http://www.asiamena.com Middle East and Asia Business Information and Company Directory Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:37:35 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/26/dubai-steel-company-set-for-dh1b-gcc-expansion/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/26/dubai-steel-company-set-for-dh1b-gcc-expansion/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:37:35 +0000 admin http://www.asiamena.com/?p=87 gtvt_posts[87] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F06%2F26%2Fdubai-steel-company-set-for-dh1b-gcc-expansion%2F", title: "Dubai%20steel%20company%20set%20for%20Dh1b%20GCC%20expansion", category: "Uncategorized", desc: "Dubai-based%20Alam%20Steel%20Ltd%20yesterday%20announced%20a%20Dh100%20million%20joint%20venture%20with%20South%20Africa%26%2339%3Bs%20Macsteel%20SA%20as%20part%20of%20a%20Dh1%20billion%20five-year%20expansion%20programme%20across%20the%20Gulf%20region.%C2%A0%20%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2010pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20Arial%3B%22%3EThe%2050%3A50%20joint%20venture%20facility%20in%20Jebel%20Ali%20Free%20Zone%2C%20to%20be%20operational%20within%20a%20year%2C%20will%20be%20Middle%20East%26%2339%3Bs%20first%20service%20centre%20for%20processing%20high%20grade%20steel%20plates%2C%20said%20Shyam%20Bhatia%2C%20Chairman%20of%20Alam%20Steel%2C%20which%20also%20operates%20a%20500%2C000%20tonne%20steel%20debar%20processing%20plant%20in%20in%20Dubai%20Investment%20Park.%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-87%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2010pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20Arial%3B%22%3EBhatia%20said%20the%20joint%20venture%20with%20Macsteel%20SA%2C%20will%20be%20expanded%20to%20other%20GCC%20countries%20by%20setting%20up%20similar%20ventures.%20%26%2339%3BWithin%20a%20year%2C%20we%20will%20set%20up%20operations%20in%20Saudi%20Arabia%20and%20Qatar%20as%20part%20of%20our%20expansion%20drive%20in%20the%20GCC%20which%20will%20see%20us%20investing%20more%20than%20Dh1%20billion%20in%20five%20years%2C%26%2339%3B%20he%20said.%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%20class%3D%22MsoBodyText%22%20style%3D%22margin%3A%208pt%200in%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2010pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20Arial%3B%22%3EThe%20Dubai%20facility%20is%20designed%20to%20cater%20for%20the%20petrochemical%2C%20mining%20%26amp%3B%20earthmoving%2C%20shipbuilding%2C%20construction%2C%20manufacturing%2C%20and%20fabrication%20industries.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20very%20proud%20to%20be%20partners%20with%20Macsteel%20who%20are%20global%20leaders%20in%20the%20business.%20The%20service%20centre%20will%20complement%20our%20existing%20steel%20businesses%20making%20us%20the%20most%20complete%20steel%20company%20in%20the%20region.%20We%20will%20be%20the%20only%20company%20to%20offer%20value%20added%20processing%20for%20all%20the%20steel%20products%20we%20sell%2C%E2%80%9D%20stated%20Vikram%20Bhatia%2C%20Director%20Alam%20Steel%20Ltd%20and%20Board%20Member%2C%20Macsteel%20Gulf%20FZCO.%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%20class%3D%22MsoBodyText%22%20style%3D%22margin%3A%208pt%200in%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2010pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20Arial%3B%22%3EHe%20said%20a%20complete%20range%20of%20flat%20steel%20plates%20will%20be%20processed%20by%20the%20service%20centre%2C%20controlled%20and%20backed%20up%20by%20a%20competent%20team%20of%20engineers.%3Cspan%20style%3D%22mso-spacerun%3A%20yes%3B%22%3E%C2%A0%20%3C%2Fspan%3ECut%20to%20length%2C%20saw%2C%20and%20drilling%20services%20will%20also%20be%20available%20for%20long%20products.%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%20class%3D%22MsoBodyText%22%20style%3D%22margin%3A%208pt%200in%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2010pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20Arial%3B%22%3E%E2%80%9CMacsteel%20Service%20Centre%20SA%20is%20excited%20to%20partner%20with%20Alam%20Steel%20who%20are%20pioneers%20of%20the%20steel%20industry%20in%20this%20region.%20Entering%20the%20GCC%20market%20is%20in%20line%20with%20our%20strategy%20of%20diversifying%20our%20geographic%20base%20which%20follows%20on%20from%20the%20very%20successful%20entry%20into%20the%20UAE%20and%20the%20GCC%20by%20our%20International%20trading%20colleagues%20Macsteel%20International%20FZCO%20based%20in%20JAFZA%20since%202004%20and%20their%20sister%20shipping%20company%20MUR%20FZCO%20who%20moved%20to%20JAFZA%20in%202006%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Michael%20Pimstein%2C%20CEO%20Macsteel%20Service%20Centre%20SA%20and%20Board%20Member%2C%20Macsteel%20Gulf%20FZCO.%20%26%2339%3BThe%20Middle%20East%20region%20offers%20tremendous%20opportunities%20for%20us%20to%20grow.%20We%20will%20be%20looking%20initally%20looking%20at%20organic%20growth%20and%20later%20look%20for%20acquisitive%20opportunities%2C%26%2339%3B%20he%20said.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%20class%3D%22MsoBodyText%22%20style%3D%22margin%3A%208pt%200in%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2010pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20Arial%3B%22%3EThe%20factory%20will%20have%20eight%3Cspan%20style%3D%22mso-spacerun%3A%20yes%3B%22%3E%C2%A0%20%3C%2Fspan%3Ebays%20housing%20various%20machines%20like%20CNC%2C%20cold%20saw%20and%20drilling%20machines%20giving%20complete%20flexibility%20to%20execute%20a%20variety%20of%20jobs.%3Cspan%20style%3D%22mso-spacerun%3A%20yes%3B%22%3E%C2%A0%20%3C%2Fspan%3EMacsteel%20Service%20Centre%20SA%20will%20bring%20over%2040%20years%20experience%20in%20running%20high%20end%20service%20centres%20around%20the%20world%20to%20the%20GCC%20market%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E"}; Dubai-based Alam Steel Ltd yesterday announced a Dh100 million joint venture with South Africa’s Macsteel SA as part of a Dh1 billion five-year expansion programme across the Gulf region.  The 50:50 joint venture facility in Jebel Ali Free Zone, to be operational within a year, will be Middle East’s first service centre for processing high [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/26/dubai-steel-company-set-for-dh1b-gcc-expansion/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/26/nokia-buys-rest-of-symbian-plans-open-platform/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/26/nokia-buys-rest-of-symbian-plans-open-platform/#comments Thu, 26 Jun 2008 10:31:17 +0000 admin http://www.asiamena.com/?p=86 gtvt_posts[86] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F06%2F26%2Fnokia-buys-rest-of-symbian-plans-open-platform%2F", title: "Nokia%20buys%20rest%20of%20Symbian%2C%20plans%20open%20platform", category: "Uncategorized", desc: "%3Cp%20style%3D%22line-height%3A%2013.5pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2011pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26quot%3BArial%26quot%3B%2C%26quot%3Bsans-serif%26quot%3B%3B%20letter-spacing%3A%200.15pt%3B%20mso-ascii-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%20mso-hansi-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%20mso-bidi-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%22%3ENokia%20is%20paying%20%E2%82%AC264%20million%20to%20buy-out%20the%20other%20shareholders%20in%20handset%20software%20firm%20Symbian%2C%20a%20move%20believed%20to%20be%20an%20attempt%20to%20compete%20with%2C%20among%20others%2C%20Google%26%2339%3Bs%20planned%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fapp.en25.com%2Fe%2Fer.aspx%3Fs%3D667%26amp%3Blid%3D3618%26amp%3Belq%3DC0E7450E9726495293D9F2607389DD75%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3A%20%232494b4%3B%20text-decoration%3A%20none%3B%20text-underline%3A%20none%3B%22%3EAndroid%20operating%20system%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E.