Search

Discusses Australia's wine industry and reasons that its winemakers are considered natural partners for the United States industry. Experience of Australian producers in the global market; Example of Southcorp Ltd.'s negotiations with California wineries and the company's valuation; Advantage of climate that Australia has for growing grapes.

Reports on the economic transformation of Asian countries due to offshore private investors. Profiles of several Asian businessmen; Fluctuations in the wealth of Asian entrepreneurs and their willingness to take risks; The role of information technology in India; How the structure of Japanese companies changed with the advent of the Internet and the effect it has on older workers; Distrust of the Japanese media for young entrepreneurs. INSET: Pachinko Warrior.

Focuses on the quota system imposed by the United States on the import clothing trade. The effect of quotas on the price of clothing; Methods used by foreign manufacturers to circumvent the protectionism of quotas; Countries in which quota rights are traded as commodities; The changing nature of US rules regarding trade barriers. INSET: The Parachute Quota Has Been Lifted.

Discusses how the international air express industry has become one of the great beneficiaries and enablers of today's global economy. The key part they play in the door-to-door movement of time-sensitive packages; Industries that still move products by boat; How manufacturers are competing less on product and quality and more on inventory turns and speed to market.

Profiles former actor Philippine President Joseph (Erap) Estrada. Economic statistics of the country; Comparison of Estrada's screen roles and his actions as president; His embrace of the open market system; Continuation of the economic reforms enacted by the previous administration; Compliance of Estrada with the Asia Free Trade area; Signs of integration into the world economy; His weekly radio addresses.

Discusses the increased use of robots in Japan, where they are used in companies of all sizes, as well as in hospitals, restaurants and concert halls. In contrast, US companies have found robots an embarrassing failure, despite the fact that robots were invented in the US. Advantages of robots; Solution to labor shortage; Reasons for US problems with robots; US robots comeback. INSET: `I'm a guru when I get to Japan' (interviews US robot inventor....

The article focuses on the economic and political condition of Taiwan as of 1989. Throughout the Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, Taiwan's standard of living developed rapidly, thanks to the laissez-faire economic system allowed by Chiang Kai-shek, President of the Republic of China and the director of Kuomintang, and later his son, Chiang Ching-kuo. But while the Chiangs went along with economic freedom, they retained, through their somewhat sinister Kuomintang apparatus, tight control over Taiwan's political system. Now, that authoritarian concentration of political power is cracking under the weight of the successful decentralized economy--yet another confirmation that there really is a difference between authoritarian and totalitarian regimes. INSET: Nipponophilia (discusses Taiwan's shoppers)..

The article discusses the promising industrial growth of South Korean companies particularly the Samsung Group, a company engaged on electronics, finances and insurance owned by Chairman Kun-hee Lee. The company and the country's economy is growing twice as fast as Japan and promises to become another major challenge to U.S. industries. Moreover, Korean businesses looks for Japanese companies as models and budgeting large amounts not only for marketing but for research and development as well.

The article discusses the increase in the number of billionaires in Japan and questions if the country's wealth dependence can give trouble in Japan's future as of July 1987. Topics include a background on Japan's prominent billionaires such as Shoji Uehara, Taikichiro Mori, and Masatoshi Ito, the dominance of real estate businesses among the listed new billionaires, and Japan's tax policy.

The article focuses on mercantilism, an economic system adopted by Taiwan in its struggle for economic progress. As an economic system, mercantilism led the government of Taiwan to adopt wise policies especially in producing and exporting products. Mercantilist and thrifty ways of Taiwan led the country to economic progress and serve as a good example for other Third World countries in overcoming their problem on poverty.

The article focuses on Y.C. Wang, Taiwan's leading industrialist and one of the world's wealthiest men. He is an industrialist cut from an older capitalist mode. Wang makes a handsome return from polyvinyl chloride. Wang and his family directly own at least 25% of Formosa Plastics Group, 20% of Nan Ya Plastics Corp. and 30% of Formosa Chemicals & Fiber Corp. Wang insists every fresh graduate he hires dirty his hands in factories for six months before working in the headquarters. Wang's English is limited to a few terms like "welcome" and "no problem." The rise from poverty to riches required an intensive concentration that did not leave much time for book learning.

The article presents information about the population of Chinese settled in Monterey Park, California. The city of 59,000 is 40% Asian and about three-fourths of those are Chinese. Little Taipei they call it in Hong Kong and Taiwan. Over there, Monterey Park is the place to go to, a mini-international financial and commercial center, a haven for flight capital. Combined deposits at the city's banks, mostly small and Chinese-run, are at least $1.5 billion, which works out to $25,000 for every man, woman and child in Little Taipei. But then Chinese are big savers and even a modestly well-off immigrant brings in $50,000.

