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.     2007 Asia-Pacific pay-TV operators survey, 3rd edition, price US$1,850  Programmers, find out what the major cable & satellite television platforms in Asia  and Australia think about your channels and support, their plans for the future and  opinions on digital content. This survey targeted programming managers at 44   major carriers in 15 countries across the region, focusing on the largest players in  each country. In cooperation with ContentAsia. Order your copy (US$1,850). Media & leisure

India - TRAI suggests FM radio may run limited news programmes Source: BBC, 13 January 2008 The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has recommended that private FM radio broadcasters be allowed to broadcast the news and current affairs programmes that have already been aired by government-controlled All-India Radio (AIR) or Doordarshan [TV]. The broadcasters have been demanding that they be allowed to have news and current affairs too as part of their content. In their representations to the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the private broadcasters have said allowing news and current affairs will help them boost their audience. Towards this end, they have suggested that the channels be allowed at least 6 to 8 minutes of news and current affairs per hour in their broadcast. Indonesia - Merger of national and local TV stations pushed Source: Media Blab, 14 January 2008 Indonesian politicians have attacked the government over its controversial decision to withhold the establishment of a networking system with national televisions stations and their local partners, saying it is a serious infringement of the 2002 broadcasting law. All 10 private TV stations are reluctant to comply with the law because the networking system would see them share profits with local stations in provinces and regencies. The Association of Private TV Stations claimed it had difficulty establishing joint companies with local television stations and procuring expensive devices required to establish the networks. Korea - Travellers grew to record 40 million in 2007 Source: Korea Herald, 13 January 2008 The number of inbound and outbound travellers in Korea surged to an all-time high of 39.83 million in 2007, up 11% from 2006. The Justice Ministry said the increase was due mainly to the growing overseas travel boom among the Koreans. The number of Koreans who traveled abroad in 2007 rose 15.1% from 2006 to 13.6 million, while the number of foreign arrivals increased merely 2.9% to 6.42 million. China was the top destination for Koreans, with 3.5 million visitors, or 27.8% of the total, while 2.32 million Koreans visited Japan. Among the foreign arrivals, Japanese visitors accounted for 40.3% of the total, or 2.21 million, followed by Chinese (920,000) and Americans (630,000). 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.