%20The%20Finnish%20vendor%2C%20which%20already%20owns%2048%20percent%20of%20the%20UK-based%20software%20firm%2C%20said%20Sony%20Ericsson%2C%20Ericsson%2C%20Panasonic%20and%20Siemens%20had%20agreed%20to%20sell%20their%20stakes%20in%20Symbian%2C%20and%20added%20that%20Samsung%20was%20also%20expected%20to%20accept%20the%20offer.%20Symbian%26%2339%3Bs%20software%20is%20used%20in%20two-thirds%20of%20smartphones%20and%206%20percent%20of%20all%20mobile%20phones.%20Symbian%26%2339%3Bs%20closest%20rival%20is%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fapp.en25.com%2Fe%2Fer.aspx%3Fs%3D667%26amp%3Blid%3D3619%26amp%3Belq%3DC0E7450E9726495293D9F2607389DD75%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3A%20%232494b4%3B%20text-decoration%3A%20none%3B%20text-underline%3A%20none%3B%22%3EMicrosoft%26%2339%3Bs%20Windows%20Mobile%20operating%20system%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E.%20Nokia%20expects%20the%20acquisition%20to%20reach%20break-even%20in%202010%2C%20and%20boost%20earnings%20in%202011.%20%22The%20move%26%2339%3Bs%20a%20shrewd%20response%20to%20growing%20threats%20from%20other%20providers%20of%20mobile%20phone%20software%2C%22%20CCS%20Insight%20analyst%20Geoff%20Blaber%20told%20%3Cem%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-family%3A%20%26quot%3BArial%26quot%3B%2C%26quot%3Bsans-serif%26quot%3B%3B%20mso-ascii-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%20mso-hansi-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%20mso-bidi-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%22%3EReuters%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fem%3E%2C%20citing%20the%20open-source%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fapp.en25.com%2Fe%2Fer.aspx%3Fs%3D667%26amp%3Blid%3D3100%26amp%3Belq%3DC0E7450E9726495293D9F2607389DD75%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3A%20%232494b4%3B%20text-decoration%3A%20none%3B%20text-underline%3A%20none%3B%22%3ELiMo%20Foundation%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%20as%20well%20as%20Google%20and%20Apple.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0D%0A%3Cp%20style%3D%22line-height%3A%2013.5pt%3B%22%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2011pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26quot%3BArial%26quot%3B%2C%26quot%3Bsans-serif%26quot%3B%3B%20letter-spacing%3A%200.15pt%3B%20mso-ascii-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%20mso-hansi-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%20mso-bidi-theme-font%3A%20minor-bidi%3B%22%3EMeanwhile%2C%20Symbian%20said%20the%20takeover%20is%20%22a%20fundamental%20step%22%20in%20the%20establishment%20of%20the%20Symbian%20Foundation%2C%20which%20will%20attempt%20to%20unite%20several%20different%20existing%20operating%20systems%C2%A0-%20Symbian%20OS%2C%20S60%2C%20UIQ%20and%20MOAP%C2%A0-%20to%20create%20one%20open%20mobile%20software%20platform.%20Expected%20to%20start%20operating%20in%20the%20first%20half%20of%202009%2C%20the%20foundation%20will%20bring%20together%20Nokia%2C%20Sony%20Ericsson%2C%20Motorola%2C%20NTT%20DoCoMo%2C%20AT%26amp%3BT%2C%20LG%2C%20Samsung%2C%20STMicroelectronics%2C%20Texas%20Instruments%20and%20Vodafone%20to%20collaborate%20on%20a%20new%2C%20royalty-free%20open%20software%20platform%20for%20mobile%20phones.%C2%A0%20%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fp%3E"}; Nokia is paying €264 million to buy-out the other shareholders in handset software firm Symbian, a move believed to be an attempt to compete with, among others, Google’s planned Android operating system. The Finnish vendor, which already owns 48 percent of the UK-based software firm, said Sony Ericsson, Ericsson, Panasonic and Siemens had agreed to [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/26/nokia-buys-rest-of-symbian-plans-open-platform/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/03/larsen-toubro-plans-to-bid-for-muscat-airport-development/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/03/larsen-toubro-plans-to-bid-for-muscat-airport-development/#comments Tue, 03 Jun 2008 18:18:55 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/?p=85 gtvt_posts[85] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F06%2F03%2Flarsen-toubro-plans-to-bid-for-muscat-airport-development%2F", title: "Larsen%20%26%23038%3B%20Toubro%20plans%20to%20bid%20for%20Muscat%20airport%20development", category: "Uncategorized", desc: "%3Cspan%20id%3D%22toolTip_92292625%22%20class%3D%22ToolTip%22%3E%3Ca%20class%3D%22moretext%22%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fasiamena.com%2Fcm%2Fprofile.cfm%2Fcid1002277%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ELarsen%20%26amp%3B%20Toubro%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22ToolTipLink%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ELarsen%20%26amp%3B%20Toubro%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%20India%26%2339%3Bs%20biggest%20construction%20and%20engineering%20company%2C%20is%20planning%20to%20bid%20for%20the%20Muscat%20airport%20development.%20%3Cspan%20id%3D%22toolTip_92292625%22%20class%3D%22ToolTip%22%3E%3Ca%20class%3D%22moretext%22%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fasiamena.com%2Fcm%2Fprofile.cfm%2Fcid1002277%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ELarsen%20%26amp%3B%20Toubro%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22ToolTipLink%22%3E%3Ca%20class%3D%22moretext%22%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fasiamena.com%2Fcm%2Fprofile.cfm%2Fcid1002277%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ELarsen%20%26amp%3B%20Toubro%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%C2%A0is%20pre-qualified%20for%20the%20multimillion%20project%2C%20which%20will%20have%20several%20packages%2C%20sources%20familiar%20with%20the%20development%20said.%20Each%20package%20will%20be%20tendered%20separately.%20%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-85%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3ETenders%20for%20major%20packages%20will%20be%20floated%20before%20the%20year-end%2C%20it%20was%20reliably%20learnt.%20The%20government%2C%20which%20has%20already%20pre-qualified%20several%20international%20and%20local%20companies%2C%20will%20soon%20float%20tenders%20separately%20for%20different%20packages.%20The%20features%20of%20the%20development%20include%20a%20new%20terminal%20building%2C%20a%20big%20runway%2C%20air%20bridges%2C%20a%20new%20cargo%20terminal%20and%20parking%20facility%20for%206%2C000%20vehicles.%20%22Work%20on%20land%20filling%20is%20going%20on%20now%2C%22%20an%20official%20noted.%0D%0A%0D%0A%C2%A0%0D%0A%0D%0ASources%20said%20that%20there%20was%20a%20change%20in%20the%20design%20of%20the%20Muscat%20airport%2C%20following%20adverse%20whether%20conditions%20in%20last%20June.%20The%20government%20this%20year%20allocated%20RO%20111%20million%20for%20consultancy%20studies%2C%20design%20and%20supervision%20of%20airport%20expansion.%20The%20Muscat%20and%20Salalah%20airport%20expansion%2C%20which%20is%20estimated%20to%20cost%20around%20%243%20billion%2C%20will%20substantially%20enhance%20the%20passenger%20handling%20capacity.%20The%20new%20terminal%20building%20at%20Muscat%20airport%20will%20have%20a%20net%20floor%20area%20of%20240%2C000%20sqm.