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The article reports on the expansion and growth of the industry of ground calcium carbonate (GCC) as of April 2011. It is noted that Europe and North America are tailing behind Asia in GCC production. The growth is attributed to an increasing demand from the paper industry, which is cited as the main end market of GCC. The main challenges of the GCC market include increasing transport and energy costs.

The article presents information on investment banking in Asia. In practical terms, the Asian debt market divides into two broad segments. There is a commercial paper and certificate of deposit market, which is denominated in local currency. And there is a longer-term market, which is denominated in US dollars. The most active market for private clients is the short-term debt market. The Asia debt market has come into its own in the last year, with more and more clients buying, because inter- est rates are so low elsewhere. But Asian customers are interested only in the very short end. A quite different market is that in U.S. dollar longer-term Asian paper. This is based in the trading desks of the major U.S., European and Japanese houses. These desks cater both to institutions and private clients, perhaps a fifth of the paper eventually ends up with private clients. The sales teams in Singapore, Hong Kong, Sydney, and Tokyo distribute both Asian and non-Asian US dollar paper, partly selling it on to JP Morgan's private client group, through which it goes direct to clients.

This article discusses the trend in which the kaolin industry is reclaiming its share in the paper market. It observes the trend after the kaolin industry loses a market share from ground calcium carbonate (GCC). It notes declines in the number of refined kaolin producers in the global marketplace and the volume of kaolin produced worldwide. The article explores the effort of some producers to expand in Asia.

Information about several papers discussed at the in-house forum of the website Asialaw on paper due diligence on private equity target companies in Asia is presented. According to chief executive officer Scott Lane, it will not solve any purpose as accounts may not get give proper information. It discusses how printed material related to accounts can be misleading and falsely created and suggests companies to gather information through interviews and visiting websites.

The article reports that both of Asia's commercial paper (CP) markets, the Hong Kong dollar and the Australian dollar market, are becalmed. Each has been by a different set of factors, leading participants in each are in agreement on the currently lackluster state of the market. The reasons are various. One is certainly the fall in Australian interest rates, currently down to around 6.5% for CP, with further cuts anticipated, perhaps around the time of the August budget. That necessarily diminishes investor interest, certainly relative to the late 1980s, when the A$ was one of the world's highest yielding currencies. Nevertheless, so long as Australian rates remain above those in the U.S., there is an interest rate advantage to be had. Demand, too, will be there as more fixed income fund managers come to appreciate how CP can enable them to fill a "time gap" with an instrument that affords a slight pick up over interbank rates. Looking beyond Hong Kong to other Asian markets, the prospects for emerging OP markets are not good. Whatever problems afflict Hong Kong are felt more severely in emerging markets like Thailand and Malaysia.

Good morning from Fastmarkets MB's offices in Asia as we bring you the latest news and pricing stories on Monday October 8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article opines that innovation and flexibility will ensure the growth of Asia offshore commercial paper (CP) into 1990s. Paul Smith, manager at the capital markets group of ANZ McCaughan Securities (Company) in Hong Kong, sounds a cautionary note about the prospects for rapid growth. He feels that there is stiff competition among a few highly creditworthy names in the market. These top-notch names have often returned to the market in order to restructure their original financings. Since it was established in the early 1980s, the market has become highly sophisticated and has diversified into several different denominational currencies to complement the domestic CP markets in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. The paper is sold to investors as an alternative to straight bank deposits and as a means of diversifying credit exposure to the banking market. Most investors believe that bank paper is of high quality and often enjoys top credit ratings. The Asian CP investor base does, however, contain a strong retail element. In Hong Kong, in particular, the market provides the small investor with a short-term asset of reassuringly high quality in which to house his savings.

