed to reduce import duties on oil, instead of a proposal to lift the value-added tax (VAT) on the product. The impact of reducing oil tariffs on Government revenues is expected to be smaller than suspending the VAT. At present the Government collects a 3 per cent duty on imported oil, based on the assumption of the price of US$ 56 per barrel for Dubai crude oil, the benchmark for Philippine purchases of the commodity. The tariffs will be reduced to 2 per cent if Dubai crude reaches US$ 61, to 1 per cent if it reaches US$ 66 and to zero if it reaches US$ 72 per barrel. Besides oil tariff reduction, the Government also plans to allot bike and motorcycle lanes in major roads, and to implement daylight savings time (DST) scheme.
Accessed on 27 April
< http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2006/apr/27/yehey/business/20060427bus1.html >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation to lift some raw material import duties. Interfax, 3 April 2006.
The Interdepartmental Commission on Protective Measures in Foreign Trade approved the lifting of import duties on some raw materials that are either not produced in the Russian Federation or not produced in sufficient quantity. The commission will recommend the Government to lift import duties on raw materials containing germanium, natural and depleted uranium, natural latex, terephthalic acid and flat steel roll with width of 3,000 mm and more.
Accessed on 4 April < http://www.interfax.com/3/144490/news.aspx >

Export duties to be abolished. RBC News, 10 April 2006.
The Ministry of Economy intends to abolish export duties on all goods except raw materials in 2007. A decision is expected to take shape by the end of 2006. More amendments are underway to the Russian Federation’s customs legislation in connection with the countries’ accession to the WTO.
Accessed on 11 April < http://www.rbcnews.com/free/20060410183928.shtml >

VIET NAM
Just five per cent for ASEAN car import tariffs by 2010. Viet Nam News Agency, 7 April 2006.
The Ministry of Finance has finalized a tariff roadmap towards an ASEAN Free Trade Area, which calls for a huge cut of duties on brand-new car imports from member countries to five per cent by 2010 from 90 per cent currently. The process will begin in 2008 for cars with under nine seats, with tariff level proposed to drop to 20 per cent. Tariffs will continue to fall to 10 per cent by 2009 and five per cent by 2010. For cars with more than nine seats each, the process will begin one year earlier, in 2007, with the rate to drop initially to 20 per cent. The rates will reduce to 10 per cent by 2008 and five per cent by 2009.
Accessed on 11 April
<http://www.vnagency.com.vn/NewsA.asp?LANGUAGE_ID=2&CATEGORY_ID=30&NEWS_ID=194230>

Top priority customs cards granted to most worthy businesses. Thanh Nien News, 10 April 2006.
Viet Nam plans to offer special preferential customs treatment to large volume importer/exporters with a clean track record. The General Customs Department will issue “super-green” customs cards to companies that earn at least US$ 100 million from the previous year’s export turnover, or pay taxes of US$ 9,2 million and file 1,500 import-export customs declarations. The super-green card holders will enjoy quick customs clearance, exemption from pot checks and other preferential treatment at nationwide border gates and ports. While easing procedures for law abiding businesses, they can also qualify for a grace period in paying taxes. The card remains valid for 12 months. Currently, the country’s customs branches have applied “green” customs cards to enterprises who have not been convicted of smuggling, trade fraud, tax evasion or payment delays of more than 90 days.
Accessed on 12 April < http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=14346 >

Customs to project cooperation with United States. Nhan Dan, 11 April 2006.
The Customs General Department is preparing a pilot project on customs clearance in cooperation with its United States counterpart to submit to the Prime Minister for approval. The project aims to build a computerized risk management system which will help Vietnamese customs officers to make risk analyses based on electronic customs declarations sent before goods arrivals. Two pilot systems for airport and sea port customs activities will be set up to receive and process electronic customs declarations, focusing firstly on express cargo. In addition, the Customs General Department will select businesses for participation in the project and provide guarantees as of 2007 to chosen businesses' imported goods.
Accessed on 17 April < http://www.nhandan.com.vn/english/business/110406/business_custom.htm >

China maintains antidumping measures against steel products from Japan and the Republic of Korea. ChinaView, 8 April 2006.
China announced on 8 April that it will maintain anti-dumping measures against stainless, hot-rolled steel sheets imported from Japan and the Republic of Korea for another five years. The Ministry of Commerce will re-examine in the coming year whether the anti-dumping measures against steel products will be extended or cancelled.
Accessed on 11 April < http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2006-04/08/content_4401008.htm >