%0D%0A%0D%0A%C2%A0%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20building%20is%20relatively%20large%20for%20an%20airport%20with%20that%20capacity%20because%20the%20intention%20is%20to%20provide%20a%20high%20standard%20of%20comfort%20in%20the%20terminal.%20In%20addition%2C%20Muscat%20is%20going%20to%20be%20a%20big%20transit%20airport%2C%20and%20extra%20space%20is%20needed%20to%20guide%20the%20many%20transit%20passengers%20through%20the%20terminal%20with%20ease.%20The%20passenger%20handling%20capacity%20of%20Muscat%20airport%20will%20touch%2012%20million%20per%20year%20in%20the%20first%20phase%20%28from%20merely%202.5%20million%29%20and%2024%20million%20in%20the%20second%20phase.%0D%0A%0D%0A%C2%A0%0D%0A%0D%0AFurther%20expansion%20planned%20in%20the%20third%20phase%20will%20ultimately%20boost%20the%20airport%26%2339%3Bs%20capacity%20to%2048%20million%20passengers%20by%202050.%20Similarly%2C%20the%20development%20of%20Salalah%20Airport%20envisages%20an%20expansion%20of%20capacity%20to%201%20million%20passengers%20by%202011.%20%3Cspan%20id%3D%22toolTip_92292625%22%20class%3D%22ToolTip%22%3E%3Ca%20class%3D%22moretext%22%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fasiamena.com%2Fcm%2Fprofile.cfm%2Fcid1002277%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ELarsen%20%26amp%3B%20Toubro%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3Cspan%20class%3D%22ToolTipLink%22%3E%3Ca%20class%3D%22moretext%22%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fasiamena.com%2Fcm%2Fprofile.cfm%2Fcid1002277%22%3E%3Cstrong%3ELarsen%20%26amp%3B%20Toubro%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%2C%20which%20is%20well-positioned%20in%20building%20modern%20airports%2C%20has%20already%20built%20two%20Greenfield%20airports%20Bangalore%20and%20Hyderabad%20in%20India."}; Larsen & ToubroLarsen & Toubro India’s biggest construction and engineering company, is planning to bid for the Muscat airport development. Larsen & ToubroLarsen & Toubro is pre-qualified for the multimillion project, which will have several packages, sources familiar with the development said. Each package will be tendered separately. Tenders for major packages will be floated before [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/06/03/larsen-toubro-plans-to-bid-for-muscat-airport-development/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/25/dubai-picking-up-mantle-of-world-financial-capital/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/25/dubai-picking-up-mantle-of-world-financial-capital/#comments Sun, 25 May 2008 08:33:10 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/25/dubai-picking-up-mantle-of-world-financial-capital/ gtvt_posts[81] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F25%2Fdubai-picking-up-mantle-of-world-financial-capital%2F", title: "Dubai%20picking%20up%20mantle%20of%20world%20financial%20capital", category: "Dubai", desc: "%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20is%20picking%20up%20the%20mantle%20of%20the%20financial%20capital%20of%20the%20world%2C%20as%20global%20banking%20sectors%20London%20and%20New%20York%20continue%20to%20fade%20on%20the%20back%20of%20the%20global%20credit%20crises.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20new%20mantra%20in%20New%20York%20and%20London%20is%20%22Dubai%2C%20Mumbai%2C%20Shanghai%20or%20goodbye%22%2C%20as%20job%20losses%20mount%20in%20both%20cities%20while%20opportunities%20in%20the%20east%20continue%20to%20rise.%20Lehman%20Brothers%20on%20Tuesday%20became%20the%20latest%20investment%20bank%20moving%20one%20of%20its%20most%20senior%20positions%20to%20the%20UAE.%20Philip%20Lynch%2C%20the%20bank%26%2339%3Bs%20co-head%20of%20equities%20for%20Europe%20and%20the%20Middle%20East%2C%20will%20be%20relocating%20to%20Dubai%20after%20serving%20more%20than%20two%20decades%20in%20London.%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-81%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3EThe%20US%20investment%20bank%2C%20which%20has%20axed%20over%206%2C000%20staff%20in%20the%20last%20nine%20months%2C%20said%20the%20move%20was%20aimed%20at%20serving%20the%20growing%20needs%20of%20clients%20in%20the%20Gulf%20region%20and%20the%20wider%20Middle%20East.%20Lynch%20will%20find%20himself%20in%20good%20company.%20Barclays%20last%20month%20dispatched%20Roger%20Jenkins%2C%20one%20of%20London%26%2339%3Bs%20highest-paid%20bankers%2C%20to%20the%20emirate%20as%20chairman%20of%20investment%20banking%20and%20investment%20management.%0D%0A%0D%0AEarlier%20in%20May%20Citigroup%2C%20which%20has%20so%20far%20cut%201%2C500%20jobs%20because%20of%20the%20global%20credit%20crisis%2C%20announced%20it%20would%20send%20Alberto%20Verme%2C%20co-head%20of%20global%20investment%20banking%20from%20London%20to%20Dubai.%20He%20follows%20Makram%20Azar%2C%20head%20of%20the%20media%2C%20consumer%20and%20retail%20investment%20banking%20team%20in%20Europe%20and%20the%20Middle%20East%2C%20to%20take%20the%20role%20of%20global%20head%20of%20sovereign%20wealth%20funds.%20The%20bank%20has%20also%20switched%20Perry%20Hoffmeister%2C%20co-head%20of%20investment%20banking%20for%20Europe%20and%20the%20Middle%20East%2C%20to%20run%20its%20investment%20management%20arm%20across%20the%20same%20regions.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20relocation%20of%20roles%20from%20London%20and%20New%20York%20to%20Dubai%2C%20and%20to%20a%20lesser%20extent%20Mumbai%20and%20Shanghai%2C%20reflects%20the%20reshaping%20of%20global%20opportunities%20for%20investment%20banks.%0D%0A%0D%0AWith%20a%20surge%20in%20oil%20revenue%2C%20rapidly%20rising%20infrastructure%20needs%2C%20and%20the%20emergence%20of%20sovereign%20wealth%20funds%20at%20the%20head%20of%20M%26amp%3BA%20activity%2C%20the%20Middle%20East%20and%20Asia%20have%20become%20crucial%20for%20global%20investment%20banks%20looking%20to%20remain%20profitable.%0D%0A%0D%0AVikram%20Pandit%2C%20Citigroup%26%2339%3Bs%20chief%20executive%2C%20is%20on%20record%20as%20saying%20the%20Middle%20East%20is%20the%20bank%26%2339%3Bs%20priority%20in%20its%20focus%20on%20growth%20opportunities%20overseas.%0D%0A%0D%0ACountries%20in%20the%20GCC%20will%20spend%20%241.5%20trillion%20on%20infrastructure%20in%20the%20five%20years%2C%20according%20to%20figures%20published%20by%20Soci%C3%A9t%C3%A9%20G%C3%A9n%C3%A9rale%20Asset%20Management%2C%20based%20on%20research%20by%20HSBC%20Global%20Research%2C%20Middle%20East%20Business%20Intelligence%20and%20Thomson%20Datastream.%0D%0A%0D%0ACerulli%20Associates%2C%20a%20US%20and%20Singapore-based%20research%20firm%2C%20estimated%20total%20managed%20assets%20in%20the%20six%20GCC%20countries%20and%20Egypt%20to%20be%20more%20than%20%241.6%20trillion%20at%20the%20end%20of%20last%20year.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3C%21--%20Article%20End%20--%3E"}; Dubai is picking up the mantle of the financial capital of the world, as global banking sectors London and New York continue to fade on the back of the global credit crises. The new mantra in New York and London is “Dubai, Mumbai, Shanghai or goodbye”, as job losses mount in both cities while opportunities in [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/25/dubai-picking-up-mantle-of-world-financial-capital/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/mideast-investors-back-malaysian-halal-zone/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/mideast-investors-back-malaysian-halal-zone/#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 19:33:43 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/19/mideast-investors-back-malaysian-halal-zone/ gtvt_posts[80] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F19%2Fmideast-investors-back-malaysian-halal-zone%2F", title: "Mideast%20investors%20back%20Malaysian%20halal%20zone", category: "Asia", desc: "%3Cstrong%3EMalaysia%26%2339%3Bs%20Sarawak%20state%20has%20received%201.4%20billion%20ringgit%20%28%24438.2%20million%29%20in%20foreign%20investment%20for%20a%20proposed%20new%20zone%20making%20halal%20products%2C%20Chief%20Minister%20Abdul%20Taib%20Mahmud%20told%20reporters%20on%20Monday.