• briefing asia infrastructure aug 15, 2006 • briefing asia energy aug 15, 2006

• BRIEFING - ASIA INFRASTRUCTURE - AUG 15, 2006

• BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - AUG 15, 2006

• Genetic mutation acts as a shield; Why do some HIV patients fare better than others? CAROLYN ABRAHAM investigates

• STTC Signs Contracts with Verizon, EMC Storage, Transamarerica and Network Appliance

• The International Top 30.

• PCs for the Poor - As Good As Their Hype?

• This Day (Nigeria) - AAGM: ZTE Phones, Gateway to Technology Transfer.

• ZTE Phones, Gateway to Technology Transfer

• BG GROUP plc - Q2 2006 Results

• Fighting In Middle East Enters Tenth Day

• Nigeria promoting power plant projects in China

• NIGERIA PROMOTING POWER PLANT PROJECTS IN CHINA

• China Mobile saidly contacts Swiss company on investment in Nigeria

• Daily Market Movers Digest Stock Alerts, Friday, July 14th, NSOL, XKEM, XSNX, TGLO, CRGO

• Domestic news items from Xinhua -- July 13 (1)

• Nigerian gov't urged to give green light to Chinese investors

• www.growthstockanalyst.com , On the Move: SOEN, MGMX, OCAI, GTXC, XKEM

• Chinese diplomat urges Nigeria to give green light to Chinese investors

• Nigerian gov't urged to give green light to Chinese investors

• HSBC Investor High Yield Fixed Income Fund - Class I - Part 1

• HSBC Investor Intermediate Duration Fixed Income Portfolio (Master) - Part 1

• This Day (Nigeria) - AAGM: Nigeria to Earn $3 Billion from FDI in Non-Oil Sector--Iweala.

• I'm Not About Politics, Says Okonjo-Iweala

• China Mobile saidly contacts Swiss company on investment in Nigeria

• ISRO eager to launch Rs 800-cr `satnav' biz

• DJ Nigeria Hires Brazilian Firm To Develop Ethanol Law

• Nigeria Hires Brazilian Firm To Develop Ethanol Law

• Oil: Economic war for Africa's loyalties begins

• Thirst for oil fuels China's grand safari in Africa

• Daily Market Movers Digest Stock Alerts, Friday, June 30th, VXGN, XKEM, WDPT, PTSEF, SOEN

• China And Africa - for Better Or for Worse?

• www.growthstockanalyst.com , Wellington Research gives SOEN a rating of "Outperform".

• Nigeria's Fire

• www.smallcapstockalert.com , Stocks To Watch: SOEN, CRSX, SBRX, XKEM, BCON

• www.focusstockreport.com , eNotes Systems, Inc. is a software, business intelligence, and technology company,

• BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - JUNE 26, 2006

• www.smallcapstockwatch.com , Over $250 billion set aside for The Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act : A Legacy for Users

• Daily Market Movers Digest Stock Alerts, Friday, June 23rd, ITPD, XKEM, TDCP, SKPI, BKMP

• www.analystresearchreport.com :Tao Minerals to Acquire Two Additional Gold Mining Projects in Southwestern Colombia with World-Class Potential

• OTC STOCK ALERT!

• Power Grid Corp net up 28.4% ; Power Grid Corporation of India has posted 28.4 per cent...

• Governments Says America Still Unprepared to Handle Emergencies; Hadith Marine's Lawyer Says No Crime, No Cover-Up; Tiger Woods Misses The Cut; Personal Information on the Internet

• China gives Zimbabwe economic lifeline: Energy and mining deals are worth pounds 700m: Asian summit underlines Beijing's global role

• Daily Market Movers Digest Stock Alerts, Friday, June 16th, SQUM, CWPC, XKEM, TREN, GNOLF

• China gives Zimbabwe economic lifeline: Energy and mining deals are worth pounds 700m Asian summit underlines Beijing's global role

• China is dominant force in many African nations / In purchasing resources, nation affects economies, products, politics

• Country Signs Mining And Power Deals With China

• In Africa, China brings growth and unease --- Its hunt for markets, raw materials fuels concerns for future

• This Day (Nigeria) - AAGM: Police Declare Chinese Wanted Over N200m Scam.

• In Africa, China Trade Brings Growth, Unease; Asian Giant's Appetite for Raw Materials, Markets Has Some Questioning Its Impact on Continent

• www.growthstockanalyst.com , Stocks To Watch: SOEN, ADVC, XKEM, MNCP, HLSH

• As China Rises, So Does Its Risk Doing business in unstable countries has made Beijing a target.