The article focuses on the contribution of high technology companies in Taiwan to the economic growth of the country. Topics covered include the efforts of Taiwanese engineer Miin Wu in forming computer chips manufacturer Macronix International Co. in Taiwan in 1989 by mixing a U.S. technology base with Taiwanese manufacturing technology and the increase in numbers of technology firms in the country that are run by Taiwanese engineers and scientists who have returned from the U.S. with skills. INSET: Taiwan's Valley Boys.

The article presents an interview with former Singaporean prime minister Lee Kuan Yew about the Asian financial crisis in 1998. Topics covered include the steps that could be taken by the U.S. and the European countries to help alleviate the financial crisis, whether Asia can recover if the Japanese yen stays weak, and his views on the currency board for Indonesia.

Profiles Asian businessman Robert Kuok and his deal with the Coca-Cola Co. His business dealings in the East; Kuok's personal background and early experiences; How Kuok built his company, the Kerry Group and his Shangri-La hotels; His interests in China as a market. INSET: A tasteful host..

Focuses on economic development and conditions in China in 1997. China's high savings rate and inexhaustible supply of willing workers; Its attractiveness to foreign investors; The lack of political democracy; China as saddled with overstaffed, inefficient, moneylosing state industries; The development of the China-Singapore Suzhou Industrial Park; Why Singapore's Lee Kuan Yew is revered in China; Challenges facing the Chinese government. INSET: Hope for Suzhou Industrial Park..

Looks at Asia's Silk Road. Its history; Sites, services, and cuisine in Kashgar, China; The revival of interest in the Silk Road; The drawbacks of visiting, including road and hygiene problems; Description of Turfan and Urumqi; Recommended reading on the silk road. INSET: How to get get there, (Silk Road) by Alexandra Alger.

Focuses on town and village enterprises (TVEs) in Rongqi, China. What they are; The expansion in industrial output at TVEs; Fact that they are creating most of the new nonfarm jobs in China; Why their ownership is somewhat of a mystery; Their growth surprising China's leaders and foreign economists; Some TVEs as tightly controlled by local government, and some as capitalist in all but name.

The article focuses on the rapid economic growth in East Asia (EA) and looks at how it will affect the U.S. and other countries. Topics covered include the EA's beneficial integration with the U.S. in the farm sector and technological capability which will bring growth for both economies, the expansion of a wide range of markets including medical equipment and services, entertainment and franchising, and the level of foreign direct investment in the region.

This article reports that China is acting belligerently toward Taiwan because it fears the democracy in Taiwan could spread to China. Taiwan has less than 2% of the population of China. Not from any threat to Chinese unity: Taiwan President Lee Teng-hui does not advocate political independence for his island, nor does he deny that it is Chinese. Taiwan's threat to Beijing, China is moral rather than material--and therefore perhaps a greater threat. The free election for president on Taiwan on March 23 highlights the embarrassing contrast between the modern society on Taiwan and the primitive one in China.

Observes the geopolitical impact of the change in China's eating habits. Dependence of China on the United States, Canada, and other efficient grain producers; China having 21 percent of the world's population and only 7 percent of the arable land; 1.2 billion Chinese moving up the food chain; The good news for American farmers; United States farm exports to China in 1995 expecting to more than double. INSETS: Asian carnivores;Trust the market;Half free.

Highlights `Forbes' magazine's 1995 list of the world's ten richest business people. How two United States citizens top the list for the first time in nine years; The estimated worth of William H. Gates III, Warren Buffett, Hans Rausing, Yoshiaki Tsutsumi, Paul Sacher, Tsai Wan-lin, Kenneth R. Thomson, Lee Shau Kee, Chung Ju-yung and Li Ka-shing; Ethnic backgrounds; Reasons for changes in position since 1994's list; How these men made their money. INSETS: The talk of the Bursa Efek Jakarta;Meet the family.

Informs that Indonesia is spawning new wealth at an astounding rate in 1995. How `Forbes' reporters uncovered six new billionaires in Indonesia in 1995; How Indonesia is often overlooked by the outside world, yet outpaces both China and India in steady economic growth; Brief political history of the country; The growth of the middle-class in Indonesia; History of economic development over the past thirty years. INSETS: The talk of the Bursa Efek Jakarta;Meet the family.

Discusses current business trends in the city of Shanghai, China. Overview of the city's early history; How it has fared under communist rule; Why Shanghai is undergoing a feverish building boom. INSET: Where to stay, by A.T..

Offers suggestions on how people can enjoy the sites while conducting business in Beijing. Must-see sights, including the Forbidden City; The Watch Museum; The Temple of Heaven; China World Hotel; Other highlights. INSETS: Marco Polo's favority (Hangzhou), by A.T.;Tips for business travelers, by A.T..

