The Weekly News Update is a weekly roundup of business news from around the Asia-Pacific region, covering Fusion Consulting's core industry practices: chemicals, consumer & retail, financial services, industrial & logistics, information & communication technology, life science and media & leisure. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.

Dear ?NAME?,      MI for the Strategic Planning Process  The most important Key Success Factor in linking market intelligence (MI) with  strategic planning is mutual respect between MI and top management. Find  out how this can be achieved through case studies on five companies including  ABB, Orange and Shell in MI for the Strategic Planning Process, the latest  report from Global Intelligence Alliance. Request free copy. In the news this week  l 4-Apr-08 Banks target Asia's wealthy

The growing number of high-net-worth individuals and the strength of the economy has led to a boom in Asia's private banking industry, with China and India generating the most wealth. According to BCG's 2007 report, China and India accounted for more than 64% of the wealth in the region. Lured by the growing number of millionaires, private banks are in a frenzy to set up shop in China and India. HSBC has officially launched its HSBC Private Banking business in Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. Barclays is also courting India's elite with the establishment of a private bank in the country. Outside China and India, Malaysia is also a key market for private banking - particularly, Islamic wealth management and investment fund services. Tax breaks and incentives for Islamic financial products have lured investors such as Kuwait Finance House and Qatar Islamic Bank. CIMB Group has also started Islamic private banking services in Malaysia for wealthy Muslims who invest in accordance with their faith. . Click here to view this week's articles for all industries.    What you don't know can hurt you  Receive all the key news on your markets, industry and competitors each  week, with alerts for important breaking news, and avoid information  overload with human filtering. Find out more about our Market Monitoring   Service and web-based Intelligence Plaza system by emailing   marketing@fusionc.com.

Chemical China - H.B. Fuller to establish regional lab in Shanghai India - ICI India to sell adhesives business to Henkel Vietnam - Idemitsu, Mitsui Chem plan petrochem complex

Consumer & retail China - Sales of top 100 chain stores up 21% in 2007 India - Italian luxury brands plan expansion India - India lags as retail destination

Financial services China - HSBC offers private banking in the mainland Hong Kong - Over 400,000 millionaires in 2007 Singapore - Amex trains sights on young affluent

Industrial & logistics China - Logistics industry posts more than 20% growth China - SembCorp in US$16 million China water venture Vietnam - Japan's transport enterprises to expand operations

Information & communication technology   World - More semiconductors sold, but for less money China - Software revenue up 28.7% in Jan-Feb 2008 Thailand - Software industry plans to move into Laos

Life science India - Vitabiotics plans foray into OTC market India - Domestic pharma firms leave MNCs far behind Singapore - Bio*One takes US$10 million stake in Alexza

Media & leisure China - SARFT to add 10 more online video licenses China - Baidu partners with radio stations Korea - BCC Introduces Digital Broadcasting Law

Previous issues

Foreign investors unfazed by Vietnam's economic difficulties [28-Mar-08] India's chemical sector benefits from China's cut in export rebates [21-Mar-08] Foreign game makers accelerate Asian drive [14-Mar-08] Asian players withdraw from fiercely competitive Chinese handset market [7-Mar-08] India to exploit nutraceuticals [29-Feb-08] India sets sight on becoming a global MRO hub [22-Feb-08]

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