• www.smallcapstockalert.com , Stocks on the Move: SOEN, DPHIQ, UNCN, ICOS, XKEM

• AERO VODOCHODY

• www.smallcapstockalert.com , Stocks On the Move: SOEN, MGMX, OCAI, GTXC, XKEM

• Africa Needs a Strategy to Deal With Its New Friends

• Militants Kidnap 8 Foreign Oil Workers

• Leo S. Young, President of Solar EnerTech Corp., DIscusses Recent News in an Audio Interview at SmallCapVoice.com

• Daily Market Movers Digest Stock Alerts, Monday, June 5th, HRZO, XKEM, NEOM, AOOR, COPY

• BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - JUNE 5, 2006

• BUSINESS IN ASIA TODAY - JUNE 5, 2006

• Hard to hold the line on borders - In the age of e-mail and global markets, boundaries aren't always where we'd like them to be

• Tinubu Woos Chinese Investors to Lekki Free Trade Zone

• PC For The Masses -- The world's poor can't afford computers and vendors need new markets. Enter the cheap PC.

• 1986 AND ALL THAT...

• BORDERLINE; It's Not About Maps

• China Mobile pursues $5.3-billion acquisition; Purchase of Millicom would be largest overseas takeover by a Chinese company

• New vaccine can help save children from deadly virus.

• China Mobile Nears $5.3 Billion Deal for Millicom --- Beijing's Biggest Purchase Overseas Would Intensify Push Into Emerging Markets

• Luxembourg mobile firm attracts Chinese suitor

• WSJA(5/25) China Mobile Pursues $5.3 Billion Acquisition

• China Mobile pursues $5.3 billion acquisition

• TwinTrader.com Alerts for Tuesday, May 23, 2006 OWHC, SRLM, RSHN, NNSR and CHCG.

• Nigeria's Deadly Days

• CHRONOLOGY-Chinese-African deals

• How Oil Fuels Nigeria's Politics

• VOA NEWS: CHINA FLEXES ITS ECONOMIC MUSCLE IN AFRICA

• Intel Unveils Mobile Personal Computer

• Intel unveils new low-cost PC for developing nations

• Intel unveils new low-cost PC for developing nations

• Intel unveils new low-cost PC for developing nations

• The dark side of India's success: Half the world's 146 million undernourished children live in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan

• Nigerian unions monitoring delta attack, no plans to pull workers

• Shell says Nigeria's Warri calm, no word on resuming output

• India's rising star eclipsed by extreme poverty, hunger: : Half of children malnourished

• Protect your IP; In China and elsewhere, intangible assets are more at risk than most CEOs think