Focuses on the success of economic reforms which came to the country via democracy and states that the progress in the Philippines is impressive. Comments from Ricardo Pascua, president of Metro Pacific Corp.; Projected increase in the country's economy; Fidel Ramos, who was elected Philippine president in 1992 and his attempts to dismantle the outmoded protectionism of his country; Filipinos who blame the country's previous problems on the late Ferdinand Marcos.

Focuses on Asia's ethnic Chinese and comments on the success of many of them at creating wealth and enriching others in their homeland. Dhanin Chearavanont, of Thailand, one of the wealthiest people in the world--and his Sino-Tha empire, the Charoen Pokphand Group; Overseas Chinese and economic development in other areas. INSET: Carriers of prosperity.

The article states that despite current fears of an inflationary blow off, it is not inconceivable that early in the next century, China could become the world's biggest economy. Fueled with money from second jobs, flouted taxes and underground economic activity, the Chinese economy is growing 9% a year, even though it's prone to boom-bust cycles. Socialist taxation is widely ignored. Almost no one reports his or her true income, and incentive payments at primary jobs often go unreported. In fact, few workers pay in- come taxes. Because the remnants of the socialist state still shower urban workers with huge subsidies, most of their income gains go right down to disposable income. The same China that today offers a welcome and hospitable market for foreign businesses will one day provide strong competition for world markets.

Discusses the booming smuggling business and states that in times of rapid economic and political change, smuggling becomes a global growth business. Smugglers don't register their trade with local customs inspectors; Firm statistics are hard to come by.

Discusses the decline of the American bicycle industry with Schwinn filing for bankruptcy in October. How a great American company lost its way through management blunders, and creating powerful competitors; How Schwinn gave away its technology,engineering and volume to its competitors.

This article reports that China's Guangdong province is firmly set on a road to capitalist prosperity. A $1 billion six-lane toll-levying superhighway, scheduled for completion in mid-1994, will tie Guangdong closer to adjacent, free enterprise Hong Kong and further integrate the two economies. When it is finished, Guangdong will be far closer ideologically as well as geographically to Hong Kong than to Beijing. As recently as 1984, Guangdong ranked fifth among provinces in China in exports, but that was before economic reforms and a massive migration of industry from Hong Kong transformed the economy. As in Korea and Taiwan in the 1960s and 1970s, Guangdong's exports are fueling a blaze of growth.

Shows how, not by bureaucratic or military design but by spontaneous human action, Japan is remaking the face of Asia. The remaining question is, however, where do the Americans fit into this picture? How Asia's economies are transforming themselves so rapidly; Asian trade-bloc is developing; Intra-Asian trade is booming; Why American business is playing a diminishing role; More.

This article focuses on the business strategies of K. Anji Reddy, who founded Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. in India. Reddy is lobbying the government in Indian to adopt and enforce the international drug-patent regime, something Delhi has promised to do by 2005 under a World Trade Organization agreement. India, with its flowering of English-fluent and scientifically literate minds, just might rise above the business of making generic drugs and ripping off patents. Dr. Reddy's invests 6.5% of its $276 million sales in research, a habit it began in 1994.

The article discusses the development and operations of notebook computer manufacturer Quanta Computer Inc. based in Taiwan. Topics covered include the use by Quanta of ghost manufacturers, the engineering talent assigned to its contracts, and the evolution of Taiwan's electronics factories. Also mentioned is the flexible manufacturing lines designed by Quanta founder Barry Lam.

Focuses on investment opportunities in India. Comparison of developing markets in China and India; How Scobie Ward, chief investment officer of Lloyd George Management, chooses companies to invest in for his LG Asian Smaller Companies Fund; Suggestion that software companies in India could begin to dominate the industry.

Reports on the growth in the cellular phone industry in China. Number of subscribers; Market domination by Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia; Telecommunications role in China's economic modernization; Price reduction in products and services; Lack of pricing mechanism for air time; Marketing strategies by Motorola.

Focuses on Singapore's acceptance of change and globalization. Use of the Asian financial crisis to liberalize its financial sector, cut taxes and encourage skilled immigrants; Computer usage and Internet penetration; The Singapore ONE network; Government commitment to technology, and the goal of becoming the world's first entirely wired society.

Focuses on foreign brewing companies in China. Losses incurred by breweries, including Foster's of Australia, Anheuser-Busch of the United States, Lion Nathan of New Zealand and others; Chinese beer consumption statistics; Mistakes made by the breweries; Anheuser-Busch's long-run prospects.

Discusses the effects of the Asian financial crisis. United States industries which are closing plants and announcing losses; Asian firms' export to the US of products they cannot sell at home; Estimate of 1998 Asian private consumption; Japan's reluctance to close factories; Asian failure to come to terms with the self-correcting mechanism of the capital market system; The US trade deficit with China; US steel industry requests for government protection.

