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.     China's water and wastewater treatment sector   Huge demand exists in China for clean water with ample opportunities for  investors, water companies or water technology suppliers in the municipal and  industrial water supply and wastewater treatment market. Market-oriented  regulatory changes have lowered pricing risk, and opened up the sector.    Find out what the needs, solutions and opportunities are.

Industrial & logistics

India - Gammon forays into logistics business Source: Press Trust of India, 18 February 2008 Infrastructure major Gammon India has set up a logistics firm to tap the fast growing organised retail market. As a first step, Gammon would concentrate on setting up cold chains and warehouses keeping in mind the retail sector and the company's presence in ports. Gammon's logistics company would have a pan-India operation and expects to begin the business from January 2009. The US$60 billion Indian logistics space is attracting many players including shipping companies like Shreyas Shipping and Essar Group. According to industry data, the cost of surface logistics is estimated at between 9-23% of the GDP.  India - Boeing-Air India MRO venture to take off soon Source: Financial Express, 15 February 2008 Construction work for the much awaited maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facility by Air India and US-based aircraft manufacturer Boeing will start at the end of the second quarter of the 2008-09 fiscal. The MRO is a joint venture between Air India and Boeing and a third party whose name is yet to be announced. The project will commence with an initial investment of US$100 million. Most of the airlines send their aircraft either to the US, Europe and Gulf destination for the regular maintenance. Having an MRO within the domestic skies means that the operating costs of the airlines will be reduced to nearly 60% because of the skilled labour available at US$35 per hour. Singapore - Aerospace output hits record US$4.9 billion Source: Business Times Singapore, 20 February 2008 Singapore's aerospace industry hit a record high in 2007 with an output of S$6.9 billion (US$4.9 billion), boosting the aviation sector growth by 10.4% over 2006. The Economic Development Board is confident that the country will be able to double its aviation output by 2018. Value added was up 8.5% to S$2.7 billion (US$1.9 billion), while the number of people employed by the industry grew by 8.2% to 19,000 in 2007. The industry, which encompasses manufacturing and maintenance, repair and overhaul, remains one of the fastest growing sectors in Singapore. Some S$168 million (US$119 million) in manufacturing fixed asset investment were committed in 2007.     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.