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AHe%20was%20speaking%20on%20the%20sidelines%20of%20a%20conference%20on%20halal%20products%20ranging%20from%20food%20to%20pharmaceuticals.%20%22To%20date%20we%20have%20received%20shows%20of%20interest%20for%201.4%20billion%20ringgit%20of%20investments.%20They%20are%20from%20Taiwan%20and%20the%20Middle%20East%2C%22%20he%20said.%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-80%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%0D%0A%0D%0AMahmud%20also%20said%20there%20were%20plans%20to%20build%20a%20dam%20in%20the%20state%2C%20which%20would%20help%20increase%20the%20size%20of%20rice%20plantations.%20%22The%20immediate%20paddy%20potential%20of%20Sarawak%20is%207%2C000%20hectares%20over%20five%20years.%20After%20that%2C%20there%20may%20be%20potential%20for%20another%2020%2C000%20hectares%20in%20Limbang%2C%22%20he%20said%2C%20referring%20to%20a%20northern%20district%20of%20Sarawak.%20But%20he%20said%20these%20plans%20were%20linked%20to%20the%20construction%20of%20a%20new%20dam.%0D%0A%0D%0A%22Limbang%20is%20a%20much%20bigger%20area%20but%20it%20requires%20a%20good%2C%20well-planned%20irrigation%20facility%20which%20is%20tied%20to%20the%20building%20of%20a%20dam%20for%20hydro%2C%20which%20is%20going%20to%20be%20undertaken%20as%20a%20likely%20joint%20venture%20between%20Sabah%2C%20Sarawak%20and%20Brunei%2C%22%20he%20said.%20The%20power%20capacity%20of%20the%20new%20plant%20would%20be%20300%20megawatts%2C%20he%20added."}; Malaysia’s Sarawak state has received 1.4 billion ringgit ($438.2 million) in foreign investment for a proposed new zone making halal products, Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud told reporters on Monday. He was speaking on the sidelines of a conference on halal products ranging from food to pharmaceuticals. “To date we have received shows of interest for [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/mideast-investors-back-malaysian-halal-zone/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/gulfs-most-influential-families-revealed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/gulfs-most-influential-families-revealed/#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 19:26:51 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/19/gulfs-most-influential-families-revealed/ gtvt_posts[79] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F19%2Fgulfs-most-influential-families-revealed%2F", title: "Gulf%26%238217%3Bs%20most%20influential%20families%20revealed", category: "Gulf%20Countries", desc: "%3Cstrong%3EThe%20families%20in%20the%20Gulf%20who%20dominate%20the%20region%E2%80%99s%20boardrooms%20have%20been%20revealed%20and%20ranked%20for%20the%20first%20time%2C%20UAE-based%20banking%20group%20The%20National%20Investor%20%28TNI%29%20said%20on%20Monday.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0ATNI%20said%20in%20a%20report%20analysing%20the%20boardrooms%20of%20more%20than%20500%20companies%20in%20the%20GCC%20that%20it%20had%20ranked%20the%20families%20in%20the%20six%20main%20GCC%20countries%2C%20including%20in%20both%20the%20emirates%20of%20Abu%20Dhabi%20and%20Dubai.%20%E2%80%9CGCC%20families%20hold%20on%20average%20between%2019%25%20and%2030%25%20of%20company%20board%20seats%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20TNI%20in%20its%20report%2C%20%26%2339%3BPower%20Matter%3A%20A%20Survey%20of%20GCC%20Boards%26%2339%3B.%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-79%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20no%20secret%20that%20the%20economic%20landscape%20in%20the%20GCC%20is%20controlled%20by%20families%20-%20it%20is%20enlightening%20to%20realise%20numerically%20the%20extent%20of%20such%20domination.%E2%80%9D%20TNI%20said%20Power%20Matters%20is%20the%20first-ever%20research%20report%20of%20582%20companies%20in%20the%20GCC%2C%20with%203%2C493%20individuals%20occupying%204%2C254%20board%20seats%20of%20listed%20companies%20in%20the%20Gulf.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20publication%20aims%20to%20identify%20some%20of%20the%20key%20trends%20in%20the%20boardrooms%20of%20the%20Gulf%2C%20particularly%20board%20composition%2C%20the%20participation%20of%20women%20in%20boards%2C%20and%20the%20role%20of%20families%20on%20boards.%20TNI%20in%20ranking%20the%20most%20powerful%20families%20in%20the%20GCC%20chose%20to%20define%20a%20family%20as%20a%20collection%20of%20individuals%20from%20the%20same%20country%20with%20the%20same%20surname%2C%20and%20%E2%80%9Cpower%E2%80%9D%20as%20the%20economic%20influence%20derived%20from%20being%20represented%20on%20a%20listed%20company%20board.%0D%0A%0D%0AFamilies%20with%20the%20largest%20number%20of%20seats%20are%20then%20ranked%20as%20the%20most%20powerful.%20For%20each%20market%2C%20TNI%20listed%20the%20unweighted%20rankings%2C%20representing%20the%20greatest%20number%20of%20board%20seats%20held.%20It%20then%20also%20provided%20a%20list%20of%20rankings%20weighted%20by%20the%20market%20value%20of%20the%20board%20seats%20held%20according%20to%20February%2025%20of%20this%20year.%0D%0A%0D%0AAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0AQassimi%2C%20Dhaheri%2C%20Mazroei%2C%20Qubaisi%2C%20Suwaidi%2C%20Khoury%2C%20Rumaithi%2C%20Muhairi%2C%20Shamsi%20and%20Hosani.%0D%0A%0D%0AAbu%20Dhabi%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0ASuwaidi%2C%20Dhaheri%2C%20Hajeri%2C%20Qassimi%2C%20Nahyan%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Otaiba%2C%20Mazrouei%2C%20Omran%2C%20Rostomani%2C%20Sayegh.%0D%0A%0D%0ABahrain%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0AFakhro%2C%20Kanoo%2C%20Moayyed%2C%20Khalifa%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Amin%2C%20Buhindi%2C%20Jalal%2C%20Murad%2C%20Nass%2C%20Sabah.%0D%0A%0D%0ABahrain%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0AMashani%2C%20Mazrouq%2C%20Meer%2C%20Faivre%2C%20Harthy%2C%20Khalili%2C%20Murshidi%2C%20Razak%2C%20Yahyai.%0D%0A%0D%0ADubai%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0AGhurair%2C%20Mulla%2C%20Futtaim%2C%20Sari%2C%20Jallaf%2C%20Kazim%2C%20Lootah%2C%20Mazrouei%2C%20Shamsi%2C%20Maktoum%20%28rulers%29.%0D%0A%0D%0ADubai%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0AGhurair%2C%20Shamsi%2C%20Lootah%2C%20Shaibani%2C%20Ba%E2%80%99alawy%2C%20Alabbar%2C%20Matrooshi%2C%20Belhoul%2C%20Jawa%2C%20Mohannadi.%0D%0A%0D%0AKuwait%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0ASabah%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Ghanim%2C%20Kharafi%2C%20Wazzan%2C%20Sultan%2C%20Behbahani%2C%20Bahar%2C%20Mazrouk%2C%20Shaya%2C%20Mutawa.%0D%0A%0D%0ADubai%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0AKharafi%2C%20Sabah%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Bahar%2C%20Rashed%2C%20Behbahani%2C%20Fulaij%2C%20Ghanim%2C%20Marafi%2C%20Sultan%2C%20Nafisi.%0D%0A%0D%0AOmani%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0AShanfari%2C%20Rawas%2C%20Sultan%2C%20Lawati%2C%20Mashani%2C%20Busaidi%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Harthy%2C%20Saleh%2C%20Zawawi%2C%20Hassan.