• China looks attractive to some African regimes

• REPEAT: Nigerian militants target fuel tankers with car bomb

• Bomb: Mend Claims Responsibility

• Militants Warn China Over Oil in Niger Delta

• DJ Nigeria Militants Warn Chinese Govt, Oil Cos: Stay Away

• China's new push on the African continent

• Nigerian militants target fuel tankers with car bomb

• DJ Nigeria Militants Warn Chinese Govt, Oil Cos: Stay Away

• UPDATE 1-Nigeria bomb destroys 5 oil trucks, no casualties

• DJ Nigeria Militants Warn Chinese Govt,Oil Cos: Stay Away -2

• Nigerian militants target fuel tankers with car bomb

• Nigeria Militants Warn Chinese Govt, Oil Cos: Stay Away

• UPDATE 3-Nigeria militants say explode car bomb in oil delta

• New partnership needed in new era

BRIEFING - ASIA INFRASTRUCTURE - AUG 15, 2006
905 words

15 August 2006

Asia Pulse

APULSE

English

(c) 2006 Asia Pulse Pty Limited
An executive briefing on infrastructure for Aug 15, 2006, prepared by Asia Pulse ( http://www.asiapulse.com ), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities.
MORE THAN US$43 MLN NEEDED TO UPGRADE RESERVOIRS IN VIETNAM
HANOI - The Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has asked the Government to allocate VND700 billion (over US$43 million) to repair and upgrade 120 unsafe reservoirs across the country this year.
The ministry has also instructed the Department of Water Resources, in co-ordination with local authorities, to make regular check-ups and repair the irrigation networks during the wet season.
FRANCE HELPS VIETNAM TO MODERNISE RAILWAY SIGNAL SYSTEM
HANOI - The French Government has decided to finance 40.3 million Euros (US$51 million) to the second phase of a project to modernise the traffic signal system of the railway route linking Hanoi with central Vinh city.
The project, with an investment capital of over 1.08 trillion VND (equal to 51.4 million Euros) in the second phase, will build optical cable networks, digital switchboards, and electric facilities for 36 stations on the route.
MALAYSIA'S DECISION TO CANCEL 'SCENIC BRIDGE' PROJECT STAYS: PM
KUALA LUMPUR - Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the government will not reverse its decision to cancel the "scenic bridge" project to replace the Johor Causeway as demanded by former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.
He said the Cabinet had discussed the project in detail before deciding to cancel it.
AUST'S BORAL POSTS ANNUAL NET PROFIT OF US$275 MLN FOR FY2005-06
SYDNEY - Boral Ltd (ASX:BLD) says profit for this financial year will be comparable to its result for 2005/06.
The company today reported a net profit of $A362.4 million ($US274.83 million) for the year ended June 30, down 1.9 per cent on the previous corresponding year.
DELAY IN CONSTRUCTION OF TAIWAN'S NUCLEAR PLANT COSTS US$2.2 BLN
TAIPEI - How much does a policy flip-flop cost? For stopping and then resuming construction on the fourth nuclear power plant in Taipei County, taxpayers paid NT$7.2 billion (US$2.2 million), according to a report released by the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) Monday.
Meanwhile, the total budget for building the controversial plant has been adjusted upward from NT$169.7 billion to NT$233.5 billion, the CEPD said, adding that if all goes well, the power plant will begin commercial operations in 2009.
AUST'S ALINTA INFRASTRUCTURE BOOKS 79 PCT SLIDE IN H1 NET PROFIT
SYDNEY - Alinta Infrastructure Holdings (ASX:AIH) has reaffirmed its distribution guidance for the year despite reporting a decline in first half net profit.
The company reported a net profit for the first half of $A908,000 ($US688,581.8), a 79 per cent decrease on the prior corresponding period.
US' RECKSON LURES COST CUTTING BUSINESSES TO SUBURBAN OFFICES
MELBOURNE - US office block investor Reckson New York Property Trust (ASX:RNY) says future return on its suburban property assets will be driven by businesses seeking to lower their costs by moving out of pricey metropolitan areas.
Australian-listed Reckson made the comments as it posted a first half net profit of $A25.96 million ($US19.87 million), or A9.86 cents per partly paid unit.
IRAN, BELARUS INK FOUR COOPERATION DEALS
TEHRAN - During his recent visit to Belarus, Minister of Industries and Mines Alireza Tahmasbi signed four cooperation agreements with Belarus state officials.
Director General of the International Relations Department of the Ministry of Industries and Mines Qader Soleymani said this on Sunday in a briefing to reporters on the outcome of Tahmasbi's visit to Belarus.
PHILIPPINE GOVT HAS FUNDS FOR MEGA PROJECTS
MANILA - The national government has more than enough money to finance all the mega projects of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo amounting to P369.21 billion (US$7.2 billion) for the next four years.
Budget Secretary Rolando Andaya Jr. and Secretary Romulo Neri of the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA), jointly made the assurance at the weekly "Kapihan ng Bayan" of the Government Mass Media Group (GMMG) at the Sulo Hotel on Monday.
INDIAN SUGAR REFINERY PROJECT IN PAPUA DELAYED
JAKARTA - A plan by India's Crebs Chemical to build a sugar refinery and sugar plantation in Papua has been delayed by sluggish bureaucracy.
Response has not been received for a query from the company on investment condition, its President Balram Bulcham said.
CHINA AGREES TO ESTABLISH US$90 MLN ETHANOL PLANT IN NIGERIA
LAGOS - Nigeria's central state of Niger and the Chinese government on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an Ethanol plant in the state.
At the signing ceremony held in the state capital Minna, secretary to the Niger State Government Adams Erena said the project "will gulp 11.6 billion naira (US$90 million)."
DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CHINESE WHARF GETS UNDER WAY
BEIJING - Construction of the first phase of the Caofeidian coal wharf kicked off on Friday on the coast of North China's Hebei Province.
Once completed, the project will help satisfy South China's massive demand for coal, with over half of the nation's southbound coal 200 million tons expected to be shipped from Caofeidian.
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Document APULSE0020060815e28f0028o