In a white paper published last week (18 October 2023), the Danish developer called for speed, scale, societal value and supply chain synergies to fully realise the green energy transition in the region. Ørsted highlights challenges and solutions for OSW, Asia Global offshore wind leader Ørsted has urged governments in the Asia-Pacific region to collaborate to address the challenges faced by the industry. [Extracted from the article]

The article reports on Andover E-Pulppaper Ltd.'s (AEPP) introduction of an online distribution and trading hub for the Asian paper industry. According to AEPP, the Web site had logged over $20 million in transactions in the two weeks prior to the site's October 18, 2000 opening. Some of the companies that serve as AEPP partners in the online trading program are Ariba, Arthur Andersen, Intel Corp., ABN Amro, Jardine Logistics, Digi Logistics, SGS, PowerBase, Asia Tech eBusiness and Pacific Century CyberWorks. The aim of the online venture is to bring off-line companies in the pulp and paper business on the Internet.

The article reports on the plan by German bank FMS Wertmanagement (FMS) to aim for a wider investor base for its second year in the commercial paper market. The bank plans to attract central banks and institutional investors in China, Japan and the U.S. The opinion of the bank's Tim Armbruster on their plan is also cited.

The article presents an update on the commercial paper market (CP) in Europe as of June 2007. Asian central bank buying has strengthened the CP market. French agency borrower Cades has printed $420 million and $400 million in two days in single transactions. Asscher Finance will start selling $660 million of income and mezzanine notes to support an initial portfolio worth $6 billion.

The article reports on the growth of the European commercial paper (CP) market due to the issuance of conduits and asset backed CP to finance new assets. The price of financial instruments have declined because of expectations that large banks will sell some of their assets in preparation for the end of fiscal year in November 2006. Demand for longer dated dollar persisted in Asia. CP Euro issuers anticipate that future rate from the European Central Bank will increase.

This article focuses on Asian trade finance. Trade finance in Asia is going through a gradual evolution that will push the region to greater efficiency. While this change may be measured in years rather than months, the landscape is already noticeably altered and the impact is substantial for an expanding legion of traders. All in all, a maturing trade environment underlines the trend as regional enterprises become more sophisticated and move closer to global practices. Three factors dominate Asian trade finance trends, according to Alistair Currie, head of trade services for Asia-Pacific at HSBC--namely, ever-changing technology, the methods used to fund trade finance along the supply chain, and trade flows. Asia comprises around US$1.5 trillion of the US$6 trillion in global trade, according to Citigroup. The bulk of this activity takes place in North Asia, and almost half of all Asian trade is inter-regional. The move to open account is attracting more and more attention across the region. Overseas purchasers have put tremendous pressure on vendors to provide open account services in order to move away from the high costs of letter of credit (LC) trade. Bankers are quick to point out that writing off the LC business is premature. The higher-risk nature of the Asian economies makes LC attractive for those selling into the region, and many suppliers demand LC despite the higher costs.

Reports on Asia Pulp & Paper Co.'s experiences in the Asian financial sector during 1997. Lengthening of Asia Pulp's maturity profile; Refinancing of existing bank loans and short term debt; Importance of a strong revenue team for successful securitizations; Decline of Asia Pulp's activities in the capital market for 1998.

Presents information on the commercial paper (CP) market in Europe in 2005. Value of total new issuance in the EuroCP market; European countries receiving increase in demand for sovereign supplies from central banks in Europe and Asia; Plans of Depfa Deutsche Pfandbriefbank to issue its CP program.

The article reports that mineral pigments demand in the Asian paper industry is forecast to increase significantly due to the development and growth of certain paper grades and fibre use.

This article reports on the financial crisis in Asia as of 1997. Asia's leaders, economists and research analysts working at investment banks and brokerages across Asia are in a state of denial of this crisis that has crippled the region in 1997. Asian researchers failed to spot the impending crash, which could be because of political sensitivities or the sheer lack of talent in their ranks. Asia's current economic woes have come as no surprise to economic forecaster Marc Faber. One of Asia's most famous bears, he has been forecasting doom for quite some time. Paul Krugman, a professor of economics, is another who has long argued that the region has overstretched itself. Faber points out in a recent edition that "when Krugman published his critical article about Asia's growth prospects, numerous articles by Asian hind managers and strategists countered that Krugman didn't know what he was talking about." Now is Krugman's moment of vindication. People in the region had begun to argue, he says, that Asia was "not part of the same economic universe as the rest of us. Fundamentally the point is: Asia operates under the same rules."