%0D%0A%0D%0AOmani%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0AHarthy%2C%20Mashani%2C%20Zadjali%2C%20Razak%2C%20Yahyai%2C%20Khalili%2C%20Faivre%2C%20Murshidi%2C%20Abduwani%2C%20Nahari.%0D%0A%0D%0AQatar%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0AThani%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Mana%2C%20Attiya%2C%20Saad%2C%20Ali%2C%20Naimi%2C%20Mannai%2C%20Mohannadi%2C%20Ansari%2C%20Sulaiti.%0D%0A%0D%0AQatar%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0AThani%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Mohannadi%2C%20Attiya%2C%20Suwaidi%2C%20Kamal%2C%20Ibrahim%2C%20Salat%2C%20Mana%2C%20Hitmi%2C%20Fardan.%0D%0A%0D%0ASaudi%20Arabia%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Unweighted%29%3A%0D%0ARajhi%2C%20Issa%2C%20Zamil%2C%20Rashid%2C%20Saleh%2C%20Babtain%2C%20Subaei%2C%20Turki%2C%20Agil%2C%20Drees.%0D%0A%0D%0ASaudi%20Arabia%2C%20Top%2010%20Families%20%28Weighted%20by%20market%20value%29%0D%0ARajdhi%2C%20Issa%2C%20Mady%2C%20Saud%20%28rulers%29%2C%20Abanumay%2C%20Faris%2C%20Hakami%2C%20Husseini%2C%20Omran%2C%20Rashid.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3C%21--%20Article%20End%20--%3E"}; The families in the Gulf who dominate the region’s boardrooms have been revealed and ranked for the first time, UAE-based banking group The National Investor (TNI) said on Monday. TNI said in a report analysing the boardrooms of more than 500 companies in the GCC that it had ranked the families in the six main GCC [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/gulfs-most-influential-families-revealed/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/istithmar-chief-snubs-us/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/istithmar-chief-snubs-us/#comments Mon, 19 May 2008 19:19:49 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/19/istithmar-chief-snubs-us/ gtvt_posts[78] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F19%2Fistithmar-chief-snubs-us%2F", title: "Istithmar%20chief%20snubs%20US", category: "Dubai", desc: "%3Cstrong%3EDubai%20government%20investment%20agency%20Istithmar%20World%20Ventures%20has%20been%20%E2%80%9Cput%20off%E2%80%9D%20looking%20for%20deals%20in%20the%20US%20and%20instead%20will%20seek%20new%20opportunities%20in%20Africa%20and%20the%20Far%20East%2C%20according%20to%20its%20CEO.%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%E2%80%9CI%20am%20looking%20at%20everywhere%20but%20the%20US%2C%E2%80%9D%20Ahmed%20bin%20Fahad%20told%20magazine%20%3Cem%3EArabian%20Business%3C%2Fem%3E%20on%20the%20sidelines%20of%20the%20World%20Economic%20Forum%20%28WEF%29%20on%20the%20Middle%20East%2C%20in%20Sharm%20El%20Sheikh%2C%20Egypt.%20%E2%80%9C%5BWe%20are%5D%20being%20invited%20by%20so%20many%20places%20to%20come%2C%20and%20being%20given%20concessions%20and%20the%20privilege%20to%20take%20opportunities%20without%20even%20an%20auction.%20We%20don%E2%80%99t%20get%20that%20in%20the%20States%2C%20and%20it%20has%20put%20me%20off%20looking%20in%20the%20US.%E2%80%9D%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-78%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%0D%0A%0D%0A%3Cp%20class%3D%22topmargin15%22%3EHis%20remarks%20follow%20Sunday%26%2339%3Bs%20speech%20to%20the%20forum%20from%20US%20President%20George%20W.%20Bush%2C%20who%20told%20around%201%2C500%20delegates%20that%20the%20US%20will%20%E2%80%9Ccontinue%20to%20welcome%20foreign%20investment%20and%20trade%E2%80%9D.%20%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20voices%20in%20my%20country%20that%20urge%20America%20to%20adopt%20measures%20that%20would%20isolate%20us%20from%20the%20global%20economy%2C%E2%80%9D%20Bush%20said.%20%E2%80%9CI%20firmly%20reject%20these%20calls%20for%20protectionism.%20The%20US%20will%20stay%20open%20for%20business.%E2%80%9D%20Istithmar%20World%20Ventures%20is%20a%20subsidiary%20of%20Istithmar%20World%2C%20which%20is%20part%20of%20state-owned%20conglomerate%20Dubai%20World.%20Dubai%20World%20owns%20DP%20World%2C%20a%20container%20port%20handler%20that%20was%20forced%20by%20US%20lawmakers%20to%20sell%20US%20assets%20over%20security%20concerns.%0D%0A%0D%0A%E2%80%9CThere%20are%20still%20a%20lot%20of%20untapped%20opportunities%20related%20to%20natural%20resources%20and%20financials%20in%20Africa%20and%20Far%20East%20Asia%2C%E2%80%9D%20bin%20Fahad%20continued.%C2%A0%20%E2%80%9CThese%20are%20all%20places%20where%20there%20is%20a%20really%20nice%20hedge%20from%20the%20rest%20of%20the%20world%2C%20and%20that%20you%20can%20really%20extract%20a%20lot%20of%20value.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20want%20to%20be%20there%20as%20first%20mover%20in%20certain%20areas%20where%20we%20can%20provide%20value%20and%20%5Bwill%5D%20be%20welcomed%20and%20considered%20and%20appreciated%20-%20this%20is%20a%20big%20thing%20for%20us%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20added.%0D%0A%0D%0ABin%20Fahad%20also%20revealed%20that%20Istithmar%20World%20Ventures%20is%20aiming%20to%20double%20the%20value%20of%20its%20assets%20under%20management%20by%20the%20end%20of%20the%20year.%20%E2%80%9CWe%20are%20looking%20to%20double%20in%20terms%20of%20the%20value%20of%20assets%20under%20management%2C%20but%20in%20terms%20%5Bof%20the%20value%20of%5D%20acquisitions%20we%20would%20love%20to%20triple%20%5Bfrom%20last%20year%5D%2C%E2%80%9D%20he%20said%2C%20adding%20that%20details%20of%20how%20this%20might%20be%20achieved%20would%20be%20announced%20in%20September.%20Dubai%20World%2C%20whose%20business%20include%20property%20developer%20Nakheel%2C%20has%20a%20multi-billion%20dollar%20global%20portfolio%2C%20including%20P%26amp%3BO%2C%20US%20retailer%20Barney%26%2339%3Bs%2C%20a%20stake%20in%20lender%20Standard%20Chartered%2C%20and%20about%20%2420%20billion%20in%20real%20estate%20assets%20outside%20Dubai.%0D%0A%0D%0A%3C%21--%20Article%20End%20--%3E"}; Dubai government investment agency Istithmar World Ventures has been “put off” looking for deals in the US and instead will seek new opportunities in Africa and the Far East, according to its CEO. “I am looking at everywhere but the US,” Ahmed bin Fahad told magazine Arabian Business on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/19/istithmar-chief-snubs-us/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/16/globalizations-victors-hunt-for-the-next-low-wage-country/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/16/globalizations-victors-hunt-for-the-next-low-wage-country/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 16:11:42 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/16/globalizations-victors-hunt-for-the-next-low-wage-country/ gtvt_posts[77] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F16%2Fglobalizations-victors-hunt-for-the-next-low-wage-country%2F", title: "Globalization%26%238217%3Bs%20Victors%20Hunt%20for%20the%20Next%20Low-Wage%20Country", category: "Asia", desc: "%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3E%3Cstrong%3EWhat%20can%20Western%20companies%20do%20when%20China%26%2339%3Bs%20factory%20workers%20start%20demanding%20better%20wages%20and%20conditions%3F%20Easy%20--%20just%20transfer%20production%20to%20a%20cheaper%20country.%20China%26%2339%3Bs%20loss%20is%20Vietnam%26%2339%3Bs%20gain.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EThe%20world%26%2339%3Bs%20manufacturing%20powerhouse%20needs%20new%20low-wage%20workers%2C%20which%20is%20why%20the%20man%20in%20the%20dark%20suit%20is%20talking%20himself%20hoarse.%20%22Do%20not%20delay%2C%22%20he%20calls%20out%20to%20the%20people%20gathered%20around%20him%2C%20pressing%20his%20mouth%20to%20the%20microphone.