BRIEFING - ASIA ENERGY - AUG 15, 2006
1,633 words

15 August 2006

Asia Pulse

APULSE

English

(c) 2006 Asia Pulse Pty Limited
An executive briefing on energy for Aug 15, 2006, prepared by Asia Pulse ( http://www.asiapulse.com ), the real-time, Asia-based wire with exclusive news, commercial intelligence and business opportunities.
AUSTRALIA'S GASNET MAY CONSIDER HIGHER TAKEOVER OFFER FROM BBI
MELBOURNE - GasNet Australia Group (ASX:GAS) has not ruled out considering a higher offer from original predator Babcock & Brown Infrastructure Group (ASX:BBI), its chief executive Christine O'Reilly says.
GasNet today unveiled a $A418 million ($US316.99 million) recommended offer from Colonial First State Global Asset Management, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia's (ASX:CBA) asset management division.
SAMSUNG TO LAUNCH BIO-FUEL PLANTATIONS IN INDONESIA
JAKARTA - South Korea's electronic giant Samsung plans to invest Rp1 trillion (US$111 million) to build 200,000 hectares of sugar and castor oil plantations.
Chairman of the National Team for Development of Vegetable Fuels (BBN) Al Hilal Hamdi said Samsung plans to grow sugar cane and castor oil to produce basic material for bio-fuels.
MALAYSIA'S MISC REPORTS LOWER Q1 PROFIT AS SHIPPING RATES SOFTEN
KUALA LUMPUR - MISC Bhd (KLSE:3816) has reported a 4.5 per cent decline in first quarter group profit before exceptional item due to lower shipping rates.
For the three months ended 30 June 2006, it booked group profit before exceptional item of RM523.5 million (US$142.5 million) against RM548.0 million for the previous corresponding period.
JAKARTA GAS STATIONS TO SELL AUTO FUEL MIXED WITH BIODIESEL
JAKARTA - State-owned oil and gas company PT Pertamina said all gas filling stations in Jakarta will sell automotive oil in a mixture with biodiesel from the end of this month.
Biodiesel, which is produced from crude palm oil or castor oil, will make up only 5 per cent of the mixture, but the program is expected to significantly ease the oil fuel subsidy burden for the government, a Pertamina director Achmad Faisal said.
INDIAN BUSINESS DELEGATION TO VISIT SUDAN
NEW DELHI - To showcase the country's strengths in sectors such as oil, gas, power and telecom, a 200-member industry delegation will represent India in a five-day exhibition in Sudan, from August 22.
The industry delegation, to be headed by Assocham President Anil Agarwal, would represent more than 75 corporate houses from both public and private sectors besides senior officials from the Ministries of Railways, External Affairs, Industry and Commerce among others, the chamber said in a release.
TAIWAN'S CPC EYES OIL EXPLORATION IN PARAGUAY, GUATEMALA
TAIPEI - The state-owned Chinese Petroleum Corp. (CPC) will step up overseas oil exploration amid soaring world oil prices, and it is assessing the possibility of oil exploration in Paraguay and Guatemala, CPC officials said Monday.
The CPC has sent officials to the two countries in Central and South America to learn more about the oil reserve information there, they said. Guatemala is rich in crude oil, while Paraguay is rich in natural gas, as far as they know, the officials said.
DELAY IN CONSTRUCTION OF TAIWAN'S NUCLEAR PLANT COSTS US$2.2 BLN
TAIPEI - How much does a policy flip-flop cost? For stopping and then resuming construction on the fourth nuclear power plant in Taipei County, taxpayers paid NT$7.2 billion (US$2.2 million), according to a report released by the Council for Economic Planning and Development (CEPD) Monday.
Meanwhile, the total budget for building the controversial plant has been adjusted upward from NT$169.7 billion to NT$233.5 billion, the CEPD said, adding that if all goes well, the power plant will begin commercial operations in 2009.
PM SAYS AUSTRALIANS WILL BE BETTER OFF WITH LPG CARS
CANBERRA - Australians who take up a government subsidy to convert their cars to LPG will be better off within a fairly short period of time, Prime Minister John Howard says.
Motorists will be offered up to $A2,000 ($US1,530.5) to convert their cars to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) under a $1.6 billion package unveiled today.
INDONESIAN GOVT GUARANTEES INVESTORS PLN WILL REPAY LOANS
JAKARTA - The Indonesian government guarantees state electricity company PLN will be able to repay loans used to finance a coal-fired power plant with a total capacity of 10,000 megawatts.
State Minister for State Enterprises Sugiharto gave the assurance to investors who took part in a tender to build the project, which is estimated to cost US$9 billion and is scheduled to be completed before 2010.
CHINA'S OIL IMPORTS SURGE AS OIL EXPORTS PLUMMET: REPORT
BEIJING - China imported 83.98 million tons of crude oil and 21.97 million tons of refined oil from January to July, up 12.9 per cent and 21.2 per cent year on year respectively, according to the latest customs statistics.