The article reports that investors in Europe and Asia searching for yield are looking into niche currency vanilla medium term notes (MTNs). It is noted that there has been consistent flow of issues in common niche currencies, which include Brazilian real, South African rand and New Zealand dollars. The World Bank issued a 3.1 year fixed rate note with a coupon of 7.4 percent.

Relates the views of several bond investors on the increase in the demand for Asian credit in 2005. Strategy to outperform the Asian benchmark of Pimco in 2004; Extent of credit curve that Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corp. Asset Management is willing to go in order to access supply or yield in a liquid market; Assessment by Deutsche Asset Management Inc. of the demand for Asian high yield paper.

The article focuses on the growth of the global precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) market. Key players in PCC production are mentioned including Omya, French conglomerate Imerys, and MineralsTechnologies Inc. (MTI). The greatest growth for the PCC industry is forecast to be in Asia. The automotive industry is identified as one of the key growth application areas for PCC.

Looks at the primary debt market in Asia. Details on offerings from Bayan Telecommunications Holding Corp. and Pan Asian Paper Company (Papco); Comments from officials at Papco; Credit rating awarded to Papco.

The Asia Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association's white paper on Asia's capital markets has highlighted the need for transparent and harmonised regulation across the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses the oversubscription of four times for the US$400 million global bond offering from Hyundai Motor Company, as of October 2003. It was one of seven Asian bond issues to hit the international market in the first week of September. Credit Suisse First Boston, JP Morgan and Morgan Stanley were the joint leads. The five-year bonds, which carry a semi-annual coupon rate of 5.50%, equivalent to 223 bps over U.S. treasuries, were four times oversubscribed by investors. Strong demand allowed the lead managers to increase the size of the offering from the targeted US$300 million. the offering was priced in line with global automotive companies like Ford and General Motors. Another factor that contributed to the success of the bond offering was the relative lack of pure corporate issuance from Korea. The offering attracted a broad range of global investors. About 32% of the deal was placed in the U.S., 23% in Europe and 45% in Asia.

Presents updates on syndicated loans in Asia as of December 5, 2003. Completion of the multi-tranche credit for Hebei Pan Asia Long-Teng Paper; Participation of Sino Land in the loan market via a dual tranche credit; Term loan for Global Chemicals (China) Co.

Provides information on several syndicated loan deals across Asia as of November 2003. Hebei Pan Asia Long-Teng Paper; PCCW-HKT; HongKong Electric; NWS Holdings.

This article describes the performance of American, European, and international banks in a survey of the Asian capital market. American investment banks rank first in 17 of the 31 poll categories and take up most of the top five positions. European institutions UBS Warburg, HSBC, Deutsche Bank, and BNP Paribas also make strong showings. Asian corporations were asked to name their favorite bank for raising capital internationally and domestically in 14 facilities that include equities, convertible bonds, Eurobonds, Yankee bonds, and asset-backed securitized financing. Respondents emphasize relationship banking.

The article reports on the dominance of China in the kaolin market of Asia. It states that the reduction in the production of kaolin in the U.S. and Great Britain boosted the outputs of China from 2007-2011. According to the author, the reduced production was caused by closure of excess capacity in the countries.

This section presents an update on syndicate loans in the Asia Pacific. Vietnam's An Hoa Paper signed a project loan through BNP Paribas, Calyon and Natixis in December 2009. Bukit Sembawang Estates closed a 700 million Singaporean dollar loan through DBS and OCBC. Steel manufacturer Dragon Steel Corp. completed its 618 million U.S. dollar seven year loan in December 2009.

The article offers information on the bond issue of Länderschatzanweisung 29. It states that the deal go international with demand from Asia as well as Benelux and France. It mentions that the issue was priced in line with the mid-swaps less 6 basis points (bp) guidance and the zero risk weighing serves as an attraction to investors that want to switch out of Pfandbrief paper which was also trading around the same level.

