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.       Merging with the Mainland: China's M&A opportunities   M&A activity in China continues to surge, thanks to strong economic growth and  private equity activity. With regulatory changes in 2006, several sectors should see  further M&A action in 2007 and beyond. Find out where the opportunities lie.

Financial services

China - Beijing, Taipei close to banking deal Source: China Economic Review, 22 February 2008 Banking regulators in Beijing and Taipei have agreed that Taiwan's Fubon Bank can take a 20% stake in Xiamen Commercial Bank. The investment would help remove one of the largest remaining barriers to cross-strait economic ties by allowing Taiwan banks to invest in mainland banks via their subsidiaries in Hong Kong. The Fubon deal could serve as a case study for future tie-ups between Taiwan and mainland banks. Taiwan and Beijing do not allow their banks to invest in each other. Up until now Taiwan banks have been able to get limited access to China via Hong Kong. Mega Financial, SinoPac Financial and many other financial companies have branches in Hong Kong. Singapore - Citibank launches centre for high net worth clients Source: Channel NewsAsia, 26 February 2008 Citibank is gunning for more high net worth clients with a new S$3.5 million (US$2.5 million) high-tech centre in Singapore. The centre will have private conference rooms, video conferencing facilities and a plush ambience akin to a five-star hotel catering to high net worth clients. This is the first such centre in Singapore, following successful launches in Hong Kong, Taipei and Seoul. Citibank believes such clients form a growing market, which will help it compete in the lucrative banking segment. Such individuals typically have more than S$1 million (US$0.7 million) in assets that can be invested. An estimated 38,000 people in Singapore are in this category. Singapore - Singapore positions itself as Islamic banking hub Source: Channel NewsAsia, 25 February 2008 Singapore is making yet another push for a piece of the US$500 billion global Islamic banking pie, with a 5% concessionary tax on Shariah-compliant products. Industry watchers said this would help to draw in key global players. However, there is competition from other countries which are seeking to build up their Islamic banking sector, with some countries even offering tax holidays for a substantial period of time. Industry experts said Singapore could further attract key global players with grants or subsidiaries to help product innovation for Shariah-compliant products.     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.