China to support local shoe companies in EU tariff challenge. Forbes, 19 April 2006.
The Chinese Government will support domestic shoe firms if they decide to mount a legal challenge to EU tariffs on imports of Chinese leather shoes. The Deputy Minister of Commerce stated that if Chinese companies took the EU to court for anti-dumping duties, the Chinese Government would support them. But he added that any court action would be a 'move by enterprises' and not initiated by the Government. The EU imposed provisional tariffs on Chinese leather shoes from 7 April 2006. The rate is set to increase to nearly 20 per cent from the current 4.8 per cent over the next six months. More than 150 Chinese firms joined forces this month and raised three million yuan renminbi to contest the EU's decision.
Accessed on 20 April < http://www.forbes.com/work/feeds/afx/2006/04/19/afx2679423.html >

CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES (CITES)
Hold the caviar: UN-backed body bans export of most endangered sturgeon. UN News Service, 17 April 2006.
Only the Islamic Republic of Iran will be allowed to export caviar from wild Caspian Sea sturgeon this year after the five nations sharing the basin failed to provide information needed to ensure the fish’s survival to the United Nations-backed body that oversees a global treaty governing trade in endangered species. The Islamic Republic of Iran will be able to export up to 44,370 kilogrammes of caviar from the Persian sturgeon under the 2006 quotas announced by the Geneva-based Secretariat of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The other Caspian Sea countries are Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Turkmenistan.
Accessed on 18 April < http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=18156&Cr=caviar&Cr1= >

EUROPEAN UNION
EU imposes Asian shoe penalties. BBC, 7 April 2006.
The EU has begun imposing duties of up to 20 per cent on imports of shoes from China and Viet Nam. The European Commission says leather shoe manufacturers in the Far East are receiving unfair Government subsidies and State intervention. China denies the accusation, saying the EU does not want to open up its markets to competition. The tariffs will initially be relatively low, but will be ramped up steadily over the next five months. In the case of China, they could rise to nearly 20 per cent. The move has wholehearted support from countries such as Italy and Portugal, who are anxious to protect their shoe manufacturers. But other member states, such as the United Kingdom, oppose them because they are likely to push up prices for consumers, and could mean lower sales for retailers.
Accessed on 11 April < http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4886008.stm >

PAKISTAN
Cement export ban comes into force. The Daily Times, 7 April 2006.
Pakistan banned the export of cement for stabilizing its prices in the country. The moratorium on export of cement will apply from 6 April and continue until 30 April.
Accessed on 11 April
< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C04%5C07%5Cstory_7-4-2006_pg5_6 >

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Russian Federation lifts import ban on Norwegian salmon. Norway Post, 16 April 2006.
The Russian Food Inspectorate has lifted the import ban on fresh Norwegian salmon from two Norwegian producers. The import ban has been lifted after specialists from the Russian Federation have inspected processing plants in Norway. The Inspectorate also expects that the import ban will be lifted for salmon from other Norwegian aqua farms within a short time. The Russian Federation introduced the ban on Norwegian Fresh salmon in January 2006, stating they had found too high a level of heavy metals in the fish.
Accessed on 17 April < http://www.norwaypost.no/cgi-bin/norwaypost/imaker?id=23567 >

SOUTH ASIAN ASSOCIATION FOR REGIONAL COOPERATION (SAARC)
SAARC commerce ministers focus on non- and para-tariff barriers to trade. The Financial Express, 21 April 2006.
Non- and para-tariff barriers appear to be the major stumbling blocks to reaping immediate benefits out of the South Asia Free Trade Area (SAFTA) that becomes operational on 1 July 2006. The first meeting of the Ministerial Council of the South Asia Free Trade Area (SMC) resulted in devising a tariff-cut roadmap, subject to approval by their respective countries, in which members agreed that it would not yield the desired results without removing the non-tariff barriers (NTBs) and para-tariff barriers (PTBs).
Accessed on 21 April
< http://www.financialexpress-bd.com/index3.asp?cnd=4/21/2006&section_id=1&newsid=22261&spcl=no >