Explains why you should not look for an early recovery in the Japanese stock market. Presents an interview with Akio Mikuni, 51, one of that nation's smartest analysts, who sees a multiyear bear market both in stock and in land. Polarization; Bankruptcies; Declining prices.

The article offers information on the decentralization of the economic and political power in Korea under the administration of President Chun Doo Hwan. According to the oppositions, power is concentrated on the family-controlled conglomerates, the chaebol. The people think that the government and the industrialists have conspired to hold down wages. This is the point of the oppositions in the coming election, to break the chaebol and change the political condition in the country.

The article profiles Chang Yung-fa, operator of the Taiwanese shipping conglomerate Evergreen Group (EG). Topics discussed include the start of EG in 1968 with the assistance of Japanese company Marubeni Corp., change of the industry's history with Chang's launch of a worldwide service after ordering 24 ships in 1983 and the maintenance of the fleet Chinese crew to the disadvantage of the competition. Also mentioned is the reputation of Chang in recognizing the value of quality service.

The article discusses how Japanese firms cope with a declining commodity business without firing people. Japanese companies avert this economic slump by arranging transfers of workers to affiliated firms in slightly or entirely different lines of business, by working with government-sanctioned cartels to prop up prices, and by spending more budget on research. Toray Industries Inc.'s restructuring approach were also evaluated and were compared to that of the U.S.'s.

The article reports on the marketing strategy of Tadao Aoi, president of Marui Co. Ltd. to expand the company in Tokyo, Japan. Aoi achieved his success in the business by targeting Japan's young adult consumers especially college students and single workers. He offers fashionable clothing and credit cash cards to attract younger customers.

The article focuses on the stunning postwar success of Japan's Yamaha brand products manufactured by Yamaha Motor Co. and Nippon Gakki Co. Accordingly, the success can be credited to its production of many varied kinds of products which range from tennis rackets and skis to musical instruments and yachts. The idea to produce numerous products, further, allegedly came about after Genichi Kawakami realized in 1953 that Japanese likewise spends time enjoying recreational products after work.

The article shows how Japanese retailer Masatoshi Ito, founder, president and majority stockholder of retail store operator Ito-Yokado Co. in Japan, succeeded in business by copying U.S. marketing concepts and adapting them to the Japanese lifestyle. A background on Ito's education and career is presented. It highlights the strategic moves by Ito to grow his business including a licensing agreement, targeting of the young, urban working population, and opening of coffee shop-style restaurants.

The article presents information about the cosmetics company Shiseido Co. Ltd. Today Shiseido is a $1.9 billion cosmetics company. Annual growth in Japan's $5 billion cosmetics market has slowed to a 1% to 2% crawl. The secret to Shiseido's growth over the decades has been its network of 25,000 franchised stores. During the 1950s and 1960s Shiseido led fashion trends. Since 1982 Shiseido has segmented its product line, targeting five age groups. Shiseido holds over $600 million, or 40% of its assets, in liquid portfolio investments. Income from this hoard came to 27% of Shiseido's $190 million pretax profit last year.

The article focuses on the automobile parts in Taiwan. The industry, a $400 million-a-year exporter, is well developed. Assembly-line wage rates, around $3 an hour, including fringe benefits, are just 25% of Japan's and on a par with Korea's. The island's competitive and expanding steel industry should provide plenty of raw material. Through Ford Lio Ho Motor Co. Ltd., a 70%-owned local subsidiary, Ford will begin exporting 30,000 cars a year in 1986 after expanding its local plants. Ford will export the Laser, a car with a 1500cc engine.

The article focuses on Xiamen, one of China's four Special Economic Zones (SEZ), which is not only reopening its doors to Western capitalists but rolling out the red carpet for them. For three years after Xiamen opened its SEZ in October 1980, the response was embarrassingly feeble. But in recent months the pace has quickened and some pillars of American capitalism, including Eastman Kodak, R.J. Reynolds and Coca-Cola, have signed up. By June foreign investors had signed contracts for 82 projects worth $385 million, 53 of those signed in the first half of 1984 alone. Xiamen, like the other zones, offers foreign capitalists three- to-five-year tax holidays, followed by a flat corporate income tax rate of 15%, less than Hong Kong's 18.5%.

Reports on the software piracy industry in Asia. The example of Walt Disney's animated film `Mulan' being sold illegally in shopping arcades in Hong Kong on video compact disc (VCD); The cost to American companies in terms of lost revenues; Piracy of entertainment software attracting organized crime; Effect of piracy on the Hong Kong film industry; Copyright piracy and the problem of Asia's economic collapse; Reason the United States is not a market for pirated copies.