%20%22We%20will%20handle%20everything%20in%20minutes%2C%20and%20you%26%2339%3Bll%20have%20work%20right%20away.%22%20The%20man%2C%20whose%20name%20is%20Zhou%20Liang%2C%20works%20for%20a%20private%20employment%20agency%2C%20which%20has%20its%20office%20in%20a%20bus%20terminal%20in%20Shenzhen%2C%20the%20southern%20Chinese%20industrial%20center.%20Buses%20are%20constantly%20arriving%20at%20the%20terminal%20from%20all%20across%20China%2C%20bringing%20in%20fresh%20supplies%20of%20young%20migrant%20workers.%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-77%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EBut%20Zhou%2C%20the%20employment%20agent%2C%20sounds%20desperate%2C%20like%20someone%20trying%20to%20hawk%20a%20product%20no%20one%20wants.%20Posters%20on%20the%20wall%20advertise%20some%20of%20the%20lowest-paid%20jobs%20in%20the%20world.%20A%20wide%20range%20of%20factories%20are%20seeking%20workers%2C%20but%20they%20pay%20only%20the%20minimum%20monthly%20wage%20of%20750%20yuan%2C%20or%20about%20%E2%82%AC70%20%28%24107%29%2C%20and%20that%20for%20an%20eight-hour%20day%2C%20five%20days%20a%20week.%20But%20by%20working%20overtime%20and%20on%20weekends%2C%20Zhou%20calls%20out%2C%20hoping%20for%20takers%2C%20workers%20can%20easily%20earn%20twice%20as%20much.%20He%20has%20finally%20managed%20to%20drum%20up%2040%20applicants%2C%20and%20he%20asks%20them%20to%20line%20up%20in%20three%20rows.%20One%20of%20them%20is%2020-year-old%20Zhong%20Xia%20from%20Sichuan%20province.%20Her%20luggage%20consists%20of%20a%20suitcase%20and%20a%20plastic%20bucket.%20The%20bucket%20is%20so%20she%20can%20wash%20her%20clothes%20in%20the%20factory%20dormitory%20where%20she%20is%20likely%20to%20be%20living%20soon%2C%20sharing%20a%20room%20with%20several%20other%20women.%20%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EThe%20young%20woman%20is%20given%20a%20job%20assembling%20electric%20components%2C%20including%20cables%20and%20plugs.%20It%26%2339%3Bs%20a%20start%2C%20and%20better%20than%20nothing%2C%20she%20says%20quickly%20before%20her%20group%20is%20led%20away%20to%20a%20waiting%20row%20of%20minibuses%20that%20will%20take%20the%20workers%20to%20factories.%20The%20entire%20process%20is%20designed%20to%20happen%20as%20quickly%20as%20possible%2C%20to%20deter%20workers%20from%20changing%20their%20minds%20at%20the%20last%20minute.%20Labor%20has%20become%20a%20scarce%20commodity%20in%20China%20these%20days.%20There%20is%20a%20shortage%20of%202%20million%20workers%20in%20the%20Pearl%20River%20Delta%20alone%2C%20China%26%2339%3Bs%20industrial%20zone%20abutting%20Hong%20Kong%2C%20where%20companies%20from%20Adidas%20to%20Mattel%20have%20their%20products%20manufactured.%20The%20manufacturers%20there%20compete%20relentlessly%20for%20labor%2C%20fighting%20desperately%20for%20each%20worker.%20This%20struggle%20marks%20a%20new%20chapter%20in%20the%20history%20of%20globalization.%20%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EFor%20a%20long%20time%2C%20it%20seemed%20as%20if%20China%2C%20with%20its%201.3%20billion%20people%2C%20offered%20the%20world%20an%20inexhaustible%20reservoir%20of%20low-wage%20workers.%20It%20was%20the%20basis%20of%20the%20recipe%20for%20success%20that%20reformer%20Deng%20Xiaoping%20prescribed%20for%20the%20country%2030%20years%20ago.%20Foreign%20companies%20would%20outsource%20the%20production%20of%20simple%20products%20to%20China.%20And%20the%20communists%20would%20provide%20them%20with%20the%20workers%20they%20needed.%20Everyone%20benefited%20from%20the%20arrangement.%20About%20300%20million%20Chinese%20were%20liberated%20from%20deep%20poverty%2C%20and%20China%20transformed%20itself%20into%20a%20principal%20supplier%20for%20the%20industrialized%20countries.%20Consumers%20in%20the%20West%20were%20pleased%20they%20could%20buy%20cheap%20T-shirts%20and%20sneakers.%20But%20now%20this%20symbiotic%20system%20is%20no%20longer%20working%20as%20smoothly%20as%20it%20did%20in%20the%20past.%20A%20booming%20economy%20in%20the%20country%26%2339%3Bs%20poorer%20western%20provinces%20has%20caused%20the%20influx%20of%20migrant%20workers%20to%20subside%2C%20as%20many%20Chinese%20prefer%20to%20look%20for%20work%20closer%20to%20home.%20This%20in%20turn%20has%20forced%20businesses%20to%20completely%20revise%20their%20assumptions.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3ECosts%20are%20on%20the%20rise%20everywhere.%20The%20labor%20shortage%20has%20made%20production%20more%20expensive%2C%20as%20workers%20can%20now%20command%20higher%20wages.%20A%20more%20stringent%20labor%20law%2C%20more%20expensive%20raw%20materials%20and%20the%20revaluation%20of%20the%20Chinese%20yuan%20against%20the%20dollar%20have%20also%20contributed%20to%20rising%20costs.%20Inflation%20recently%20climbed%20to%208%20percent.%20China%26%2339%3Bs%20role%20as%20the%20ultimate%20low-cost%20production%20location%20is%20fast%20becoming%20history.%20German%20investors%2C%20once%20lured%20to%20the%20Far%20East%20by%20low%20costs%2C%20have%20recently%20begun%20to%20realize%20that%20the%20financial%20advantages%20of%20outsourcing%20production%20to%20China%20have%20all%20but%20vanished.%20%22Turning%20a%20profit%20is%20becoming%20increasingly%20rare%2C%22%20reports%20consultant%20Wilfried%20Krokowski%2C%20who%20specializes%20in%20helping%20German%20companies%20enter%20the%20Chinese%20market.%20As%20result%2C%20production%20regions%20like%20the%20Pearl%20River%20Delta%20are%20experiencing%20a%20veritable%20exodus.%20According%20to%20a%20survey%20by%20the%20US%20Chamber%20of%20Commerce%20in%20Shanghai%2C%20one%20in%20five%20companies%20are%20already%20considering%20pulling%20out%20of%20China.%20Many%20are%20taking%20their%20factories%20to%20places%20where%20wages%20are%20now%20lower%2C%20like%20Vietnam%2C%20Bangladesh%20or%20India.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EOr%20they%20shut%20down%20completely%2C%20like%20the%20Boji%20Company.%20Until%20recently%2C%20Boji%20was%20one%20of%20the%20world%26%2339%3Bs%20largest%20producers%20of%20artificial%20Christmas%20trees%2C%20employing%2020%2C000%20people.%20Now%20its%20complex%20of%20buildings%20in%20Shenzhen%20is%20abandoned%20and%20its%20factory%20stores%20closed.%20%22We%20want%20our%20money%2C%22%20angry%20suppliers%20have%20scrawled%20on%20the%20walls.%20In%20December%20and%20January%20alone%2C%20more%20than%201%2C000%20companies%20left%20the%20Pearl%20River%20Delta.%20Most%20were%20from%20Taiwan%20or%20neighboring%20Hong%20Kong.%20But%20they%20are%20merely%20the%20tip%20of%20the%20iceberg.%20According%20to%20Stanley%20Lau%2C%20the%20deputy%20head%20of%20a%20Hong%20Kong%20federation%20of%20businesses%2C%2010%20percent%20of%20the%20up%20to%2070%2C000%20small%20and%20mid-sized%20manufacturers%20in%20the%20area%20will%20likely%20close%20up%20shop%20this%20year.%20About%204%2C000%20companies%20in%20the%20shoe%20industry%2C%20says%20Lau%2C%20have%20already%20shut%20down.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EWhat%20is%20most%20surprising%20about%20this%20exodus%20is%20that%20no%20one%20in%20China%20is%20concerned%20about%20the%20departure%20of%20these%20sweatshops.%20There%20have%20been%20no%20major%20protests%20or%20desperate%20appeals%20from%20politicians.%20On%20the%20contrary%2C%20the%20change%20is%20intended.%20China%26%2339%3Bs%20planners%20know%20that%20their%20country%20has%20no%20future%20as%20a%20low-cost%20producer.%20Following%20in%20the%20footsteps%20of%20Japan%20and%20South%20Korea%2C%20they%20are%20converting%20their%20industrial%20base%2C%20hoping%20to%20catapult%20Chinese%20industry%20to%20the%20high-tech%20level.