THAILAND
EU to compensate Thailand on quota after political expansion. MCOT News, 30 March 2006.
The EU has agreed to compensate Thailand for market opportunities lost as a result of the EU enlargement on 1 May 2004 when ten more countries joined the EU. Under a new agreement the EU will allow Thailand to export tuna-based products tax-free up to a total amount of 1,816 tonnes. Beyond that, Thai tuna exports will be subject to 24 per cent import tariffs. For processed fish products made from sardines, the EU has agreed to allocate 1,410 tonnes of tax-free imports for Thailand, while export outside that quota will be subject to 25 per cent import tariffs. For rice, the EU is planning to allocate an overall tax-free import quota of 25,216 tonnes, of which Thailand will get a share of 1,200 tonnes.
Accessed on 3 April < http://etna.mcot.net/query.php?nid=7802 >

VIET NAM
Fewer products require import/export license. Viet Nam Economy, 18 April 2006.
The Ministry of Trade has released a circular stipulating regulations regarding import and export activities. As of 1 May 2006, only eight categories of products will require licenses from the Ministry of Trade for import or export. Regarding exports, apparel exported to the United States will be exported in accordance with the quota volume to be allocated to garment producers. Apparel products exported to other markets will see no limitation and will be exported as demanded. Regarding imports, the ministry will retain strict control over the import of substances that may badly affect the ozone layer, certain two-wheel or three-wheel motorbikes as well as guns and ammunition. The ministry will also grant licenses for the import of four categories of products, including salt, uncut tobacco, poultry, eggs, and sugar. The imported volume of these products will be announced annually by the ministry.
Accessed on 24 April
< http://www.vneconomy.com.vn/eng/index.php?param=article&catid=01&id=faa2075eaf17da >

CHINA
China to buy Australian uranium. BBC, 3 April 2006.
Australia and China have signed an agreement allowing China to import Australian uranium for power stations. Australia, which has 40 per cent of the world's known uranium deposits, sells uranium only to members of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The two countries had previously failed to agree a deal amid concerns China would use the uranium in its nuclear weapons programme. Under the agreement, Australia will export 20,000 metric tons of uranium to China each year, beginning in 2010.
Accessed on 4 April < http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4871000.stm >

INDONESIA
Indonesia has two major projects to improve ICT infrastructure. Digital Opportunity, 19 April 2006.
To enable more Indonesians to have access to the information and communications technology (ICT) service, the Government is currently carrying out two major projects in the country, namely the universal service obligations (USO) programme and the national fiber optic backbone project (NFOB). Under the USO programme scheduled for implementation from 2003 to 2010, the Government hopes to provide telephone access for all villages in Indonesia. Of all 66,778 villages across Indonesia, 43,022 have no telephone access. The NFOB project is scheduled to complete a preliminary study in 2006, a roadmap design and master plan in 2006-2007, and installation of the fiber optical ring from 2008 to 2020.
Accessed on 20 April < http://www.digitalopportunity.org/article/view/131220/1/1138 >

MYANMAR
Myanmar to establish IT city to promote IT development. People’s Daily online, 1 April 2006. Myanmar has started implementation of a project of establishing an information technology (IT)-related city in order to promote IT development in the country. The projected, called "Cyber City”, will be built at a location of 32 kilometers southeast of Mandalay and will be much larger than the already existing Myanmar Info-Tech in Yangon and the Yadanarpon Cyber Corporation (YCC) in Mandalay which have been set up in 2002 and 2003 to provide ICT services in the country. On completion of the cyber city, YCC will move there for continuing operation.
Accessed on 4 April < http://english.people.com.cn/200604/01/eng20060401_255221.html >

Myanmar and Thailand sign US$ 6 billion hydropower agreement. Yahoo News, 4 April 2006.
Myanmar and Thailand signed an agreement for a US$ 6 billion hydropower project on the Salween River in eastern Myanmar. The 7,110-megawatt hydropower plant will export most of the generated power to Thailand. It is expected to take 15 years to complete the project. Upon completion, the Ta Sang plant will be the largest hydropower station in Myanmar, which constantly faces power shortages. Myanmar is planning to build a series of hydropower stations on the Salween River, with investment from neighbors Thailand and China.
Accessed on 11 April < http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060404/kyodo/d8gp8e808.html >

PAKISTAN
European Investment Bank loan for new cement plant in Pakistan. European Investment Bank, 3 April 2006.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is providing a 35 million euro loan to a Pakistani cement manufacturer for the construction of a new cement plant in the district of Chakwal in central Pakistan. In addition to mainly supplying the market for infrastructure development of Pakistan’s growing economy, the project will be significant for the reconstruction efforts following the October 2005 earthquake. The new plant will improve supply in the domestic market and allow the company to access the untapped market of Northern Punjab and North West Frontier Province, besides making it more convenient to export to Afghanistan from northern borders.
Accessed on 4 April < http://eib.eu.int/news/press/press.asp?press=3093 >