Exports over the same period fell. The country exported 7.12 million tons of refined oil from January to July, down 19.3 per cent year on year, while 3.42 million tons of crude oil were exported, down 22.9 per cent year on year.
INDONESIA'S PGN SEEKS EXXONMOBIL CEPU BLOCK GAS DEAL
JAKARTA - State-owned gas distributor, PT Perusahaan Gas Negara (PGN) (JSX:PGAS), said it is discussing a deal with ExxonMobil to utilize gas produced from the Cepu Block operated by the U.S. company.
PGN president Washington Simanjuntak said the Cepu Block is expected to start turning out gas in 2008 and the gas could be distributed for East Java.
S. KOREA'S POWER CONSUMPTION HITS NEW HIGH
SEOUL - South Korea's electricity consumption surged to a new high for this summer on Monday as temperatures across the country rose above 30 degrees Celsius, the government said.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said electricity demand reached 57.27 million kilowatts as of 3 p.m., breaking the previous record of 57.24 million kilowatts set last Thursday.
IRANIAN DELEGATION ARRIVES IN TURKEY FOR ENERGY TALKS
ANKARA - A high-ranking Iranian oil and gas delegation arrived here late Sunday led by Deputy Oil Minister Mohammad-Hadi Nejad-Hosseinian.
The delegation is scheduled to conduct negotiations on Iran-Turkey cooperation in the energy sector.
INDONESIAN ENGINEERING CO TRUBA ALAM TO LAUNCH IPO
JAKARTA - Engineering company and operator of integrated power plants PT Truba Alam Manunggal said it hopes to launch initial public offering selling 30-40 per cent of its shares to raise Rp400 billion (US$44.4 million).
Company finance chief Hadian Iswara said the shares are expected to be already listed on the Jakarta Stock Exchange late next month.
OVL, SINOPEC SET TO ACQUIRE OMIMEX DE COLOMBIA
DEHRADUN - ONGC Videsh Ltd (OVL), the overseas investment arm of state-owned ONGC, and Chinese firm Sinopec will pay about US$820 million to acquire US-owned firm Omimex de Colombia.
OVL-Sinopec will acquire 50 per cent stake of Omimex de Colombia by the month end, industry sources said.
CHINA AGREES TO ESTABLISH US$90 MLN ETHANOL PLANT IN NIGERIA
LAGOS - Nigeria's central state of Niger and the Chinese government on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the establishment of an Ethanol plant in the state.
At the signing ceremony held in the state capital Minna, secretary to the Niger State Government Adams Erena said the project "will gulp 11.6 billion naira (US$90 million)."
THAILAND'S PTT POSTS H1 OPERATING PROFIT OF US$1.3 BLN
BANGKOK - PTT Public Company Limited (PTT), Thailand's largest energy firm, has announced that its total sales, including those of its subsidiaries, amounted around Bt583.62 billion (US$15.6 billion in the first half of this year, up 40.8 per cent year-on-year, while operating profit rose to Bt48.25 billion (US$1.29 billion) during the first six months of this year.
PTT President Prasert Bunsumpun said on Saturday that most of the profits were obtained from PTT's investment in related businesses.
AUSTRALIAN PM UNVEILS US$1.2 BLN PLAN TO EASE RISING FUEL COSTS
CANBERRA - Prime Minister John Howard has outlined a $A1.6 billion ($US1.22 billion), eight-year program to ease the pain of high petrol prices on motorists.
Outlining a multi-pronged plan, Mr Howard said from today the government would contribute $A1,000 towards the purchase cost of new factory-fitted LPG powered vehicles.
ONGC'S FLOODED HAZIRA GAS PLANT TO BE OPERATIONAL BY AUG 21
DEHRADUN - Oil and Natural Gas Corp. (BSE:500312) hopes to restart Hazira gas plant in Gujarat, which tripped country's half the gas supplies after being marooned in floods caused by incessant rains, by Aug 21 as water is being drained out.
"We believe operations will resume on 21th of this month", Petroleum Secretary M S Srinivasan told reporters here.
INDONESIA TO ACCELERATE BIO-FUEL PRODUCTION BY 2009
JAKARTA - Business in bio-diesel industry is expected to be brisk only in 2009-2010 when large-scale harvest of castor oil plants is expected to begin.
Chairman of the National Team for the Development of Bio-fuel Basic Material Al Hilal Hamdi said this year production of bio-diesel from castor oil will be relatively small, noting he expected 187 million liters to be produced in 2007.
CHINA NEEDS MORE SUPERTANKERS FOR OIL SUPPLY SECURITY: REPORT
BEIJING - China needs to drastically expand its supertanker fleet to safeguard the security of its oil supplies, sources said Friday.
China is now the world's second largest crude oil importer. Imported crude accounts for 43 per cent of its consumption. But over 90 per cent of its imports are currently transported by foreign oil tankers, the Shanghai Securities News reported Friday.
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CONTACT:
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