%20It%20is%20a%20change%20that%20Beijing%26%2339%3Bs%20communist%20strategists%20are%20promoting%20as%20energetically%20as%20only%20dictatorships%20can.%20%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EBeijing%20recently%20eliminated%20some%20incentives%20for%20foreign%20investors%2C%20including%20exemptions%20from%20corporate%20income%20tax%20and%20tax%20discounts%20for%20many%20export%20goods.%20As%20a%20result%2C%20it%20has%20become%20nearly%20impossible%20to%20turn%20a%20profit%20exporting%20certain%20products%2C%20like%20shoe%20leather.%20At%20the%20same%20time%2C%20Beijing%20seeks%20to%20promote%20the%20social%20%22harmony%22%20that%20Communist%20Party%20leader%20and%20President%20Hu%20Jintao%20constantly%20touts.%20It%20is%20a%20campaign%20meant%20to%20counteract%20growing%20dissatisfaction%20in%20the%20People%26%2339%3Bs%20Republic.%20Beijing%26%2339%3Bs%20subjects%20are%20becoming%20aware%20of%20their%20rights%20and%20are%20no%20longer%20willing%20to%20be%20exploited.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EEvery%20few%20days%2C%20workers%20at%20Clever%20Metal%20%26amp%3B%20Electroplating%20in%20Shenzhen%20suddenly%20stop%20working.%20Wearing%20blue%20uniforms%20with%20yellow%20numbers%20attached%20to%20them%2C%20they%20squat%20on%20the%20side%20of%20the%20road%2C%20looking%20harmless%20enough%20--%20almost%20as%20if%20they%20were%20having%20a%20picnic.%20But%20the%20mood%20is%20tense.%20The%20workers%20say%20that%20they%20have%20been%20waiting%20for%20their%20pay%20for%20two%20weeks.%20They%20speculate%20that%20the%20company%26%2339%3Bs%20managers%20are%20running%20out%20of%20money%2C%20just%20as%20they%20are%20gradually%20losing%20patience.%20%22I%20spray-paint%20metal%20frames%20for%20up%20to%2012%20hours%20a%20day%2C%22%20complains%20one%20worker%2C%20%22and%20even%20the%20thin%20mask%20I%20wear%20doesn%26%2339%3Bt%20keep%20out%20the%20stench.%22%3C%21--more--%3E%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EConditions%20still%20haven%26%2339%3Bt%20improved%20significantly%20in%20many%20Chinese%20factories.%20The%20employers%20pay%20starvation%20wages%2C%20neglect%20to%20give%20credit%20for%20overtime%20hours%20and%20ruin%20the%20health%20of%20their%20employees.%20A%20worker%20with%20Taiway%2C%20a%20supplier%20to%20the%20sporting%20goods%20industry%2C%20describes%20how%20rough%20life%20is%20behind%20the%20scenes%20in%20a%20Chinese%20factory.%20Using%20a%20device%20only%20slightly%20larger%20than%20a%20toothbrush%2C%20she%20spends%20up%20to%2010%20hours%20a%20day%20applying%20glue%20to%20shoe%20soles.%20The%20stench%20is%20terrible%20and%20she%20often%20suffers%20from%20headaches.%20Although%20the%20company%20has%20distributed%20face%20masks%2C%20the%20worker%20says%2C%20they%20are%20so%20ineffective%20that%20hardly%20anyone%20wears%20them%20--%20except%20when%20the%20inspectors%20visit.%20Every%20night%2C%20she%20falls%20into%20bed%2C%20exhausted.%20She%20shares%20a%20room%20with%20six%20other%20women%20in%20the%20company-owned%20dormitory.%20There%20are%20no%20showers%20for%20the%20workers%2C%20who%20must%20carry%20hot%20water%20in%20buckets%20to%20wash%20themselves.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%209pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BVerdana%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%22%3EIn%20the%20past%2C%20the%20Chinese%20would%20have%20quietly%20tolerated%20such%20conditions.%20But%20now%20they%20are%20no%20longer%20willing%20to%20accept%20them%2C%20and%20they%20can%20even%20expect%20support%20from%20the%20very%20top.%20The%20new%20labor%20law%2C%20introduced%20at%20the%20beginning%20of%20the%20year%2C%20provides%20employees%20with%20improved%20protections%20against%20dismissal%20and%20higher%20settlement%20payments.%20It%20also%20drives%20up%20costs%20for%20companies%2C%20especially%20low-wage%20producers.%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E"}; What can Western companies do when China’s factory workers start demanding better wages and conditions? Easy — just transfer production to a cheaper country. China’s loss is Vietnam’s gain.The world’s manufacturing powerhouse needs new low-wage workers, which is why the man in the dark suit is talking himself hoarse. “Do not delay,” he calls out [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/16/globalizations-victors-hunt-for-the-next-low-wage-country/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/16/iphone-breaks-into-more-markets-with-orange/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/16/iphone-breaks-into-more-markets-with-orange/#comments Fri, 16 May 2008 15:26:01 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/16/iphone-breaks-into-more-markets-with-orange/ gtvt_posts[76] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F16%2Fiphone-breaks-into-more-markets-with-orange%2F", title: "iPhone%20breaks%20into%20more%20markets%20with%20Orange", category: "Telecom", desc: "%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2011pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BArial%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%3B%20letter-spacing%3A%200.15pt%22%3EOrange%20is%20to%20offer%20Apple%26%2339%3Bs%20iPhone%20in%20its%20international%20markets%20later%20this%20year%2C%20the%20France%20Telecom-owned%20mobile%20operator%20announced%20in%20a%20brief%20statement%20this%20morning.%20The%20deal%20is%20the%20latest%20in%20a%20flurry%20of%20new%20agreements%20made%20by%20Apple%20recently%20to%20expand%20the%20global%20footprint%20of%20the%20iPhone.%20Orange%20said%20it%20will%20launch%20the%20device%20in%20Austria%2C%20Belgium%2C%20the%20Dominican%20Republic%2C%20Egypt%2C%20Jordan%2C%20Poland%2C%20Portugal%2C%20Romania%2C%20Slovakia%2C%20Switzerland%20and%20its%20African%20markets.%20However%2C%20the%20operator%20gave%20no%20specific%20details%20on%20the%20agreements%2C%20including%20whether%20Orange%20will%20be%20the%20exclusive%20distributor%20of%20the%20device%20in%20some%20markets%2C%20as%20it%20is%20currently%20in%20France.%20There%20was%20also%20no%20word%20on%20whether%20the%20device%20offered%20will%20be%20the%20current%20handset%20that%20runs%20over%20EDGE%20technology%2C%20or%20a%203G%20version%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fapp.en25.com%2Fe%2Fer.aspx%3Fs%3D667%26amp%3Blid%3D2618%26amp%3Belq%3D3B0DC9B1C5674AC99A2127BB25B64988%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3A%20%232494b4%3B%20text-decoration%3A%20none%3B%20text-underline%3A%20none%22%3Erumoured%20for%20launch%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%20as%20soon%20as%20next%20month.%20%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-76%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2011pt%3B%20color%3A%20%2326354a%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BArial%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%3B%20letter-spacing%3A%200.15pt%22%3E%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2011pt%3B%20color%3A%20black%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BArial%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%3B%20letter-spacing%3A%200.15pt%22%3EAlready%20this%20month%2C%20Apple%20has%20struck%20a%20deal%20to%20bring%20the%20device%20to%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fapp.en25.com%2Fe%2Fer.aspx%3Fs%3D667%26amp%3Blid%3D2895%26amp%3Belq%3D3B0DC9B1C5674AC99A2127BB25B64988%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3A%20%232494b4%3B%20text-decoration%3A%20none%3B%20text-underline%3A%20none%22%3Eten%20Vodafone%20markets%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%2C%C2%A0and%20has%20secured%20deals%20with%20%3Ca%20href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fapp.en25.com%2Fe%2Fer.aspx%3Fs%3D667%26amp%3Blid%3D3016%26amp%3Belq%3D3B0DC9B1C5674AC99A2127BB25B64988%22%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22color%3A%20%232494b4%3B%20text-decoration%3A%20none%3B%20text-underline%3A%20none%22%3ESingTel%3C%2Fspan%3E%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fa%3E%C2%A0and%20America%20Movil%20to%20launch%20the%20iPhone%20in%20Asia-Pacific%20and%20Latin%20America%2C%20respectively.