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.     Click here to request our free whitepaper on the Development of Telematics in  Asia and its impact on the automotive industry and other sectors including telecom,  media and logistics. Information & communication technology

China - Microsoft eyes doubling mobile sales in the mainland Source: TelecomAsia, 3 April 2008 Microsoft expects shipments to China of handsets with its software will more than double in the next year amid an expected boom in demand for web access once the country launches 3G wireless services. About two million mobile devices installed with Microsoft operating systems were shipped to China in the last year, about 10% of Microsoft's global total. Microsoft works with device makers such as Samsung Electronics, Motorola, and High Tech Computer. The size of China's mobile phone market is expected to reach 323.2 million units in 2011, according to Beijing-based research firm Analysys International, compared to 149.13 million units in 2007. India - Incentives for the semiconductor industry draw seven proposals Source: Eetasia.com, 6 April 2008 The India government will provide incentive of 20% of capital expenditure during the first 10 years for projects in special economic zones (SEZs) and 25% for non-SEZ units. It has so far received seven proposals worth over Rs650 billion (US$16.3 billion). Proposals received so far cover the manufacture of polysilicon, single- and multicrystalline ingots, wafers, solar cells, photovoltaic modules, LCDs, SoC and IC assembly, testing and packaging. Reliance Industries, Videocon, Moser Baer, Titan Energy, KSK Energy Ventures and Signet Solar, have submitted proposals. Reliance alone has submitted a proposal (total investment around Rs300 billion or US$7.5 billion) for a semiconductor wafer fab unit with ATMP facility. Singapore - Motorola closes handset plant; may sell the business altogether Source: Channel NewsAsia, 3 April 2008 Motorola is closing its Singapore handset production plant, which produces more than half of its 3G handsets sold worldwide. From the end of 2008, production will be transferred to other regional plants in Tianjin, China, and elsewhere. However, Motorola will maintain its Asia-Pacific headquarters and its handset R&D facility in Singapore. There is market talk that Motorola may sell off its handset business altogether. Indian consumer electronics maker Videocon Industries has expressed an interest to bid for the handset unit of Motorola if the US firm decides to sell the business.   View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles.  Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

This Weekly News Update is a free newsletter, providing a round-up of the week's Asia-Pacific news from our core industry practices. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.

Fusion Consulting is a business intelligence consultancy providing clear strategic advice on Asia-Pacific markets. With offices in Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong and 400 industry consultants in 16 countries, we conduct custom research and consulting to help companies understand their markets, compete more effectively and grow into new areas of opportunity. Email more@fusionc.com or visit www.fusionc.com for more information.