TURKMENISTAN
China and Turkmenistan sign agreement on oil and gas cooperation. Itar-Tass News Agency, 3 April 2006.
China and Turkmenistan have signed a framework agreement on cooperation in the oil and gas sector. Under the agreement, Turkmenistan will annually supply 30 billion cubic meters natural gas to China . The agreement envisions the construction of a pipeline, but the concrete date has not been specified yet.
Accessed on 4 April < http://www.itar-tass.com/eng/level2.html?NewsID=5735187&PageNum=0 >

VIET NAM
Viet Nam starts work on biggest aluminum mine. Yahoo News, 7 April 2006.
Viet Nam has started work on a US$ 500 million mine for bauxite which is used to make aluminum. The project is expected to have an economic lifespan of around 100 years. By 2009 it is expected to produce the first of 600,000 tons of aluminum and will then increase to more than one million tons per year.
Accessed on 11 April < http://asia.news.yahoo.com/060407/afp/060407061545business.html >

Vietnam firm starts work on Laos power plant. Than Hnien News, 5 April 2006.
A Vietnamese state-owned company began work on a 260 MW hydroelectric plant in the South of Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Viet Nam and Lao People’s Democratic Republic have begun cooperating in the energy field following the Power Cooperation Pact of 1998 to make use of each others strengths and mutually supplement their energy needs. Viet Nam, the top investor in Lao People’s Democratic Republic expects to import a total of 1,000 MW from that country between 2007 and 2010. Hydroelectricity is one of Lao People’s Democratic Republic major resources at an estimated potential of 18,000 MW.
Accessed on 11 April < http://www.thanhniennews.com/business/?catid=2&newsid=14195 >

China relaxes foreign exchange control. People’s Daily online, 14 April 2006.
In order to deepen China’s foreign exchange management system, boost trade facilitation, and promote balance of international payments China's central bank announced the relaxation of controls on foreign exchange accounts, and the simplification of approval procedures for foreign exchange payments in the service trade and procedures for individuals to buy foreign currencies. The policy readjustments will be effective as of 1 May 2006. Under the adjustments, it will be easier for corporate and private citizens to open foreign exchange accounts. Each domestic resident may buy up to US$ 20,000 worth of foreign exchange from the State-owned banks each year, and they may apply to the banks for additional amount of foreign exchange with certificates that prove their needs. The changes will also allow qualified banks to pool capital in yuan renminbi from domestic institutions and individuals for overseas investment in products with fixed returns under an unspecified quota system. It will allow fund management firms and other securities institutions to invest in a combination of stocks and other overseas securities using foreign currencies gathered from domestic institutions and private sources.
Accessed on 17 April < http://english.people.com.cn/200604/14/eng20060414_258258.html >

FIJI
Bureau on awareness campaign. The Fiji Times, 17 April 2006.
The Fiji Islands Trade and Investment Bureau (FTIB) has initiated a campaign to raise awareness on FTIB's policies and procedures, including new regulations on the reserved and restricted lists for investment. The campaign gives accountants, lawyers, members of the private sector, municipal councils, consultants and interested stakeholders an opportunity to clarify issues of interest to them regarding investment procedures in Fiji.
Accessed on 18 April < http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=40426 >

INDONESIA
California Public Employees’ Retirement System adds Indonesia to list of permissible equity markets for investment. Forbes, 18 April 2006.
The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) has added Indonesia to its list of permissible emerging equity markets, opening the way for the United States’ largest public pension fund to invest in the Jakarta Stock Exchange. The decision followed a study of investment factors such as political stability, transparency and labor practices in 27 emerging markets.
Accessed on 21 April < http://www.forbes.com/markets/feeds/afx/2006/04/18/afx2679021.html >

JAPAN
Financial Services Agency panel eyes cut in legal limit for interest charged by money lenders. MSN Mainichi Daily News, 22 April 206.
A panel of Japan's Financial Services Agency (FSA) proposed a reduction in the upper limit for annual interest rates to 20 per cent from the current 29.2 per cent. Many Japanese consumer credit companies lend money at annual interest rates close to 29.2 per cent, the upper limit under an investment law. In principle, however, they are supposed to lend money with interest at levels up to 15-20 per cent, as stipulated by an interest limitation law. The panel plans to continue its discussions and compile a final report in June. An interim review also proposed strengthening regulations on money lenders.
April 22, 2006 < http://mdn.mainichi-msn.co.jp/business/news/20060422p2g00m0bu001000c.html >

