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?,   Global Market Intelligence Survey 2008   This report by Global Intelligence Alliance uncovers linkages between  organizational decision-making and Market Intelligence operations. Differences by  industries and regions were measured along with key success factors of MI.  Responses were collected from 439 participants on five continents, making this  survey the most comprehensive study that has been conducted in the area of  Market Intelligence to date. Request a free copy. In the news this week  l 14-May-08 Consolidation of India's retail sector in medium term

There is a huge potential for the retail sector in the country since India is a large economy and 97% of the country's retail trade is still in the unorganised sector. Indiaa's retail sector, valued at US$350 billion, is growing in the high double-digits a year, with companies including Future, Reliance Retail and Spencer's Retail opening outlets at the rate of one a day. With the country's economy projected to grow at a rate of 9% per annum, there would be gradual shift of the retail business from unorganised to organised sector. Companies are expanding their network in the country while new players are entering the market. The sector would continue to attract investments in the next five years. 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 Korea - S-Oil and Total launch lubricant joint venture India - BASF to strengthen its automotive business China - Chemical and chemical fiber industries report flagging growth

Consumer & retail India - Reliance Retail inks joint ventures with Marks & Spencer and Office Depot China - Hot selling perfume China - Japan's Yamada Denki to expand in new ground

Financial services Korea - StanChart cleared for brokerage while Citi denied Thailand - Standards needed for platinum credit card rules Australia - St George agrees to Westpac merger

Industrial & logistics China - Machinery industry continues to grow rapidly in 2007 Hong Kong - Cargo volume may drop 5% after Three Links China - Vehicle sales post slow rise as demand curbed

Information & communication technology   Korea - Taiwan's biggest LED maker challenges Korean market China - Alibaba ties up with Intel on SME-market PCs China - Olympic Games push up HDTV demand

Life science India - Ranbaxy to tie up with Merck Philippines - Indian pharmaceutical firm to set up shop Vietnam - Government gaining more control on the pharmaceutical market

Media & leisure India - Government to plug skill gap in gaming industry China - Online game market reached US$572.4 million in Q1 India - Magazine industry thriving as big players moving in

Previous issues

Opening up of Japan's mobile industry [9-May-08] Risks behind growth of China online game industry [2-May-08] Aisa wealth management growth to stay robust [25-Apr-08] Japan's M&A market starts to stir [18-apr-08] Beverage firms in India focus on fruit drinks, target teens [11-Apr-08] Banks target Asia's wealthy [4-Apr-08]

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Best regards, The Market Monitoring Team Fusion Consulting http://www.fusionc.com/marketupdate.htm