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

Malaysia - DBS's Islamic arm eyes stake in a Malaysian bank Source: Business Times Singapore, 25 January 2008 The Islamic Bank of Asia, majority-owned by Singapore's DBS Bank, may buy a stake in a Malaysian Islamic bank as it looks to enter Asia's biggest and most developed Islamic financial market. In Malaysia, foreigners can own up to 49% of an Islamic bank but no more than 30% of a conventional bank. Malaysia is regarded an essential part of any plan to expand into Asia's rapidly growing market for Islamic banking: the mainly Muslim country is home to 12 Islamic banks with almost US$46 billion in assets and has the largest Islamic bond market. There are nine local Islamic banks, including Maybank Islamic, the biggest in terms of assets, and CIMB Islamic, one of the world's largest arrangers of Islamic bonds. Singapore - Temasek raises Stanchart stake to 19% Source: Business Times Singapore, 30 January 2008 Temasek Holdings has raised its stake in Standard Chartered to more than 19%. Regulatory figures show that the Singapore investment company has raised its stake by one percentage point to 19% in UK-registered Stanchart, which focuses on emerging markets. Stanchart sees value in the stock amid weakness in global stock market. The latest increase in shareholding is fuelling market talk about a possible takeover or merger between Stanchart and DBS Group. DBS, South-east Asia's largest lender, is another bank in Temasek's stable, with the Singapore investment company owning 28% of the bank. Singapore - Amex card spending up 22% in 2007 Source: Business Times Singapore, 29 January 2008 Spending on American Express (Amex) cards in Singapore rose 22% in 2007. The increase came after a 23% rise in 2006. Amex saw significant growth in spending in specific categories. Spending on luxury watches and jewellery is growing more than 45% a year. Billings on its Singapore Airlines co-brand cards grew 32% from 2006, while spending at Amex Selects partner restaurants rose almost 35%. According to Amex, growing affluence, the strong economy and wider lifestyle choices contributed to higher spending in 2007. Looking ahead, the integrated resorts and the Marina Bay developments are expected to propel growth.     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.