PAKISTAN
Securities and Exchange Commission approves cut in Central Depository System tariff structure. The Daily Times, 6 April 2006.
To encourage investors in the capital market, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has approved substantial reduction in the Central Depository System tariff structure. According to the revised tariff structure, the custody fee has been reduced by 50 per cent and the transaction fee by 16.67 per cent. Therefore, the revised custody fee on shares is 0.015 per cent per annum and on term finance certificates, bonds and units is 0.0125 per cent per annum. The transaction fee for investor account service (IAS) has been reduced to PRs 0.0040 and to PRS 0.0020 for other than IAS.
Accessed on 11 April
< http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006%5C04%5C06%5Cstory_6-4-2006_pg5_4 >

Islamic banking task force terms of reference discussed. The Business Recorder, 11 April 2006.
The first meeting of the task force on issuance of Islamic liquidity management instruments on 10 April decided to set the timelines for achieving the various objectives and carrying out the activities in a phased manner. The meeting set up the terms of reference (ToRs) for the task force which include structuring of Islamic instruments for short term liquidity management; undertaking comparative study of such Islamic instruments issued by other countries; and researching practices of institutions offering Islamic financial services (IFS) in meeting statutory liquidity requirements by central banks. To achieve the objectives of the task force, three sub-groups were formed to work on product design, treasury issues, and operation and legal issues. It also decided that the first phase would focus on structuring short-term instruments to meet the liquidity requirements of the banks and undertaking the process of development and structuring of these instruments at a rapid pace.
Accessed on 11 April
<http://www.brecorder.com/index.php?id=409241&currPageNo=1&query=&search=&term=&supDate=>

TURKEY
European Investment Bank expands support for Turkish SMEs. EIB, 12 April 2006.
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is expanding its support to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Turkey by bringing a Turkish bank under its global loan umbrella. A 100 million euro global loan to the bank will be used to finance Turkish SMEs in the manufacturing and service sectors. The potential for SME lending in Turkey is large, with small businesses representing more than 90 per cent of the total number of enterprises in the country and more active involvement of commercial banks will improve credit access for small and medium businesses as well as boost competition.
Accessed on 18 April < http://eib.eu.int/news/press/press.asp?press=3101 >

According to the 11th five-year plan (2006-2010), energy consumption per unit of GDP will be cut by 20 per cent, major pollutants reduced by 10 per cent and forest coverage rise to 20 per cent

Read the whole report from the China Daily:
< http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2006-04/19/content_570941.htm >
Accessed on 20 April 2006

… India will build 13 new dry ports?

India will spend US$ 200 million to set up 13 new dry ports on its borders to encourage trade among South Asian countries. Eight dry ports will be on the India-Bangladesh border, four on the India-Nepal border and one on the India-Pakistan border.

Read the whole report from Asia Times:
< http://www.atimes.com/atimes/South_Asia/HD22Df03.html >
Accessed on 24 April 2006

… travelers in Central Asia suffer from border corruption?

High levels of corruption and tough bureaucratic procedures are making normal border crossings between Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan very difficult for the countries' citizens and corruption amongst border officials of the three countries is fuelling local discontent on all sides of the shared frontiers.

Read the whole report from Reuters Alert Net:
< http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/b117468c92651453df00d3780f1a8e55.htm >
Accessed on 17 April 2006

… the United States holds the “Spam Crown’, sharply followed by China?

The United States accounts for about 23 per cent of all spam, with China coming a close second at nearly 22 per cent. The Republic of Korea, meanwhile, ranks third with 10 per cent.

Read the whole report from the E-Commerce Times:
< http://www.ecommercetimes.com/story/OObyb6LVbJe0RY/US-Still-Holds-Spam-Crown-China-Challenges.xhtml >
Accessed on 24 April 2006.

… the World Bank approved full debt cancellation for some of the world’s poorest countries?

The World Bank announced on 21 April that the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative had been approved, clearing the way for cancellation of International Development Association (IDA) debt to some of the world’s poorest countries. Starting on 1 July 2006, IDA is expected to provide more than US$ 37 billion in debt relief over 40 years.

Read the whole report from the World Bank:
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/

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