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Singapore to create investment funds for Asias infrastructure needs

Singapore to create investment funds for Asias infrastructure needs Singapore is seeking to tap opportunities in Asias infrastructure building growth, and it hopes to attract investors by providing incentives for infrastructure funds. Asian countries are expected to spend US$250b a year over the next five years to build large-scale projects such as roads systems, bridges, and power generators, and Singapore aims to make it easier for both institutional and retail private investors to pool their money together to finance such projects. Singapores neighbours like Indonesia and Vietnam are now relying on offshore banks to lend them money for their infrastructure projects,

Asia Needs More Bond Funds to Finance Development, Nor Says

Asia Needs More Bond Funds to Finance Development, Nor Says Asia needs to create more regional bond funds to tap its high savings and fund economic development, Malaysias Second Finance Minister Nor Mohamed Yakcop said. A bigger and deeper regional bond market and integration of the regions financial systems must be achieved before countries can consider forming a single Asian currency, he said. To have a bond fund mechanism which can be utilized to fruitfully and constructively develop this region, particularly for infrastructure, would be a very good idea, Nor said in an interview. I certainly think there is a need

ONeill eyes Asia, then world

ONeill eyes Asia, then world FOOTBALL Federation Australia has set its sights on hosting the Asian Cup finals in 2011, chief executive John ONeill said yesterday. And the odds are he could still be around to see the move come off. Despite the fact he has played a big role in the turnaround of Australian soccer over the past two-and-a-half years, with his contract due to run out there has been conjecture over ONeills future at FFA. While he has been reluctant to discuss the matter over the past few months, he gave the clearest indication yet that he will be staying

Actis closes $130m fund for South East Asia

Actis closes $130m fund for South East Asia Emerging markets private equity investor Actis has closed its Actis ASEAN Fund on $130m. Investors in the fund include private sector institutional investors from North America, Europe and Asia. Actis closed its Actis Malaysia Fund on $60m in 2004. Due to investor interest the firm then decided to increase the fund size and turn the Malaysia-focused fund into a fund investing across the ASEAN region. Actis ASEAN Fund will have a special focus on investments in Malaysia, and it will also focus on investment opportunities in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand. More : altassets.com

LEAD: Japan eyes launching E. Asia-wide FTA talks in 2008+

LEAD: Japan eyes launching E. Asia-wide FTA talks in 2008+ Japan will propose to 15 Asian neighbors launching talks in 2008 aimed at a region-wide free trade agreement as a precursor to establishing an East Asian economic community, trade minister Toshihiro Nikai said Tuesday. Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Nikai told a press conference Japan will ask the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and China, South Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand to consider the regional FTA talks. If realized, the economic zone would include half the world's population and a quarter of its gross domestic product, officials said. The idea will be