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

Asia - TNT pumps US$160 million within next five years Source: Channel NewsAsia, 11 April 2008 Express integrator TNT will invest nearly US$160 million into Southeast Asia within the next five years. This will be used mainly for infrastructure developments and aircraft operations. TNT is looking to tap into growing demand for freight express services between Southeast Asia, China and Europe. Over the last year, its cargo volumes between China and Europe alone have grown by more than 20%. TNT said direct investment into Singapore is estimated to come up to nearly US$40 million. That's about a quarter of the total investment into the region. The logistics sector accounted for 9.4% of Singapore's GDP in 2007, and employed about 180,000 people. China - Auto makers report soaring Q1 sales Source: Xinhua Business Weekly, 14 April 2008 Global auto makers reported soaring first-quarter sales in China as they stepped on the accelerator to jostle for position in the world's fastest growing vehicle market. The sales growth of almost all the big global names far outpaced the industry average in China; passenger car sales rose 20.4% to US$1.9 million in the first three months and 24% in March, the biggest monthly rise since August 2007. In contrast, their sales experienced double-digit declines in the United States last month as demand fell and consumers held back amid concerns about gas prices, the subprime mortgage crisis and tightening credit. India - Auto sales drop 4.7% Source: Business Standard, 11 April 2008 Marking a forgettable year for the Indian automobile industry, marred by high interest rates and lack of finance availability, vehicle sales in India dropped by 4.7% in 2007-08. The overall decline in sales was due to a decline in sales of motorcycles, three-wheelers and goods carriers in the medium-and-heavy-commercial vehicle segment. According to figures released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), total domestic vehicle sales in 2007-08 was down at 9,648,105 units, compared with 10,123,988 units in the previous financial year.     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.