The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) is to tell Asian governments to resort to rough justice measures when implementing corporate governance measures in the region. Under suggestions to be published in the OECD's White Paper in June 2003, the organisation will encourage Asian policy makers and regulators to adopt less sophisticated rules, such as a complete ban on loans to company officers and directors, because these will be easier to enforce than subtle regulations. The White Paper will also call for Asian regulators to become more involved with negotiations over International Accounting Standards, which Europe is hoping to adopt by 2005.

The OECD's White Paper on Corporate Governance in Asia is to recommend greater protection of minority shareholders, improved bank governance and a focus on enforcement of laws and regulations. Regulators came together with regional and international policymakers and business leaders to discuss key reform proposals for the White Paper. Majority shareholders can strip assets from the company through abusive self-dealing, pay themselves excessive compensation, engage in insider trading or act in their own interests to the detriment of the company. Bank governance was another area identified for urgent reform.

Discusses the issue of whether the deflation contagion that has hit Asia will spread worldwide. Consequences of severe manufacturing overcapacity in Asia; Contribution of Western companies to the overcapacity; Effect of increase in exports and decrease in prices; Industries affected by deflation; Question on whether emerging-markets economies can improve before deflation hits Europe and the United States.

Digitization and blockchain developments are touted as the answers to the problem of warehouse receipt fraud and for boosting metals trade financing but the adoption of such solutions in Asia could prove uneven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers news briefs on the syndicated loan market in Asia as of January 2006. ANZ Investment Bank and Bank of Tokyo are among the lead arrangers for a loan deal signed by Hongkong Electric International Finance. The loan issued by Samson Paper Co. is divided between Hong Kong (HK) $182 million term loan and HK$72 million revolving credit. Bakrie Sumatera Plantation has closed the syndication of its multi-tranche financing. Malayan Banking Berhad selected Barclays Capital and Citigroup to lead its five year loan deal. The syndication of a loan for Alkas Realty has been launched by Standard Chartered.

When one of Asia's largest companies, Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd. (APP), collapsed in 2001 with debts of $13.9 billion, its creditors were left with no alternative but a hard fought informal restructuring of the group. The absence of any regional cross-border insolvency laws means a single administrator could not be appointed to the APP group, which has headquarters in Singapore but subsidiaries in Indonesia, China and India. Were an administrator appointed to the parent company in Singapore, that administrator would be unable to obtain assistance from, for example, the Indonesian courts to either run APP's subsidiaries in that country or realize their assets for the benefit of all creditors. Japan is the only country to have enacted legislation providing for cross-border insolvency law reform.

The article reports on the plans to issue sukuk, a sterling dominated paper to the British from well-rated southeast Asian issuers by CIMB Islamic as it predicts strong demand for such paper. According to Mohamad Safri Shahul Hamid, deputy chief executive officer (CEO) at CIMB Islamic in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, it will be an opportunity to develop the sukuk market by bringing high quality foreign names for the issuance of the sterling-dominated sukuk.

The article presents information on debt transactions in the bond market in Asia as of February 2006. The strong demand for a deal of Metropolitan Bank & Trust Co. has traded the paper up 50 bills payable on a cash basis. There have been some euro demand for a deal of Export-Import Bank of Korea.

This article focuses on financial deals in Asia from 1989 to 2003. Prior to the deal between Yuen Foong Yu Paper Manufacturing and Bankers Trust International, Taiwan's equity market was shut to foreign investors except through four closed-end funds. But following complex negotiations with the Ministry of Finance about the first euro-convertible bond, Bankers Trust successfully opened up a market that had previously been closed off to many foreigners. The deal that topped in the region was the global depository receipt arranged for Korea's Samsung Corp. by Credit Suisse First Boston. International investors were allowed direct access to the Korean equity markets. But what also made the deal continue to stand out was that it was carried out in a very bearish market. The deal that beats the initial public offering of Brilliance China Automotive is the convertible preference share deal of the Philippine Long Distance Co. It was the largest equity offering from the Philippines and it was also the largest convertible offering in the U.S. by a foreign issuer. The deal of 1994 that stood out was in the equity markets and was the part privatization of state-owned telecom company, Indonesian Satellite Corp. in Indonesia. It was the first Indonesian company to be dual listed on the Jakarta and New York Stock Exchanges and it was the first attempt to privatize a state-owned company.