%20In%20some%20cases%20this%20has%20meant%20more%20than%20one%20operator%20offering%20the%20device%20in%20a%20market%2C%20a%20notable%20departure%20from%20the%20exclusive%20arrangements%20with%20operators%20that%20Apple%20preferred%20when%20it%20first%20launched%20the%20device.%20According%20to%20reports%2C%20the%20new%20strategy%20could%20be%20aimed%20at%20ramping%20up%20sales%20to%20meet%20its%20target%20of%20selling%2010%20million%20iPhones%20by%20year-end.%20Apple%26%2339%3Bs%20latest%20figures%20state%20it%20had%20sold%205.4%20million%20devices%20worldwide%20by%20the%20end%20of%20March.%20T-Mobile%20announced%20separately%20this%20week%20that%20it%20has%20sold%20100%2C000%20iPhones%20in%20Germany%20since%20launch%20in%20November%202007%2C%20in%20line%20with%20its%20internal%20targets.%3C%2Fspan%3E%3Cspan%20style%3D%22font-size%3A%2011pt%3B%20color%3A%20%2326354a%3B%20font-family%3A%20%26%2339%3BArial%26%2339%3B%2C%26%2339%3Bsans-serif%26%2339%3B%3B%20letter-spacing%3A%200.15pt%22%3E%3Co%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fo%3Ap%3E%3C%2Fspan%3E"}; Orange is to offer Apple’s iPhone in its international markets later this year, the France Telecom-owned mobile operator announced in a brief statement this morning. The deal is the latest in a flurry of new agreements made by Apple recently to expand the global footprint of the iPhone. Orange said it will launch the device [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/16/iphone-breaks-into-more-markets-with-orange/feed/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/13/army-threatens-force-to-halt-fighting/ http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/13/army-threatens-force-to-halt-fighting/#comments Tue, 13 May 2008 21:32:07 +0000 admin http://asiamena.com/2008/05/13/army-threatens-force-to-halt-fighting/ gtvt_posts[75] = {url: "http%3A%2F%2Fwww.asiamena.com%2F2008%2F05%2F13%2Farmy-threatens-force-to-halt-fighting%2F", title: "Army%20threatens%20force%20to%20halt%20fighting", category: "Lebanon", desc: "%3Cstrong%3ELebanese%20troops%20were%20set%20to%20use%20force%20if%20necessary%20on%20Tuesday%20to%20disarm%20gunmen%20and%20enforce%20law%20and%20order%20after%20six%20days%20of%20deadly%20sectarian%20gunbattles%20that%20have%20thrown%20the%20nation%20into%20fear%20and%20chaos.%0D%0A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%0AThe%20military%20had%20said%20that%20as%20of%206%3A00%20am%20%280300%20GMT%29%20its%20troops%20were%20ready%20to%20resort%20to%20force%20to%20bring%20an%20end%20to%20the%20violence%20pitting%20supporters%20of%20the%20Western-backed%20government%20against%20members%20of%20the%20Hezbollah-led%20opposition.%20The%20fighting%2C%20which%20has%20left%20at%20least%2061%20people%20dead%20and%20scores%20more%20wounded%2C%20is%20the%20worst%20sectarian%20unrest%20since%20the%201975-1990%20civil%20war%20and%20had%20stoked%20fears%20the%20country%20was%20headed%20for%20another%20all-out%20conflict.%3Cspan%20id%3D%22more-75%22%3E%3C%2Fspan%3EUS%20President%20George%20W.%20Bush%20warned%20Iran%20and%20Syria%20that%20the%20international%20community%20would%20not%20allow%20Lebanon%20to%20fall%20under%20foreign%20domination%20again%20and%20vowed%20to%20shore%20up%20the%20Lebanese%20army.%20Fierce%20battles%20erupted%20for%20about%20a%20half%20hour%20overnight%20between%20Sunnis%20loyal%20to%20the%20government%20and%20pro-Hezbollah%20Alawites%20in%20the%20northern%20port%20city%20of%20Tripoli%20but%20by%20early%20Tuesday%20troops%20were%20reinforcing%20their%20presence%20in%20affected%20areas.%20Similar%20violence%20shook%20Tripoli%20on%20Monday%20leaving%20at%20least%20one%20person%20dead%2C%20but%20no%20fighting%20was%20reported%20in%20other%20areas%20and%20in%20Beirut%20the%20situation%20was%20calm%2C%20schools%20have%20reopened%20and%20traffic%20was%20slowly%20returning%20to%20normal.%0D%0A%0D%0AHowever%2C%20several%20main%20highways%20remained%20blocked%20by%20Hezbollah-led%20Shi%26%2339%3Bite%20protests%2C%20including%20the%20road%20to%20the%20Lebanon%26%2339%3Bs%20only%20international%20airport%20outside%20Beirut%20which%20is%20still%20shut.%20%22As%20of%209%3A00%20am%20%280600%20GMT%29%20we%20have%20no%20reports%20of%20any%20incidents%20in%20areas%20where%20the%20army%20has%20deployed%2C%22%20an%20army%20spokesman%20told%20newswire%20AFP.%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20An-Nahar%20newspaper%20said%20the%20army%20decision%20followed%20commitments%20from%20both%20camps%20to%20rein%20in%20their%20militants%20pending%20the%20outcome%20of%20crisis%20talks%20with%20an%20Arab%20League%20delegation%20due%20in%20Lebanon%20on%20Wednesday.%20%22Today%26%2339%3Bs%20agenda%3A%20The%20army%20takes%20hold%20of%20the%20streets...%20even%20by%20force%2C%22%20declared%20a%20headline%20in%20the%20As-Safir%20newspaper%2C%20which%20is%20close%20to%20the%20opposition.%20Bush%2C%20who%20leaves%20Washington%20on%20Tuesday%20for%20a%20trip%20to%20the%20Middle%20East%2C%20said%20his%20administration%20would%20help%20Prime%20Minister%20Fuad%20Siniora%20by%20strengthening%20his%20armed%20forces.%0D%0A%0D%0A%22I%20strongly%20condemn%20Hezbollah%26%2339%3Bs%20recent%20efforts%2C%20and%20those%20of%20their%20foreign%20sponsors%20in%20Tehran%20and%20Damascus%2C%20to%20use%20violence%20and%20intimidation%20to%20bend%20the%20government%20and%20people%20of%20Lebanon%20to%20their%20will%2C%22%20Bush%20said%20in%20a%20statement.%20%22The%20international%20community%20will%20not%20allow%20the%20Iranian%20and%20Syrian%20regimes%2C%20via%20their%20proxies%2C%20to%20return%20Lebanon%20to%20foreign%20domination%20and%20control.%22%0D%0A%0D%0AThe%20latest%20unrest%2C%20which%20dramatically%20raised%20the%20stakes%20in%20an%2018-month%20standoff%20between%20the%20ruling%20majority%20and%20the%20Syrian%20and%20Iranian-backed%20opposition%2C%20erupted%20after%20a%20government%20crackdown%20against%20Hezbollah%20activities%20which%20the%20Shi%26%2339%3Bite%20Muslim%20militant%20group%20said%20amounted%20to%20a%20declaration%20of%20war.%20The%20ensuing%20sectarian%20clashes%20saw%20Hezbollah%20gunmen%20and%20their%20allies%20take%20over%20large%20swathes%20of%20majority%20Sunni%20areas%20of%20mainly%20Muslim%20west%20Beirut%2C%20routing%20pro-government%20forces.%0D%0A%0D%0AHezbollah%20ended%20its%20takeover%20at%20the%20weekend%20but%20only%20after%20the%20army%20reversed%20the%20government%26%2339%3Bs%20decision%20to%20probe%20the%20group%26%2339%3Bs%20communication%20network%20and%20to%20reassign%20the%20head%20of%20airport%20security%20over%20claims%20he%20was%20close%20to%20Hezbollah."}; Lebanese troops were set to use force if necessary on Tuesday to disarm gunmen and enforce law and order after six days of deadly sectarian gunbattles that have thrown the nation into fear and chaos. The military had said that as of 6:00 am (0300 GMT) its troops were ready to resort to force to bring [...]]]> http://www.asiamena.com/2008/05/13/army-threatens-force-to-halt-fighting/feed/