This paper focuses on cash management in Asia. Cash management in Asia is particularly complex because of the disparate regulations, currencies and business culture. In the sub-continent, for example, the number of clearing zones is a challenge to the most seasoned banker. India is one of the most profitable cash management markets in Asia and China is the most promising. Indonesia is another big market and has the additional complexity of political risk. This paper also presents the overall best global and regional cash management bank in Asia including Japan.

Discusses the economic recovery of the debt market of several countries in Asia. Philippines; Korea; Hongkong; China; Malaysia.

The FSB has released its consultation paper on total loss-absorbing capacity. But Asian banks face implementation challenges [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher rebar paper prices on Friday August 2 saw the OTC iron ore market post gains, despite physical iron ore prices edging lower. Forward curve [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a 500 million dollar bond issue from Fita International Ltd. launched in the Asian debt market on February 3, 2010, with books reportedly raised about 2.6 billion dollars with 170 orders for the paper.

The article reports that most spreads are returning to near normal levels in the asset-backed sector, less than 1bp wider, as of July 20, 2007. It notes the frustration of dealers at the lack of flows in other products. Dealers also cited strong dollar buying from Asian accounts. It states that good swap ensured that dollar borrowers got plenty done in sterling.

The article presents an update on the equity market in Asia as of March 3, 2006. Golden Eagle Retail Group has begun marketing its initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong, China. Nine Dragons Paper decided to price its IPO at the top of the offer range through joint arrangers BNP Paribas Peregrine and Merrill Lynch. Citigroup sold shares in Gail, formerly Gas Authority of India.

The article focuses on issues related to the capital market in Asia as of February 2006. Nomura has been selected as the sole bookrunner of the shares to be issued by the Bank of Ikeda. Commonwealth Bank of Australia plans to issue Perpetual Exchangeable Repurchaseable Listed Shares. BNP Paribas, Merrill Lynch and Bank of China International are the managers of the 1 billion new shares to be sold by Nine Dragons Paper.

The article presents an update on the equity capital market in Asia as of February 2006. UBS has completed the sale of the 29% stake of Universal Robina Corp. in the Philippines. Orica plans to raise $370 million equities to finance its acquisition of Dyno Nobel in Australia. Nine Dragons Paper Industries has mandated BNP Paribas, Bank of China International and Merrill Lynch to sell its shares at the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.

The article focuses on the deals and firms that are nominated for this year's Asian awards. The winners of the Asian awards will be announced at a dinner to be held on March 11 at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, China. Deals of the year include debt and equity-linked, equity, merger and acquisitions, securitization, restructuring, distressed asset and project finance. Some of the nominated firms are Korean Air Lines Co. Ltd., Asia Pulp & Paper Co. Ltd., Indosat Finance Co., AES China Generating Co. Ltd. and others.

This article presents details of a discussion between four Asian investors about trends in the bond market in Asia. They include: Muska Chiu of Citigroup Private Bank in Hong Kong, China; Eugene Kim of Tribridge Investment Partners in Hong Kong; Arthur Lau of JF Asset Management in Hong Kong; Martin Otway of UniCredit Markets & Investment Banking in Singapore. They discuss the importance of Asian versus non-Asian allocations in their portfolios and how their views on financial institution paper had changed since the credit crunch took hold.

Presents updates on syndication loan deals in Asia as of April 4, 2003. Arrangers that launched a financing deal for China Ocean Shipping; Increase of the credit facility for Samson Paper; Progress of a syndication deal for Korea Development Bank; Mandate awarded to IOI Corp. Bhd. for the refinancing of its bridge facility to Citigroup.